1. Beginner’s Guide to Body Condition Scoring
A Tool for Dairy Herd Management
Web Presentation
Updated July, 2004

2. This presentation is designed to
Using body condition scoring to fine tune herd nutrition and health management has become a widely accepted practice.
This presentation is designed to
Introduce you to body condition scoring
Provide examples of cows scored 1 to 5

3. Evaluating Body Condition vs. Type
Type evaluation (classification, judging) compares animals to the “ideal” conformation
Body condition scoring considers the relative fatness or thinness of animals

4. Goals of Body Condition Scoring
Early detection of potential health problems
Identify areas for improved feeding management
Improve herd health, production, reproduction, profitability

5. Body Condition Scoring
Visual and tactile evaluation of body fat reserves
Indication of energy balance
Scale of 1 to 5, increments of 0.25
Body Condition Score = BCS
BCS 1 = emaciated cow (too thin)
BCS 3 = average body condition
BCS 5 = excessively fat cow

6. Areas to Evaluate Rump / Pelvic Area Loin Tailhead Hooks Pins Thurl
Short ribs
Spine

7. Side View Rear View Short Ribs Hooks Pins Sacral Ligament Thurl Hooks
Tailhead Ligament
Thurl
Pins

8. (Spinous Process)
If an animal is grossly fat, the bone structure cannot be seen or felt through the fat. In thin animals, the bone structures are very prominent.
(Short Ribs)

9. Step-by-Step Process
See “Learn to Score Body Condition” presentation on the dairy nutrition website
Not a perfect science
Scores should be similar ( 0.25)
When measured on one animal or
When measured by different people
Separates average condition from extremes

10. Extremely Fat
Extremely Thin

11. Examples of Scores Presented to help you see the major differences – for a more detailed system of scoring, see “Learn to Score Body Condition”

12. BCS 1: Severely Under-conditioned
Side view
Bones of tailhead easy to see
Prominent backbone
Tips of short ribs are
clearly visible
Hooks, thurl, and pins
very prominent
Photo Not Available

13. BCS 1 Rear view All boney prominences easily visible
Hooks, pins, spine, & ribs very sharp
Deep cavities around tailhead
Thin legs, poor muscle condition
Photo Not Available

14. BCS 2: Severe Negative Energy Balance
Tailhead prominent, limited skin cover
Prominent backbone
Limited skin cover on short ribs. From tip to spine, short ribs are visible ¾ of the distance
Angular hooks and pins with prominent thurl

15. BCS 2 Hooks, pins, & thurl prominent
Tailhead area somewhat hollow, but has modest covering of flesh

16. BCS 2.75: Slightly Thin Visible backbone
Tip of short ribs smooth, but visible
Hooks angular, but pins padded by fat
V-angle formed between hooks, thurl, and pins

17. BCS 2.75 Hooks angular, but pins more rounded or padded with fat
Hollow below tailhead compared to a BCS 3

18. BCS 3: Good Condition More flesh covering backbone
Tip of short ribs smooth
Hooks and pins rounded and smooth
V-angle formed between hooks, thurl, and pins

19. BCS 3 Hooks and pins rounded
No deep depressions or fat deposits around tailhead
Score 3 is used for cows in good condition. This is a result of proper attention given to ration formulation, monitoring cows for changes in bodyweight, and making ration adjustments when necessary.

20. BCS 3.25: Slightly Fleshy More flesh covering backbone
Tip of short ribs very smooth
Hooks and pins more rounded and smooth
U-angle formed between hooks, thurl, and pins

21. BCS 3.25
Rounded hooks & pins
Sacral and tailhead ligaments visible

22. BCS 4: Over-conditioned
Backbone barely visible
Short ribs very smooth, tips barely visible
Hooks and pins very smooth, but visible
Flat between hooks and pins

23. BCS 4 Hooks & pins rounded, but visible Rump and thurl flat
Sacral and tailhead ligaments not visible

24. BCS 5: Severely Over-conditioned
Backbone not visible
Short ribs flat, bones not visible
Hooks and pins not visible
Flat over rump and tailhead

25. BCS 5 All boney prominences rounded and covered in fat
Tailhead buried in fat
Fat deposits readily seen on rump and legs

26. Summary The body condition scoring scale Determining a cow's BCS
Under-conditioned cows = BCS 1
Over-conditioned cows = BCS 5
Determining a cow's BCS
Look at pelvic area and loin
Fat deposits become evident  cow is over conditioned
Bone structures become prominent  cow is thin