Abstract
Condition of animals is manifested through level of achieved nourishment. Body condition score (BCS) is a precise method of determination of reserves of deposited energy in form of subcutaneous fat tissue. Adequate body reserves are necessary requirement for maximal increase of milk production in the period of early lactation. Based on BCS we can precisely determine the number of cows which are bellow weight (excessively thin) or over weight (excessively fat). Body condition changes during lactation. Cows in early lactation are in the negative energy balance (NEB). Changes of the body condition should be over at the end of lactation. Objective is to have cows in optimal body condition during all production phases. Object of research was body condition of high yielding cows during production cycle. Realized sample size was 363 cows of Holstein-Friesian breed. Average BCS value of cows in dry period was 3.39 (2.37-4.41), at calving 3.56 (2.55-4.63), at lactation peak 2.30 (1.35-3.16) and in the mid lactation 2.50 (1.35-3.43). In dry period, most of cows (n=100 or 27.55%) ranged in BCS from 3.26 to 3.50. During dry period increase of body condition scores of cows occurred. At calving, most of heads (n=99 or 27.50%) ranged in their BCS from 3.51 to 3.75. During period of early lactation there was a significant decrease of the body condition of cows. At the peak of lactation a slight increase of body condition was recorded. At the peak of lactation, most cows (n=125 or 36.76%) ranged in BCS from 2.26 to 2.50. In the mid-lactation period, slight increase of body condition of cows occurred. During this period, most cows (n=88 or 27.32%) ranged in their BCS from 2.51 to 2.75. In general, realized average BCS results according to production phases deviated statistically significantly from target values.
Highlights
Balance between the requirements of the animal organism and possibility to intake nutrients through food are decisive factors which determine creation or loss of body reserves
Body condition score (BCS) is a precise method for determination of fat reserves or quantity of energy in form of subcutaneous fat tissue deposited in the area around hips, loins and tail root
Results obtained in the study of BCS of cows in production cycle are presented using basic indicators of descriptive statistics
Summary
Balance between the requirements of the animal organism and possibility to intake nutrients through food are decisive factors which determine creation or loss of body reserves. Body condition score (BCS) is a precise method for determination of fat reserves or quantity of energy in form of subcutaneous fat tissue deposited in the area around hips, loins and tail root. Amount of body reserves which cow has prior to calving has very strong impact on incidence of potential problems after calving, problems relating to milk production, reproduction efficiency and health condition (Bertics et al.,1992; Grummer, 1995; Drackley, 1999). Adequate body reserves are prerequisite/condition for maximum increase of milk production during the period of early lactation. Risk of problems occurring at calving is reduced when cows are in optimum body condition for that specific phase of production cycle (Wildman et al, 1982; Edmonson et al, 1989; Ferguson, 1989; Otto et al, 1991; Ruegg and Milton, 1995)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
