Effect of Body Condition Score on Performance Traits in Crossbred Dairy Cows

Abstract

Sixty crossbred cows from three different genetic groups (1 12 Holstein Friesian (F) x 1 / 2 Hariana (H), 1 /2F x l 14 Brown Swiss x 1 f 4 H), (1 f 2Fx1 f 4 Jersey x 1 f 4 H) were randomly selected to study body condition score after calving and its association with performance traits. The correlations between body condition score and body weight at different stages of lactation were positively significant. The correlations between body condition score and peak yield were negative and significant at 42nd (-0.316) and 56th (-0.404) day of lactation. The effect of body condition score on other performance traits was found to be non-significant. It is concluded that high producing cows mobilize greater amount of body condition score than the low producing cows in early lactation.

Body Condition Score Versus Metabolites in Marwari Sheep under Cold Stress

“…Cows in moderateto-thin conditions require more glucose than cows in obese conditions due to their higher maintenance needs. Hence, the higher demand for glucose in low-condition groups' blood glucose levels reduces (Singh et al, 2009). Animals that have extremely excellent body conditions (3 to 5) may lose up to a point of body condition where they are unable to maintain appropriate blood metabolites, physiological responses and growth (Maurya et al, 2012).…”