Body Condition Scoring Beef Cows - UF IFAS Range Cattle .
Body Condition Scoring Beef CowsLawton StewartExtension Animal Scientist – Beef CattleTed DyerExtension Animal Scientist – Beef Cattlemobilized once fat and other nutrient stores have beendepleted. Researchers have determined that a certainamount of body fat is required for the reproductivesystem to function. Inadequate nutrition is most oftenthe cause of poor reproductive performance. Developing a nutrition program is easier and more cost effective when all cows on the farm can be managed in asimilar manner. This is especially true when all cowson a farm are managed in a single herd, which is oftenthe case with small production units. Calving yeararound will make it very difficult to maintain adequatebody condition on all cows at the critical times.IntroductionReproduction is the most important factor in determining profitability in a cow calf enterprise. To maintain a calving interval of 365 days, a cow must re-breedin 80 to 85 days after calving. Many cows in Georgianeed a higher level of condition at calving and breedingto improve reproductive performance. Poor reproductive performance is directly linked to the percentage ofbody fat in beef cows. Body condition scoring (BCS) isan easy and economical way to evaluate the body fatpercentage of a cow. Cows can then be sorted and fedaccording to nutritional needs. Body condition scoringcan be an effective tool for cattle producers who cannotweigh cattle, and it may be an even better measurementof cow condition and reproductive performance thanweight. Most studies show that body conditiondecreases at a faster rate than weight loss. Therefore,body condition scoring can estimate the probability ofre-breeding.Beef cattle have nutrient requirements in priorityorder for body maintenance, fetal development,lactation, growth and breeding. The nutrient intake isdistributed in the body of the cow to fill these nutrientrequirements. As each requirement is filled, the available nutrient is shifted to the next lower priority. Thereverse shift is also obvious in beef cows. As nutrientrequirements exceed intake, nutrients are shifted fromthe lower priority requirements to be sure that higherpriority requirements are filled. Beef cattle store excessnutrients as body fat. The fat stores are mobilized whenthe nutrient demands exceed the available intake. Intimes of severe nutrient restriction, muscle tissue isImportance ofBody Condition ScoringBody condition affects both cow and calf performance. Poor body condition is associated with reducedincome per cow, increased post-partum interval, weakcalves at birth, low quality and quantity of colostrum,reduced milk production, increased dystocia, and lowerweaning weights. Increasing post-partum interval willresult in a younger, smaller calf at weaning the nextyear and will result in lower incomes if sold at weaning. Weak calves at birth may not get adequate colostrum and are more susceptible to disease, reducedweaning weights, reduced feedlot performance, andless desirable carcass traits. Research clearly showsthat cows in moderate body condition will have ashorter interval from calving to first estrus than cows inthin condition. This supports the conclusion that BCSis one of the most important factors in determining subsequent reproductive performance.1
Table 1. Description of body condition scores (BCS) (1 [thin] to 9 [obese]) a.BCS%Body FataDetailedDescription bThin13.77Clearly defined bone structure of shoulder, ribs, back, hooks and pins easilyvisible. Little muscle tissue or fat present.27.54Small amount of muscling in the hindquarters. Fat is present, but not abundant.Space between spinous process is easily seen.311.30Fat begins to cover loin, back and foreribs. Upper skeletal structures visible.Spinous process is easily identified.Borderline415.07Foreribs becoming less noticeable. The transverse spinous process can be identified by palpation. Fat and muscle tissue not abundant, but increasing in fullness.Optimum518.89Ribs are visible only when the animal has been shrunk. Processes not visible.Each side of the tail head is filled, but not mounded.622.61Ribs not noticeable to the eye. Muscling in hindquarters plump and full. Fat aroundtail head and covering the foreribs.726.38Spinous process can only be felt with firm pressure. Fat cover in abundance oneither side of tail head.Fatab830.15Animal smooth and blocky appearance; bone structure difficult to identify. Fatcover is abundant.933.91Structures difficult to identify. Fat cover is excessive and mobility may be impaired.(Source: NRC, 2000)(Adapted from: Herd and Sprott, 1986)ence using body condition scores by identifying cattleinto one of three categories: thin (1 to 3), borderline(4), optimum (5 to 7) or too fat (8 and 9). Over time, asthe producer becomes familiar with details of eachspecific body condition score, these categories can befurther broken into actual condition scores. Researchreported by the University of Florida (Table 2, page 4)demonstrates that as cattle decrease from a bodycondition score of 5 to 4, they may have reduced pregnancy rates by as much as 30 percent. An additional 30percent of pregnancies can be lost when cattle dropfrom a 4 to a 3. Cattle that receive a BCS of 5 or belowmay have reduced pregnancy rates. Although mostcattlemen tend to keep cows on the thin side, cattle thatare obese (BCS of 8 to 9) may also have reduced pregnancy rates.How to Body Condition ScoreTo properly evaluate body condition for cattle, anobserver must be familiar with skeletal structures andwith muscle and fat positioning. Although there areseveral methods available to determine body composition, many cattlemen use a scoring system that involvesranking cattle on a scale. This manuscript will focus onthe commonly used scale of 1 to 9, with 1 being emaciated and 9 being obese (Whitman, 1975).Cattlemen can easily observe cattle under pastureconditions to obtain body condition scores. Familiaritywith key skeletal structures listed in Figure 1 (p. 3) isrequired to apply an accurate body condition score. Adescription of each condition score is listed in Table 1.Body condition scoring is a subjective measurement, meaning that one producer may score slightlydifferent than another. The producer can gain experi2
Figure 1. Skeletal structures of a cow used to evaluate body condition score.BCS 3BCS 2BCS 4BCS 5BCS 6BCS 73
Table 2. Relationship of parity and bodycondition score to pregnancy rate (%) a.When to Evaluate Body ConditionMany beef producers are involved in diversifiedfarming operations. These operations may combinecattle with row crops, poultry houses, timber and manyother time consuming production practices. Regardlessof the combination, additional obligations may limitthe amount of time producers can spend evaluatingbody condition. However, neglecting to properly observe and record body condition can have a substantialimpact on overall productivity and profits.To properly identify cattle that have increased nutritional needs, producers should evaluate body conditionas often as possible, but a minimum of three times(weaning, 90 days pre-calving and breeding) per year ispreferred. Cattle that are calving should have enoughbody condition to allow for a reduction in body massdue to weight being lost during the parturition processand fluids being displaced. Body condition score atcalving time provides the best prediction of re-breedingperformance. Evaluating BCS approximately 90 daysprior to calving allows sufficient time to adjust the feedration to ensure cows are in adequate body condition atcalving.Body Condition Score b at CalvingaParity#34 5All1205390842285084713236090854-748729287 837678974All31608982(Rae et al., 1993; University of Florida)(Scale of 1 [thin] to 9 [obese])bTable 3 shows the impact of BCS on pregnancypercentage, calving interval, calf performance, calfprice and income. Cows in a borderline body condition(BCS of 4) have greatly reduced pregnancy rates,increased calving intervals, lower calf daily gain andgreatly reduced yearly income. For example, a cowcalving in a BCS of 4 will return an income of approximately 100 less than a cow calving in a BCS of 5. IfBCS is taken 90 days prior to calving, the cows inborderline condition can be properly supplemented toachieve a BCS of at least 5 at calving. In most casessupplemental feed costs will be approximately 25 to 35 for feed that costs 100 to 150 per ton This is farless money spent on feed than would be lost if cowswere allowed to stay in a BCS of 4. The impacts areeven greater for a BCS of 3 and is a condition thatshould never happen with any of the cows in the herd.WeaningEvaluating body condition at weaning can be usefulto determine which cows or heifers need the most gainprior to calving. Since calves will no longer suckle,lactating cows will be able to dry off and add neededweight before calving. The time period from weaningto calving has proven to be the easiest and most economical time to add condition to cattle. Producers whofail to evaluate body condition and adjust the nutri-Table 3. Relationship of body condition score to beef cow perform ance and incom e a.BCSbPreg.Rate (%)CalvingInterval (days)Calf WA(days)cCalf DG(lb)dCalf WW(lb)eCalf Price /100fIncome( /Calf)Yearly Income 6a(Adapted from Kunkle et al., 1998; UF/IFAS Publication SP-144.(Body Condition Score; scale of 1 [thin] to 9 [obese]).c(Weaning Age; 240 days for cows in BCS 5 and 6 and decreasing as calving interval increases).d(Daily Gain)e(Weaning Weight; calculated as calf age multiplied by calf gain plus birth weight [70 lbs]).f(Average price for similar weight calves during 1991 and 1992).g(Calculated as income/calf times pregnancy rate times 0.92 [% calves raised of those pregnant]).b4
tional needs of the cow herd after weaning may havedifficulty adding condition later in the productioncycle.body condition by the start of the breeding season,which begins in early- to mid-winter. The majority ofproducers feed hay as the base diet during this period.Hay will likely require supplementation and the hayfeeding period may last throughout the breedingperiod for cows calv-ing during the fall. In contrast,cows calving in late winter will be in late gestationand early lactation dur-ing the winter feeding period.Body condition score at calving will have to bemonitored more closely than fall calving cows as thecows will be fed hay through most of the lasttrimester. Cows will likely be fed a hay based diet thatrequires supplementation during the early lactationperiod. However, supplementation can cease when hayfeeding stops and grazing becomes available. Cowsshould be able to increase body condi-tion score whengrazing lush spring growth of fescue, ryegrass, orsmall grain pasture.90 days Prior to CalvingAssessing body condition 90 days prior to thebeginning of the calving season may be useful in preventing extended periods of anestrus. This score maybe taken at weaning in herds that delay weaning untilcalves are 8 to10 months of age. However, weaningcalves at least 90 days prior to the start of the calvingseason is recommended. Cow nutritional requirementsare greatly lowered when non-lactating and shouldallow the cow to achieve adequate body condition atcalving with minimal supplemental feeding. Nutritioncan then be adjusted for cattle that receive body condition scores of less than 5 after this assessment.Although changes in weight can be achieved, take careto prevent excessive weight gain immediately prior tocalving. Cows should be fed to calve in a BCS of 5 to6 and heifers a BCS of 6.Increasing Body Condition Scorefrom Calving to BreedingBreedingThe easiest and most economical time to improvebody condition score is from weaning to calving. Insituations where cows calve in a less than adequatebody condition, weight gain must be increased rapidlyfollowing calving to achieve acceptable pregnancyrates at the end of the breeding season. The mostdifficult period to maintain body condition is fromcalving to breeding. Body condition score and rebreeding rates can be improved in cows calving in lessthan a 5 condition score if fed to increase conditionprior to the beginning of the breeding season. Maturecows, however, will respond to supplementation muchbetter than first calf heifers. Table 4 illustrates theeffects of body condition score at calving and subsequent body weight gain on pregnancy rates of firstcalf heifers. Heifers that calved in a body conditionscore of 5 or above had greater than 90 percent pregnancy rates when either gaining weight or maintainingweight. In heifers calving in a BCS of less than 5,pregnancy rate was increased from 36 to 67 percent byincreasing daily gain from 0.7 to 1.8 pounds per day.Even though increasing daily gains improved pregnancy rates, the 67 percent pregnancy rate is notacceptable and was far below both groups calving in acondition score of 5 or greater. This study shows that,for first calf heifers, body condition score at calving isthe key component to high re-breeding rates.After undergoing the stress of parturition, cattlewill lose body condition. The time period from calvingto breeding is the most difficult in which to improvebody condition. This is why it is very important tobody con-dition score cows 90 days prior to calvingand make ration changes to achieve optimum BCSprior to calv-ing. Approximately 90 percent of cattlein optimum body condition will resume estrus cyclicactivity 60 days postpartum. Assessing body conditionat breeding may offer useful information that may helpexplain reduced pregnancy rates.Body Condition Scoreand Calving SeasonThe calving season in Georgia varies widelyamong cattle operations, but most calves are bornfrom Sep-tember through March. Calving season has alarge impact on phase of the cow’s yearly productioncycle in which body condition score is most likely tobe deficient.In the southeast, cows calving in the fall monthsare likely to have adequate body condition score, sothe winter feeding period usually begins shortly afterthe calving season begins. Therefore, cows arelactating throughout the winter feeding period.Increased de-mands of lactation and declining feedquality during the fall months often causes inadequate5
Table 5. Effect of restricted feeding on body conditionscore of mature cows.aTable 4. Effects of calving BCS and subsequent weightgain on reproductive performance of first calf heifers.aFeeding LevelbCalving BCSWeight gain,lb/dbPregnancy % 51.867 50.736 51.094 50.191Days 6.05.35.405.65.54.8 585.25.15.2aAdapted from Bell, et al. 1990Weight gain daily weight gains from calving to the start of thebreeding season.aAdapted from Freetly et al., 2000.High-High-High maintain BCS of 5.5 from weaning tobreeding. Low-High-High decline in BCS in second trimesterand regain BCS to a five during third trimester. Low-Low-High decline in BCS during second trimester through 28 days postcalving, then regain BCS to a five at breeding.bbBody condition score at calving is less critical formature cows. Certainly, it is ideal to have cows in abody condition score of 5 at calving through breeding.Acceptable re-breeding rates, however, can be achievedin mature cows that calve in borderline (BCS of 4) condition if cows are fed to increase body condition scoreto a 5 at the start of the breeding season.A study evaluated the effects of nutrient intake fromthe second trimester through the start of the breedingseason. The first group was fed to maintain a bodycondition score of 5 from the second trimester to thestart of the breeding season. The second group was fedto be a BCS of 4 during the second trimester, and thenregain condition during the third trimester to a BCS of5 at calving. The third group was fed to be in a BCS of4 from the second trimester through 28 days postcalving, and then gain weight to be in a BCS of 5 at thestart of the breeding season. Table 5 shows the bodycondition scores and Table 6 shows the post-calvingweight gains and pregnancy rates. All groups were in aBCS of 5 just prior to the start of the breeding seasonas planned. Acceptable pregnancy rates occurred in allgroups. Cows that calved in a BCS of 5 to 6 lost weightfrom calving to the start of the breeding season; cowsthat calved in a BCS of 4.8 had to be fed to gain 3.43lbs per day to increase body condition to maintain anacceptable re-breeding rate. Such rapid weight gainwould require a grain-based or corn silage based diet.Cows in a BCS of less than 5 at calving should beseparated from the rest of the herd and a feeding program designed to increase BCS should begin immediately. The cows that calved in a BCS of 4.8 were onlyslightly below the desired BCS of 5 and cows calvingin a BCS of less than 4 may not have acceptable pregnancy rates.Table 6. Effect of restricted feeding on postpartumweight gain and pregnancy rates of mature cows.aFeeding LevelbHigh-HighHighLow-HighHighLow-LowHighWeight gain, lb/d-0.46-0.643.43Pregnancy rate, %939288ItemaAdapted from Freetly et al., 2000.High-High-High maintain BCS of 5.5 from weaning to breeding.Low-High-High decline in BCS in second trimester and regainBCS to a five during third trimester. Low-Low-High decline in BCSduring second trimester through 28 days post-calving, then regainBCS to a 5 at breeding.bSupplemental Feeding Based onBody Condition ScoreGrouping by Body Condition ScoreA body condition scoring system is much moreeffective when cows can be sorted and supplementedrelative to target body condition score. The amount ofsorting will depend on the availability of pastures andlabor. Ideally, mature cows should be separated into anadequate ( 5 condition score) and inadequate BCSgroup ( 5 condition score). In addition, first-calf heifers and developing heifers should remain in separategroups. Condition scores of heifers do not vary asgreatly as those of mature cows, and heifers can usually be fed together.6
Another option is to sort your cow herd into maturecows in condition score of 5 and greater in one groupand heifers plus cows in condition score of less than 5in another group. The primary benefit of grouping bybody condition is to reduce supplemental feeding costsand implement a more specialized management systemfor thin cows.of hay is about 2.4 pounds per day, and the cowrequires 2.1 pounds per day. Therefore, the supplemental feed does not have to be high in crude protein,and high energy, low crude protein feeds such as corncan be used. In most cases, hay will not supply sufficient nutrients to increase body condition score. Computer ration balancing programs are available throughCooperative Extension. These programs can rapidlybalance diets for protein and energy to achieve thedesired body condition score, but an accurate analysisof feeds is needed to accurately balance a diet.Determining Needed Levelof SupplementationBody condition scores of cows must be determinedprior to the beginning of a supplemental feeding program. Body condition score has a significant impact onthe requirement for energy but only a small effect onthe protein requirement. Many supplementation programs focus only on supplemental protein and fallshort of providing enough energy to maintain an adequate BCS. Energy rather than protein is often the mostlimiting nutrient in Georgia forages.To increase body condition, the first step is to determine how many pounds a cow needs to gain to reachthe desired BCS. To increase one condition score, acow needs to gain about 75 pounds. A dry pregnantcow would need approximately 375 pounds and alactating cow 575 pounds of TDN (Total digestiblenutrients) above maintenance to increase one bodycondition score in a 75-day period. This would equateto approximately 6.5 pounds of corn per day for a drypregnant cow and 10 pounds of corn per day for alactating cow.Tables 7 and 8 lis
Beef cattle have nutrient requirements in priority order for body maintenance, fetal development, lactation, growth and breeding. The nutrient intake is distributed in the body of the cow to fill these nutrient requirements. As each requirem
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2 ETHANOL COPRODUCTS FOR BEEF CATTLE: Distillers Grains for Beef Cows Figure 1. Energy requirements of beef cows and heifers (NRC, 2000) Table 1. . 0.6%-1.2% of body weight, had an artificial insemination conception rate average increase of 14 percentage points (64% versus 50%) over cows fed a traditional wintering or
dimensions of calf from bali cows are 77.27 cm; 92.49 cm; 85.90cm; 25.65 cm; 12.813 cm; and 50.76 cm. The average body weight gain of bali calves and cows was 173.68 g and 172.10 g/head/day. It was concluded that body color of bali cattle in Kupang has no significant effect on body dimensions and body weight gain of bali calves and cows. The body
Adapted from NRC Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle, 7th revised edition. Table 1. Beef cattle body condition score and associated body fat percent and shrunk body weight. Body Condition Score (BCS) Body Fat, % Shrunk body weight, % of BCS 5 13.77 77 27.54 81 311.30 87 4 15.07 93 5 18.8
CANADA BEEF BUSINESS PLAN 2016/17 We put the best of Canada into our beef. 01 CANADA BEEF Canada Beef 2016 Business Plan Table of Contents 1 . beef and veal industry, operating under the Canadian Beef Cattle Research, Market Development and Promotion Agency (the Agency). We work together with generations of
Importance of reproductive efficiency in beef cattle production A great portion of the expenses in cow-calf production systems is dedicated to the maintenance of healthy cows in productive condition. At the same time, approxi-mately one third of cows removed from the beef herd are eliminated because of reproductive failure ( 33%, NAHMS 2007 .
on-farm forPart III: Reference of 1997 Beef Cow-Calf Production Management and Disease Controlfrom March 3 through May 23, 1997, from 1,190 operations that had five or more beef cows on January 1, 1997. Part IV: Changes in Beef Cow-Calf Management Practiceswill combine results of the 1992-93 CHAPA with
