Standards of Perfection

Fall is the time to score body condition

  Body condition scoring is a way to determine the amount of fat a cow is carrying, something that is strongly related to fertility. And because it is not affected by breed, frame size, gut fill, or stage of pregnancy, it is a better measure of a cow's nutritional status than her body weight.

  The U. S. scores on a 1-9 scale, but in Canada, we usually rate cow condition from 1-5. A 1 is very thin, while a 5 is very fat over the loin area between the last rib and the hip bone.

  To score a cow, place your hand on the loin with the fingers pointing to her other side; using your thumb, estimate fat cover over the end of the short-ribs. In animals that are fairly fat, this is difficult, so we also use the thumb to estimate fat cover over the tail head and the ribs.

  Score 1: When short-ribs feel sharp, the tail head has no fat and the hip bones, tail head and ribs are easily seen.

  Score 2: When short ribs feel rounded rather than sharp, some tissue covers the tail head and hip bones. Individual ribs are no longer visibly obvious.

  Score 3: When firm pressure is needed to feel the short-ribs and fat can be felt around the tail head.

  Score 4: When you can't feel the short-ribs with firm pressure, there is obvious fat at the tail head, and fat folds are developing over ribs and thighs.

  Score 5: When short-ribs are completely covered by fat, the tail head and hip bones are almost buried in fat. Fat folds over the ribs and thighs are now obvious. The bone structure is no longer noticeable. The animal has that blocky appearance and difficulty moving.

  Studies show thin cows scoring 2.5 or less at calving take longer to return to estrus than cows at 2.5 or greater. With an extended breeding season, thin cows will become pregnant eventually, but are unable to maintain a 365 day calving interval. Her energy intake after calving doesn't have as big an effect on conception rate as her condition going into calving, but excessive weight loss certainly won't help.

  Reductions of 5% to 25% in adjusted 205 day weaning weights have been reported in calves from dams having a body condition of less than 2.5 at calving. It only gets worse when the next pregnancy is delayed by inadequate nutrition. For each estrus cycle that a cow remains open, the calf will be 20 days younger and at least 40 pounds lighter at weaning.

  Severe nutritional restrictions in the last trimester going into calving will lead to weak calves, less colostrum, and higher death losses.

  The time to score cows is when they come off pasture, or at pregnancy testing time. Aim for your cows to score 3s. Any cow that did not achieve a condition score of 3 on grass should perhaps be weaned early so she can add some condition before she goes into winter.

  Ideally, they should enter calving at 2.5 to 3.5 and not slip below 2.5 after the calf is delivered. This is particularly true of first-calf heifers. The stress of calving, milking, and continued growth will delay their return tc estrus even longer if they are not maintained in good condition.

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