Assessing Cows' Body Condition Scores

Assessing Cows' Body Condition Scores

As ranchers bring in their cows for weaning, now is a good time to assess their body condition scores. Performix Nutrition Systems Animal Nutritionist and Consultant Marty Gill shares more
Gill: “What producers should be looking for is the condition on the cattle. The BCS system ranges from 1 — which is emaciated and almost dying — and a 9 — which is extremely fat. Most cattle are going to range somewhere between 3 and 6. The target goal for mature cows should be a 5 — body condition score of 5. First calf heifers we’d be looking at a body condition score of a 6. Weaning is the perfect time to take a look at that. If cows are a little bit thinner than you’d like, now is the time to get them sorted into groups and give them a little bit more feed or it is going to cost you down the road.”
Gill continues
Gill: “Cheat a cow now a little bit now, and she is going to cheat you somewhere down the road. There is a direct correlation being a body condition score too low and delayed re-breeding. Even if you miss a breeding cycle come next spring, at today’s calf prices that is close to $75 to $100 bucks right there. Given the drop we’ve had in the Pacific Northwest that we have had in hay prices, that amount right there will give you enough to buy some hay to feed that cow to prevent that from happening and still give you a good return on investment.”

 

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