Body condition score
Body condition score is the main driver of breeder performance. Body condition score is a visual assessment of overall fleshing, including fat and muscle tissue. Body condition score is usually described on a 1–5 scale. The scale can be categorised as follows:
1. Poor
- no fat cover
- very low level of muscle tissue
- skeletal definition very pronounced.
2. Backward store
- light muscle tissue cover
- skeletal definition pronounced, particularly the backbone and rear ribs.
3. Moderate
- a reasonable degree of muscle tissue present but no significant levels of fat
- neither the backbone nor ribs are prominent
- pins are filled out and hip remains prominent.
4. Forward store
- even coverage of muscle and fat
- skeletal definition smoothly rounded.
5. Fat
- significant levels of fat
- skeletal definition lost.
Poor and backward store body condition is one of the main impediments to resumption of cycling in breeders. Cows need to have a body condition of score of three or greater at calving to have a chance of reconceiving and calving within 12 months.
Body condition score can be managed using the following strategies, in order of importance:
- stocking rate
- weaning
- supplementation
- pregnancy testing and breeder segregation.