Body measurements Info

Body condition score bcs is an easy inexpensive but subjective method to evaluate the body tissue reserves of lactating cows independent of frame size and body weight bw. 3 measurement methods and standard measurements when a cowbull is measured for body parts the animal needs to be standing with the correct posture. Body parts of a bullcow have names fig. Measurement is the first step in successful management. Estimation of body weight from body size measurements and body condition scores in dairy cows article pdf available in journal of dairy science 8091988 95 october 1997 with 483 reads. Body measurement data were combined with production data and consisted of 1898 lactation records from 771 cows by 131 sires.

Data were collected between 1968 and 1986. 1 but normally for the assessment of a dairy cow the body part names shown in fig. They can be purchased for cattle sheep goats hogs and horses through various livestock supply companies. Roughly speaking jerseys would weigh the same as a grizzly or polar bear. It was hypothesised that reticular temperature ret values reflect the physiological status of the animals in an equivalent way to rectal rt and vaginal vt measurements. The research farm which has been described in detail 2 3 9 16 19 26 is operated under reasonably typical iowa conditions and is used primarily for long term dairy cattle breeding research.

Dairy sci 80 1997 pp. The aim of the research described here was to compare different methods of body temperature bt measurements in dairy cows. Dairy cows also weigh pretty similar to grizzly and polar bears which both weigh an average of 1150 lbs. Kristensenestimation of body weight from body size measurements and body condition scores in dairy cows j. Interestingly compared to other things a dairy cows weighs similar to the heart of a blue whale which weighs about 1300 lbs which is just a small part of a whales massive body. Weigh tapes are easy to use and can be utilized effectively for monitoring purposes when used in a consistent manner by the same person.

While its not hard to see whether cows are getting thinner or fatter body condition scores provide a consistent standardized measurement system. During the early lactation period mobilization of body reserve for milk production induces a negative energy balance that has been reported to affect the reproductive performance of dairy cows 2. Body measurements of 110 beef cows of 9 breeds hungarian simmental hereford aberdeen angus red angus lincoln red shaver charolais limousin and blonde daquitaine were taken in december. Girth and convert that measurement to a fairly accurate estimate of the animals body weight. Cattle body condition scores play a pivotal role in maximizing fertility in your breeding herd.