DairyNZ Body Condition Scoring - BCS 3.0

Summary

This video provides a detailed guide to assessing the body condition score (BCS) of a cow from the right-hand side, ensuring the rumen doesn't interfere with the evaluation. The process covers palpating various body areas, including the backbone, ribs, hip bone, rump, pin bones, tail head, and thighs. Each part is scored based on fat coverage and bone visibility, with scores ranging from 2.5 to 3.5. The overall body condition score for the cow is calculated at 3.0, offering an insightful assessment of its health and well-being.

Takeaways

• 😀 We are condition scoring cows from the right-hand side to avoid interference from the rumen.
• 😀 The first body part assessed is the backbone, which shows individual notches, and it has a body condition score of 3.0.
• 😀 The long ribs are visible, sharp to the touch, with a body condition score of 3.0.
• 😀 The short ribs are palpable, but not sharp at the front, resulting in a body condition score of 3.0.
• 😀 The hip bone has little fat, and individual bone points are noticeable, giving it a score of 2.5.
• 😀 The rump has reasonable cover but still slopes away from the backbone, leading to a score of 3.5.
• 😀 The pin bones are pointed with little fat, giving them a score of 3.0.
• 😀 The tail head has a deep V-shaped indentation, with a body condition score of 2.5.
• 😀 The thigh is well-covered, with a score of 3.5 for good fat coverage.
• 😀 The overall body condition score for the cow is 3.0, indicating a balanced condition.
• 😀 Each body part is carefully assessed to determine the cow's overall condition and health.

Q & A

Why is the cow being condition scored from the right-hand side?

The cow is being scored from the right-hand side to avoid interference from the rumen, ensuring a more accurate assessment of her body condition.

What body part is assessed first when determining the cow's body condition score?

The first body part assessed is the backbone. Its condition helps determine the cow's overall body condition score.

What does a raised and ridged backbone indicate about the cow's body condition?

A raised and ridged backbone with visible individual notches indicates that the cow has a body condition score of 3.0, suggesting a moderate amount of fat covering.

How are the long ribs evaluated, and what does the condition of these ribs indicate?

The long ribs are assessed by feeling for the individual ribs. When the ribs are sharp to the touch, it indicates a body condition score of 3.0, showing moderate fat coverage.

What is the significance of the short ribs feeling individual but not sharp?

When the short ribs are felt as individual but not sharp, it suggests a moderate body condition score of 3.0, indicating a reasonable fat covering.

What does a body condition score of 2.5 on the hip bone suggest?

A body condition score of 2.5 on the hip bone suggests that there is very little fat around the hip, and the individual points of the bone are easily felt.

How is the rump evaluated, and what does a score of 3.5 indicate?

The rump is evaluated based on the amount of fat covering. A score of 3.5 indicates a reasonable amount of fat, but the rump still slopes away from the backbone, suggesting moderate body condition.

What does the pin bone condition reveal about the cow's body condition score?

The pin bones being pointed with very little fat around them indicates a body condition score of 3.0, suggesting moderate fat coverage at that area.

What does a deep V-shaped indentation at the tail head indicate?

A deep V-shaped indentation at the tail head, with minimal fat around it, results in a body condition score of 2.5, showing a lower fat covering in this area.

How is the thigh assessed, and what does a score of 3.5 imply?

The thigh is assessed by feeling for fat coverage. A score of 3.5 indicates a well-covered thigh with adequate fat, suggesting a healthy body condition.

What is the overall body condition score of the cow based on this assessment?

Based on the assessment of various body parts, the cow has an overall body condition score of 3.0, indicating a moderate level of fat coverage.