G05-1583 How to Body Condition Score Dairy Animals

Routinely scoring the body condition of dairy animals can help detect potential problems that might cause a decrease in milk production. As the production level of a herd increases, body condition scoring becomes more important. A routine program for body condition scoring can help detect potential health problems before they significantly reduce milk production. A herd of cattle in good body condition will produce more, and will be less susceptible to metabolic disorders, disease, mastitis and reproductive problems. Underconditioned cows are subject to health problems, and overconditioned cows are subject to calving difficulties, fatty liver syndrome and possible death