Condition scoring of beef cattle

The objective of condition scoring is to obtain a simple and reliable estimate of the body fat reserves of live cattle. The condition score provides an estimate of fat reserves that is independent of size, and is a more reliable description of condition than liveweight alone.

Condition scoring can aid cattle management in two ways:

• Breeding cows — assessing the body condition of breeding cows at critical stages of their production cycle directs management of the nutrition of those cows not in the desired condition.
• Fattening animals — knowing the condition of fattening cattle allows selection of those with a particular level of fat cover.

Condition scoring techniques

The technique is easily learned and, although subjective, has been shown to give reliable results when related to subcutaneous fat cover. The method is a "hands on" system, where two areas of the animal's body are palpated to assess fat cover.

The two areas are:

• spinous processes or short ribs
• around the tail head.

The short ribs

The degree of prominence of the short ribs of the individual spinous processes, is found by placing the fingers flat over the short ribs and pressing the thumb into the end of the short ribs. A condition score is given according to the ease with which the individual short ribs can be felt with the thumb.

The tail head

The degree of fat cover around the tail head, is assessed by using the fingers and thumb and should be done at the same time as assessing the short ribs. The appropriate score is given depending upon the degree to which palpable fat can be felt.

Description of condition scores

Condition score 1

Emaciated

Condition score 2

The individual processes are sharp to the touch, no tail head fat. The hip, bones and ribs are prominent.

Condition score 3

The individual processes can easily be felt, but feel rounded, rather than sharp. There is some tissue cover around the tail head. Individual ribs are no longer visually obvious.

Condition score 4

The short ribs can only be felt with firm thumb pressure. Areas either side of tail head have fat cover which can be easily felt.

Condition score 5

The processes cannot be felt and fat cover around the tail head is easily seen as slight mounds, soft to touch. Folds of fat are beginning to develop over ribs and thighs.

Condition score 6

The bone structure of the animal is no longer noticeable and the tail head is almost completely buried in fatty tissue.

The score can be varied half a score depending upon the amount of tail head fat, for example if the short rib palpation (using the thumb) gives score 4 but the tail head is a typical 3, the score would then be 3.5. Scores can be directly related to fatness at the P8 site.

Application of condition scores

This condition scoring method is not equivalent to the fat scores assigned by AUS-MEAT, CALM, or the Livestock Market Reporting Service (LMRS). These groups use a scoring system that was developed for carcases rather than live animals, and which operates on a 1-6 scale.

The data in this table shows the relationship between the condition score and mm of fat at the P8 site.

Target condition scores for cows are no lower than:

• 2.5 at calving for autumn calving
• 2.0 at the start of mating for autumn calving
• 2.0 at calving for spring calving cows.

Cows can be drafted at weaning on condition score so that preferential feeding can be given to those that may not achieve their target scores by calving.

More information

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