Certified BCS Assessors are required to attend an annual on-farm calibration event to check they remain calibrated to the DairyNZ national BCS reference standards. The DairyNZ national BCS reference standards are contained in the DairyNZ publication Body Condition Scoring Made Easy.
Where body condition scoring is required for contractual purposes (eg. grazing contract, contract milking, sale and purchase of animals) it is recommended both parties agree to the use of a specified Certified BCS Assessor, or each party engages a Certified BCS Assessor to score simultaneously and the contract includes a process to address any differences in assessed BCS values.Farmers are encouraged to resolve any complaints directly with the Certified BCS Assessor and their company of employment, or through any professional body to which the Certified BCS Assessor belongs.
However, complaints about the conduct of a Certified BCS Assessor may be made through the Programme. Complaints must be made using the Complaint Form and sent to the BCS Assessor Certification Programme Manager. Please review the summary Complaints Procedure and explanatory notes before lodging a complaint.
Addressing complaints relating to assessed Body Condition Scores through independent re-scoring is not provided for within the Body Condition Score Assessor Certification Programme. The extent of censure under the Programme complaints procedure is limited to requirements for a Certified Assessor to be re-assessed, undertake further training, or the termination of Certified Assessor status.
