Body condition scoring in the winter by Dr. Jim White

by SuperUser Account
in Feed livestock DrJimWhite Cow

Body condition scoring is a useful tool to estimate the cow’s energy reserves at critical points of her production cycle.

Evaluating the cow’s BCS provides a means to evaluate the current nutrition program for cattle. Where they score will influence future feeding and grazing decisions. Cows with adequate (>5.0) BCS will have better fertility and longevity.

Regularly evaluate BCS and consider sorting cows: Routinely evaluate overall condition of the herd and identify cows that may have lower condition scores.

Test forages: Getting and using a forage test to establish a feeding program is one of the best cost-saving and condition-saving tools that cow-calf operators have available. Forage analysis, inventory control, and ration evaluation will help when making decisions to supplement to correct nutrient deficiencies. Knowing forage values will also reduce costs and improve feed utilization.

Wean Early: Early weaning is another tool to manage cow body condition. Weaning the calf will drop the cow’s energy and protein requirements by 30 percent. Weaning calves and growing them in a pasture tends to give more uniform calf weights than weaning them later. Weaning under 90 days of age often improves conception rates of the dams.

Use Supplements: Supplements provide needed nutrients, manage forage resources, and encourage ease of cattle handling. Providing nutrients where there are deficiencies can improve forage intake and digestibility, rate of passage and support requisite animal performance goals. The most effective time to put weight on to cows is often the fall, when the calf has been weaned. Gestation nutrient needs are lower and the weather is not harsh.

Eliminate parasites: Internal and external parasites can have a significant impact on the herd, depending on the level of the parasite load. Flies and other biting insects impact herd health and have a significant impact on herd behavior and grazing patterns. Internal parasites reduce nutrient adsorption, the animal’s immune status and reproductive performance.

With tight budgets, the immediate reaction is to make short-term decisions, i.e. spending less on feed. Continuing research on nutritional impacts during pregnancy and cow longevity suggest that the short-term decisions to under feed dams will have long-term negative impacts on fertility and productivity.

Tags: Feed livestock DrJimWhite Cow

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