Importance of Body Condition
In order to manage a beef cow-calf operation in the most cost-efficient way, producers must be aware of the body condition of their herd. Research indicates that the body condition of beef cows is related to many critical aspects of production such as conception rate, days to estrus, calving interval, and milk production. When cows are extremely thin (BCS < 4), they are not only reproductively inefficient, but they are more susceptible to health problems. Cows at BCS 1 are in a life-threatening situation and need immediate attention. Cows that are over-conditioned (BCS 8-9) are the most costly to maintain. Two-year-olds with BCS 8-9 may encounter dystocia (calving difficulty) due to the excessive fat in the pelvic area. Table 2 lists many of the production problems associated with cows and heifers in 'thin' or 'fat' condition.