Relationship Between Body Condition Scores and Milk Yield in a Large Dairy Herd of High Yielding Holstein Cows

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between body condition and milk yield of dairy cows. Holstein cows (n = 779) on a commercial dairy farm were scored for body condition weekly beginning at dry-off and continuing until 120 d of lactation. Multiple linear regression and principal component analysis were used to characterize relationships. Mean body condition scores were 2.77 and 2.66 at dry-off and parturition, respectively. Principal component analysis was used to reduce the collinearity among independent variables, to calculate new parameter estimates, and to rank the relationship of each variable with milk yield. Results indicated that change in body condition during the dry period was ranked first, followed by lactation number, and then body condition score at dry-off for multiparous cows. A one-point increase in body condition score between dry-off and parturition was associated with 545.5 kg more milk in the first 120 d of lactation. Each additional point of body condition at dry-off was associated with 300 kg less milk at 120 d of lactation. Results suggested that cows that gained condition during the dry period yielded more milk in the first 120 d of lactation and had an accelerated rate of increase in milk yield. The results of this study indicate that body condition score is an important tool for monitoring dairy herds.

The Effect of Body Condition Score at Calving on Milk Yield, Milk Composition and Udder Health Status of Dairy Animals

“…5 Studies relating the effect of BCS on milk production and milk composition have provided inconsistent results. Ruegg & Milton, 6 and Domecq et al 7 reported no significant effect of BCS at calving on subsequent milk production, while Markusfeld et al 8 and Roche et al 9 reported the contrary to the previous findings. Singh et al 10 and Lents et al 11 stated that BCS did not influence fat, SNF and specific gravity of milk, while Doreau et al 12 reported high milk fat in fatty animals.…”

Relationship Between Accumulated Heat Stress Prepartum, Body Condition and Postpartum Performance in Dairy Cattle

“…Using principal comp m e n t analysis, Domecq et al (1997) related one point of loss in BCS during the first morkh of lactation to 241 kg of more milk at 120 tl, which is similar to the increase in milk production (246 kg, Table 3) found in the present study. Almost all dairy cows undergo a negative energy balance during early lactation due to the fact that the rate of increase in milk production exceeds that of feed intake.…”

Efeito da condição corporal ao parto sobre a produção e composição do leite, a curva de lactação e a mobilização de reservas corporais em vacas da raça Holandesa

“…A mensuração do ECCP foi realizada segundo metodologia proposta por Wildman et al (1982), desenvolvida por Edmonson et al (1989). Baseia-se em avaliações visuais e táteis das reservas corporais em pontos específicos do corpo da vaca, adotando-se uma escala biológica de 1 a 5, com subunidades de 0,25 pontos, em que 1 representa a vaca muito magra e 5, a muito gorda, independente do peso corporal ou do tamanho (altura, perímetro toráxico, comprimento) (Wildman et al, 1982;Edmonson et al, 1989).…”

“…Waltner et al (1993) verificaram que o ECC influenciou a produção de leite aos 90 dias de lactação, sendo as maiores produções de leite observadas em vacas que apresentaram o ECC ao parto (ECCP) entre 3,0 e 4,0. Domecq et al (1997) estimaram que maior ECCP resultou em cerca de mais 545kg de leite nos primeiros 120 dias de lactação, elevando também a produção de gordura. Urban e McGilliard (1990) verificaram resultados semelhantes, em que o ECCP foi importante fonte de variação na produção de leite de vacas de média e alta produção.…”