It should be for health reasons, because fat has negative effect on the health of the animals. Chronic illnesses such as infection, heart diseases are sometimes link with high fat. So Body condition assessment will help to determine the need to reduce the high fat.

It should be for health reasons, because fat has negative effect on the health of the animals. Chronic illnesses such as infection, heart diseases are sometimes link with high fat. So Body condition assessment will help to determine the need to reduce the high fat.

BCS makes it possible to estimate the level of body reserves (classically from 1 "very lean" to 5 "very fat"). Body reserves, especially in female herbivores, are mobilized in case of insufficient nutrient intake from the diet. This may be due to a shortage of fodder resources (dry season, cold season), or an increase in requirements that exceeds the ingestion capacity (end of gestation, lactation). If the reserves (BCS) are insufficient (typically 1 or 2) at the beginning of the critical period, the animal will not be able to correctly ensure the essential functions that condition its survival and reproduction, and will be more susceptible to parasitism. Its survival may be compromised, as may its chances of reproduction. If BCS is too high (5), it is most often a sign of a lack of reproduction, which may be linked to pathologies.

This is why it is generally recommended to aim for a BCS of 3 ("good condition") at the end of gestation or at the beginning of the dry (cold) season, which can be achieved through adapted grazing management and, if necessary, supplementation.