| How to Find a BCS
This chart will help you to score a cow.
| BCS |
Description |
| 1 |
Skeletal structure is easily visible and sharp to touch in the shoulder, scapula, all ribs, dorsal vertebral and transverse spinous processes, hooks, greater trachantor, pins. No evidence of fat and very little muscling. |
| 2 |
No fat deposits, some muscling in hindquarters. Skeletal structures are still seen - shoulder, ribs, dorsal and transverse vertebral spinous processes are seen and easily felt. Spaces between vertebrae are easily seen. |
| 3 |
Some muscle depletion. Beginning to have slight fat over fore ribs, loin and back. Backbone is visible but spaces between vertebrae are not easily seen but dorsal and transverse processes can be identified easily by touch. |
| 4 |
Some fat cover over fore ribs, but the 12th and 13th ribs are seen in most animals. Full, straight muscling in the hindquarters. Backbone is visible but spaces between vertebrae are not seen. Dorsal and transverse vertebral processes can be identified easily by touch but have a rounded feel. |
| 5 |
The 12th and 13th ribs are not seen unless the animals are shrunk. Dorsal and transverse vertebral processes cannot be seen and are felt only by firm palpation. Areas on each side of the tail are filled but not plump. Full muscling in the hindquarters with some bulge. |
| 6 |
Ribs are not seen. Hindquarters are plump and full. Fat cover on each side of tail head and in brisket. Noticeable sponginess over ribs and loin. Firm pressure is required to palpate transverse processes of vertebrae. |
| 7 |
Abundant fat over ribs and brisket. Pones of fat on each side of tail head. Ends of dorsal and transverse vertebral processes are difficult to feel. Back appears square and smooth. Only an outline of the hooks and pins is seen. |
| 8 |
Extensive fat deposits in brisket, over ribs, loin and around tail head. Animal appears smooth and blocky. Bone structure is not seen. Fat covering is thick an patchy, very spongy. |
| 9 |
Extremely fat thick brisket, ribs and loin. Tail head is buried. Bone structure is not seen. |
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Animal Doc | Beef Cattle Body Condition Scoring