How to Body Condition Score (BCS)

Breed variation and BCS

Although there are significant differences in size and angularity between the common New Zealand dairy breeds, the same guidelines for BCS assessment can be applied to all breeds.

• Jerseys are typically smaller framed, with a comparatively narrow body and prominent hip bones.
• Crossbreds and New Zealand-type Holstein-Friesians are medium-framed animals that carry fat reserves evenly over the body.
• New Zealand-type Holstein-Friesians are generally, shorter, rounder and blockier than the larger overseas Holstein-Friesian type.
• Overseas Holstein-Friesian are more angular, appear thinner and tend to carry more body fat over the long ribs and less around the tailhead than New Zealand-type Holstein-Friesians.

How to BCS

This series of 7 short videos contain an overview and examples of how and why we BCS. Watch the first three videos to understand why we BCS, and the technique used. The following videos include examples of each condition score and how we score each body point.

Body condition scoring is a simple process. However, it is important to calibrate the eye by first condition scoring cows 'hands-on' at the dairy shed before you are ready to BCS in the paddock:

Line up 15 cows with a range of BCS

• Put your hands on the 8 important body parts.
• Feel the amount of fat cover over the various body points and the difference between the cows. Note that gut fill can give visual impression of condition over the ribs; it is, therefore, important to feel the amount of fat cover.
• Average the different areas to come up with the BCS for that cow.

8 critical points for BCS

What to look at when scoring cows

• Backbone - Is it flat or is there a ridge? Can you see or easily feel notches?
• Long ribs - Can you see or easily feel the ribs? If visible how many can you see?
• Short ribs - Can you see the short ribs? What do they feel like? Are the rib ends sharp or rounded?
• Hip bones - Are the hip bones rounded or angular?
• Rump - Is the area between the pins and hip bones, flat, sunken or hollow?
• Pin bones - Are they pointed, 'tap' like or rounded?
• Tailhead - Is there a hollow between the tail head and pin bones? Is it a deep V or shallow U shape?
• Thigh - Is the area indented, flat or rounded? Is the muscle structure defined?

Who should score cows

Farmers can score cows, but while body condition scoring is a simple process, it requires training, practice and regular calibration to ensure accuracy and consistency.

Most people need formal training to visually score cows with greater accuracy than 1.0 BCS units. With training, assessors can confidently score cows to 0.5 BCS units visually.

The best way to ensure independent, accurate and consistent body condition scoring using the DairyNZ method is to use a Certified BCS Assessor.

Attend a DairyNZ BCS training workshop and use the DairyNZ Body Condition Scoring Made Easy field guide.