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How to Body Condition Score (BSC)

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2 min read

DairyNZ BSC videos How to BCS Critical points for BCS What to look at when scoring cows Test yourself

Body Condition Scoring (BCS) is a method to monitor the health and productivity of dairy cows by assessing their body fat. This page provides a guide on how to carry out BCS, highlighting specific body parts to check, like the backbone, ribs, hip bones, and more. Use the range of videos to better understand the scoring process. 

DairyNZ BCS videos

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

DairyNZ Body Condition Scoring - Introduction

1 / 7 videos 2:58 min Download from Vimeo

DairyNZ Body Condition Scoring - How To Condition Score

2 / 7 videos 3:38 min Download from Vimeo

DairyNZ Body Condition Scoring - BCS 3.0

3 / 7 videos 1:49 min Download from Vimeo

DairyNZ Body Condition Scoring - BCS 4.0

4 / 7 videos 1:39 min Download from Vimeo

DairyNZ Body Condition Scoring - BCS 5.0

5 / 7 videos 1:42 min Download from Vimeo

DairyNZ Body Condition Scoring - BCS 6.0

6 / 7 videos 1:22 min Download from Vimeo

DairyNZ Body Condition Scoring - Summary

7 / 7 videos 2:16 min Download from Vimeo

How to BSC

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. Then you are ready to BCS in the paddock:

Line up 15 cows with a range of BCS

  • Put your hands on the 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.

Critical points for BCS

1 / 4 images

2 / 4 images

3 / 4 images

4 / 4 images

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.

Test yourself

How well can you BCS? Are you as good as you think? Complete the interactive courses below to test yourself.

BCS introduction course

A great introduction for those new to BCS and the DairyNZ BCS standard. Takes 10-15 minutes to complete.

Take the BCS quiz

BCS calibrated course

For those who have experience in BCS and are wanting to test or refresh themselves against the DairyNZ BCS standard, use the links below. Each breed takes approximately 15 minutes to complete.

Cross breed    Friesian    Jersey    Mixed breed

Last updated: Sep 2023
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