Banner
Current IssueEditorial BoardOnline First ArticlesArchive
Current IssueEditorial BoardOnline First ArticlesArchive

volume 49 issue 3 (june 2015) : 303-307,   Doi: 10.5958/0976-0555.2015.00051.5

Novel geometrical model for assessing body condition in dairy cattle

H
Huseyin Das*
Z
Zahid Paksoy
1Department of Veterinary, Gumushane Vocational High School, 29100-Gumushane, Turkey.
Cite article:- Das* Huseyin, Paksoy Zahid (2025). Novel geometrical model for assessing body condition in dairy cattle. Indian Journal of Animal Research. 49(3): 303-307. doi: 10.5958/0976-0555.2015.00051.5.

ABSTRACT

In this study, the Alpha (a) body condition scoring system was proposed as an alternative to the subjective condition scoring and its applicability was tested in Brown Swiss dairy cattle. This system was based on measuring the angles formed by depressed hip occurred in the thurl area, and provides information about cattle body condition. Measurements were done by depth gauge . Fifty Brown Swiss milk cows’ values of Alpha angles, which corresponded to the subjective 5 scoring system, were determined for each score that matches its feature. Furthermore, in order to test its reliability and applicability, 5 farmers, with no prior experience in scoring were asked to determine the condition scores of 50 Brown Swiss milk cows both objectively and subjectively and results were compared. The correlation coefficients between the values determined by assessors were examined and it was understood that the Alpha (a) condition score method was more reliable but required more care, time and labor.

REFERENCES

  1. Alapati, A., Kapa, S.R., Jeepalyam, S., Rangappa, S.M.P. and Yemireddy, K.R. (2010) Development of the body condition score system in Murrah buffaloes: validation through ultrasonic assessment of body fat reserves. J Vet Sci 11: 1-8.
  2. Daehnert, N.E., Lobos, N.E., Rastani, R.R. and Wattiaux, M.A. (2007) Direct measure of the depression between Ischial tuber (hook) and Coxae tuber (pin), as an alternative to change in body condition score in assessing body tissue mobilization. J Dairy Sci 90 (Suppl1): 25
  3. Domecq, J., Skidmore, A., Lloyd, J. and Kaneene, J. (1995) Validation of body condition scores with ultrasound measurements of subcutaneous fat of dairy cows1. J Dairy Sci 78: 2308-2313.
  4. Earle, D.F. (1976) A guide to scoring dairy cow condition. J Agr (Victoria) 74: 228-231.
  5. Edmonson, A., Lean, I., Weaver, L., Farver, T., and Webster G (1989) A body condition scoring chart for Holstein dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 72: 68-78.
  6. Ferguson, J.D., Galligan, D.T. and Thomsen N (1994) Principal descriptors of body condition score in Holstein cows. J Dairy Sci 77: 2695-2703.
  7. Ferguson, J., Azzaro, G. and Licitra G (2006) Body condition assessment using digital images. J Dairy Sci, 89: 3833-3841.
  8. Garnsworthy, P., and Jones G (1987) The influence of body condition at calving and dietary protein supply on voluntary food intake and performance in dairy cows Anim Prod. 44: 347-353.
  9. Grainger, C. and Mcgowan A (1982) The significance of pre-calving nutrition of the dairy cow. Proc New Zeal Soc Anim Prod. 8: 134-171.
  10. Holmes, C., Wilson, W.G., MacKenzie, D., Flux, D., Brookes, I. and Davey, A. (1987) Milk production from pasture Butterworths .Agricultural Books Wellington, New Zealand
  11. Lowman, B.G, Scott, N. and Somerville, S. (1976) Condition scoring of cattle. Revised edition Bulletin of the East Scotland College of Agriculture 6, ESCA, Edinburgh, UK
  12. Whitman, R.W. (1975) Weight change, body condition and beef-cow reproduction, PhD Thesis, Colorado State University, Fort Collins
  13. Wiltbank, J., Rowden, W., Ingalls, J., Geegoey, K. and Koch, R. (1962) Effect of energy level on reproductive phenomena of mature Hereford cows. J Anim Sci 21: 219-225.
  14. Wildman, E., Jones, G, Wagner, P., Boman, R., Troutt, H. and Lesch, T. (1982) A dairy cow body condition scoring system and its relationship to selected production characteristics. J Dairy Sci 65: 495-501.
  15. Zulu, V.C., Masaharu, T.N., Moriyoshi, N.K, Sawamukai, Y., Tanaka, Y. and Zhang, W.C. (2001) Relationship between body condition score and ultrasonographic measurement of subcutaneous fat in dairy cows. Asian Australas J Anim Sci 14: 816-820.
Published In
Indian Journal of Animal Research
Article Metrics
Metrics Icon
0
Views
0
Citations
Reviewed By
Share Article
Download Article
In this Article
    Contact us
    Follow us

    volume 49 issue 3 (june 2015) : 303-307,   Doi: 10.5958/0976-0555.2015.00051.5

    Novel geometrical model for assessing body condition in dairy cattle

    H
    Huseyin Das*
    Z
    Zahid Paksoy
    1Department of Veterinary, Gumushane Vocational High School, 29100-Gumushane, Turkey.
    Cite article:- Das* Huseyin, Paksoy Zahid (2025). Novel geometrical model for assessing body condition in dairy cattle. Indian Journal of Animal Research. 49(3): 303-307. doi: 10.5958/0976-0555.2015.00051.5.

    ABSTRACT

    In this study, the Alpha (a) body condition scoring system was proposed as an alternative to the subjective condition scoring and its applicability was tested in Brown Swiss dairy cattle. This system was based on measuring the angles formed by depressed hip occurred in the thurl area, and provides information about cattle body condition. Measurements were done by depth gauge . Fifty Brown Swiss milk cows’ values of Alpha angles, which corresponded to the subjective 5 scoring system, were determined for each score that matches its feature. Furthermore, in order to test its reliability and applicability, 5 farmers, with no prior experience in scoring were asked to determine the condition scores of 50 Brown Swiss milk cows both objectively and subjectively and results were compared. The correlation coefficients between the values determined by assessors were examined and it was understood that the Alpha (a) condition score method was more reliable but required more care, time and labor.

    REFERENCES

    1. Alapati, A., Kapa, S.R., Jeepalyam, S., Rangappa, S.M.P. and Yemireddy, K.R. (2010) Development of the body condition score system in Murrah buffaloes: validation through ultrasonic assessment of body fat reserves. J Vet Sci 11: 1-8.
    2. Daehnert, N.E., Lobos, N.E., Rastani, R.R. and Wattiaux, M.A. (2007) Direct measure of the depression between Ischial tuber (hook) and Coxae tuber (pin), as an alternative to change in body condition score in assessing body tissue mobilization. J Dairy Sci 90 (Suppl1): 25
    3. Domecq, J., Skidmore, A., Lloyd, J. and Kaneene, J. (1995) Validation of body condition scores with ultrasound measurements of subcutaneous fat of dairy cows1. J Dairy Sci 78: 2308-2313.
    4. Earle, D.F. (1976) A guide to scoring dairy cow condition. J Agr (Victoria) 74: 228-231.
    5. Edmonson, A., Lean, I., Weaver, L., Farver, T., and Webster G (1989) A body condition scoring chart for Holstein dairy cows. J Dairy Sci 72: 68-78.
    6. Ferguson, J.D., Galligan, D.T. and Thomsen N (1994) Principal descriptors of body condition score in Holstein cows. J Dairy Sci 77: 2695-2703.
    7. Ferguson, J., Azzaro, G. and Licitra G (2006) Body condition assessment using digital images. J Dairy Sci, 89: 3833-3841.
    8. Garnsworthy, P., and Jones G (1987) The influence of body condition at calving and dietary protein supply on voluntary food intake and performance in dairy cows Anim Prod. 44: 347-353.
    9. Grainger, C. and Mcgowan A (1982) The significance of pre-calving nutrition of the dairy cow. Proc New Zeal Soc Anim Prod. 8: 134-171.
    10. Holmes, C., Wilson, W.G., MacKenzie, D., Flux, D., Brookes, I. and Davey, A. (1987) Milk production from pasture Butterworths .Agricultural Books Wellington, New Zealand
    11. Lowman, B.G, Scott, N. and Somerville, S. (1976) Condition scoring of cattle. Revised edition Bulletin of the East Scotland College of Agriculture 6, ESCA, Edinburgh, UK
    12. Whitman, R.W. (1975) Weight change, body condition and beef-cow reproduction, PhD Thesis, Colorado State University, Fort Collins
    13. Wiltbank, J., Rowden, W., Ingalls, J., Geegoey, K. and Koch, R. (1962) Effect of energy level on reproductive phenomena of mature Hereford cows. J Anim Sci 21: 219-225.
    14. Wildman, E., Jones, G, Wagner, P., Boman, R., Troutt, H. and Lesch, T. (1982) A dairy cow body condition scoring system and its relationship to selected production characteristics. J Dairy Sci 65: 495-501.
    15. Zulu, V.C., Masaharu, T.N., Moriyoshi, N.K, Sawamukai, Y., Tanaka, Y. and Zhang, W.C. (2001) Relationship between body condition score and ultrasonographic measurement of subcutaneous fat in dairy cows. Asian Australas J Anim Sci 14: 816-820.
    In this Article
      Contact us
      Follow us
      Published In
      Indian Journal of Animal Research

      Editorial Board

      View all (0)