Are Your Cows on Target for Dryoff?

Pre-dryoff Body Condition Scoring (BCS) is one of the most powerful tools for protecting next season’s performance while still maximising milk this season. Looking at herd BCS averages, and more importantly the % of cows above and below target, helps identify which cows need priority feeding and which can safely milk on longer. When individual BCS is combined with aged pregnancy data, dryoff decisions can be tailored cow-by-cow to optimise days in milk without compromising calving condition. We offer BCS as a service with trained staff and clear reporting to support your dryoff planning.

If you'd like to book BCS or discuss further, please get in touch.

The Value of Body Condition Scoring Pre-Dryoff

Pre-dryoff is one of the most important decision points in the dairy calendar. Done well, it sets cows up for a smooth calving, strong early lactation, and optimal reproduction next season. Done poorly, it costs you production, increases metabolic disease risk, and reduces six-week in-calf rates.

One of the simplest and most powerful tools available at this time of year is Body Condition Scoring (BCS).

Why BCS Matters Pre-Dryoff

Body condition score isn’t just a number; it’s a management tool.

At dryoff, cows should ideally be:

• BCS 5.0 (mixed-age cows)

• BCS 5.5 (rising 2- and 3-year-olds)

Cows below target are at higher risk of:

• Reduced peak milk

• Poor cycling and submission rates

• Lower six-week in-calf rates

• Increased culling risk

Cows above target are at higher risk of:

• Calving difficulty

• Ketosis and fatty liver

• Poor appetite post-calving

The goal isn’t just hitting an average. It’s managing the spread within the herd.

Herd-Level BCS: Managing the Big Picture

When we score the whole herd, we can calculate:

• Average BCS

• % below target

• % at target

• % above target

This gives you a clear snapshot of where the herd sits heading into dryoff.

For example:

• An average of 4.9 might look fine…

• But if 30% of the herd is under 4.5, that’s a problem.

Knowing the distribution allows you to:

• Identify how many cows need preferential feeding

• Adjust dryoff dates strategically

• Budget winter feed more accurately

• Prevent too many light cows calving down

Herd BCS turns guesswork into measurable targets.

Individual BCS + Pregnancy Data: Where the Real Gains Are

When individual BCS is combined with aged pregnancy data, we can make smarter decisions cow-by-cow.

1. Lighter, early-calving cows

These cows may benefit from:

• Earlier dryoff

• Preferential feeding

• Body condition recovery before calving

This protects next season’s performance.

2. Well-conditioned, late-calving cows

These cows can often:

• Stay milking longer

• Be dried off later

• Maximise days in milk this season

Instead of blanket dryoff dates, you can tailor decisions to:

• Maintain calving BCS targets

• Avoid over-conditioning

• Capture extra milk where it’s profitable

This approach allows you to maximise current-season milk without compromising next season.

We Can Help

We offer Body Condition Scoring as a service, carried out by trained staff.

Our service provides:

• Accurate individual cow BCS

• Herd averages and distribution breakdown

• % below and above target

• Integration with pregnancy data where available

• Practical recommendations around dryoff timing and feeding priority

Used correctly, BCS is one of the highest return management tools available pre-dryoff.

If you’d like to use BCS to protect next season’s performance while maximising this season’s milk, get in touch.