– Jerad Jaborek, Michigan State University Extension
BCS evaluation should occur at weaning and calving.
Body condition scoring is a visual assessment of the animal’s body energy reserves. In other words, an estimation of the animal’s fat deposition or lack thereof. Body condition is scored subjectively on a scale from 1 to 9 for beef cattle, with 1 representing an emaciated animal and 9 representing a very obese animal (see Table 1/Figure 1 in Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle). Cattle with a body condition score of 5 to 7 is considered most ideal.
Body condition score (BCS) can be an effective tool to evaluate the health, nutritional status and economic value of your beef cattle. For example, cattle that are too thin are at greater risk from metabolic challenges, diseases, experience decreased milk production, lower quality colostrum, reduced fertility, dystocia and their offspring may experience reduced performance. Conversely, over-conditioning is expensive and can lead to greater risks of compromised udder development, dystocia, lameness and reduced feed intake.
Body condition scoring can be conducted multiple times throughout a year to implement and monitor changes. For cows, BCS evaluation should occur at weaning (60 to 90 days prior to calving) and calving. Assessing BCS at weaning allows . . .
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