body condition scoring chris ellason. introduction what is body condition scoring (bcs)? nutritional...
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Body Condition Scoring
Chris Ellason
Introduction
What is Body Condition Scoring (BCS)?
Nutritional Priorities of Cattle
Body Condition Scoring System
BCS in Relationship to Pregnancy Rate
Body Condition at Calving
How Body Conditioning Can Effect Economics.
What is Body Condition Scoring(BCS)?
Management Tool
Obtain a simple and reliable measure of the level of body reserves in live animals
Priority of Nutrient UseCattleman’s Perspective
Reproduction
Lactation
Maintenance
Growth
Priority of Nutrient UseDairyman’s perspective
Lactation
Lactation
Lactation
Lactation
Nutritional Priorities of Cattle
Body Maintenance
Lactation and care of offspring
Growth
Reproduction
Fetal Development
Storage
Body Condition Scoring System
Scale rages from 1 to 9
1-4 = Angular
5 = Average
6-9 = On the Larger Side
BCS 1
Extremely ThinAll Skeletal Structures are VisibleNo Muscle Tissue is EvidentNo External Fat Present
BCS 2
Very Thin
Skeletal Structures are Visible
Muscle Tissue is Evident , but Not Abundant
No External Fat Present
BCS 3
Thin
Upper Skeleton is Prominent
Muscle Tissue is More Abundant
Body Fat is Not Obvious
BCS 4
MarginalSkeletal Structures Less ObviousMuscle Tissue is AbundantFat is Beginning to Cover Ribs
BCS 5
Medium Flesh for CalvingIdea flesh at WeaningRibcage is Only Slightly VisibleMuscle Tissue is Nearing MaximumFat Deposits are Noticeable
BCS 6
Idea Flesh at CalvingMuscle Tissue Volume is at a MaximumFat Deposit Behind Shoulder is ObviousFat Beginning to Cover Rump
BCS 7
Slightly Overconditioned for Efficient Production
Fat Deposits Behind Shoulder and at Tailhead are Obvious
Fat Appearance Over Topline
BCS 8
Overconditioned
Skeletal Structures are Invisible
Fat Deposits are Flattening Rump
Fat is Filling Brisket and Over Shoulder
BCS 9
Obese
Flat Appearance Dominates
Brisket is Heavy
BCS in Relationship to Pregnancy Rate
80 Days After Calving to Get Bred
62% of Cows With BCS 4 Were in Heat by 80 Days After Calving
88% of Cows With BCS 5 Were in Heat By 80 Days After Calving
98% of Cows With BCS 6 Were in Heat by 80 Days After Calving
BCS vs Conception rate
0
20
40
60
80
100% Bred
2 3 4 5 6 7
BCS @ Calving
Body Condition at Calving
Young Cows Require About One BCS Higher to Achieve the Same Reproductive Performance as Mature CowsIt is Easier to Increase Condition Before Calving Rather then After they CalveAcceptable BCS Prior to Calving is 6 or Higher
How Body Conditioning Can Effect Economics
BCS is related to Pregnancy Rate, Calving Interval, Calf Age at Weaning and Calf Daily Gain, All of this Equal MoneyIncome is Reduced by $107 when BCS is decreased from 5 to 4Income is Only Reduced by $27 when BCS is Reduced from 6 to 5
Exceptions to the rule
25 year old Longhorn cow that just weaned her 23 calf
Adjust the 1-9 BCS system to fit the cattle in your operationSouth Texas IowaArizona
Summary
Good Reproductive Performance Requires BCS of 5 or Higher
Nutrition is very important in Maintaining BCS
Indicator of forage availability/quality
The Routine Use of BCS in Each Herd Will Provide Needed Information to Manage the Cow Herd for a High Calf Crop and Profitability