Estimation of dorsal fat thickness as a method of body condition scoring in dairy cows

A group of 62 heifers and 70 cows (breed: SMR, 2nd - 9th lactation) was used for a comparison between measured and visually estimated dorsal fat thickness, This was undertaken between 8 weeks ante partum (a. p.) and 43 weeks post partum (p. p.). The visual measuring was done by two independant observers, The influence of 1, number of lactations, 2. state of lactation, 3. condition and 4. examiner was investigated in relation to the accuracy of estimation of dorsal fat thickness, In addition the interrelation between condition and the factors milli yield, fertility and some clinical/chemical parameters was tested. Visually estimated and actually measured dorsal fat thickness were closely related with a statistical correlation of up to 0.85. Nevertheless differences were found between measured and visualized dorsal fat thickness in relation to the investigated influences. Therefore it is recommended to measure dorsal fat thickness again visually in the more difficult testing groups, The visual estimation of dorsal fat thickness should be included in the general method of body condition scoring. This would make the body condition scoring a more objective method.