Measuring Body Condition Mitigates Risk in a Cowherd

By Dr. Randall Spare, Ashland Veterinary Center, Production Animal Consultation

Body Condition Score (BCS) in beef cows is an indicator of the amount of flesh the cow is carrying. This scoring procedure quantifies the amount of fat reserves in a cow. Just as a balance sheet is used to evaluate the financial soundness of a business, body condition scoring allows for a systematic approach to assess the nutritional status of a cow and cowherd. Often this is done at strategic stages of the gestational cycle of the cow, such as during pregnancy diagnosis and also prior to calving. It is an effective, inexpensive tool used to guide a nutrition program. With the cost of forage, supplement, and mineral being as much 65 to 75 percent of the annual cow cost, we can make disciplined and specific choices to feed to the correct endpoint.

BCS has several practical implications that correlate to a ranch’s profitability. We know that reproductive rate is the primary indicator of profitability. Also, knowing that reproduction is a lowly heritable trait forces us to understand that environment and nutrition are keys to ensuring a targeted reproductive rate. The body condition score of the cow at calving is positively correlated to pregnancy rate and the length of postpartum anestrous (the time period from calving until the cow returns to estrus). Increased BCS also has a positive effect on the health and vigor of calves at birth. Body condition is assessed at critical stages, such as pregnancy diagnosis, 60-90 days pre-calving, calving, and the start of breeding. When assessed at these critical production stages, adjustments can be made to mitigate risks of poor fertility or less than robust calf health. Nutritional supplementation can be planned with a BCS herd assessment.

Many tools and computer models are available today that assist in determining the exact nutrient needs of production phases along with cow size, age, breed, body condition score, milk production, environment, temperature, and moisture. Along with the cow’s needs, the available forage can be analyzed for protein, energy, mineral content, and digestibility. Then a cow’s exact nutrient needs can be formulated for improving BCS.

Starting out

The beef cow body condition scale is 1 to 9, with 1 being very thin (to the point the cow cannot rise) and 9 being obese. Included at the end of this article are several resources on the body condition score being described. Since BCS scoring is somewhat subjective, it is important to realize that two people may not score an animal exactly the same. However, it is most important that each person scoring the cows do it consistently. As with any other skill, it takes practice. One will soon find themselves driving down the road visualizing body condition scoring in an effort to improve their BCS skills.

Adjustments

In a cow that weighs 1,200 pounds, one BCS is equal to approximately 90-100 pounds of body weight. To increase weight by one body condition score in a 1,200 pound cow, a target of 100 pounds of weight gain is necessary in a specified time period. This increase of weight does not include the weight of fetus or placenta. Weight gain should be measured by the actual body weight of the cow.

Another objective of body condition scoring is the increase of body reserves necessary to withstand the cold weather or inclement conditions of winter. An adequately conditioned cow will have increased fat cover, allowing her actual maintenance levels to be lower in cold, wet, and windy weather. Many remember this past February, when the polar vortex held temperatures abnormally low for nearly 14 days. It was virtually impossible for a cow to eat enough protein, energy, and forage to maintain body weight. Therefore, it was important to have spring calving cows in optimum body condition prior to calving.

Practical examples to use this information

A BCS 5 should be the target for a mature cow at the time of calving to maintain an efficient return to estrus and conceive early in the breeding season. Most spring calving herds target March 1 as a calving date. Assuming the average body condition score of 4 is recorded at the November 15 pregnancy check, the cow must gain 100 pounds in 105 days to improve to a BCS 5 prior to calving. The supplement and forage program must target one pound per day of daily gain to reach the goal of BCS 5. Producers using BCS can systematically implement a system to take control of the feeding program by intentionally measuring the body condition of the cows at the time of palpation.

Another example is in first-calf heifers. A target BCS of 6 at the time of calving is critical. First-calf heifers are still growing and need more time to return to estrus in comparison to a mature cow. Therefore, first-calf heifers need more fat reserves to transition into early breeders in the mature cowherd. Another challenge of first-calf heifers is the decreased quality and quantity of colostrum because of age. Any time the BCS is less than 6, colostral output will be decreased.

Nutritionally managing – taking control

There are four strategic stages to evaluate body condition score:

• Weaning

• 60-day pre-calving

• When calving starts

• Beginning of breeding season

Moving into mid-fall and preparing for the middle of gestation, often, there may tendencies to think all we need to do is “coast.” Calves are weaned and the cows are moved to winter pasture or a crop residue. Let’s reconsider an intentional nutritional plan for the next 3- 4 months, until 45-60 days pre-calving. Benchmarking the condition of the cows at each stage will provide opportunity to evaluate the forage and supplements for the next 30-90 days as well as the next six months. Being proactive allows us to procure the needed resources and be less reactive to adverse weather events.

Fat mitigates risk. Simply put, fat creates the nutritional margin during critical periods of severe weather, or when the cow has increased nutritional needs of uterine involution, lactational needs, and estrus.

Remember that progressive cow-calf producers are always looking for tools to mitigate risk. Having a cow in the targeted, optimum body condition at calving will decrease the risk of infertility and poor calf health.

Randall Spare, a graduate of Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1986, is President and Co-Owner of Ashland Veterinary Center. AVC is a mixed animal practice with six veterinarians serving clients in several states. Through dedication and desire to help clients succeed, Ashland Veterinary Center works to exceed expectations. Dr. Spare focuses on bovine care, especially cow-calf production. Besides the practice of veterinary medicine, his passion is to recruit and mentor young people to the field of veterinary medicine. Randall and his wife, Michelle, are parents to five children, and now have nine grandchildren.