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C. BODY SCORING
BODY SCORE-1
BODY SCORE-2
BODY SCORE-3
BODY SCORE-4
BODY SCORE-5
•
Body scoring is very important in assessing the health status of an animal.
•
A low score may indicate diseases or improper feeding while a high score may indicate a
high probability of breeding and metabolic problems.
• Extremely thin. No fat in brisket or
tail docks.
• All skeletal structures are visible.
• Dull hair
• May be diseased and survival
during stress is doubtful
• Thin. Vertebrae, hips and pin bone
prominent.
• Some tissue cover around tail
dock, hip bones and the flank.
• Muscle tissue evident but not
abundant, health may be OK.
• Ribcage only slightly visible.
• Fat deposit behind shoulder
obvious, ideal condition for calving.
• Fat deposit in brisket area.
• Hook and pin bone visible, but not
prominent.
• Skeletal structure difficult to
identify.
• Obvious fat deposits behind
shoulder and tail head.
• Flat appearance to the top line.
• Folds of fat starting to develop
over ribs and thighs.
• Animal is obese, flat appearance
dominates.
• Brisket is heavy and bone
structure not noticeable.
• Tail head and hip bones completely
buried in folds of fat.
• Back is flat and completely
covered by fat.
• Mobility impaired by large fat
deposits.
Body scoring would be a helpful yardstick to monitor health
Body score 1
Cattle with body score 1
Cattle with body score 2
Cattle with body score 3
Cattle with body score 4 may have
metabolic problems at calving.
Body score 2
Body score 3
Body score 4
Body score 5
Cattle with body score 5 and above
have high probability of metabolic and
breeding problems.