Saturday, 28 November 2015 13:56

Adding BCS to BW

Written by 

The addition of body condition score to breeding worth in February will accelerate the rate of genetic gain in New Zealand dairy cows, says DairyNZ.

Following ten years of research, body condition score (BCS) will in February be incorporated into breeding worth; it recognises the value of a cow's ability to hold onto body condition into late lactation.

New Zealand Animal Evaluation Ltd (NZAEL), a wholly owned subsidiary of DairyNZ, did research in late 2014 which determined this value to be $107 per late lactation BCS.

This research project followed a 2013 review of the national breeding objective (NBO) where farmers indicated that they saw a cow's BCS in late lactation as an important trait.

The economic value is driven by the remedial actions a farmer needs to take with lighter cows through autumn and winter, to get them up to BCS 5.0 before the start of calving. Achieving BCS targets is important because cows that calve in poor condition will be compromised for the subsequent season.

This change to BW is estimated to result in only minimal shifts for most herds and bulls ($0-$15). It is predicted that the new eight trait BW index will lead to faster genetic gain in the national herd.

DairyNZ's latest monthly newsletter Inside Dairy reports Waikato lower order sharemilkers Shane and Lynda Campbell saying they have been ahead of the curve in recognising the value of BCS in the 450-cow herd they milk near Matamata.

They have local veterinarian and accredited BCS assessor Katrina Roberts visit once a month. She reports on the spread of cow BCS and the changes since her last visit, and makes recommendations for the coming months.

The Campbells run almost half the herd as a separate mob containing the heifers and thinner cows. When cows' BCS is recorded as falling to 4.0 or below they are drafted out of the main herd. In the second mob they are fed an extra 2-3kgDM/day.

Campbell says he is looking forward to seeing the BCS trait incorporated into BW and believes it will confirm much of what he has witnessed in past years of recording BCS in their $132 BW herd.

"The top cows' condition seems to fall off a lot quicker over lactation. By putting the BCS trait into BW, that puts a value on their ability
to hold that condition, especially later in lactation. If you can get a cow that can milk well, and hold BCS, it has to be a worthwhile trait to consider."

They aim to get 300 days in milk, but he says they also want to be realistic about the cows being up to BCS 5.0 for the start of following season.

He acknowledges the cost of drying off early or getting a lighter cow up to condition through winter. Last season they had 20 cows at less than BCS 4.0 in February that needed drying off.

"We have established that those 20 cows cost us $12,500 in lost production and extra feed." His calculation is based on a milk price of $5.50/kgMS and a feed cost of $250/t of dry matter.

With several years of BCS history behind his herd, Campbell is also interested in the heritability of BCS from mother to daughter. He notices that cows that lose their weight quickly tend to produce heifers that do the same.

"It will be good to see the BCS numbers in the BW backing up what we are observing in the herd every season," says Campbell.

More like this

Strong uptake of good wintering practices

DairyNZ has seen a significant increase in the number of farmers improving their wintering practices, which results in a higher standard of animal care and environmental protection.

Better animal genetic gain system

A governance group has been formed, following extensive sector consultation, to implement the recommendations from the Industry Working Group's (IWG) final report and is said to be forming a 'road map' for improving New Zealand's animal genetic gain system.

OSPRI's costly software upgrade

Animal disease management agency OSPRI has announced sweeping governance changes as it seeks to recover from the expensive failure of a major software project.

Musical chairs

OPINION: DairyNZ's director elections has seen scientist Jacqueline Rowarth re-elected for another three-year term.

Featured

Massey Research Field Day attracts huge interest

More than 200 people turned out on Thursday, November 21 to see what progress has been made on one of NZ's biggest and most comprehensive agriculture research programmes on regenerative agriculture.

Expo set to wow again

Stellar speakers, top-notch trade sites, innovation, technology and connections are all on offer at the 2025 East Coast Farming Expo being once again hosted in Wairoa in February.

A year of global challenges

As a guest of the Italian Trade Association, Rural News Group Machinery Editor Mark Daniel took the opportunity to make an early November dash to Bologna to the 46th EIMA exhibition.

National

OSPRI's costly software upgrade

Animal disease management agency OSPRI has announced sweeping governance changes as it seeks to recover from the expensive failure of…

Machinery & Products

BA Pumps expand

Cambridge based BA Pumps & Sprayers, specialists in New Zealand-made spraying equipment, has acquired Tokoroa Engineering’s product range, including the…

Entries open for innovation award

Fieldays and its renowned Innovation Awards are celebrating their 57th year, marking a longstanding tradition in the agricultural calendar, with…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Chinese strategy

OPINION: Fonterra may have sold its dairy farms in China but the appetite for collaboration with the country remains strong.

Not fair

OPINION: The Listener's latest piece on winter grazing among Southland dairy farmers leaves much to be desired.

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter