Body condition score?

Question

what would be an accepaible body condition score for a jersey cow at midlactation?

Answer 1

Using a 1-5 scale (like goats and sheep, unlike 1-9 for beef cattle), probably a 3.25-3.5 would be reasonable and expected.  Get below 3 and milk production is going to drop, above 4 and she's too fat, which will derpess feed consumption.

A dairy cow can easily lose 1 body condition score from calving to early-mid lactation.  Since you don't want to get them under a 3, it's preferred to have them at around a 4 at calving.  If she drops below 3, the may not be able to eat enough feed to maintain high milk production and keep from losing more weight.

Answer 2

A high producing cow will lose body condition unless you can induce her to eat enough calories to maintain her weight. If a cow is losing weigh because of heavy production, don't wait until she drops to a given body condition, feed her to maintain her weight.

As production drops,  she can maintain weight without so much grain. This is why so many farmers  on ROP adjust feeding grain to match milk output rather than using body condition as the guide. With daily feedback of production you can avoid over or underfeeding, maybe.

I say maybe, because the cow may be unable to eat enough in her first 3-4 months to match her production. On lush spring pasture she is likely to be too full to eat enough grain, so one has to get the  grain to her before she fills up on delicious but high water-content pasture.