effects of body condition on performance of dairy cows

Effects of Effects of Body Condition Body Condition on Performanceon Performance

Web PresentationUpdated July 2004

Using body condition scoring to fine Using body condition scoring to fine tune herd nutrition and health tune herd nutrition and health management has become a widely management has become a widely accepted practice. accepted practice.

This presentation will examine the This presentation will examine the influence of body condition oninfluence of body condition on milk production, milk production, dry matter intake, dry matter intake, reproduction, and reproduction, and health of cows in your herdhealth of cows in your herd

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

1 2 3 4 5

Periods

Month

Freshening

Body StoresUsed for

Milk Production

Body StoresRegained for

Next Lactation

Dry PeriodRumenRehab

Nutrient and Milk Yield Nutrient and Milk Yield Relationships in the Lactation Relationships in the Lactation

and Gestation Cycleand Gestation Cycle

Dry Matter Intake

Milk Production

Body Weight

BCS and Milk ProductionBCS and Milk Production

BCS at calvingBCS at calving < 2.75 < 2.75 reduced milk yieldreduced milk yield > 3.25 > 3.25 reduced milk yieldreduced milk yield Penn State & Cornell research shows cows with Penn State & Cornell research shows cows with

a BCS >3.25 at calving produce 5 pounds less a BCS >3.25 at calving produce 5 pounds less milk each day than cows with lower BCS during milk each day than cows with lower BCS during the first 30 days of lactationthe first 30 days of lactation

BCS change after calvingBCS change after calving Decrease of 1 BCS unit Decrease of 1 BCS unit increase of 930 lb increase of 930 lb

milk in 305-d lactationmilk in 305-d lactation Body reserves essential to support milk Body reserves essential to support milk

productionproductionWaltner et al., 1993

Pedron et al., 1993

BCS and Increased Health BCS and Increased Health RiskRisk

Excess Body ConditionExcess Body Condition Fat Cow SyndromeFat Cow Syndrome KetosisKetosis Displaced AbomasumDisplaced Abomasum Milk FeverMilk Fever MetritisMetritis MastitisMastitis LamenessLameness Limited Dry Matter Limited Dry Matter

IntakeIntake

Thin Body Thin Body ConditionCondition LamenessLameness

Metabolic problems can set the stage for consequences of other nutritional-stress complications, including infections such as mastitis.

BCS and ReproductionBCS and Reproduction

Cows > 3.75 BCS at dry off were 2.8 times Cows > 3.75 BCS at dry off were 2.8 times more likely than cows with average BCS to more likely than cows with average BCS to experience the following reproductive experience the following reproductive problems in their next lactationproblems in their next lactation DystociaDystocia Retained placentaRetained placenta Uterine infectionUterine infection Cystic ovariesCystic ovaries AbortionAbortion

Gearhart et al., 1990

Relationship between BCS Loss in Relationship between BCS Loss in First 5 Weeks after Calving and First 5 Weeks after Calving and

ReproductionReproductionBody Condition LossBody Condition Loss

ItemItem < 0.5< 0.5 0.5 to 1.00.5 to 1.0 > 1.0> 1.0

# Cows# Cows 1717 6464 1212

Days to first ovulation Days to first ovulation 2727aa 3131aa 4242bb

Days to first heatDays to first heat 4848abab 4141aa 6262bb

Days to first serviceDays to first service 6868aa 6767aa 7979bb

First service conception First service conception rate, %rate, % 6565aa 5353aa 1717bb

Services per conceptionServices per conception 1.81.8 2.32.3 2.32.3

Pregnancy rate, %Pregnancy rate, % 9494 9595 100100

Means in a row with different superscripts differ Means in a row with different superscripts differ PP < 0.05 < 0.05

Butler and Smith, 1989

In Summary. . .In Summary. . .

BCS changes can cause problems BCS changes can cause problems when they arewhen they are Too LittleToo Little Too MuchToo Much Too Rapidly ChangedToo Rapidly Changed

Managing Body Managing Body Condition LossCondition Loss

Avoid over conditioningAvoid over conditioning If cows are fat at dry offIf cows are fat at dry off

Do Not allow BCS loss during dry periodDo Not allow BCS loss during dry period Body condition score dry cows to Body condition score dry cows to

monitor changesmonitor changes Maximize dry matter intake of close Maximize dry matter intake of close

up and fresh cows to limit negative up and fresh cows to limit negative energy balanceenergy balance

BCS Loss in High BCS Loss in High ProducersProducers

High-producing cows can lose between High-producing cows can lose between 100 to 150 pounds during the first 60 to 100 to 150 pounds during the first 60 to 80 days (the equivalent of 1 BCS unit) 80 days (the equivalent of 1 BCS unit) Rate of 1 to 2 pounds per day Rate of 1 to 2 pounds per day

But weight loss of 3 to 4 pounds per day But weight loss of 3 to 4 pounds per day May increase the possibility of metabolic May increase the possibility of metabolic

disorders such as ketosis disorders such as ketosis May discourage implantation of the fetus, May discourage implantation of the fetus,

resulting in cows that are "apparently not resulting in cows that are "apparently not conceiving"conceiving"

More on High ProducersMore on High Producers

Negative energy balance is common for Negative energy balance is common for high-producing cows in early lactationhigh-producing cows in early lactation Mobilized body fat is used to produce milkMobilized body fat is used to produce milk

1 pound of mobilized fat = 7 pounds of milk1 pound of mobilized fat = 7 pounds of milk Our goal is to minimize weight loss by Our goal is to minimize weight loss by

encouraging intake ofencouraging intake of High quality, highly palatable forage dry High quality, highly palatable forage dry

matter at 1.8 to 2.0% of body weight daily matter at 1.8 to 2.0% of body weight daily Sufficient grain, the quantity being Sufficient grain, the quantity being

gradually increased over the first few gradually increased over the first few weeks of lactationweeks of lactation

Managing Body Managing Body Condition GainCondition Gain

Add body condition in late lactationAdd body condition in late lactation Efficient storage of energyEfficient storage of energy

Monitor BCS of lactating cows to Monitor BCS of lactating cows to identify thin and fat cows early, in time identify thin and fat cows early, in time to make adjustments before drying offto make adjustments before drying off

Avoid changes in BCS during dry periodAvoid changes in BCS during dry period Very thin cows may benefit from extra Very thin cows may benefit from extra

feed in the early dry periodfeed in the early dry period

More on Body Condition More on Body Condition GainGain

Cows should start replenishing fat Cows should start replenishing fat reserves after reaching peak milk reserves after reaching peak milk

A few cows, 5 to 10%, may never put A few cows, 5 to 10%, may never put on much flesh on much flesh

A similar proportion may be "easy A similar proportion may be "easy keepers" and tend to be obese most keepers" and tend to be obese most of the time of the time

BCS Changes Over BCS Changes Over LactationLactation

Efficient, high producing cows do not Efficient, high producing cows do not experience large changes in body experience large changes in body conditioncondition

Inefficient, low producing cows Inefficient, low producing cows increase in BCS over a lactationincrease in BCS over a lactation

Most cows are between these Most cows are between these extremesextremes BCS decreases to about 100 daysBCS decreases to about 100 days Then increases until dry-offThen increases until dry-off

Recommended BCS byRecommended BCS by Stage of Lactation Stage of Lactation

BCSBCS

Stage of Stage of LactationLactation DIMDIM GoalGoal MinMin MaxMax

CalvingCalving 3.503.50 3.253.25 3.753.75

Early LactationEarly Lactation 1 to 301 to 30 3.003.00 2.752.75 3.253.25

Peak MilkPeak Milk 31 to 10031 to 100 2.752.75 2.502.50 3.003.00

Mid LactationMid Lactation101 to 101 to

200200 3.003.00 2.752.75 3.253.25

Late LactationLate Lactation201 to 201 to

300300 3.253.25 3.003.00 3.753.75

Dry OffDry Off > 300> 300 3.503.50 3.253.25 3.753.75

DryDry 3.503.50 3.253.25 3.753.75

BCS at BCS at CalvingCalving

Recommended Score: Recommended Score: 3.25 to 3.753.25 to 3.75

Nutritional Objective:Nutritional Objective: Cows calve with Cows calve with

adequate, but not adequate, but not excessive, body-fat excessive, body-fat reservesreserves

Red Flags – CalvingRed Flags – Calving

BCS < 3.25BCS < 3.25 Too little energy Too little energy

provided in late provided in late lactation or dry lactation or dry periodperiod

Risk low milk Risk low milk productionproduction

Especially if ration is Especially if ration is not balanced or not not balanced or not palatablepalatable

BCS > 3.75 BCS > 3.75 Too much energy Too much energy

provided in late provided in late lactation or dry periodlactation or dry period

Separate dry cows Separate dry cows from milking herd from milking herd

Feed low-energy Feed low-energy ration balanced for ration balanced for protein, minerals, and protein, minerals, and vitaminsvitamins

Niacin may helpNiacin may help Reduce ketosisReduce ketosis Increase fat mobilizationIncrease fat mobilization Increase appetiteIncrease appetite

BCS in Early BCS in Early LactationLactation


Nutritional Objectives:Nutritional Objectives: Maximize intake of a Maximize intake of a

high-energy ration high-energy ration Minimize body condition Minimize body condition

loss and offset negative loss and offset negative energy balanceenergy balance

Ration must contain Ration must contain enough protein to enough protein to support high milk support high milk productionproduction

Red Flags – Early Red Flags – Early LactationLactation

BCS < 2.75 and low BCS < 2.75 and low milk production milk production Too little energy Too little energy

provided in rationprovided in ration High producers may High producers may

drop below 2.75, but drop below 2.75, but condition must be condition must be regained to prevent regained to prevent reproductive reproductive problemsproblems

BCS > 3.25 BCS > 3.25 Too little protein Too little protein

provided in ration to provided in ration to support milk support milk productionproduction

Check intake of Check intake of water, minerals, and water, minerals, and vitaminsvitamins

BCS at Peak BCS at Peak Milk YieldMilk Yield


Nutritional Objectives:Nutritional Objectives: Maximize intake of a Maximize intake of a

high-energy ration high-energy ration Minimize body condition Minimize body condition

loss and offset negative loss and offset negative energy balanceenergy balance

Ration must contain Ration must contain enough protein to enough protein to support high milk support high milk productionproduction

Red Flags – Peak MilkRed Flags – Peak Milk

BCS < 2.5 and low BCS < 2.5 and low milk productionmilk production Too little energy Too little energy

provided in rationprovided in ration

BCS > 3.25BCS > 3.25 Too little protein Too little protein

provided in rationprovided in ration Check intake of water, Check intake of water,

minerals, and vitaminsminerals, and vitamins

BCS in Mid BCS in Mid LactationLactation


Nutritional Objectives: Nutritional Objectives: Maintain body conditionMaintain body condition Begin to gain condition Begin to gain condition

for maximum milk for maximum milk productionproduction

Avoid excessive body Avoid excessive body weight gainweight gain

Red Flags – Mid Red Flags – Mid LactationLactation


provided in rationprovided in ration Problem probably Problem probably

began in early began in early lactationlactation

BCS > 3.25BCS > 3.25 Reduce energy intake Reduce energy intake

to avoid over to avoid over conditioningconditioning

BCS in Late BCS in Late LactationLactation

Recommended Recommended Score: 3.0 to 3.75Score: 3.0 to 3.75

Nutritional Nutritional Objectives:Objectives: Replenish body Replenish body

reserves to prepare reserves to prepare for next lactationfor next lactation

Avoid over Avoid over conditioningconditioning

Red Flags – Late Red Flags – Late LactationLactation

BCS < 3.0 BCS < 3.0 Too little energy Too little energy

provided in rationprovided in ration Problems likely began Problems likely began

earlier in the lactationearlier in the lactation

BCS > 3.75 BCS > 3.75 Too much energy Too much energy

provided in rationprovided in ration Also may result from Also may result from

extended calving extended calving intervalsintervals

BCS at Dry BCS at Dry OffOff


Nutritional Objectives: Nutritional Objectives: Prepare for next Prepare for next

lactationlactation Maintain condition Maintain condition

through dry period – do through dry period – do not lose, especially if not lose, especially if cows enter dry period fat cows enter dry period fat

Avoid over conditioning Avoid over conditioning by feeding low-energy by feeding low-energy ration with adequate ration with adequate protein, minerals, and protein, minerals, and vitaminsvitamins

Red Flags – Dry CowsRed Flags – Dry Cows


provided in rationprovided in ration Problems likely began Problems likely began

earlier in the lactationearlier in the lactation

BCS > 3.75BCS > 3.75 Too much energy Too much energy

provided in rationprovided in ration Also may result from Also may result from

extended calving extended calving intervalsintervals

Avoid BCS loss in dry Avoid BCS loss in dry periodperiod

Summary of Body Summary of Body Condition Score Changes Condition Score Changes

over a Lactationover a Lactation BCS at calving affects lactation BCS at calving affects lactation

performanceperformance If too thin, peak milk yields will be low If too thin, peak milk yields will be low

and reproduction will be delayedand reproduction will be delayed If too fat, metabolic diseases are very If too fat, metabolic diseases are very

likelylikely Early lactation – BCS lostEarly lactation – BCS lost

Used to support milk productionUsed to support milk production Extreme loss hurts reproductive activityExtreme loss hurts reproductive activity

By 80 to 120 days into the lactationBy 80 to 120 days into the lactation Weight loss should be minimalWeight loss should be minimal Cows should begin to regain conditionCows should begin to regain condition

Essential for strong exhibition of estrus Essential for strong exhibition of estrus (heat) and conception(heat) and conception

After 120 days, all cows should be After 120 days, all cows should be gaining about 0.75 to 1.0 pounds per gaining about 0.75 to 1.0 pounds per dayday

If a cow enters the dry period fatIf a cow enters the dry period fat Maintain body condition – DO NOT LOSEMaintain body condition – DO NOT LOSE

If a cow enters the dry period thinIf a cow enters the dry period thin May add a little condition early (first 3 May add a little condition early (first 3

weeks)weeks)

Section 3 will look at ways to identify Section 3 will look at ways to identify and address body condition problemsand address body condition problems

Charting body condition during Charting body condition during a lactation can help a lactation can help

troubleshoot herd problems troubleshoot herd problems

See extension.psu.edu/dairynutrition See extension.psu.edu/dairynutrition to download spreadsheet that plots to download spreadsheet that plots BCS and compares your animals to BCS and compares your animals to

ecommendationsecommendations

Troubleshooting TipsTroubleshooting Tips

Indicators of body condition problemsIndicators of body condition problems Increase of 5 to 10% in rate of metabolic Increase of 5 to 10% in rate of metabolic

disease disease Cows not able to maintain persistency or peak Cows not able to maintain persistency or peak

at expected levels of milk productionat expected levels of milk production Wouldn’t you rather find these problems Wouldn’t you rather find these problems

before cows get sick and milk drops???before cows get sick and milk drops??? Score cows regularly to predict – and address Score cows regularly to predict – and address

– potential problems before they happen– potential problems before they happen

Suggested BCS ScheduleSuggested BCS Schedule

CalvingCalving 30 days after calving30 days after calving First breedingFirst breeding Pregnancy checkPregnancy check 60 days before dry-off60 days before dry-off Dry-offDry-off

Possibly mid dry period if cows are Possibly mid dry period if cows are having problems at calving or during having problems at calving or during early lactationearly lactation

Compared to Recommended Body Condition Score

1.00

1.50

2.00

2.50

3.00

3.50

4.00

4.50

-60 -30 0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300 330 360

Stage of Lactation - Days in Milk

Bo

dy

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core

Your Cow Goal

Min Max

PSU 109

Normal ChangeLactation 4118 lb Peak Milk, at 42 DIM305-d milk 27,510 lb


1.00

1.50

2.00

2.50

3.00

3.50

4.00

4.50

-60 -30 0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300 330 360


Bo

dy

Co

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Your Cow Goal

Min Max

PSU 263

Small Heifer with High ProductionFirst Lactation, calved at 23 months104 lb Peak Milk, at 140 DIM305-d milk 24,730 lb


1.00

1.50

2.00

2.50

3.00

3.50

4.00

4.50

-60 -30 0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300 330 360


Bo

dy

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Your Cow Goal

Min Max

PSU 836

High ProductionLactation 4178 lb Peak Milk, at 35 DIM305-d milk 36,590 lb


1.00

1.50

2.00

2.50

3.00

3.50

4.00

4.50

-60 -30 0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300 330 360


Bo

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Your Cow Goal

Min Max

PSU 975

Low ProductionLactation 497 lb Peak Milk, at 28 DIM243-d Lactation 16,530 lb milk

Plan to Address BCS Plan to Address BCS ProblemsProblems

Nutrition ChecklistNutrition Checklist Dry Matter Intake – especially of foragesDry Matter Intake – especially of forages Feeding sequenceFeeding sequence Fiber level of rationsFiber level of rations Feeding frequencyFeeding frequency Ration palatabilityRation palatability

Bottom lineBottom line Make sure cows are eating enoughMake sure cows are eating enough Provide at least 45% of DMI from forage Provide at least 45% of DMI from forage

sourcessources

If those are adequate…If those are adequate… Check ration to be sure it is properly balanced Check ration to be sure it is properly balanced

forfor Protein, energy, minerals, and vitamins Protein, energy, minerals, and vitamins

Test the forages and balance rations for each Test the forages and balance rations for each group of cowsgroup of cows When feeding hay crop silages, be sure to analyze for When feeding hay crop silages, be sure to analyze for

bound protein and adjust the ration accordingly bound protein and adjust the ration accordingly Examine grain and forage quality – focus onExamine grain and forage quality – focus on

Fineness of chop or grind of the ingredientsFineness of chop or grind of the ingredients Smell, acceptability, and pHSmell, acceptability, and pH

Look at the amounts of bypass protein, soluble Look at the amounts of bypass protein, soluble protein, starch ingredients, fats, and oils in the protein, starch ingredients, fats, and oils in the rationration

How to Achieve High Milk How to Achieve High Milk YieldsYields

Feed good-to-excellent quality Feed good-to-excellent quality forages that stimulate eating and forages that stimulate eating and enable cows to produce up to their enable cows to produce up to their maximum genetic potentialmaximum genetic potential

Nutritional Strategies to Nutritional Strategies to Manage BCS:Manage BCS:

Early LactationEarly Lactation Feed extra energy in early lactation to offset Feed extra energy in early lactation to offset

negative energy balancenegative energy balance Added fat from oil seeds – no more than 5% of Added fat from oil seeds – no more than 5% of

total ration dry mattertotal ration dry matter Higher levels upset rumen fermentation and decrease Higher levels upset rumen fermentation and decrease

forage digestibilityforage digestibility Additional fat from bypass or protected fats Additional fat from bypass or protected fats

(rumen inert) – an additional 2% of ration dry (rumen inert) – an additional 2% of ration dry mattermatter

Total fat in ration should not exceed 7%Total fat in ration should not exceed 7% When oils and fats are added to the rationWhen oils and fats are added to the ration

Increase calcium, magnesium, phosphorus 10% Increase calcium, magnesium, phosphorus 10% on a dry matter basison a dry matter basis


After Peak MilkAfter Peak Milk Cows should be gaining 0.75 to 1 lb Cows should be gaining 0.75 to 1 lb

per dayper day Balance ration to avoid over conditioningBalance ration to avoid over conditioning If cows are getting too heavyIf cows are getting too heavy

Protein may be limited, energy may be Protein may be limited, energy may be excessiveexcessive


Dry CowsDry Cows If cows fat at dry-offIf cows fat at dry-off

Maintain condition to avoid weight lossMaintain condition to avoid weight loss Feed average quality grass foragesFeed average quality grass forages Supplement 3 to 4 pounds of grainSupplement 3 to 4 pounds of grain Or, minimal amounts of corn silage and a Or, minimal amounts of corn silage and a

grass hay mixturegrass hay mixture If cows are thin at dry-offIf cows are thin at dry-off

Feed good quality grass foragesFeed good quality grass forages Supplement 3 to 4 pounds of grainSupplement 3 to 4 pounds of grain

effects of body condition on performance of dairy cows

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