Body Condition Scoring

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

 

 

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University Resources


General Extension Information
Strategies to Rebreed First or Second Calf Cows

University of Alabama
Making Drought Related Beef Cattle Economic Decisions

University of Arkansas
Nutrition and Feeding Spreadsheet Decision Aids
The Cow Size and Production Efficiency Relationship
Maintaining Herd Productivity During Drought
Best Management Practices for Small Herds
Feeding Beef Cows Based on Body Condition Scores

University of Arizona
Matching Forage Resources with Cow Herd Supplementation

University of California Davis
Balancing Beef Cow Nutrient Requirements & Seasonal Forage Quality

Cornell University
Unveiling the Production Efficiency of the Beef Cow

University of Florida
Feeding the Cow Herd
Phase Feeding the Beef Herd for Improved Utilization

University of Georgia
Body Condition Scoring Beef Cows

Kansas State University
K-State Scientist Discusses Beef Cow BCS
Beef Cow Nutrition Guide
Feeding your cows by body condition


University of Kentucky
Managing Body Condition to Improve Reproductive Performance in Beef Cows

Louisiana State University
Effects of Pasture Stocking Rate and Method on Cow-Calf Production
Breeding and Genetics

University of Minnesota
Reproduction Success in the Cow Herd


Mississippi State University
Body Condition Scoring Beef Cattle

University of Missouri
Body Condition Score Cows at Weaning
Links on Feed and Nutrition

Montana State University
Body Condition Scoring Cows
Drought Management Strategies for Beef Cattle
Optimizing Reproductive Performance
Calving First Calf Heifers
Should I Body Condition Score My Cows?

University of Nebraska
What Size Fits Best
Profit Tip: Condition Score Cows Early
Manage Body Condition by Timing Weaning
What’s the Score in your Herd?

New Mexico State University
Range Beef Cow Supplementation Information & Strategies
Managing and Feeding Beef Cows Using BCS

North Carolina State University
Ten Point Plan for Winter Feeding Beef Cows
Body Condition Scoring is Still Your Most Important Tool

North Dakota State University
Winter Management of the Beef Cow Herd
Third Trimester and Post-Partum Nutrition
Fall Cow Care is Vital
Using the Net Energy System to Improve BCS
Consequences of Underfeeding Cows
Body Condition Scoring I:
Managing Your Cow Herd Through Body Condition Scoring


Ohio State University
Ohio Beef Herd Management Calendar
Winter Cold Stress on Cattle
Beef Cow Nutrition
Scoring Cows can Improve Profits
Maximizing Fall and Winter Grazing of Beef Cows and Stocker Cattle

Oklahoma State University
Early Weaning Spring-Born Calves
Flushing Beef Cattle
Winter Feeding Your Beef Cow Herd
Body Condition Scoring of Beef Cows
Limit feeding concentrate diets to beef cows.

Oregon State University
Influence of Cow BCS and Late Gestation Supplementation

Purdue University
Body Condition Important into Spring
Feeding Beef Cows Based on BCS
Impact of Body Condition at Calving on Reproductive Productivity in Beef Cattle
What’s Behind the Buzz on Condition Scoring?

South Dakota State University
Body Condition Scoring Beef Cows

University of Tennessee
Baled Corn Stover – Potential Winter Feed
Make BCS a Routine Practice

Texas A&M University
Rebuilding Cow Herds after Drought
Marketing Cull Cows
Beef Replacement Cow Questions
Body Condition, Nutrition and Reproduction of Beef Cows
Management of Improved Pastures

Utah State University
Use of Kochia for Fall/Winter Grazing

Virginia Tech
Winter Hangover/Body Condition Score Carryover Effects
Body Condition Scoring Beef Cows 
Some Beef Cows in Critical Condition
Last Chance to Get Cows in Condition for Breeding
The Cow-Calf Manager

Various Virginia Sources
Forage Systems for Cow-Calf Production
in the Appalachian Region

Washington State University
BCS Critical to Efficient Use of Feed Resources

West Virginia University
Wean or Sell Calves?

University of Wisconsin
Body Condition, Nutrition and Reproduction of Beef Cows



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