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Abstract
Body condition score (BCS) indicates how much fat a cow has on its body, which is an important factor in cow health and reproductive capacity. Growers can use BCS to understand and manage the health of a herd and maintain a profitable operation. This 6-page fact sheet explains how BCS is measured, what different scores mean, the economic impact of various scores, and how changing cow nutrition can move BCS in a desired direction. Written by Matt Hersom, Todd Thrift, and Joel Yelich, and published by the UF Department of Animal Sciences, August 2015.
AN319/AN319: Implications of Cow Body Condition Score on Productivity (ufl.edu)
References
Ciccioli, N. H., R. P. Wettemann, L. J. Spicer, C. A. Lents, F. J. White, and D. H. Keisler. 2003. "Influence of Body Condition at Calving and Postpartum Nutrition on Endocrine Function and Reproductive Performance of Primiparous Beef Cows." J. Anim. Sci. 81: 3107-3120. https://doi.org/10.2527/2003.81123107x
DeRouen, S. M., D. E. Franke, D. G. Morrison, W. E. Wyatt, D. F. Coombs, T. W. White, P. E. Humes, and B. B Greene. 1994. "Prepartum Body Condition and Weight Influences on Reproductive Performance of First-Calf Beef Cows". J. Anim. Sci. 72: 1119-1125. https://doi.org/10.2527/1994.7251119x
Spitzer, J. C., D. G. Morrison, R. P. Wettemann, and L. C. Faulkner. 1995. "Reproductive Responses and Calf Birth and Weaning Weights as Affected by Body Condition at Parturition and Postpartum Weight Gain In Primiparous Beef Cows." J. Anim. Sci. 73: 1251-1257. https://doi.org/10.2527/1995.7351251x
Vargas, C. A., T. A. Olson, C. C. Chase, A. C. Hammond, and M. A. Elzo. 1999. "Influence of Frame Size and Body Condition Score on Performance of Brahman Cattle." J. Anim. Sci. 77: 3140-3149. https://doi.org/10.2527/1999.77123140x