Association of body condition score with metabolic profile in crossbred cows

Abstract

The body condition score (BCS) is a valuable tool to evaluate and manage production, reproduction, and health in Holstein cows; the application for crossbred cows in Indian conditions needs further investigation. The crossbred cows (50% Holstein Friesian x 50% Kankrej) were used to investigate the effect of BCS on milk, reproduction, and health, as well as association with milk yield and birth weight of calves. The cows were individually fed compounded concentrate mixture type-I (BSI) @ 1 kg/day for maintenance and 0.4 kg/kg milk production during lactation, and in groups 10-20 kg/day green fodder, and dry roughage to meet the nutrient requirement taking care that small quantity of dry roughage remains in mangers next day. For birth weight study of calves, crossbred cows were grouped into three 3.75 (G3); for energy metabolites study, they were divided in to high BCS (3.29±0.05) and low BCS (2.72±0.04) groups, and for production, reproduction and health study in to low BCS (2.50-