CattleEye’s AI BCS tool highlights fertility and production shortfalls

By Product Director
Nial O’Boyle

Modern dairy farming is changing rapidly, and traditional feeding methods based solely on litres are being challenged by the rapid genomic progress.

CattleEye’s advanced body condition scoring (BCS) technology recently helped highlight an issue in an autumn-calving dairy herd that required a revised approach to feeding. High-genetic-merit cows, particularly first-lactation Holsteins, face additional energy demands due to higher milk solids production and continued physical growth, potentially leading to negative energy balance if their diet isn’t properly tailored. This may be compounded by the impressive genetic gain in components within the last several years.

The shift in genetic potential

The UK’s top £PLI sires now deliver substantial improvements in kilograms of fat and protein, not just litres of milk. Bulls like Genosource Captain and his descendants, such as DG Peace (£908 PLI) and DG Space (£873 PLI), exemplify the recent progress in milk component genetics.

CattleEye’s BCS tool indicates new litres are not old litres

The UK dairy industry has long employed a well-established method of feeding dairy cows based on ‘maintenance plus yield’, a system that has been particularly effective in seasonal herds, such as autumn-calving systems.

This approach has been effective; ensuring cows receive the necessary energy and nutrients for bodily maintenance, with additional allowances calculated per litre of milk production.

However, the genomic revolution has made rapid advancements in genomic selection for milk solids (fat and protein). As a result, this maintenance-plus-yield approach may no longer fully meet the energy demands of modern high-genetic-merit Holsteins.

While total milk volume remains important, the conventional “X megajoules per litre after maintenance” approach does not always reflect the increased energy cost of higher component milk. This is particularly important for first lactation cows.

These have the highest expression of the genetic gain for milk components, plus additional growth requirements (needing energy for both lactation and continued skeletal and muscle development), but they often struggle with lower dry matter intake (DMI) compared to multiparous cows.

If their diet is rationed purely on milk litres (not accounting for the extra demand imposed by recent higher milk solids), they may suffer from negative energy balance (NEB), leading to

• Reduced body condition score (BCS) recovery post-calving
• Increased risk of subclinical ketosis
• Delayed cyclicity and poorer fertility outcomes
• Lower second-lactation performance.

CattleEye’s BCS tool identified an issue with first and second lactation performance

CattleEye recently observed a situation in a herd where fertility in first and second lactation were poor, and milk yields were below par. The herd is a well-managed autumn calving herd and has been using the maintenance-plus-yield method for individual feeding. The graphs below (Figs 2 & 3) indicated poor BCS and milk yield in second lactation cows. After discussing with the farmer, it became clear that current second lactation cows had been energy deficient and had calved in with too low a BCS score at the end of their first lactation. The feeding approach had not adjusted for the extra energy demand of higher components.

Seasonal calving herds have a narrow window to have successful reproduction. Thanks to CattleEye’s BCS monitoring, the herd owner, vet, and nutritionist now have more information to prevent this in the future.

The modern cow is changing quickly. CattleEye can provide technology to keep up with the changing targets of genetic advancement, and help optimise health and production.

Take control of your herd’s future

Contact CattleEye today for a free demo and ensure your farm stays profitable, sustainable, and ahead in herd management innovation.