Body condition of cows in production cycle

Condition of animals is manifested through level of achieved nourishment. Body condition score (BCS) is a precise method of determination of reserves of deposited energy in form of subcutaneous fat tissue. Adequate body reserves are necessary requirement for maximal increase of milk production in the period of early lactation. Based on BCS we can precisely determine the number of cows which are bellow weight (excessively thin) or over weight (excessively fat). Body condition changes during lactation. Cows in early lactation are in the negative energy balance (NEB). Changes of the body condition should be over at the end of lactation. Objective is to have cows in optimal body condition during all production phases. Object of research was body condition of high yielding cows during production cycle. Realized sample size was 363 cows of Holstein-Friesian breed. Average BCS value of cows in dry period was 3.39 (2.37-4.41), at calving 3.56 (2.55-4.63), at lactation peak 2.30 (1.35-3.16) and in the mid lactation 2.50 (1.35-3.43). In dry period, most of cows (n=100 or 27.55%) ranged in BCS from 3.26 to 3.50. During dry period increase of body condition scores of cows occurred. At calving, most of heads (n=99 or 27.50%) ranged in their BCS from 3.51 to 3.75. During period of early lactation there was a significant decrease of the body condition of cows. At the peak of lactation a slight increase of body condition was recorded. At the peak of lactation, most cows (n=125 or 36.76%) ranged in BCS from 2.26 to 2.50. In the mid-lactation period, slight increase of body condition of cows occurred. During this period, most cows (n=88 or 27.32%) ranged in their BCS from 2.51 to 2.75. In general, realized average BCS results according to production phases deviated statistically significantly from target values.

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Changes in body condition of high-yielding dairy cows

Biotechnology in Animal Husbandry ◽

10.2298/bah1202179n ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 28 (2) ◽

pp. 179-194 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Z. Novakovic ◽

Lj. Sretenovic ◽

D. Ostojic-Andric ◽

M.M. Petrovic ◽

S. Aleksic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Condition ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Level Structure ◽

The Body ◽

Production Cycle ◽

Dry Period ◽

Body Regions ◽

Target Values ◽

Condition Score ◽

Body Condition Scores

Objective of the research was to investigate the level, structure and variability of realized differences between average values of body condition scores in high-yielding cows during most critical phases of production cycle. Realized differences were used as criterion for assessment of changes occuring in the cows? energy status through the level of increase or decrease of body condition. Realized average values of body condition scores, for individual and all body regions, within all studied phases of production cycle, deviated statistically very significantly (p?0,01) from target values. Differences between average values of body condition scores according to phases of production cycle, for individual and all body regions, were statistically very significant (p?0,01). Optimum body condition in dry period was realized by 48,76% cows, at calving 53,61%, in the lactation peak 24,41% and in mid lactation 21,12%. Average value of body condition scores at calving was higher by 0,18 (-0,01 to 0,72) units compared to beginning of dry period, whereas at the lactation peak it was by -1,26 (-2,75 to - 0,41) units lower compared to calving, and in mid lactation compared to lactation peak it was higher by 0,18 (-0,94 to 0,85) units. Within the distribution of achieved differences in body condition scores in the time from the beginning of dry period to calving in 346 cows or 96,11% of total number of animals (n=360) increase of body condition score was realized ranging from ? 0,25 units. Distribution of differences in body condition scores between calving and lactation peak showed that 243 cows or 71,48% of total 340 cows realized loss of body condition score of >1,00 units. Within distribution of differences in body condition scores between the lactation peak and mid lactation, 261 cows or 81,06% of total number of scored animals (n=322) increased the body condition score in value of ? 0,25 units. Study showed that, except in the dry period, changes of the body condition during other phases of production cycle weren?t within the limits of optimum values. Realized results clearly showed the possibility of incidence of various production disorders, health issues and reproduction problems. Consequences are reflected also on longevity, life production and genetic progress. Realzied differences in average values of body condition scoreswere important basis for anticipation of potential problems. In that regard, there are significant reserves in improvement of efficiency of management of body energy reserves in high yielding cows.

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Partition of fat, body composition and body condition score in mature cows

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s0003356100041313 ◽

1984 ◽

Vol 38 (1) ◽

pp. 23-32 ◽

Cited By ~ 90

Author(s):

I. A. Wright ◽

A. J. F. Russel

Keyword(s):

Body Composition ◽

Body Fat ◽

Body Condition ◽

Fat Body ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Subcutaneous Fat ◽

The Body ◽

Live Animal ◽

Condition Score ◽

Friesian Cows

ABSTRACTBody condition score, assessed subjectively on the live animal, was related to the directly determined body composition of 73 mature, non-pregnant, non-lactating cows of Hereford × Friesian, Blue-Grey, Galloway, Luing and British Friesian genotypes. Relationships between condition score and chemically determined body fat were all very highly significant, and considered to be of value for predictive purposes. Differences between genotypes in the proportion of fat stored in the main depots of the body resulted in differences in the relationship between condition score and body fat. British Friesian cows had a higher proportion of their fat in the intra-abdominal depots and the lowest proportion of subcutaneous fat, resulting in their being fatter at any given condition score. Hereford × Friesian cows had the highest proportion of subcutaneous fat and were thus the least fat at any condition score. One unit change in condition score was associated with a change of 2242 (s.e. 103) MJ of body tissue energy in Hereford × Friesian, Blue-Grey, Galloway and Luing cows and 3478 (s.e. 392) MJ in British Friesian cows. These figures may be used to bring a greater degree of precision to the nutritional management of beef and dairy cows.

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Influence of body condition on incidence and degree of hepatic lipidosis in cows

Veterinarski glasnik ◽

10.2298/vetgl0802003s ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 62 (1-2) ◽

pp. 3-12 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Horea Samanc ◽

Velibor Stojic ◽

Danijela Kirovski ◽

Milijan Jovanovic ◽

Horia Cernescu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Condition ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Lactation Period ◽

Early Lactation ◽

Dry Period ◽

Hepatic Lipidosis ◽

Condition Score ◽

On Farm ◽

Average Body ◽

Body Condition Scores

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of energy status of cows, estimated by body condition score, on the incidence and the degree of hepatic lipidosis during the early stage of lactation. Cows were divided into four groups: dry, early puerperal, early lactation and late lactation period. Each group consisted of 60 cows. Body condition was scored by the method established in Elaco Animal Health Buletin Al 8478. According to this method, body condition score is represented numerically from 1 to 5 points. Liver samples for pathohistological analyses were taken by biopsy from early lactation cows (60. day of lactation). Fat content in hepatocytes was determined morphometrically and results were compared with criteria based on total lipid and triglyceride content in liver tissue. On farm A, average body condition scores were in a range from 3.31, at sixty days of lactation, to 3.86 points in the dry period. Nevertheless, the range was wider on farm B, and was from 2.18 points at sixty days of lactation to 4.15 points at the dry period. Besides, differences in average body condition scores were higher than 1 point, and in some cases (between late lactation or dry period to sixty days of lactation) were almost 2 points. The incidence and the degree of hepatic lipidosis strongly differ between the two examined farms. On farm A the incidence of hepatic lipidosis was 18.33 percent, while on farm B that percent was much higher (43.32). A significant difference was established in the degree of hepatic lipidosis between those two farms. On farm A diffuse hepatic lipidosis was determined in 5.0 percent of cows, while on farm B that percent was 18.33. According to these results, most of the cows on farm B had uncontrolled lipomobilisation and severe fatty liver during the early lactation period, probably due to the obesity of these cows in late lactation and the dry period.

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Validation of body condition score system in Holstein x Zebu cows via ultrasound method during the transition period and early lactation

Semina Ciências Agrárias ◽

10.5433/1679-0359.2017v38n6p3797 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 38 (6) ◽

pp. 3797

Author(s):

Narjara Rodrigues Gentil ◽

Anselmo Domingos Ferreira Santos ◽

Mikaele Alexandre Pereira ◽

Mariana Santos Lima ◽

José Cláudio Torres Guimarães ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Condition ◽

Transition Period ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

The Body ◽

Lactation Period ◽

Early Lactation ◽

Visual Evaluation ◽

Condition Score ◽

The Relationship ◽

Zebu Cows

This study aims to validate, by means of subcutaneous rump fat thickness (RFT), the suitability of the visual evaluation of body condition score (BCS) to indicate the body condition of crossbred dairy cows (Holstein x Zebu) during the transition period and early lactation. Animals were selected according to lactation period and distributed into three groups: PP (0 to 4 weeks antepartum; n = 30), L4 (0 to 4 weeks postpartum; n = 15), and L + 5 (5 to 14 weeks postpartum; n = 63). The relationship among RFT, BCS, and body weight (BW) was investigated using correlation and regression analyses. The variables BCS, RFT, and BW were different among the three groups (P < 0.05). The correlations between BCS and RFT were higher in groups PP and L + 5 (r = 0.78 and r = 0.71 respectively). However, the L4 group showed a weak correlation (r = -0.04). The regression models were able to explain how much RFT varies because of changes in BCS, with coefficients of determination equal to 0.61 for PP and 0.51 for L + 5 group. In conclusion, BCS can be considered a good predictor of RFT for crossbred Holstein x Zebu cows in antepartum and postpartum for over 5 weeks of lactation.

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Relationship between the pre- and postpartum body condition scores and periparturient indices and fertility in high-yielding dairy cows

Journal of Veterinary Research ◽

10.1515/jvetres-2016-0012 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 60 (1) ◽

pp. 81-90 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Barbara Stefańska ◽

Agnieszka Poźniak ◽

Włodzimierz Nowak

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Body Condition ◽

Artificial Insemination ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Considerable Effect ◽

The Body ◽

Early Lactation ◽

Dry Period ◽

Condition Score ◽

Days Open

Abstract Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between body condition score (BCS) determined on the dry-off day, calving day, and in the first month of lactation, its changes during the dry period and early lactation, and periparturient indices and fertility in high-producing dairy cows. Material and Methods: The experiment was conducted in two herds: A and B, located in Western Poland. The studies were conducted on 116 and 108 Polish Holstein-Friesian dairy cows respectively, with an average milk yield of >10 000 kg/305-day lactation. The experiment included the dry period (-56 d to the calving day), the calving day, and early lactation (from +1 to +56 d). The experimental factor was BCS (0 to 5-point scale). The BCS was performed by one person on day -56, on parturition day (in the first 12 h after calving) and on day 30 of lactation. Results: A decrease in BCS (≥-0.25) in herd A during the dry period accelerated the planned calving period by 7.3 d. In the group of cows with BCS <3.25 on the dry-off day, the lowest artificial insemination index (1.80), the shortest period of insemination services (25 d), and days open (87 d) were recorded. Moreover, cows with BCS < 3.25 at calving had the shortest days open (91 d). BCS >3.50 in the first month of lactation (30 d) resulted in the extension of uterine involution period (56 d). Improvement of BCS during the dry period shortened the anoestrus (60 d) in herd A and the period of insemination service (60 d) in herd B. However, in this group (IM BCS ≥ 0.25) of cows the day of the highest artificial insemination index (2.50) in herd B was analysed. Conclusion: The body condition on the dry-off day and at calving, as well as its deterioration in the first month of lactation, have a considerable effect on fertility indices in dairy cows, thus confirming the advisability of its regular monitoring during routine operations connected with the management of a dairy cattle herd.

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Evaluation of the body condition of high yielding cows

Biotechnology in Animal Husbandry ◽

10.2298/bah0902081g ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 25 (1-2) ◽

pp. 81-91 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

G. Grubic ◽

Z. Novakovic ◽

S. Aleksic ◽

Lj. Sretenovic ◽

V. Pantelic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Condition ◽

Evaluation System ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

The Body ◽

Nutrition Status ◽

Production Cycle ◽

Efficient Production ◽

Body Regions ◽

Production Practice ◽

Condition Score

Problems which relate to production, health and reproduction in herds of high yielding cows very often occur due to insufficient knowledge and monitoring of energy reserves in cow organisms. Many researches and practical experiences in this field indicate significant relation between body condition and achieved results in production. Body condition of heads of cattle in certain stages of production cycle is important parameter of applied nutrition, but also entire technological procedure. In countries with developed cattle production, evaluation of body condition has for several years been main component of production practice on farms. It is considered that condition is very reliable indicator of the nutrition status and energy balance in the organism. Body condition score is subjective and practical method which enables precise assessment of deposited fat in the cow organism by observing and touching previously determined body regions and fields. There is considerable variability of the condition of cows in different stages of production cycle. Body condition of high yielding cows often comes out of the frame of optimal values for certain stage of production cycle. Decrease of production, disorders in health condition and fertility of cows indicate the nature of relation between inadequate body condition and stated problems. Shape and strength of the relation between production results and body condition score confirms its reliability. This is all indication of the need for wider application of this evaluation system. Based on body condition score, beside other important factors in the production cycle, there is realistic possibility to achieve more efficient production of milk from the aspect of energy. Main purpose of this paper was to present how the application of methods for body condition score and its significance for production practice can be functional.

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Impact of body condition on postpartum features in morada nova sheep

Semina Ciências Agrárias ◽

10.5433/1679-0359.2016v37n3p1581 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 37 (3) ◽

pp. 1581

Author(s):

Felipe Brener Bezerra de Oliveira ◽

César Carneiro Linhares Fernandes ◽

Aline Maia Silva ◽

Cleidson Manoel Gomes Silva ◽

Luiz Fernando De Souza Rodrigues ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nutritional Status ◽

Body Condition ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

White Blood Cells ◽

Subcutaneous Fat ◽

Milk Composition ◽

The Body ◽

Fat Reserves ◽

Condition Score ◽

The Impact

This study evaluated the impact of nutritional status of Morada Nova sheep at lambing on the reproductive and productive performance and on the survival of lambs in early weaning system. Nineteen, Morada Nova sheep were assigned to two groups according to body condition score (BCS) at lambing: low BCS (n = 11) and high BCS (n=8) with body condition respectively of (mean ± SD) 2.0 ± 0.3 e 2.9 ± 0.1. From birth until lamb weaning (45 days), sheep were weighed weekly and checked the BCS, loin subcutaneous fat thickness, loin depth, hematological profile, milk composition and production, and every three days, we measured the uterine diameter. Lamb weightings were performed up to one week after weaning (52 days). The lower availability of muscle and fat reserves in the low BCS group negatively affected milk production and consequently performance of suckling lambs. However, the results indicated that the uterine involution process, the reproductive parameters including prolificacy, rate of multiple births, number of white blood cells, milk quality, body weight of lambs at birth and mortality rates were not affected by the body condition. The results allowed to describe the responsiveness to opposite nutritional status of Morada Nova sheep, showing their characteristics of adaptation.

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Association of Body Condition Score and Score Change during the Late Dry Period on Temporal Patterns of Beta-Hydroxybutyrate Concentration and Milk Yield and Composition in Early Lactation of Dairy Cows

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11041054 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 1054

Author(s):

Zelmar Rodriguez ◽

Elise Shepley ◽

Pedro P. C. Ferro ◽

Nilon L. Moraes ◽

Acir M. Antunes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Body Condition ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Milk Composition ◽

Early Lactation ◽

Dry Period ◽

Fat Reserves ◽

Condition Score ◽

Beta Hydroxybutyrate

Monitoring the body condition score (BCS) of dairy cows is a management strategy that can assist dairy producers in decision-making. The BCS and its variations reflect the level of body fat reserves and fat mobilization throughout the different stages of lactation. Cows that mobilize excessive amounts of fat reserves in response to the increased energy requirements of the transition period are more likely to have higher beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentration in blood, leading to a higher incidence of hyperketonemia postpartum. In this study, our main objective was to evaluate how both BCS (at 21 d prior to the expected calving date, −21 BCS) and change in BCS during the late dry period (−21 d to calving, ∆BCS) are associated with temporal patterns of blood BHB concentrations during the first two weeks of lactation. Our secondary objective was to characterize the relationship between the change in BCS in the late dry period, and milk yield and milk composition in the first milk test postpartum. In this retrospective cohort study, we assessed BCS at 21 (±3) days before the expected calving date and within three days after calving. Blood BHB concentration was measured at days 3 (±1), 7 (±1), and 14 (±1) postpartum. Hyperketonemia (HYK) was defined as blood BHB ≥ 1.2 mmol/L. To evaluate how −21 BCS and ∆BCS during the late dry period were associated with BHB in early lactation, linear mixed-effects regression models with an unstructured covariate matrix were performed. The association between ∆BCS and incidence of postpartum HYK were determined using a multivariable log-binomial model. A linear regression model was used to evaluate the association between ∆BCS and milk yield and milk composition in the first monthly test-day. Covariates used for model adjustment include parity, season, and baseline BCS. We observed that cows with BCS ≥ 4.0 at 21 d before their expected calving date had the highest BHB concentration postpartum, but no evidence that BCS ≥ 4.0 at 21 d was associated with fluctuations of BHB over time. Cows that experienced a large BCS loss (larger than 0.5 units) during the late dry period had a 61% (95% CI: 1.04, 2.50) higher risk of developing HYK in early lactation and had higher BHB concentrations during early lactation compared with cows with no ∆BCS prepartum. These associations were observed independently of the BCS at −21 d prepartum (baseline). In addition, cows that lost more than 0.5 BCS unit in the late dry period produced 3.3 kg less milk (95% CI: −7.06, 0.45) at the first milk test compared to cows that had no ∆BCS during the late dry period. No evidence of an association between −21 BCS and ∆BCS in the late dry period and milk composition was observed in our study. These results suggest that dynamic measures of BCS during the late dry period, such as ∆BCS, are better at evaluating blood BHB patterns in early lactation than BCS measured at a single time point. Cows with larger BCS loss during the late dry period and with greater parity are more likely to have higher concentrations of blood BHB postpartum, with the highest concentrations reported at 7 d post-calving.

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Body fat evaluation in Colombian Paso horses: body condition score and morphometric and ultrasound measurements

Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Research and Animal Science ◽

10.11606/issn.1678-4456.bjvras.2020.171082 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 57 (4) ◽

pp. e171082

Author(s):

Angélica María Zuluaga Cabrera ◽

Nathalia María Del Pilar Correa Valencia

Keyword(s):

Body Fat ◽

Body Condition ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Subcutaneous Fat ◽

The Body ◽

Gluteal Region ◽

Ultrasound Measurement ◽

Lumbar Region ◽

Condition Score ◽

Definition Of

The body condition score (BCS) is insufficient in determining the amount of body fat in horses, thus defining obesity. Measurement of the subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT) by ultrasonography should be considered as an appropriate method in the definition of fat distribution at different body locations in horses. Therefore, this study aimed to 1) characterize the SFT in three different anatomical locations (i.e. neck, lumbar region, and gluteal region); 2) evaluate the relationship between BCS and SFT; 3) determine the influence of gender, weight, age, and gait on BCS and SFT measurements, and 4) explore the agreement between the morphometric measurements [i.e. body mass index (BMI), girth circumference: height at withers ratio (GC: HW), neck circumference: height at withers ratio (NC: HW)], and BCS and SFT in a population of Colombian Paso Horses (CPHs). The Henneke’s body condition scoring was applied to 69 adult CPHs,selected using a convenience sampling. Additionally, BMI, GC: HW, and NC: HW were calculated. Body fat percentage (BF%) was calculated by ultrasound measurement of the SFT in the neck, lumbar region, and gluteal region. The BF% in the CPHs was 6.4 ± 1.1. The GC: HW, NC: HW, and BMI were not predictors of the BF% or BCS, and neither gender nor gait was decisive in the definition of fattening in the study animals, although age and weight were determining variables. According to our results, ultrasound is an adequate tool to calculate the BF% of the CPHs. However, it must be accompanied by Henneke’s BCS assessment.

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In vivo and carcass characteristics of goats and sheep sold for slaughter in Ceará State

Semina Ciências Agrárias ◽

10.5433/1679-0359.2015v36n5p3369 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 36 (5) ◽

pp. 3369

Author(s):

Ítalo Araújo Albuquerque ◽

Arturo Bernardo Selaive Villarroel ◽

Elzânia Sales Pereira ◽

Marcílio Costa Teixeira ◽

Elisabeth Mary Cunha da Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Condition ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Subcutaneous Fat ◽

Carcass Characteristics ◽

The Body ◽

Meat Production ◽

Mixed Breed ◽

Condition Score ◽

The Mean

This study was conducted to evaluate the in vivo and carcass characteristics of goats and sheep sold for slaughter, which originated from different regions of Ceará State, Brazil. Thirty-six (36) mixed-breed, uncastrated male animals (18 goats and 18 sheep), acquired from street markets, which were raised in an extensive production system from the regions of Quixadá, Sobral, and Tauá, were used in this experiment. Before slaughter, the animals were weighed, and body measurements were taken and the body condition score was assessed. Post-slaughter, the carcasses were weighed, morphometric measurements were obtained, and the commercial cuts were weighed and their yields were calculated. The mean in vivo body weight was 23.83 ± 3.76 kg for the goats and 25.22 ± 5.25 kg for the sheep; the body condition score was close to 2, and the mean age was 12 months, with no differences between the species. No differences were found between species and origin for the weights and yields of carcass or for chilling loss. The carcass conformation values were considered poor, and the fat cover was classified as too lean, with the goat carcasses considered superior to the sheep carcasses in these respects. The sheep had higher values for loin-eye area, subcutaneous fat thickness, and weight and proportion of leg than the goats. Mixed-breed goats and sheep reared in extensive systems in Ceará State and sold in street markets in the capital, irrespective of their origin, reach their slaughter weight at an advanced age and with a lean body condition, resulting in carcasses of a low quality, with a low muscle content and poor fat cover. In the extensive conditions of the state of Ceará, animals of the ovine species have a greater ability for meat production than caprine species.

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