Research Article

Comparison of Body Condition Scores in Polish Holstein-Friesian cows of Black-and-White variety managed in different housing systems

Piotr Sablik, Paulina Kobak, Anna Skrzypiec, Agata Klenowicz, Daria Derezińska

1. Acta Sci. Pol. Zootechnica, 13(1), 2014, 57‒66

Abstract. The study was conducted in two dairy farms located in the province of Wielkopolska, Poland. Body condition scoring of Holstein-Friesian cows was carried out in spring, summer, autumn, and winter. In all, were carried out 1999 BCS assessments on 459 cows, housed in a free-stall barn, and 88 cows, housed in a tie-stall barn. Statistical analysis involved the housing system (free-stall and tie-stall), the technological status (primiparous and multiparous cows), and the season. The mean BCS of free-stall cows decreased until 100 days in lactation, then it increased again and reached the peak in dry cows, 3 weeks before calving. Primiparous cows had higher BCSs than multiparous cows. The effect of season on BCS in the free-stall system cows was significant (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05). BCS was lowest in the autumn. Moreover, technological group had an effect on BCS in the free-stall barn (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05); however, housing system was without a significant effect on the mean BCS or its distribution. In the movement restricting tie-stall housing system allows maintaining an optimal BCS by provision well balanced feeding rations.

Keywords: dairy cows, Holstein-Friesian cows, body condition assessment, BCS, housing system