See the breakdown of Body Condition Scores to assess the nutritional status of your herd and the success of your nutritional program.

A UF/IFAS “askIFAS” article maintains that “cow Body Condition Score (BCS) is a subject that warrants attention;” a BCS is an assessment to determine how much body fat a cow is carrying and thus the animal’s nutritional status. The article also shares that “The amount of fat has an influence on the hormones and physiology of the cow, including reproduction, lactation, and calf production. Reproduction and calf weaning weight have profound effects on the profitability of the cow-calf enterprise…” A cow is given a ranking of 1-9 based on their physical appearance. The article breaks down what each ranking looks like. See the details below.

Body Condition Scores

A Body Condition Score (BCS) looks at the following areas:

  • back
  • tailhead
  • pins
  • hooks
  • ribs
  • brisket

The article shares that BCS 1–2, or malnourished, or BCS 7–9, or fat, “rarely occur in commercial cattle enterprises.” Thus, most cows fall somewhere between BCS 3 and BCS 6. These rankings are:

“Body Condition Score 3

  • Cattle are categorized as thin.
  • Upper skeleton (backbones, hooks, pins) is prominent.
  • Ribs are easily visible.
  • Body fat is not obvious.
  • Weight gain to reach a 5 is 150 lbs.”

“Body Condition Score 4

  • Cattle are categorized as marginal.
  • Upper skeleton (backbones, hooks, pins) is prominent but less visible.
  • Muscle tissue is abundant.
  • Fat is beginning to cover ribs, but ribs are still visible.
  • Weight gain to BCS of 5 is 75 lbs.”

“Body Condition Score 5

  • Cattle are in moderate condition.
  • Medium flesh for calving.
  • Ideal flesh at weaning.
  • Muscle tissue is nearing maximum.
  • Hooks and pins visible but not obvious.
  • Ribs covered slightly with fat, but the last rib is still visible.
  • This is the target BCS to maintain cows.”

“Body Condition Score 6

  • Cattle are in good condition.
  • Ideal fleshing at calving.
  • Muscle tissue volume is at a maximum.
  • Hooks and pins become less prominent.
  • Fat deposit behind shoulder is obvious.
  • Ribs are covered completely with fat beginning to cover rump.
  • Weight loss to BCS of 5 is 80lbs.”

See our next blog to explore how BCS affects production.

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