Body condition scoring (BCS) is a useful management tool for distinguishing differences in nutritional needs of beef cattle. This system uses a numeric score to estimate body energy reserves in the cow. Research indicates that there is a strong link between the body condition of a cow and her reproductive performance.
What is body condition scoring?
Body condition scoring (BCS) is a hands-on method of assessing the amount of fat cover on an animal and is an important tool in managing beef cattle and optimizing the use of feed resources. It’s simple and straightforward to learn, and you don’t need to spend money to manage the condition of your cattle. BCS is based on a 5-point scale where number one represents a severe under condition cow and a very fat (over conditioning) cow at number 5. Calving has a big impact on the condition scoring, going down to 2.5 just after. The ideal condition score for calving is about 3.5, but if the animal is too fat, with a BCS of 4 or above, she will have complications during calving, because of fat accumulation in the birth canal.
How is body condition scoring done?
You need good observation skills, your hands and focus on two specific areas:
The short ribs
The degree of prominence of the short ribs of the individual spinous processes, is found by placing the fingers flat over the short ribs and pressing the thumb into the end of the short ribs. A condition score is given according to the ease with which the individual short ribs can be felt with the thumb. The degree of fat cover around the tail head and short ribs is assessed using the fingers and thumb.
Animals with a condition score of 3.5 to 3.75, will have a calving percentage as high as 80 or 90 %.
It is used to directly and indirectly accessing the nutritional status of the cow. Animals with a condition score of 1.5, has a reduced chance of producing a calf.
The score can be varied half a score depending upon the amount of tail head fat, for example if the short rib palpation (using the thumb) gives score 4 but the tail head is a typical 3, the score would then be 3.5. Scores can be directly related to fatness at the P8 site.
BCS 5: The bone structure of the animal is no longer noticeable, and the tail head is almost completely buried in fatty tissue.
BCS 4: The processes cannot be felt and fat cover around the tail head is easily seen as slight mounds, soft to touch. Folds of fat are beginning to develop over ribs and thighs.
BCS 3: The short ribs can only be felt with firm thumb pressure. Areas either side of tail head have fat cover which can be easily felt. A condition score of 3.5 means the cow is in average condition
BCS 2: The individual processes can easily be felt, but feel rounded, rather than sharp. There is some tissue cover around the tail head. Individual ribs are no longer visually obvious.
BCS 1: The individual processes are sharp to the touch, no tail head fat. The hip, bones and ribs are prominent.
The description of the scores are as follows:
The degree of fat cover around the tail head, is assessed by using the fingers and thumb and should be done at the same time as assessing the short ribs. The appropriate score is given depending upon the degree to which palpable fat can be felt.
The tail head
Body condition scoring must be done at weaning and calving. Your first body condition scoring will be done during calving and the second one, 7 months later, after the calves are weaned.