Displaying items by tag: body condition score

This is the first in a series of articles from Beef + Lamb New Zealand's Informing New Zealand Beef programme. The seven-year INZB partnership, supported by Beef + Lamb New Zealand and the Ministry for Primary Industries' Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund, aims to boost the sector's profits by $460m.

Over-conditioned cows, those with excess body condition (BCS > 6.0), present unique challenges, especially as they approach calving.

As dairy farmers head into mating with lower cow body condition scores than last season, feeding quality pasture and supplements will be crucial for getting cows in calf and putting milk in the vat.

Body condition scoring (BCS) is the assessment of the amount of fat covering the bones of a dairy cow, regardless of her body size.

Dairy nutrition is about understanding the nutrient requirements of dairy cows at various stages of lactation and combining various feed alternatives to meet those needs in a cost-effective manner.

Body condition scoring (BCS) is a simple process. However, DairyNZ says it is important to calibrate the eye by first condition scoring cows “hands on” at the dairy.

Getting an average body condition score (BCS) of 5.0 across a herd before mating isn’t all that useful, says vet Danielle Hawkins, Vetora.

Focus on the ewes with a lower body condition score (BCS).

In general, all mammals use their own body reserves (fat and protein from body tissues) in early lactation, to meet the demands of milk production.

Treating second year heifers like mixed aged cows is one of the main reasons they don’t get in calf again, DairyNZ South Auckland consulting officer Jamie Haultain says.