Dairy Cattle Nutrition: Body Condition Score

Question 1

3 descriptions for BCS 5

Answer 1

1) Very Fat animal
2) Tailhead buried in fat
3) Heavy fat covering rump and loin areas

Question 2

BCS in Mid Lactation

Answer 2

Cows should have BCS 3.0

Question 3

BCS at the end of the lactation

Answer 3

Cow should be building body reserves for the next lactation
BCS 3.5

Question 4

BCS shortly after calving

Answer 4

Cows should have a BCS 3.0-3.5

Question 5

3 descriptions for BCS 2

Answer 5

1) Moderately thin animal
2) Shallow cavity around tailhead
3) Small amount of fat covering rump and loin

Question 6

4 times of when to check BCS

Answer 6

1) After Calving
2) Early in Lactation
3) Middle of the Lactation (4 months)
4) End of the lactation

Question 7

BCS in Early Lactation

Answer 7

Cows should have a BCS of 2.0-2.5

Question 8

What type of issues can be seen in thin cows?

Answer 8

Health issues

Question 9

4 descriptions for BCS 4

Answer 9

1) Moderately Fat animal
2) Folds of fatty tissue over the tailhead
3) Patches of fat over the rump
4) Fairly heavy fat covering the loin

Question 10

3 descriptions for BCS 1

Answer 10

1) Very Thin animal
2) Showing deep depression around tailhead
3) No fat covering rump and loin

Question 11

What type of issues can be seen in fat cows?

Answer 11

Difficulty in calving and high risk of fatty liver syndrome

Question 12

What is the score range for dairy cattle?

Answer 12

Scores range from 1 (very thin) to 5 (excessive fat)

Question 13

2 descriptions for BCS 3

Answer 13

1) No cavity around tailhead
2) Fatty tissue over the whole rump and loin area