Fact Sheet Body Condition Scoring Methods
Dairy Australia has developed several tools to assist dairy farmers in assessing their herd's body condition profile.
Body condition recording scoring sheets
Cow body condition recording sheets are an easy-to-use, paper-based aid for measuring and managing body condition score.
Scoring the same cows each time herd scoring is done is not necessary, so each cow is recorded simply with a mark. By recording condition scores on the recording sheet as shown in this example, dairy farmers can create their own graph progressively, showing the distribution of scores in their herd.
Another version of the recording sheet is available for farmers wishing to record the ID number of each cow.
Body condition scoring handbook
Dairy Australia's cow body condition scoring handbook is a complete guide to monitoring and managing a herd's body condition.
Download the full handbook or download specific chapters.
To request a hard copy of the Dairy Australia cow body condition scoring handbook contact your local team.
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Cow Body Condition Scoring HandbookPDF, 878.83 KB
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Chapter 01 Why Body condition Score Your HerdPDF, 24.55 KB
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Chapter 02 What Is Body Condition ScoringPDF, 26.29 KB
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Chapter 03 Body Condition TargetsPDF, 63.64 KB
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Chapter 04 BCS How To Body Condition Score A CowPDF, 772.56 KB
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Chapter 05 Get Your Eye In FirstPDF, 111.01 KB
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Chapter 06 When and Why To Score Your HerdPDF, 41.51 KB
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Chapter 07 How Many Cows To ScorePDF, 22.65 KB
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Chapter 08 Where To Score CowsPDF, 18.5 KB
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Chapter 09 Recording Body Condition Scores SheetsPDF, 115.74 KB
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Chapter 10 Recording Body Condition Scores AppPDF, 71.33 KB
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Chapter 11 What To Do if Results are Off TargetPDF, 51.63 KB
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Chapter 12 Additional Energy Inputs Needed Lactating Cows vs Dry cows for BCS gainsPDF, 102.97 KB
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Chapter 13 Benefits From Achieving BCS TargetsPDF, 26.39 KB
Body condition scoring smartphone app
Dairy Australia's cow body condition scoring app has been developed to assist farmers in understanding, monitoring and managing their herd's body condition.
It has three methods of scoring (beginner, intermediate and advanced), graphical presentation of the results and the option to email results to the user or an advisor. It also has tips and advice for situations where results are off-target and in-built scoring reminders based on a herd's stage of lactation.
The app can be used to get a standardised measure of a cow's body energy and protein reserves at critical times during their lactation cycle and to assess a herd's previous level of feeding, likely future production, future feed requirements and fertility.
Features of the app
- Can be used for multiple farms and cow groups.
- Designed for use at the most important stages of the annual lactation cycle.
- Simple two-step 'hands off' scoring method.
- Large graphics and photos provided for each score.
- Choice of three scoring methods to suit beginners, intermediate and advanced users.
- Herd results provided instantly after each scoring event, with suggested actions to consider.
- Ability to enter comments with results of each scoring event.
- Results summary is emailed to the user and anyone else the user wishes.
- Automatic reminder for when next scoring event in due (optional).
- Notes on key aspects of body condition scoring.
To download:
For iPhone users, go to the app on iTunes to download.
For Android users, download the app on Google Play (search using Dairy Australia).