Dynamics of automated body condition scores in grazing Holstein cows in a year-round calving system

Abstract

This observational study aimed to characterize the seasonal dynamics of automated body condition scores (BCS) through the lactation of Holstein cows in a pasture-based system with year-round calvings. Examining the association between nadir BCS (nBCS; defined as the lowest daily BCS after calving) and peak milk yield within each calving period (calendar seasons equally divided in early and late) was a secondary objective of this research. Retrospective data included 2,164 lactations in 539 primiparous (PRI) and 1,625 multiparous (MLT) Holstein cows that calved from July 2021 to June 2023 in a commercial dairy farm located in Southern Chile. Individual BCS were generated in every milking by an automated BCS camera system. Body condition score at calving (BCSc), nBCS, and the change in BCS from calving to nadir (ΔBCS) were considered for the analysis. Peak milk yield (greatest daily milk yield) values were retrieved from on-farm software and lactations were categorized considering quartiles (Q1 = 25% lowest peak milk yield; Q4 = 25% greatest peak milk yield). Data were examined in PRI and MLT cows separately using multivariable linear models that considered calving period and peak milk yield as the main explanatory variables of interest, while BCSc and health status were included as covariables when appropriate. The differences in BCSc among calving periods were more evident in primiparous cows that had the lowest BCSc in early spring (3.13 ± 0.03) and the greatest BCSc in late fall (3.51 ± 0.03). In MLT cows, the lowest and greatest BCSc were recognized in late fall (3.07 ± 0.04) and early summer (3.23 ± 0.03), respectively. Only MLT cows had differences in nBCS and ΔBCS across calving periods: The lowest nBCS were identified in late spring (2.71 ± 0.02), early summer (2.71 ± 0.02), and in late summer (2.71 ± 0.02). The greatest losses in BCS also occurred in early summer (−0.41 ± 0.02) and in late spring (−0.41 ± 0.02). Time from calving to nBCS varied among calving periods and depended on parity category. Primiparous cows reached nBCS earlier in late summer (65 ± 8 DIM) and late spring (68 ± 7 DIM), while MLT had the shortest times to nBCS in late and early fall (67 ± 5 DIM; 68 ± 5 DIM). Greater values at milk peak were associated with lower nBCS only in multiparous cows during the late spring period. We concluded that the dynamics of BCS were associated with calving period in both parity groups. This data could help guide decisions on nutrition and breeding strategies in farms facing comparable conditions.