Body Condition Score and Locomotion Score Help to Predict Reproductive and Health Performances of Dairy Cattle Reared Under Intensive Management System in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The reproductive performance and heath parameters of dairy herds have a significant effect on the farm economy. Body condition score (BCS) and locomotion score (LMS) have been used as performance indicators to assess the performance of dairy animals. Objective of the current study was to evaluate the effect of BCS and LMS to predict the reproductive and health performance of dairy cattle in Sri Lanka. Body condition and lameness were scored using 1 to 5-point score system. Forty-three (n=43) pregnant cows and forty-six (n=46) early lactating cows were selected. Fertility was measured from farm records based on conception rate and length of postpartum anestrus of the selected herds. BCS level 2 to 4 showed the lowest post-partum length. Under the given conditions, BCS < 2 level recorded 70.75± 4.09 days of post-partum length, where BCS 2-4 level gave 34.4 ± 2.15 days of post-partum length. Low LMS was also associated with the lowest post-partum length compared to other groups (56.29 ± 5.29 in LMS <2,47.16 ± 5 in LMS >2, 36 ± 1.15 in control]. BCS and LMS had a significant effects on retain placenta condition. There was no significant effect of body condition on dystocia. Lameness condition had significant effects on dystocia and endometritis. Body condition had significant effect on the conception rate (P<0.0026). In conclusion, BCS and LMS were found to have direct relationship with the reproductive performance and herd health parameters of dairy cattle, therefore the BCS and LMS can be effectively used to predict the reproductive performance in dairy cattle in the country.