Body Condition Scoring in Dairy Cows

What is the primary purpose of body condition scoring in dairy cows?

• To monitor a cow's milk production levels

• To help in breeding decisions

• To monitor a cow's energy reserves and aid management decisions

• To determine the age of the cow

How often should body condition scoring be done?

• At calving, 60 days post calving, 100 days before drying off, and during drying off

• Once a month

• Every week

• Twice a year

What scale is used for body condition scoring (BCS) in dairy cows?

• 1 to 10

• 1 to 5

• 0 to 4

• 0 to 3

At what body condition score is a cow considered too thin?

• 2.5

• 1.75

• 3

• 2

At what body condition score is a cow considered too fat?

• 3

• 4

• 3.5

• 2.5

Which side is it recommended to evaluate the cow from for BCS?

• Left Side

• Right Side

• Front

• Back

What does a BCS score of less than or equal to 3 signify when assessing the angle between the hook and pin bones?

• A U angle

• A V angle

• An L angle

• A straight angle

What does a BCS score of 2.75 or less on the hook bones signify?

• Rounded hook bones

• Angular hook bones

• Padded pin bones

• No fat pad is evident on the pins

What does a BCS score of 2.75 on the pin bones signify?

• Rounded hook bones

• Angular hook bones

• Padded pin bones

• No fat pad is evident on the pins

When scoring cows with a BCS score greater than 3, what will you look at next?

• The angle between the hook and pin bones

• The visibility of the ribs

• The fat covering the tail head

• The condition of the hooves