Knowledge of the visual, anatomical descriptors of breeding cattle that will hit fat score 1 in the current drought is vital, if producers are to avoid many of the animal welfare risks that arise when feed is in short supply.

Breeding cattle that fall into the fat score 1 category leave the owner/manager with management and decision options.

But at the next category, ‘poor’, the management and decision options become much narrower and the risk of animal welfare breaches increase.

These are the visual signs to look out for when assessing breeding cow body scores in drought.

• The short ribs are fairly sharp to the touch,
• There is no fat around the tail head which is prominent,
• Hip bones, tail head and ribs are prominent,
• Rump muscle is beginning to concave and leg muscle beginning to waste,
• Fossa (between 13th rib and the hip) is shallow, not deep,
• Hump is firm, no slack skin,
• Dewlap is tight.

Check the general alertness of the animal, its body coat (sheen versus dry and dull), and mobility.

Any calf at foot must be weaned.

NSW Department of Primary Industries is currently examining the use of a functional live weight concept to help beef producers recognise when feeding and management intervention must be in place.

In the meantime, producers can use the two diagrams to assess breeding cattle and manage these cattle to stay at fat score 1.

Contact Ian Blackwood, Paterson, (02) 4939 8941, (0427) 007 508.