Cattle Body Condition Score

Cattle body condition scores (BCS) uses a 9-point scale to describe the relative fatness of a steer or cow. It is an effective management tool to evaluate nutritional and health status of your herd. To access cattle body condition score, producers can use a number system to objectively describe the cattle's condition and fat reserves through a visually assessment. BCS provides for an alternative to evaluate a herd’s health without weighing and measuring the animals directly and is closely related to reproductive efficiency and is often a more reliable indicator of nutritional status than only body weight.

The following are key areas for evaluation for beef cows: backbone, ribs, hips, pin bones (pins), tailhead, and brisket.

The following is a description of the 1 to 9 body condition scoring system where a BCS 1 cow is extremely thin and emaciated and a BCS 9 cow is very fat and obese. Assign a cow a condition score in whole numbers (3, 4, 5, etc.).

(1) Muscles of loin, rump, and hindquarter are concave, indicating loss of muscle tissue. Adapted from Pruit and Momont, South Dakota State University, 1988

Before breeding cows it is recommend that cows have a good condition score of 5 or higher and a body condition score of 6 or better at calving.

Beef cattle should have a BCS between 5-7 for optimum health and wellness.

We hope this article has been helpful to learn more about calculating Body Condition Score in your cattle herd. Below are some other free resources.