Condition Scoring Of Your Dairy Animal

Content

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Introduction. Body condition score Improtance of body condition score. Why body condition score. How body condition score When body condition score Body condition score System Reference Score chart

Introduction

My Name is Dr. Malik Muhammad Ali. I work in Multinational Feed Company named as Maxim International Pvt. Ltd. This article is sequel of documents which I send you often to increase your knowledge base for better understanding of dairy animal. If you have any query related to following: 1. Dairy farming. 2. Beef farming. 3. Mutton farming. My detail is given below; you are welcomed to ask any question.

If you know your cows then keep on eye on her because you can see profit out of her Dr. Malik Muhammad Ali Technical Services Manager Tel: +92 (56) 340 6335 Ext : 110 Cell: +92 (323) 445 8927 Email: dr.ali@maxim-intl.com

Body condition score

The purpose of this article is to show how the simple technique of body condition scoring can contribute significantly to good husbandry and management of dairy cows. This will help to ensure that the cow is in the correct condition for each stage of her annual cycle and that appropriate dietary changes can be made in order to correct any deficiencies. For dairy cows the crucial periods are at calving and during early lactation. Achieving correct body condition at calving is important in order to avoid calving difficulties and losses. While in early lactation it is important to prevent excessive weight loss when meeting the extra nutritional demands of high yielding cows. The technique links together three major factors:

Good Welfare Good Husbandry Good Performance

Importance of Body Condition

The important stages of production are:-

Pre-calving (drying off) Condition should be fit not fat, and should be such to allow a moderate level of supplementation to prepare cows for early lactation. At calving Cows should not calve in an excessively fat condition. Fat cows may develop fatty liver disease or ketosis and are more prone to milk fever, mastitis, lameness and infertility. Early Lactation Dairy cows are under considerable nutritional stress and adequate feeding is essential to avoid excessive weight loss. Excessively thin cows can suffer discomfort in a housing environment such as cubicles. At service Dairy Cows should not be in energy deficit by this stage as this may result in low fertility.

Why condition score?

Over the years geneticists have greatly improved the milking capabilities of the dairy cow. Today, a herd average of 7000 liters is normal in European, Australian, and American cows and yields in excess of this are quite common. Nutritionists have kept up with these developments by producing ration formulations that meet the demands of these high yielders. Despite these advances, it remains a fact that producers still face problems in controlling cow body condition score. Margins are dramatically affected by cows that are unable to milk to their full genetic potential, or get in calf efficiently, both of which are directly affected by incorrect body condition control.

Body condition scoring should be used by every modern dairy manager to help prevent these issues from occurring. Condition scoring monitors changes in the level of body fat carried by the cow and allows us to take corrective action before health and performance is adversely affected. It is a hands-on assessment of the cow to determine the fat over the short ribs, thurl and tail head area. You can employ a "5 point" condition scoring system, with, for example, extremely thin cows scoring "1.0" and fat cows scoring "4". The system allows cows to be assessed using the same objective standards.

How do you condition score?

Body condition scoring is carried out by a hands-on assessment of the amount of flesh covering the loin, rump, and tail head areas. Start out by making sure you have good light, and that the animal is relaxed and standing on a level surface. It is often worth initially standing back for a big picture overall impression. 1. Start by feeling the short rib area, noting how the flesh follows the rib bones 2. Run your hand along the ribs to the backbone 3. Move down the backbone, assessing the amount of fat between and around each vertebra 4. Run your hand away from the backbone, along the ligament to the hook bone. Assess the fat cover over the bone, and follow over the thurl to the pin bone 5. Assess the level of dishing between the hook and pin bones 6. Assess the tail area, moving your hand up to the tail head to assess fat coverage 7. Observe and feel the flesh coverage either side of the tail head and note the presence of any folds of skin

When do I condition score?

Cows need scoring at 5 distinct stages of the production cycle:
Late lactation (250 days in milk) Dry-off Calving Post-calving examination (21 days) Mid lactation

Late lactation is the most crucial since condition at this time has a knock-on effect on the whole of the subsequent production period. A cow within the optimum condition score range in this period will be much more likely to: Have fewer calving problems Have a better appetite after calving Have a lower incidence of retained cleansings Demonstrate a more controlled and gradual use of body reserves in early lactation than fatter cows Attain her potential peak yield Produce high quality milk (butterfat and protein %) Milk to her full genetic potential over the whole lactation period Show a lower level of sub/clinical ketosis and fatty liver syndrome Get back in calf according to plan

Condition score examples

Condition Score 1.0
This cow is too thin. She has no body reserves to draw on to meet her needs.
Each vertebra is individually identifiable and distinct. Short ribs individually visible. Thurl is extremely dished. Hook and pin bones and the ligaments connecting the two are clearly defined. Sunken tail head.

Condition Score 2.0

May be possible to get full production out of this cow but she lacks reserves.

Prominent vertebrae but cannot distinguish individually. Short ribs are easily counted. Thurl area is much dished. Hook and pin bones and connecting ligaments are prominent. Hollows either side of tail head.

Condition Score 2.5

This cow is fit to cope with most stages of lactation. The ideal target condition.

Rounded vertebrae - not visible as individual bones.

Back-bone visible. to 1 inch of tissue over short ribs. Edges of ribs are rounded. Visible, but rounded hook and pin bones. Hook and pin connecting ligaments are rigid and clearly visible. Visibly dished thurl. Hollows either side of tail head - suggestion of fat on tail head.

Condition Score 3.5

This cow is at the higher end of ideal. A little extra condition easily tips her into the fat category. Ideal condition goal for heifers at calving and dry-off.

Fat can be felt over the back-bone and short ribs. Fat obvious over the ligaments connecting the hook and pin bones. Well rounded hook and pins. Rounded either side of tail head. Hook and pin connecting ligaments are rigid.

Condition Score 4.5

This cow is carrying too much fat

Back will appear 'solid'. Individual short ribs not visible and only felt with deep palpation. Very well rounded hook and pins with obvious fat padding. Clearly rounded either side of tail head with no skin folds.

Reference

This chart is guide for what should be score, what are rule of thumbs, what would be the issues on farm and how can be they handled.

Timing LATE LACTATION (250 days in milk) Most important condition scoring time

Rule of Thumb No more than 10% of herd should be over condition score 3.5

Score Problem <2.5 Prolonged period of under nutrition.

Action Check energy: protein balance of ration.

>3.5 Ideal Condition Score: 2.5 - 3.5

Poor milk yield and milk Consider increasing quality. energy density of ration. Likely to dry off and Reduction in condition calve too fat. before drying off. Higher probability of calving difficulties. Poor appetite and rapid condition loss in early part of next lactation. Higher incidence of ketosis and fatty liver syndrome in next lactation. Poor fertility in next lactation. Will calve in poor condition and have reduced body reserves for quality milk production. Too late to dramatically alter condition (damaging to do so). Feed less concentrate particularly if using a starchy compound.

DRY OFF

Ideal Condition Score: 2.5 - 3.5

Large gains in body condition during the dry period lead to large losses of condition in early lactation.

<2.5

Feed to improve condition of underconditioned cows in dry period If fatty liver prevalent, aim to reduce condition a little in dry

>3.5

period. Greater incidence of calving problems, as fat Reduce energy intake. deposits in the pelvic region can block the birth canal. Cannot consume Aim to feed a high enough to satisfy energy ration. demands for milk and maintenance, especially if feeding a low energy ration. Lack of condition means lower reserves to call on if encounters sub-optimal nutrition. Risk of low milk protein. Limited appetite and Consider the cows lower utilisation of lower dry matter forage. intake when formulating ration. Potential yield not achieved. Ensure adequate protein available in Higher incidence of ration. milk fever. Will not milk to If condition is recorded potential peak yield. throughout the herd, revise feeding Poor milk protein %. programme to ensure further losses do not Probable low occur. conception rates to first service. Identify high yielders in poor condition and do not expect pregnancy until back into positive energy

CALVING

Ideal Condition Score: 2.5 - 3.5

A maximum loss of half a condition score from calving through early lactation is acceptable.

<2.5

>3.5

EARLY LACTATION (Post calving examination)

No more than 10% of the herd should be under condition score 2.0.

<2.5

Ideal Condition Score: 2.25 - 3.5

balance Thin cows that are not high yielders are not getting enough energy. If fatty liver prevalent, aim to reduce condition a little in dry period. Reduce energy intake.

>3.5

Greater & faster mobilisation of body reserves therefore increased number of defective follicles resulting in fertility problems. Lower feed conversion efficiency. Higher incidence of sub/clinical ketosis. Higher incidence of fatty liver syndrome. Higher incidence of retained cleansings. Probable low conception rate to first service.

MID LACTATION (Pregnancy diagnosis)

A high yielding cow should lose no more condition than a lower yielding cow.

<2.0

Check pregnancy diagnosis. Adjust ration to reach minimum condition score 2.5 by dry off.

Ideal Condition Score: 2.0 - 3.5 >3.5

Increase energy density if severely under-conditioned. May approach late Reduce energy intake lactation carrying too or move to a lower much fat. production group earlier than Increased risk of ketosis anticipated. and fatty liver

syndrome in next lactation. Can be a problem especially seen with a single group TMR feeding

Avoid high starch compounds.

Please ask any question if it gets too technical for you!!!

Score chart
Take a print of this table and fill it up and Hang in milking parlor/area. It will help to diagnose any change in your animal condition thus interpreting your animal nutrition status.

Cow Number / Name

Lactation Stages LATE DRY-OFF LACTATION (250 days in milk) Condition Condition Score Score

CALVING

Condition Score

EARLY LACTATION (21 days in milk) Condition Score

MID LACTATION

Condition Score

Target

Target: 2.5 - 3.5

Target: 2.5 - 3.5

Target: 2.5 - 3.5

Target: 2.25 - 3.5

Target: 2.0 - 3.5