Condition Scoring Cows
Being able to assess body condition is one of the most valuable skills for managing cattle on a lifestyle block. It helps you make better decisions around feeding, breeding, and animal health. While it's not as precise as weighing, it's practical, quick, and doesn't require expensive equipment.
What is Body Condition Scoring?
Body condition scoring (BCS) is a way to estimate how much fat an animal is carrying. It gives you a good indication of whether your stock is too fat, too thin, or just right. The score is based on how the animal looks and feels, especially around key points on the body where fat is laid down.
In New Zealand, the most commonly used BCS scale for cattle ranges from 1 (very thin) to 5 (very fat).
Score 1: Emaciated – bones are clearly visible, no fat cover.
Score 2: Thin – ribs and hips still quite prominent, some fat present.
Score 3: Ideal – hips and ribs not easily seen, but can be felt.
Score 4: Over-fat – rounded appearance, difficult to feel bones.
Score 5: Obese – very rounded with heavy fat deposits.
Why Condition Scoring is Important
For lifestyle farmers, managing feed efficiently and keeping animals healthy is key. Condition scoring helps with both.
Feeding decisions: It helps you know when to increase or reduce feed.
Breeding: Cows with a BCS of 3 or more have better conception and calving rates.
Animal welfare: Prevents both underfeeding and obesity-related issues.
Cost-effective: Avoids overfeeding, which is expensive and unnecessary.
How to Score a Cow
Learn these Seven points to feel on the cow.
Hip bones. Use the palm of your hand.
Backbone in the middle of the back. Use your fingers.
The side of the pin bones. Feel for dimples with finger and thumb.
Rear-end below & behind the pins. Look to see shape.
Feel the shoulder ridge.
Squeeze the shoulder ridge for bones at the sides.
Feel the ridge between the hip bone and backbone.
Once you’ve memorised this order, concentrate on the scores below to decide which score you stop at and whether you go up or down from that score. If not sure if you are at the right score – go to the next one (up or down) to check if you decided correctly.
Feel the hip bones with your cupped hand. If these are rounded – then she’s 5 or above.
Feel the hip bones with your flat palm. If they are clearly flat– she‘s below 5.
Jiggle your fingers along her backbone to feel for hollows between the vertebrae. If she’s bumpy – then she’s 4.5 or below.
With finger and thumb, pinch the dimples at the side of her pins. If these are hollow then she’s 4 or below.
On a leg standing straight, check the shape behind and below the pins. If pin bones protrude and she's hollow (concave) below - she's a 3.5 or below.
Grasp the shoulder with your open palm. If there is a prominent ridge – she’s 3 or below. Note: From here on down cows are officially “emaciated”.
With her head up, squeeze the sides of the shoulder ridge to feel the bones. If they are prominent she’s 2.5 or below.
Run your hand along the back over the bone that runs between the hip bone and the spine. If this is a prominent ridge – she’s 2 and in very serious trouble.
When to Score
Ideally, assess body condition at key times during the year:
Pre-mating: Cows should be at least BCS 3.
Mid-pregnancy: Check to ensure cows aren’t losing condition.
Calving: Avoid cows being too fat (over 4) as this can cause calving difficulties.
Weaning: Helps determine which animals need preferential feeding over winter.
Managing Stock Based on BCS
Once you've identified cows that are outside the ideal range, act early.
Too thin? Provide extra feed or reduce competition from more dominant animals.
Too fat? Reduce high-energy feeds and monitor to avoid metabolic issues at calving.
Mixed group? Separate into feeding groups to better meet each animal's needs.
For more practical support on cattle care, check out our What You Need to Know to Keep Cattle online course
