Scoring Chart

1. 1. Emaciated
   Little muscle left
2. 2. Very Thin
   No fat,
   bones visible
3. 3. Thin
   Foreribs visible
4. 4. Borderline
   Foreribs not visible. 12th
   & 13th ribs visible
5. 5. Moderate
   Nether fat nor thin
6. 6. Good
   smooth appearance
7. 7. Very Good
   Smooth with fat over back and
   tail head
8. 8. Fat
   Blocky. Bone over back not visible
9. 9. Very Fat
   Tail buried and
   in fat

Other Resources

Weathering the Drought — Linked with permission from the High Plains Journal

Managing Weather-Stressed Cattle for Reproductive Success — from cattlenetwork.com

Heifers Don't Have to be Pigs at the Feed Bunk — from MSU News Service

Research Calls for Maintaining a 5-6 Score —from Farm and Ranch Guide

Body Condition Affects Reproduction — from NDSU Extension

BCS Implications for Managing Beef Cows — from Government of Alberta, Agriculture and Rural Development

Cow Body Condition Changes After Calving — from Extension

BCS Impacts Breed Back Capabilities in Cows — Linked with permission from Farm Talk

Feeding & Feedstuffs — related API topic site

Body Condition Scoring Reduces Feed Costs — from Cattle Today

Body Condition Scoring Cows Enhances Management Options — Linked with permission from Farm Talk

Body Condition Scoring CD-ROMs — from Government of Alberta, Agriculture and Rural Development