Body Condition Scoring
Summarization Available
Summarization of your cattle’s
body condition scoring is now
available through PaDHIA at no
additional charge.
Simply give your DHIA techni
cian a list of cows that have been
scored and the resulting scores.
The technician will enter these
using his lap-top computer.
He will, however, not do the
actual body condition scoring.
If you want to know more about
body condition sewing talk to
your veterinarian, feed salesper
son, dairy consultant, w contact
your county extension office and
ask for extension circular 363
“Body-Condition Scoring as a
Tool for Dairy Herd Manage
ment,” or call Dixie Burris, mem
bership development manager
(1-800-DHI-TEST).
Body condition scores are to be
reported in decimal form (1.0
through 3.9). If you are accus-
Average Farm Feed
Costs For Handy
Reference
To help farmers across the state
to have handy reference of com
modity input costs in their feeding
operations for DHIA record sheets
or to develop livestock feed cost
data, here’s this week’s average
costs of various ingredients as
compiled from regional reports
across the state of Pennsylvania.
Remember these are averages so
you will need to adjust your figures
up or down according to your loca
tion and the quality of your crop.
iwawra
J^rnN^s
tomed to theV and system of
scoring, use the following conver
sion table to convert from the *+/-’
form to the decimal form.
+/- Form Decimal Form
1 1.0
1+ 1.3
2- 1.7
2 2.0
2+ 2.3
3- 2.7
3 3.0
3+ 3.3
4- 3.7
4 4.0
4+ 4.3
5- 4.7
5 5.0
5+ 5.3
Body Condition Scoring is a
method of evaluating fatness or
thinness in cows according to a 5
point scale. Research has shown
that body condition influences
Corn, No. 2y - 2.94 bu. 5.26 cwL
Wheat. No. 2 - 3.45 bu. 5.75
CWL
Barley, No. 3 - 2.15 bu. 4.60
CWL
Oats, No. 2-1.61 bu. 5,02 cwL
Soybeans, No. 1 -6.41 bu. 10.70
cwL
Ear Com - old 75.04 ton 3.75
CWL
Ear Com • new 60.50 ton 3.03.
Alfalfa Hay - 108.75 ton 5.44
CWL
Mixed Hay - 105.75 ton 5.29
cwL
Timothy Hay -112.50 ton 5.63
CWL
Plastic Pail
*
. CWV®'®
0 -50° V
vv
productivity, reproduction, health,
and longevity.
If done on a tegular basis, body
condition scoring can be used to
troubleshoot problems and
improve the health and productivi
ty of your dairy herd.
When reviewing information
concerning body condition scor
ing on the Herd Summary II
report, be aware that only cows
with scores entered that month
will be summarized.
For that reason there is a col
umn immediately preceding the
Average Score column that shows
the number of animals scored.
You are encouraged to score all
HUBER’S INVENTORY REDUCTION SALE
4 DAYS ONLY UX7v'*i
DECEMBER 27, 28, 29, 30 & 31
‘HELP US REDUCE OUR NVENTORY WITH Sto 10% OFF EVERYTHING SI STOCK JL [l
Cmh I Cony Only iNC^
Ho 9Wormers xt &9
,B 0 85?
,eoC
Pen/ c//// n G
Mouse & Rat Bait
Target body condition scores by stage of lactation:
(Adapted from extension circular 363 "Body-Condition Scoring as a Tool for Dairy Herd Management")
Rscommsndsd Scors
Stags of Lactation +/- form decimal form Rad Flags
Cows at Calving
St-to 4-
Early Lactation
3-to 3
Mid Lactation
Lata Lactation
At Dry Off Tima
St to 4-
Dry
3+to 4-
Wheelbarrows
Teat Dips
B\ac*°
plastic
P'lC »■ '4f> •>* H-.l'rrO w4|«<«l >4t^«4r
Uncuif Awning, Saturday, Dteambcr 25, 19W-A27
cows every month; however, if
you do not score all of your cows,
this column will reflect it.
To make Herd Summary ITs
summary of body condition scores
contained in the “Profile of Cows
Scorn s behw 3* (3,3)
Indicate oowa did not raoaiva adaquato energy during late
lactation and/or dry period.
Secret above 4- (3.7)
Indicate oowa received axcaasiva amounts of energy during
late lactation and/or dry period.
3.3 to 3.7
Secret below 3-(2.7)
High producing cowe may drop to 2+ (2.3) and are not a
problem.
Lower producing thin cows are not receiving adequate
energy.
2.7 to 3.0
Cowe in good condition (3 to 3+; 3.0 to 3.3), but not produc
ing as expected may be receiving inadequate amounts of
protein, minerals, or water.
Scores below 3 (3.0)
Cows are not receiving adequate energy. Chock early
lactation ration, because problem may have started there.
Scores above 3+ (3,3)
Cows are receiving excessive amounts of energy, reduce
energy intake to avoid overoonditioning.
Scores below 3+ (3.3)
Cows are not receiving adaquata anargy. Chock aarly and
mid lactation rations to bo sure cows are receiving adaquata
anargy, because the problem may have started there.
Scores above 4- (3.7)
Cows are receiving excessive amounts of ensrgy, reduce
energy intake to avoid additional evaroonditioning.
3.3 to 3.7
Scores below 3+ (3.3)
Cows are not receiving adequate energy. Increase energy
content of the dry cow ration; however, the real problem may
be a lack of energy in the ration of late lactation cows.
Scores above 4- (3.7)
Cows are receiving axoaaaiva amounts of energy, reduce
anargy intake to avoid additional overoonditioning while
maintaining adequate levala of protein, vitamins, and miner*
a Is. Reduce anargy content of lata lactation cows, because
the problem may have started there.
3.3 to 3.7
Tingley Rubbers
And Boots
* 50 LB. FEED ADDITIVES NOT INCLUDED
by Group Number” more mean
ingful. you might want to consider
grouping your cows by stage of
lactation regardless of whether
they are physically housed in
separate groups.