Body condition scoring is a useful tool when used as a subjective evaluation of the energy reserves of cattle by assessing the amount of fat carried relative to the hook bones, pin bones and tail head. This is usually scored on a 5 point scale.
The condition of a cow fluctuates continuously throughout lactation and body condition scoring should be carried out regularly. This technique is useful in striking a balance between good welfare, performance and economic return.

Explanation of Scoring System

BCS 1
Deep cavity around tailhead with no fatty tissue felt between pins Pelvic bone easily felt and skin supple End of short ribs sharp to touch and upper surfaces easily felt Deep depression in the loin
BCS 2
Shallow cavity lined with fatty tissue at tailhead Some fatty tissue felt under pin bone and pelvis easily felt End of short ribs feel rounded with slight pressure Depression visible in loin
BCS 3
No visible cavity around tailhead with fatty tissue easily felt over whole rump Skin appears smooth and pelvis felt under slight pressure Ends of short ribs felt with pressure and a thick layer of fat on top Slight depression in loins
BCS 4
Folds of fatty tissue visible around tailhead with patches of fat on pin bones Pelvis only felt with firm pressure Short ribs cannot be felt even with firm pressure No depression visible in loin between the backbone and hipbone
BCS 5
Tailhead buried in fatty tissue and skin distended No part of the pelvis felt even with firm pressure Folds of fatty tissue over short ribs Bone structures cannot be felt

Target BCS

Importance of BCS

It's a delicate balance between fit and fat, with too much condition causing just as many problems as cows that are too thin. With this in mind there are some critical points to remember:

• cows should not calve with excessive fat as they can develop condition such as fatty liver syndrome or ketosis and can increase the risk of milk fever, mastitis, lameness and infertility. There could also be a risk of calving difficulties, particularly in heifers.
• Cows are prone to lose excessive amounts of weight at parturition when they are under a great amount of nutritional stress whereby their energy intake does not meet their requirements and so they mobilise fat from body reserves to compensate for this shortfall.
• Cows that are too thin or too fat can fail to conceive
• For suckler cows, excessively thin cows may not be able to produce sufficient milk to feed their calf, although other nutritional, environmental and animal factors must also be considered in this situation.