scholarly journals Association between body condition score and live weight in pasture-based Holstein-Friesian dairy cows

2006 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 487-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donagh P Berry ◽  
Kevin A Macdonald ◽  
John W Penno ◽  
John R Roche

The objective was to quantify the strength of the relationship between body condition score (BCS) and live weight (LW) in pasture-based Holstein-Friesian dairy cattle, and to determine the kg LW per unit BCS. A total of 26021 test-day records with information on both BCS (1–10 scale, where 1 is emaciated and 10 is obese) and LW across 1110 lactations from one research farm were used in the analysis. Correlation and regression analyses were used to determine the degree of association between BCS and LW in different parities, stages of the inter-calving interval and years. Correlations between BCS and LW were relatively consistent, with the mean correlation between BCS and LW across all data of 0·55 implying that differences in BCS explain approximately 30% of the variation in LW. Significantly different regressions of LW on BCS were present within stage of inter-calving interval by parity subclasses. Excluding calving, LW per unit BCS varied from 17 kg (early to mid lactation in parity 1) to 36 kg (early lactation in parity 4 and 5). However, LW per unit BCS was greatest at calving varying from 44 kg in first parity animals to 62 kg in second parity animals. On average, 1 BCS unit equated to 31 kg LW across all data.

Author(s):  
Ranjitha. B ◽  
Ashalatha. P ◽  
Jagadeeswara Rao. S ◽  
Subrahmanyeswari. B

The present experiment was a study on the relationship of Body Condition Score with milk yield, fat and solids-not-fat percent in murrah graded buffaloes under field conditions. In this murrah graded buffaloes from different commercial farms of Guntur and Krishna districts were selected. Total of 150 murrah graded buffaloes of different parities (1st to 6th parities) were selected. Various parameters like BCS, related to average milk yield, fat per cent, SNF per cent was taken into consideration for the present study and a correlated study of BCS and the milk yield was studied. The selected animals were divided into four groups based on BCS as 2.5-2.99, 3.0-3.49, 3.5-3.99, 4.0-4.49. The mean BCS values of 2.5-2.99, 3.0-3.49, 3.5-3.99, 4.0-4.49 were 2.62, 3.25, 3.56 and 4.25 respectively. Highest milk yield was recorded in second month of lactation and lowest in first month of lactation with 9.445±0.15 and 6.18±0.08 kg per day, respectively. The buffaloes with BCS 4.0-4.49 yielded higher milk yield when compared to other groups. Highest fat and SNF percent was observed in the animals with BCS 4.0-4.49 when compared with others. The BCS had showed high positive correlation with SNF (0.44) and milk yield (0.41).


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1674
Author(s):  
Ilona Strączek ◽  
Krzysztof Młynek ◽  
Agata Danielewicz

A significant factor in improving the performance of dairy cows is their physiological ability to correct a negative energy balance (NEB). This study, using Simmental (SIM) and Holstein-Friesian (HF) cows, aimed to assess changes in NEB (non-esterified fatty acid; body condition score; and C16:0, C18:0, and C18:1) and its effect on the metabolic efficiency of the liver (β-hydroxybutyrate and urea). The effects of NEB on daily yield, production at peak lactation and its duration, and changes in selected milk components were assessed during complete lactation. Up to peak lactation, the loss of the body condition score was similar in both breeds. Subsequently, SIM cows more efficiently restored their BCS. HF cows reached peak lactation faster and with a higher milk yield, but they were less able to correct NEB. During lactation, their non-esterified fatty acid, β-hydroxybutyrate, C16:0, C18:0, C18:1, and urea levels were persistently higher, which may indicate less efficient liver function during NEB. The dynamics of NEB were linked to levels of leptin, which has anorectic effects. Its content was usually higher in HF cows and during intensive lactogenesis. An effective response to NEB may be exploited to improve the production and nutritional properties of milk. In the long term, it may extend dairy cows’ productive life and increase lifetime yield.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Michaela Kranepuhl ◽  
Detlef May ◽  
Edna Hillmann ◽  
Lorenz Gygax

Abstract This research communication describes the relationship between the occurrence of lameness and body condition score (BCS) in a sample of 288 cows from a single farm that were repeatedly scored in the course of 9 months while controlling for confounding variables. The relationship between BCS and lameness was evaluated using generalised linear mixed-effects models. It was found that the proportion of lame cows was higher with decreasing but also with increasing BCS, increased with lactation number and decreased with time since the last claw trimming. This is likely to reflect the importance of sufficient body condition in the prevention of lameness but also raises the question of the impact of overcondition on lameness and the influence of claw trimming events on the assessment of lameness. A stronger focus on BCS might allow improved management of lameness that is still one of the major problems in housed cows.


1984 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. A. Wright ◽  
A. J. F. Russel

ABSTRACTA number of possible indices of body composition (live weight, skeletal size, total body water as estimated by deuterium oxide dilution, blood and red cell volumes as estimated by Evans Blue dilution, ultrasonic measurements of subcutaneous fat depth and eye-muscle area, and body condition scoring) was examined using 73 non-pregnant, non-lactating, mature cows of Hereford × Friesian, Blue-Grey, British Friesian, Galloway and Luing genotypes, ranging in body condition score from 0·75 to 4·5. Direct measurements of body composition in terms of water, fat, protein and ash were made following slaughter.Live weight, deuterium oxide dilution, ultrasonic measurements of subcutaneous fat depth and eyemuscle area, and body condition score were all considered to be potentially useful predictors of body composition. Combinations of techniques offered better predictions than did any single index. Using a combination of measurements it was possible to predict body fat and protein with a residual s.d. of 13·1 kg and 3·15 kg respectively. Breed differences in the partition of fat among the main adipose tissue depots necessitated the development of specific prediction equations for body fat based on condition score and subcutaneous fat depth for different breeds. Equations remain to be developed for predicting body composition in cows in different physiological states.


2007 ◽  
Vol 90 (4) ◽  
pp. 1859-1869 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. McCarthy ◽  
D.P. Berry ◽  
P. Dillon ◽  
M. Rath ◽  
B. Horan

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document