The relationship between cow body condition and parity, lactation stage, production performance

Body condition scoring is a method to evaluate fatness or thinness based on comprehensive score of various body parts of cows, and thus to manage nutrition and health of dairy herd. According to the body condition score of lactating cows in a typical dairy farm, the results showed that there were significantly positive correlations between the body condition of cows and milk protein percentage, estimated milk yield of 305 days (P<0.01). The body condition of cows at 3rd parity was the best, which was significantly better than other parities (P<0.01). The body condition of cows at late lactation stage was significantly better than other lactation stages (P<0.01). The parity had a significantly positive correlation with somatic cell score (P<0.05). In addition, the significantly positive correlations were observed between somatic cell score and estimated milk yield of 305 days, milk protein, as well as between milk protein and milk fat (P<0.05). The somatic cell score revealed a significantly positive correlation with milk protein and milk fat (P<0.01), which indicated it could be used to predict milk yield and quality. In summary, to produce more milk yield in high quality, the body condition of dairy cows should be in a reasonable range according to improving management of nutritional level and rising conditions.