Modelling ruminant grazing systems based on native grasslands. 2. Evaluation of the animal dynamics module.

The size and body condition of female livestock is critical for improving production efficiency. However, we know little about how height and body condition score in mature beef cattle are genetically related to traits observed when the animals are younger. In the present study, we used data from 321 650 Nelore cattle, first, to compare genetic parameters and breeding values on the basis of different models employing weight (MW), height (MH) and body condition score (BCS) of mature cows (3–17 years old). Next, we estimated the genetic correlations between the three traits and assorted yearling traits (YW, weight; YC; conformation score; YP, precocity score; YM, muscling score; YN, navel score; LMA, longissimus muscle area; BF, back fat thickness). Finally, we obtained the expected direct responses to selection for MW, MH and BCS of cows and correlated responses for these traits when the selection was applied to yearling traits. For MW and MH, single-trait Bayesian analyses were used to evaluate the effects of including BCS when defining contemporary groups (BCS included, CG1; BCS not included, CG2). For BCS trait, linear and threshold animal models were compared. After, bi-trait analyses that included MW, MH or BCS with yearling traits were performed. The CG1 scenario resulted in a higher heritability for MW (0.45 ± 0.02) than did CG2 (0.39 ± 0.02). Both scenarios yielded the same heritability estimates for MH (0.35 ± 0.02). Sires’ rank correlations between predicted breeding values under CG1 and CG2 were 0.60–0.92 for MW and 0.90–0.98 for MH, considering different selection intensities. Thus, only for MW genetic evaluations, the incorporation of BCS in the definition of the contemporary groups is indicated. For BCS trait, the same sires were selected regardless of the model (linear or threshold). Genetic correlations between MW and five yearling traits (YW, YC, YP, YM and YN) ranged from 0.18 ± 0.03 to 0.84 ± 0.01. The MH had a higher and positive genetic association with YW (0.64 ± 0.02) and YC (0.54 ± 0.03), than with YN (0.18 ± 0.03). However, MH was negatively and lowly genetically correlated with YP (–0.08 ± 0.03) and YM (–0.14 ± 0.03). The BCS had positive genetic associations with all yearling traits, particularly with YP (0.61 ± 0.06) and YM (0.60 ± 0.07). Mature size and carcass traits exhibited a low to moderate negative genetic correlations. However, BCS had positive genetic associations with LMA (0.38 ± 0.12) and BF (0.32 ± 0.14). Despite a shorter generation interval, selection at the yearling stage will result in a slower genetic progress per generation than does direct selection for cow MW, MH or BCS. Moreover, using YW and YC as selection criteria will increase cattle size at maturity without altering BCS. Last, LMA or BF-based selection will reduce mature size, while improving BCS, as a correlated response.

Body Condition Score (BCS) in Bali cattle has an effect on the calves performance. The BCS value correlated with the morphometries of the calves. The BCS value is used as a parameter for improving the quality of cows in the breeding program. This study was aimed at calculating the development of the BCS value of cows and measuring its correlation with birth weight and withers height of the calves. The material used in this study was 200 heads Bali cattle divided into 100 cows and 100 calves. Cattle owned by the farmer partners of PT. Hasanuddin Agrivisi Internusa, located in Tanete Riaja and Barru District, Barru Regency, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. The parameters observed in this study were Body Condition Score (BCS) of the cows, withers height (WH), and birth weight (BW) of calves. The BCS on a scale of 3 to 5. The data obtained were analysed using ANOVA comparative test, correlation test and linear regression analysis using the SPSS program. Research showed that there was an increase in BCS scores from 2019 to 2020 and 2021 (p<0.05). The correlation value between BCS of cows and BW of calves was a positive correlation of 0.347. The relationship between WH of cows and BW of calves was positively correlated at 0.188. The correlation between BCS and WH of cows to BW of calves was positively correlated at 0.350. Even though there is a positive correlation, the correlation value is still low, so there are other factors that influence the BW of the calves.

The reasearch was purposed to find out correlation about body condition score (BCS) of dairy cow on colostrum quality in terms of Solid Non Fat (SNF) and Specific Gravity. The material was used 30 pregnant of dairy cows with 9𝑡ℎ months old. The method that used in the research was using survey and observation methods. Sampling was done by purposive sampling old pregnant dairy cows. The variables measured were Solid Non Fat (SNF) and Specific Grafity. Data were tabulated to SPSS 20 version, then analyzed descriptively and linear regression analysis using the SPSS program to determine the correlation of the old pregnant BCS of dairy cow on quality colostrum. The result showed an average was BCS 4, BCS of the old pregnant dairy cow showed a significant correlation (P<0.05) on quality of colostrum in terms of Solid Non Fat (SNF) with a correlation coefficient (r) = 0.749 and the determinantion coefficient (𝑅2) = 56% and BCS of the old pregnant dairy cow showed a significant correlation to (P<0.05) on quality of colostrum Specific Grafity with a correlation coefficient (r) = 0.787 and the determinantion coefficient (𝑅2) = 62% . It can be concluded a good BCS is a range of BCS (3-4), so that breeders should be controling the BCS of dairy cattle. If the value of BCS was great it make the higher quality of colostrum, so a new born calf will be grow well because the quality of colostrum was also great.

This paper presents a novel rate control initialization algorithm for H.264. Firstly the first instantaneous decoding refresh frame in a video sequence is intra-coded to get the mean absolute difference (MAD) value, then the average MAD value of the second, third and fourth frames which are inter-coded is computed, finally the initial quantization parameter is determined depending on the bits per pixel and the two MAD values. When compared with the algorithm JVT-G012 (2003) which is the current recommended algorithm implemented in the H.264 reference software JM13.0 and the algorithm by H.Wang and S.Kwong (see IEEE Trans. Circuits Syst. Video Techno!., vol.18, no.1, p.140-4, Jan. 2008), the proposed algorithm can increase the average peak signal-to-noise ratio of reconstructed video by up to 1.241 dB and 1.262 dB, respectively.

Relationship between body condition score and production of multiparous beef cows

Invited review: Body condition score and its association with dairy cow productivity, health, and welfare

Blood indicators are used as a tool to diagnose metabolic disorders. The present review aims to study the relationships between body condition score, milk yield, and reproduction and biochemical parameters in dairy cows. Live weight and body condition are indicators for dairy cow’s health, milk productivity, and reproduction. Therefore, many authors investigated the effect of body condition score at calving and of change in body condition score on productive and reproductive performance, on lactation curve parameters, and on postpartum disease occurrence. Moreover, results showed that the cows calving at the highest body condition score lost more subcutaneous fat; condition score change did not exceed 1.05 units. Change in body condition score was positively associated with peak and total milk production. In addition, the decline in dairy reproductive performance may be due to a hampered process of metabolic adaptation. Adaptation to the negative energy balance is a gradual process. The use of risk factors is more appropriate and discussed. Among them are the body condition score and its derivatives, feed intake, the calculated negative energy balance, and metabolic parameters like the plasma concentration of insulin or the triacylglycerol content in the liver. Moreover, factors that play a role in the link between declined reproductive performance and the metabolic situation of the cow during lactating are discussed.

Body condition score and day of lactation regulate fatty acid metabolism in milk somatic cells and adipose tissue of beef cows

Relationships Among Body Condition Score, Body Weight, and Milk Production Variables in Pasture-Based Dairy Cows

Performance of cows and calves during 63-d early or conventional weaning periods was evaluated. Spring-calving beef cows (n = 167) of similar age, body condition score (BCS), and body weight (BW = 599 ± 54.5 kg), and their calves (initial BW = 204 ± 26.7 kg; 153 ± 15 d of age) were assigned randomly to 1 of 4 weaning treatments: weaning at 153 d of age followed by 56 days of limit feeding in confinement (E-D), confinement of cow and calf for a 56-d period of limit feeding followed by weaning at 209 d of age (C-D), weaning at 153 d of age followed by a 56-d grazing period (E-P), and a 56-d grazing period for both cow and calf followed by weaning at 209 d of age (C-P). Cows and calves assigned to pasture treatments grazed native range pastures without supplement. Cows and calves assigned to drylot treatments were fed complete diets. Calves assigned to E-D were fed a concentrate-based diet at 2.5% of BW, whereas cows assigned to E-D were fed a forage-based diet at 1.6% of BW. Cows assigned to C-D were offered the diet fed to E-D cows at 2.0% of BW. Calf average daily gain (ADG) was influenced by diet and weaning treatments (diet × weaning, P ≤ 0.03). Cows and calves assigned to all treatments were limit fed common diets for 7 d at the end of our study to equalize gut fill. In general, calves managed in confinement and fed concentrate-based diets (i.e., E-D and C-D) had greater ADG than non-supplemented calves maintained on pasture (i.e., E-P and C-P). Cow BW and BCS change (days 0 to 63) were influenced by both diet and weaning status (P ≤ 0.05). Non-lactating cows maintained on pasture had lesser BW loss than other treatments, whereas non-lactating cows fed in confinement had lesser BCS on day 63 and greater BCS loss from days 0 to 63 than other treatments. Conversely, rump-fat depth on day 63 was greater (P < 0.01) for non-lactating cows maintained on pasture than for lactating cows in either pasture or drylot environments. Similarly, change in rump-fat depth was greatest (diet × weaning, P < 0.01) for non-lactating cows on pasture and least for lactating cows in either pasture or drylot environments. Results were interpreted to indicate that early-weaning spared cow BW and rump fat compared to weaning at conventional ages. Performance of cows appeared to be similar when limit-fed under drylot conditions or maintained in a pasture environment. Conversely, calf performance was generally greater in confinement than on pasture.

BackgroundOverconditioned dairy cows are prone to greater insulin resistance in transition to successfully adapt to negative energy balance. The associations among body condition score (BCS), insulin resistance, lipid metabolism and oxidative stress in cows during late lactation with positive energy balance remain to be elucidated.MethodsThe objectives of this study were to investigate insulin sensitivity and oxidative status in late lactating dairy cows with different BCS but similar milk production, parity and days in milk. Forty-two multiparous Holstein cows were fed the same diet under the same management and divided into three groups based on BCS: low BCS (LBCS; BCS ≤ 2.75; n = 12), medium BCS (MBCS; 3.0 ≤ BCS ≤ 3.5; n = 15) or high BCS (HBCS; BCS ≥ 3.75; n = 15). Blood samples used for analysis of biochemical and hematological parameters were collected from the coccygeal vein at the end of experiment.ResultsThe concentrations of insulin and nonesterified fatty acid were higher and the revised quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (RQUICKI) was lower in HBCS cows than in LBCS and MBCS cows. These results suggest that insulin resistance exacerbates lipolysis in HBCS cows. Serum concentrations of very low-density lipoprotein, apolipoprotein A-I, and apolipoprotein B were lower in HBCS cows than in LBCS or MBCS cows. Although LBCS and MBCS cows had higher reactive oxygen species levels than did HBCS cows, the malondialdehyde concentration was not different among cows with different BCS. Ceruloplasmin activity was higher in MBCS and HBCS cows than in LBCS cows, but superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and paraoxonase activities were not different among cows with different BCS. Despite the higher percentage of granulocytes in MBCS cows than in HBCS cows, no differences were found in leukocyte counts, red blood cell profiles and platelet profiles among the cows in the three groups.ConclusionsResults of this study showed that compared with MBCS and LBCS cows, HBCS cows at late lactation stage may have accumulated more hepatic triacylglycerol and lower antioxidant potential due to greater insulin resistance.

Associations among dairy cow body condition and welfare-associated behavioral traits

Change in Body Condition Score of Holstein Cows as Affected by Parity and Mature Equivalent Milk Yield

Immune function in cows is closely associated with their physical and hormonal conditions. In order to clarify the relationship between the body condition score (BCS) of lactating dairy cows and the immune response to progesterone (P(4)) in vitro, we examined whether lower BCS in dairy cows affects the responsiveness of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to P(4) added in to culture medium. Forty-two non-pregnant healthy Holstein dairy cows were examined at 61 to 120 days after calving. The cows were divided into the following two groups; Low BCS group (N=20), which had a BCS of less than 2.25, and a Control group (N=22), which had a BCS over 2.75. PBMCs were stimulated with P(4) (1 microg/mL) and/or phytohemagglutinin (PHA), and the levels of cytokine mRNA were analyzed. In the Low BCS group, a significantly lower IFN-gamma level was stimulated by PHA only compared with the Control group. The combination of P(4) and PHA significant decreased the IFN-gamma/IL-4 ratio in the Control group, but this reaction was not found in the Low BCS group. Our data indicated that expression of IFN-gamma mRNA was basically lower in the low BCS dairy cows and that addition of P(4) did not suppress the cellular immune function in these cows. In this study, we observed that P(4) reduced the cellular immune response in the adequate BCS cows, whereas immunosuppression by P(4) was not found in the PBMCs of the low BCS cows, which already had a lower level of immune function.

Holstein Friesian is the most popular breed of dairy cows worldwide due to its exceptional milk production capabilities. In dairy cow management, the body condition score (BCS) is a useful tool, serving as a reliable indicator of a cow's nutritional status and overall health. It is determined via a subjective visual and tactile assessment of fat cover and muscle mass. A low BCS is associated with decreased milk production and fertility. While genetic and nutritional factors have previously been associated with BCS, their effects are often moderate. In this study, we compared the fecal microbiome and the untargeted fecal metabolome of normal (BCS ≥ 3, n = 16) and thin (BCS < 3, n = 16) Holstein Friesian dairy cows. The 16S rRNA gene-based metagenomic analysis revealed that thin cows had significantly higher levels of Clostridiaceae, Erysipelotrichales, Erysipelotrichaceae, and Turicibacter, while normal cows had higher levels of Clostridiales_vadinBB60_group, UCG-010, Bacteroidaceae, Ruminococcaceae, Paludibacteraceae, Alistipes, and Bacteroides. The fecal metabolomic analysis showed that key signaling pathways, including the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt, and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathways, were enriched in thin cows. In addition, a significant correlation was observed between differential microbial taxa and metabolites. Notably, Clostridiaceae and Erysipelotrichaceae species are linked to inflammation, infectious diseases, and conditions such as ruminal acidosis. Additionally, the mTOR, PI3K-Akt, and AMPK pathways are known to be activated by both nutrient deficiencies and inflammation. We propose that, in addition to genetic and nutritional factors, gut microbiome dysbiosis may contribute to subclinical health conditions, such as chronic inflammation and acidosis, which indirectly affect the cow's BCS. These findings are guiding our ongoing research on the underlying health conditions in thin cows to better understand the role that the gut microbiome plays in the regulation of the body condition.