Poster by E.S. Dierenfeld & B. Lukuyu for the 5th All Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture and the 18th Annual Meeting of the Ethiopian Society of Animal Production (ESAP), Addis Ababa, October 25-28, 2010

1. Development of a Standardized Body Condition Score
for Native Cattle in Uganda
E.S. Dierenfeld & B. Lukuyu 1 2
1
Novus International, Inc., St. Charles, MO USA
2
International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi, KENYA
1. Introduction Score 1. Very Thin 2. Underweight 3. Ideal 4. Overweight 5. Obese
Body Condition Scores (BCS) are associated with improved animal
Performance, Husbandry, and Welfare. BCS changes over season,
and correlations with heart girth/body weights, milk production,
and calving management have been reported for various breeds Outline
Depictions
including dairy cattle. We developed and are evaluating this
management tool for application to native Ankole cattle in Uganda,
as part of a larger study of pasture quality and dry season
supplementation.
OBJECTIVE: To develop a BCS system for Ankole cattle
that correlates with production parameters Photo
Examples
2. Methods
Based on farmer interviews, published literature, and charts developed
for other breeds, we targeted breed characteristics and defined initial
conformation criteria to establish a standardized visual scoring system
(depicted at right).
Rear End
View
Validation of these descriptions, and correlations with milk production
will be tested:
• Eight farms with at least 20 cattle in the Kayunga district of NE
Uganda identified to participate
Emaciated, bone structure is Bone structure is visible, very lean Lean and fit, decreased visibilty of Plump, round, fat deposits present Plump, round, fat deposits present
• Individual animals to be scored on bi-weekly basis over 6-mo Overall prominent, skeletal, no fat bone structure
period through long dry season Condition
• Body weights will be estimated with heart girth tape, and milk Hooks and horizontal Horizontal processes and hooks Hooks visible but well covered Hooks well padded, horizontal Hooks are not visible
production quantified weekly Hips processes prominent visible, some fat cover processes barely visible
• Pasture quality contribution to nutritional status will be monitored
throughout study Individual ribs very apparent Individual ribs are visible with Ribs can barely be seen, Ribs cannot be seen and Ribs cannot be felt and are thickly
Ribs some fat cover some fat cover are padded, abdomen padded, abdomen grossly rounded
somewhat rounded
3. Conclusions Tailhead Deep cavity near tailhead,
spine prominent
Some fat cover on tail head, pin
bones prominent, little fat on loin
Only slight depression in loin,
fat cover on tailhead
Tailhead slightly sunken in,
fat deposits
Mounds of fat around tailhead
By targeting specific characteristics of the local breed, we and Loin
anticipate implementation of this practical management tool to
No brisket Brisket present, very little fat Slight brisket Brisket is plump Brisket is full of fat
assist management and husbandry of native dairy cattle. Training Brisket
programs will emphasize application of optimal BCS criteria at
critical life stages – early lactation, at calving, and maintenance
through the long dry season. The system will be refined, if needed,
based on farmer feedback/inputs.