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

Abstract

Abbreviations: BCS, body condition score; SE, standard error; SNF, solids not fat IntroductionBody condition score (BCS) is a subjective measure of body energy reserve and is used as an indirect indicator of energy balance status. 1 It is a quick, non-invasive, inexpensive, visual and tactile way of assessing the degree of fatness of dairy animals 2 and it is recognized by the animal scientists and producers as an important factor in dairy bovine management. 3 Optimal body condition of dairy cow is important for obtaining elite herd and quantity milk production because low or excessive body energy reserve may have a greater risk of lower milk yield and higher milk somatic cell count, SCC. 4 Therefore, the ideal BCS of dairy animals throughout lactation not only optimizes milk yield, but also maximizes economic return. 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. However, negative correlation between BCS and milk yield, fat and SNF was observed by Mustaq & Quereshi. 13 Dairy cows with high milk yields have been displaying higher incidence of mastitis 14 that can be assessed by SCC or somatic cell score (SCS, log-transformed SCC) in milk. 15 Therefore, SCC is widely used as a marker to determine the udder health and quality of milk. 16 Very few studies have attempted to quantify the relationship between BCS and SCC. 6 Body condition score had a favorable correlation with SCS, but it was not strong, 4,17 while others 2,6 reported insignificant relationship between BCS and SCC. Hence, it is argued that there are no consistent results regarding the relationship between body condition score and milk yield, milk composition and milk somatic cell counts, viz. udder health status of dairy animals. Therefore, the present study was carried out to investigate the effect of body condition score on milk yield, milk composition and udder health status in terms of milk SCC of dairy bovines. Materials and methodsThe experiment was conducted in and around the Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Faizabad (Uttar Pradesh) to assess the effect of body condition score on milk yield, milk composition and udder health status of dairy bovines. In total, 100 lactating dairy bovines of second parity were selected from the Teaching Livestock Farm, the Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, and from small dairy farms of nearby villages. The animals were selected randomly and observed for 4months. The data were collected at fortnightly intervals. Milking was done twice daily by hand-milking method. Body condition score of animals a...

Effect of Body Condition Score (BCS) on Production Performance of Sahiwal Cattle

“…There was significant difference between the groups. Similar finding were reported by Prasad and Tomar (1996) and Singh et al (2015).…”

PCR diagnosis of tick-borne pathogens in Maharashtra state, India indicates fitness cost associated with carrier infections is greater for crossbreed than native cattle breeds

“…Indeed, the biggest difference between groups was between uninfected and apicomplexan parasite infected animals for crossbreeds and the biggest difference in body score was between apicomplexan carrier crossbreeds and uninfected crossbreeds. The results suggest that greatest impact on body condition and potentially productivity via milk yield [ 20 ] occurs in crossbred animals that are carriers for tick borne apicomplexan parasites. Thus, while these animals may be more likely to survive acute disease, relative to Bos taurus , carrier infection may still have significant economic consequences.…”

“…All animals had their body condition scored between 1–5 using visual guidelines provided by Queensland Government, Australia (see S1 Fig ) together with manual palpation: Body condition score 1: Backbone prominent, Hips & shoulder bones prominent, Ribs clearly visible, Tail head area recessed, Skeletal body outline; Body condition score 2: Backbone visible, Hips & shoulder bones visible, Ribs visible faintly, Tail head area slightly recessed, Body outline bony; Body condition score 3 : Hip bones visible faintly, Ribs generally not visible, Tail head area not recessed, Body outline almost smooth; Body condition score 4: Hip bones not visible, Ribs well covered, Tail head area slightly lumpy, Body outline rounded; Body condition score 5 : Hip bones showing fat deposit, Ribs very well covered, Tail head area very lumpy, Body outline bulging due to fat. In Indian dairy cattle and buffalo, animals with better body condition scores are generally more productive milk producers [ 20 ]…”

Influence of Body Condition Score on Milk Production Parameters of Murrah Buffaloes

“…[25] who reported significantly more milk production and peak milk yield in dairy animals with BCS more than 3.5 at calving compared to animals with BCS less than 3.5 at calving. Singh et al [26] also reported that FCM were positively correlated with BCS at calving. Patel et al [27] reported that Murrah buffaloes with pre-calving BCS of 4.00 and above produced more total milk at 90days of lactation than buffaloes with pre-calving BCS of 3.25-3.75 and 2.50-3.00, though the difference was not significant.…”