Body condition score (BCS), an indicator of relative fatness, which is representative of energy stores, can be visually assessed at any point in time to evaluate the nutritional status of cattle. Some critical times to evaluate BCS are 90 days prior to calving, before breeding and at weaning. For beef cattle, the scale ranges from 1 to 9, with 1 being extremely thin and 9 being obese. The ideal range for beef cattle is right in the middle: 5 for mature cows and 6 for first-calf and 2-year-old heifers. Cattle that calve at a BCS of 5 or 6 have enough energy stores to have a productive lactation period and breed back in a timely fashion so they maintain a yearly calving interval.
When evaluating BCS in cattle, start by looking at the ribs. A rule of thumb I follow is “4 ribs = 4 BCS.” If I can see four ribs, I estimate that animal at a 4 BCS, and then adjust up or down based on other areas of the body, like the back, hooks and pins, tailhead and brisket. Ideally, on a BCS 5 or 6, I want to see the last rib or two, but they should not be prominent. The cow should be smooth over the ribs and back with no vertebrae protruding. There should be some fat cover such that the hips and tailhead can be felt when pressure is applied, but not readily visible. Excessive fat around the tailhead, or heavy fat in the brisket, means body condition is too high.
If you lack experience body condition scoring, do not get too caught up in assigning exact numbers. Start by evaluating and sorting cattle into groups of thin, moderate and fat. Then refine your nutritional management and eye for BCS over time. Keep records of BCS on a whole-herd or group basis to see how it fluctuates throughout stages of production, but it is also important to evaluate individual cows. Individual BCS can help you determine efficient cows from those having a harder time keeping condition, weaning good calves or breeding back, which leads to sound breeding and culling decisions.
Nutrition does not have a “one-size-fits-all” answer. I always say no calculator can tell me as much as body condition score can. If you find that your nutritional management plan is not keeping weight on your cows, it may be time to reevaluate and bump up the plane of nutrition. Make it a regular practice to body condition score your cows to make the most of your nutritional planning.
