Livestock Systems: Beef-tutorial Flashcards
beef suckler
Cattle raised for beef and left with the mother
Calf in the spring
1/5 calf in autumn
What is body condition scoring?
Body condition scoring (BCS) is a useful management tool for distinguishing differences in nutritional needs of beef cows in the herd. This system uses a numeric score to estimate body energy reserves in the cow.
A cow in ‘thin’ condition (BCS 1-2) is angular and bony with minimal fat over the backbone, ribs, hooks, and pins. There is no visible fat around the tail head or brisket.
A cow in ‘ideal’ condition (BCS 2.5-3.5) has a good overall appearance. A cow with a BCS of 2.5 has visible hips, although there is some fat over the hooks and pins and the backbone is no longer visible.
Cows with BCS of 3 or 3.5 become fleshy and the ribs are no longer visible. There is also fat around the tail head and in the brisket. An over-conditioned cow (BCS 4-4.5) is smooth and boxy with bone structure hidden from sight or touch. She may have large protruding fat deposits (pones) around the tail head and on the pin bones. Be aware that gut fill due to rumen contents or pregnancy can change the appearance of moderately fleshy cows, especially over the ribs or in front of the hooks.
Briefly discuss why is BCS carried out in beef suckler herds?
Body condition scoring and management responses link together three major factors:
Good Animal Health and Welfare
Good Husbandry
Good Performance
By assigning BCS scores at the time of weaning, the cows can be sorted for appropriate feeding/grazing. Grouping cows by feed requirements and feeding them accordingly can help each of them reach BCS 2.5 - 3 by calving. Scoring cows 60-90 days before calving allows you to evaluate your dry cow nutritional program while allowing enough time prior to calving for “extra feeding” if needed.
Cows that are thin (BCS < 2) are not reproductively efficient and are more susceptible to health problems. Cows at BCS 1 need immediate veterinary attention/investigation. Cows that are over-conditioned (BCS 4-4.5) are the most costly to maintain and have often been barren for a season or failed to rear a calf.
Two-year-olds with BCS 4-4.5 may experience calving difficulties due to the excessive fat within the pelvic canal.
Failure to conceive is the most important factor contributing to the reduction of net calf crop. Conception rates are dramatically compromised in cows that are BCS 2 or less.
Research indicates that the body condition of a cow influences days to first heat after calving and calving interval. A beef cow must conceive within 82 days of the birth of her last calf if she is to maintain a 12-month calving interval.
Heifer
Young cow
420 days old
Briefly describe how BCS is carried out.
Scoring consistently requires handling cattle in order to assess body reserves but an overall visual inspection is also important. The scoring system is designed to cover all cattle but some allowance should be made for different breeds.
The scoring method involves a manual assessment of the thickness of fat cover and prominence of bone at the tail head and loin area. You should stand directly behind the cow to score both areas and always handle the animal quietly and carefully using the same hand.
The tail head is scored by feeling for the amount of fat around the tail head and the prominence of the pelvic bones.
The loin is scored by feeling the horizontal and vertical projections of the vertebrae and the amount of fat in-between. Assessment relies mainly on the tail head but is refined by the loin score if both are very different. On a scale of 1 - 5, a score of 1 is extremely thin and a score of 5 is extremely fat. If possible, assess the scores to the nearest half point.
Consistency in the technique is the key to good condition scoring.
Describe a poor bcs in a cow
Tail head - deep cavity with no fatty tissue under skin.
Loin- spine prominent and horizontal processes sharp.
Ribs – sharp with no fat cover.
Skin fairly supple but coat condition often rough.
BCS 1
Describe a moderate bcs in a cow
Tail head - shallow cavity but pin bones prominent; some fat under skin.
Loin - horizontal processes can be identified individually with ends rounded. Skin supple.
Ribs: can be easily identified individually but feel rounded rather Than sharp
BCS 2.5
Describe a good bcs in a cow
Loin - end of horizontal process can only be felt with pressure; only slight depression in loin.
Tail head - fat cover over whole area and skin smooth but pelvis can be felt.
Bcs 3.5
Describe a fat bcs in a cow
Tail head - completely filled and folds and patches of fat evident.
Loin - cannot feel processes and will have completely rounded appearance.
4
Describe a grossly fat BCS in a cow
Tail head - buried in fatty tissue,
Pelvis - impalpable even with firm pressure in loin.
Target Body Condition Scores for spring-calving suckler cows:
Housing: 3.0
At calving: 2.5-3
At turnout: 2.0
Breeding: 3.0
Target Body Condition Scores for autumn calving suckler cows
Housing 3.0
At Calving 2.5-3
At Turnout to pasture 2.0
At Breeding 2.5-3
Target Body Condition Scores for summer calving suckler cows
Housing 2-2.5
At Calving 2.5- 3.0
At Turnout to pasture 2.0
At Breeding 2.5
Cattle raised in the winter season tend to have higher cost for 1 kg of liveweight, liveweight gain and carcass than those raised during otherseasons.
Why?
They’re fed more silage in winter (feed costs)
Housing costs for both cow and calf
Vaccinations for respiratory viruses
