An automatic system that takes the guesswork out of Body Condition Scoring was launched by DeLaval and LIC at Fieldays.

DeLaval business development director Ken Ward says the system created a lot of interest among farmers at Fieldays because it automatically and accurately records the Body Condition Score of every animal in the herd, providing valuable information on which to make decisions.

The system is the result of collaboration between the two companies and combines DeLaval’s BCS Camera system with LIC Automation’s technology and knowledge of the NZ herd characteristics.

DeLaval business development director Ken Ward, with the automated Body Condition Scoring measurement system for NZ-bred dairy cows on display at Fieldays.

DeLaval Oceania regional president Andrew Pooch says it eliminates commercial barriers “and will provide all New Zealand dairy farmers with the opportunity for body condition scoring to be fully automated, eliminating the guesswork and labour hours associated with a manual system”.

“This approach also complements our combined knowledge for the development and continued validation of this new automatic system.

“This could not be more timely with the new Animal Evaluation Process in place in New Zealand since February 2016, which now includes BCS as a new trait in Breeding Worth,” says Andrew.

LIC Automation is the wholly owned subsidiary of dairy farmer-owned co-operative LIC, which provide a range of services and solutions to New Zealand dairy farmers including dairy genetics and information.

LIC Automation CEO Paul Whiston says collaboration in innovative technology between organisations such as DeLaval and LIC Automation is critical in providing the best solutions possible to farmers that increases productivity and prosperity on farm.

“Automating the Body Condition Scoring process will deliver greater consistency and more granular data to farmers to assist in their decision-making and management of their herd to optimise their business,” says Paul.

The DeLaval BCS is the world’s first automated Body Condition Scoring system. The technology is based on a 3D camera and once a cow passes under the camera the system recognises the movement and selects the best still image of the cow in the video sequence. The image is converted into an accurate BSC and can be accessed via DeLaval’s herd management system DelPro or LIC’s herd management system MINDA.