New Zealand Animal Evaluation (NZAEL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of DairyNZ, estimated the economic value of BCS to be $106 per BCS score. It was also determined rates of genetic gain in BW would be enhanced by the inclusion of the BCS breeding trait. This view was supported by national and international review.
NZAEL manager Dr Jeremy Bryant said the economic value of BCS came from two components.
“The first and main component is the increased value of a cow with good condition milking well into late lactation, rather than drying her off early because she is too thin.
“The second component is the reduced cost of a cow maintaining condition, as compared to a cow that loses condition in the spring, and as a result requires more feed through autumn or winter when it is more expensive.”
Bryant said both of these components were based on the value of increased body condition score in late lactation rather than early in lactation.
“With this in mind, it is important that the breeding value for this trait represents genetic differences between animals in late lactation.
“Our studies showed there were minimal differences between breeds in late lactation BCS, especially between Friesians and Jerseys, and farmers often make decisions to dry-off cows based on both BCS and breed.
"Because of this the BCS breeding value will be breed neutral so it is more aligned to a late lactation equivalent.”
A breed-neutral adjustment will be applied to the breeding value and will come into effect in shortly and BCS will be included in the BW calculation from February, 2016.
