This cow receives the lowest BCS score.

Notice how her ribs protrude. Actually, her entire skeletal structure is easy to see. She shows very little fat or muscling.

A cow with so little body fat would have a hard time getting pregnant. If she did and then calved, her milk production might not be adequate. Why do you think this would be a problem?

This cow has been rated BCS 2.

She has no fat deposits and very little muscling in her hindquarters. If you ran your hand along her spine, you would be able to feel each vertebrae.

She would experience the same difficulties as the cow above, but with the proper nutrition would reach a higher BCS in less time.

Here you see a female who has been ranked as BCS 3.

She is beginning to have slight fat over fore ribs, loin and back. Her backbone is still visible but the spaces between the vertebrae are not so clear.

This cow, like the one below, is shy of being within the good range. Proper nutrition and care should have them in good shape in a short time.

There she is, Ms. BCS 4.

She has more fat covering the fore ribs, but the 12th and 13th ribs are still clearly visible. She is almost there! However, she, and those above, are less likely to breed or rebreed.

Now, let's take a look at the optimal range.