Body condition scoring in relation to changes in body weight and performance in Belgian Blue double-muscled beef cows

Abstract

-The relationship between the body condition in Belgian Blue double-muscled cows and the performance of cows and calves has been studied over a 5-year period. One hundred and twenty-six cows, with a mean initial parity of 1.6 ± 1.1 were involved. During each winter, they were fed 100, 90, 80 or 70% of their energy requirements (140-day restriction period). At the end of April, all cows were turned out on pasture in identical circumstances (re-alimentation period). Half of the cows were suckled by their offspring; the other cows were dried off following calving and colostrum collection. Body condition score (BCS; scale 0 to 5) was determined at the start and end of the restriction period and the re-alimentation period, at monthly intervals and at calving. Two hundred and thirteen parturitions were involved, of which 63% occurred during the first half of the year. BCS (mean of monthly observations) was lower (P < 0.001) in primiparous (1.45) cows than in cows with two (1.69) or more parturitions (1.81). BCS (mean of monthly observations) was lower in suckling cows (1.51) than in dry cows (1.79; P < 0.001). BCS (mean of monthly observations) was reduced by energy restriction from 1.75 to 1.56 (P < 0.001). BCS-change during the restriction and re-alimentation periods was related to body weight change (R 2 = 0.538). BCSchange was negative during the restriction period, but it was more than compensated for during the re-alimentation period. BCS at calving was not related to the length of the subsequent calving interval. Cows with a BCS less than 1.5 at calving, yielded less milk and calf performance was reduced when compared with those with a BCS over 1.5. The dams of calves that died at birth had a lower BCS at calving (1.45) than the dams of surviving calves (1.75; P = 0.044). Open cows at 9 months postpartum had a higher BCS at calving (1.78) than cows that became pregnant within 9 months postpartum (1.50; P < 0.001). Consequently, it is difficult to define a universal optimum BCS for double-muscled cows, resulting in a maximal milk production and calf growth, a low calf loss and cow culling rate and a calving interval of approximately one year. (140 jours ; période de restriction). Toutes les vaches ont été mises au pâturage dans des conditions identiques à partir de la fin avril (période de compensation). La moitié des vaches ont allaité leur veau, tandis que les autres vaches ont été taries après collection du colostrum. La NEE (0-5) était déterminée au début et à la fin de la période de restriction et de la période de compensation, chaque mois et aussi au moment du vêlage. Il y avait 213 vêlages, dont 63 % pendant la première moitié de l'année. La NEE (moyenne des observations) était plus faible (P < 0,001) chez les primipares (1,45) que chez les vaches à deux (1,69) ou plus de vêlages (1,81). La NEE (moyenne des observations) était plus faible chez les vaches allaitantes (1,51) que les vaches taries (1,79 ; P < 0,001). La NEE (moyenne des observations) a été réduite de 1,75 à 1,56 par une restriction ...

Importance of dam BW change and calf birth weight in double-muscled Belgian Blue cattle and its relationship with parity and calving interval

“…Rae et al (1993) found that beef cows with a BCS at pregnancy diagnosis, performed at 60 to 100 days postpartum, of 5 or more had a pregnancy rate of 89%, whereas cows with a BCS of <4 had a lower pregnancy rate (59%; P <0.05). The lack of an effect of BCS on CI in DMBB cows is in accordance with previous results (Fiems et al, 2006). Furthermore, the study of Rae et al (1993) emphasises that BCS at breeding may also be related to reproductive performance.…”

“…However, the effect of BCS on the reproductive performance of DMBB cows is not clear. Previous results showed that open DMBB cows at 9 months postpartum had a higher BCS at the last calving than cows that became pregnant within 9 months postpartum (Fiems et al, 2006).…”

“…Therefore, it is sometimes argued that CI is not of main importance in DMBB cows. DMBB animals are extremely lean, resulting in a low body condition score (BCS; Fiems et al, 2006). Osoro and Wright (1992) reported a shorter CI for cows having a higher BCS at calving.…”

Optimum growth rate of Belgian Blue double-muscled replacement heifers

“…No exact data concerning the effect of BW BC on calf mortality are available, but primiparous cows with a lower BW BC generally have a lower body condition, as found in a previous study (Fiems et al, 2009). A good correlation was also found between BW and body condition on the one hand (Fiems et al, 2006), and between body condition of the dam and calf survival (Fiems et al, 2009). These results can be explained by the findings of Odde et al (1986), showing increased volume of colostrum, increased calf vigour and increased ability of the calf to absorb immunoglobulins when heifers are in a better condition.…”

Effect of indoor energy restriction level and management on beef production in Belgian Blue double‐muscled cow‐calf pairs

“…It may be that caesarean is more important with regard to calving interval than BCS. On the other hand, a higher BCS may stimulate milk production in suckled cows (Fiems et al., 2006), and as an E restriction may reduce BCS, it may exert an indirect effect on calf loss. The opposite effect on the number of open cows and milk yield means that the value of BCS is somewhat equivocal.…”