Evolution of body condition score after calving in dairy cows

Body condition scoring is a non invasive mean of estimating fat stores in f arm animals. It was used as a feed management tool in dairy farms. The purp ose of our study was to determine the trend of body condition score during 926 postpartum periods in dairy cows. Relationships between body condition score and several factors were also analysed. The study was performed in 15 Belgian dairy farms during 18 months. The herd mean size was equal to 60 h olstein cows. Body condition scoring estimates the amount of fatty tissue u nder the skin and is indicative of the body reserves. This technique is bas ed on the assessment of the fatness at the tailhead and loin. The scale fro m 1 (emaciated) to 5 (grossly fat) with half scores to give a 9 point scale (1.0, 1.5, 2.0 / 2.5, 3.0, 3.5 / 4.0, 4.5, 5.0) was used for monthly body condition scoring of the experimental animals. Our results have shown that mean of body condition score decreased (from 2.8 to 2.5) between calving an d day 60 postpartum. Thereafter, this value increased to reach a maximum of 3.5 at day 351-360 postpartum. The profil of fat cows proportion was simil ar to the trend of body condition score during postpartum period. Body cond ition change was significantly (P<0.05) influenced by postpartum stage, car ving season and body condition score at calving. This study suggests that b ody condition scoring of dairy cows can provide practitioners with a good o verwiew of several aspects of herd management. The process was easy, quick (10 to 15 seconds per cow), repeatable and non expensive to perform. By uti lizing this process, one can assess weight gain or loss, determine the succ ess of various nutritional programs, and avoid the negative effects of unde r or over feeding on cows health, production and fecundity.