Monitoring Cow Condition

1
Monitoring - Cow Condition

• Range 215
• April 18, 2005

2
Body Condition Scores

• Estimate of the animals energy reserves
• Indication of nutritional status of the cow
• 1 to 9 Scoring System 1 Extremely thin,
  emaciated 9 Extremely fat, obese
• Target at breeding is BCS 5
• Okay for BCS to fluctuate

3
BCS Related to Reproduction

• Calving BCS PPI days Conception
• 3 89 70
• 4 70 80
• 5 59 94
• 6 52 100
• 7 31 100
• Houghton, JAS 681438

4
BCS Related to Colostrum

• Heifer Condition Score
• 3 4 5 6
• Birth to stand, min 60 64 43 35
• Colostrum prod., l 1.5 1.1 1.4
• Calf serum IgG 1998 2179 2310 2349

5
Body Condition Scores

• Breeding time BCS highly related to reproduction
  difficult to add condition between calving and
  breeding
• Calving time BSC also related to breed back plus
  indicates nutritional needs
• 60 days pre-calving late adjustments
• Preg Check (fall) BCS dictates winter nutrition
  program
• Summer BCS dictates weaning time

6
Adjusting Cow Condition

• Time is critical!
• 1 BSC 80 pounds

7
Adjusting Cow Condition

• Time is critical!
• 1 BSC 80 pounds
• So to move from a BCS 3 BCS 5 we have to add
  160 lb fetus 270 lb

8
Adjusting Cow Condition

• Time is critical!
• 1 BSC 80 pounds
• So to move from a BCS 3 BCS 5 we have to add
  160 lb fetus 270 lb
• CS in fall 150 days 1.8 lb/day

9
Adjusting Cow Condition

• Time is critical!
• 1 BSC 80 pounds
• So to move from a BCS 3 BCS 5 we have to add
  160 lb fetus 270 lb
• CS in fall 150 days 1.8 lb/day
• CS at 60 days pre-calving 4.5 lb/day