Association Between Body Condition Score Change During the Dry Period and the Incidence of Calving-Related Disorders, and Milk Production in Holstein Cows

Body condition score (BCS) is a practical tool used to monitor energy nutrition of dairy cattle. Body condition score at calving has been associated with lactational performance; however, little information is available about cows calving with low, optimum or high BCS that either maintain, gain or lose BCS during the dry period. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to determine the association of BCS of cows that calved with low, optimum or high BCS that either gained or lost BCS during the dry period and the incidence of periparturient disorders, and milk production in Holstein cattle.