The most inefficient cow is
the one that fails to cycle and breed
Eight Ways To Improve Reproductive
Performance
1. Use FlaxLic® (patent pending) as part of your bull preconditioning.
2. Semen test bulls prior to breeding.
3. Cows scoring less than BCS 4 normally experience a 60 percent or lower pregnancy
rate. The ideal range BCS is 5 through 7 for top reproductive performance. The
ideal body condition for heifers is BCS 6.
4. Cows scoring BCS 8 or 9 exhibit lower reproductive performance and higher
maintenance cost.
5. Cows must have a positive energy balance to cycle and breed successfully.
Cows in a negative energy balance (losing weight) are less likely to cycle and
breed. Negative energy balance may be the result of poor forage quality or dry
matter intakes.
6. Feeds containing high levels of molds can reduce reproductive performance.
Always provide fresh feeds during breeding season.
7. Always provide clean, fresh water to maintain proper hydration and dry matter
intakes.
8. A balanced, complete mineral program will help assure a strong immune system
and healthy reproductive tract for optimum reproductive performance.
Emaciated
(BCS 1)
Bone structure of shoulder, ribs, back, hooks and pins sharp to touch and easily
visible. Little evidence of fat deposits or muscling.
Very Thin (BCS
2)
Little evidence of fat deposits but some muscling in hindquarters. The spinous
processes feel sharp to the touch and are easily seen, with space between them.
Thin (BCS 3)
Beginning of fat cover over the loin, back and foreribs. Backbone still highly
visible. Processes of the spine can be identified individually by touch and
may still be visible. Spaces between the processes are less pronounced.
Borderline (BCS 4)
Foreribs not noticeable; 12th and 13th ribs still noticeable to the eye, particularly
in cattle with a big spring of rib and ribs wide apart. The transverse spinous
processes can be identified only by palpation (with slight pressure) to feel
rounded rather than sharp. Full but straightness of muscling in the hindquarters.
Moderate (BCS 5)
12th and 13th ribs not visible to the eye unless animal has been shrunk. The
transverse spinous processes can only be felt with firm pressure to feel rounded—not
noticeable to the eye. Spaces between the processes not visible and only distinguishable
with firm pressure. Areas on each side of the tail head are fairly well filled
but not rounded.
Good (BCS 6)
Ribs fully covered, not noticeable to the eye. Hindquarters plump and full. Noticeable
sponginess to covering of foreribs and on each side of the tail head. Firm
pressure now required to feel transverse processes.
Very Good (BCS 7)
Ends of the spinous processes can only be felt with very firm pressure. Spaces
between processes can barely be distinguished at all. Abundant fat cover on
either side of tail head with some patchiness evident.
Fat (BCS 8)
Animal taking on a smooth, blocky appearance; bone structure disappearing from
sight. Fat cover thick and spongy with patchiness likely.
Very Fat (BCS 9)
Bone structure not seen or easily felt. Tail head buried in fat. Animal’s
mobility may actually be impaired by excess amount of fat.
The most inefficient cow is
the one that fails to cycle and breed
