Highlands-based beef and sheep farmer Vic Ballantyne NSch 2022 has published her Nuffield Farming report entitled 'Too fat? The role of body condition in maternal livestock in areas with extreme seasonal variability', sponsored jointly by The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society and the Worshipful Company of Farmers.

The full report is now available on the Nuffield Farming report library and her report video is available on the Nuffield Farming YouTube channel. Vic presented the findings of her report at the 2023 Nuffield Farming Conference in Exeter. A recording of her presentation is available here.

During her Scholarship, Vic travelled to Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Iceland and the UK to understand the role of body condition score (BCS) in maternal livestock and explore how to identify and select for genetic body condition.

"For decades we have known that good Body Condition Score (BCS) is essential in cows and ewes at key times in the year. Good BCS is directly linked with better animal health, increased fertility and reduced feed requirements," Vic explains in her report.

While visiting commercial and pedigree cattle and sheep producers around the world she noted that those who actively selected for body condition reported several productivity and animal welfare benefits. She believes that robust and resilient animals will be needed in the future as livestock farming comes under pressure both politically and environmentally.

"Significant worldwide research into the genetic component of BCS puts the trait at around 25% heritability. But BCS can be manipulated by environmental nutrition and it is therefore a trait that is easily masked by preferential or excessive feeding.

"It is essential that breeding stock are subjected to some nutritional and environmental pressure if we are to identify those with the genetic ability to put on and hold body condition."

The producers that Vic visited also reported that higher BCS became most valuable during tough periods: "As our climate becomes more unpredictable, the ability of an animal to ride out the extremes will become more important. Though even in a normal season the genetic propensity to hold condition still presents plenty of opportunities, including increasing stocking rates.

"There is significant opportunity within the beef and sheep sectors to build herds and flocks fit for the future by prioritising body condition as part of the selection process," concludes Vic.

 Study objectives

• Understand the most significant benefits of higher body condition score (BCS) in maternal livestock systems
• Understand how to identify and select for genetic body condition
• Promote body condition as an easy selection tool for commercial farmers
• Encourage breeders to identify livestock with good BCS, suitable for their commercial clients

Messages

1. Body Condition is heritable and UK beef and sheep farms should prioritise selecting for it.
2. Animals with higher genetic BCS provide opportunities for:

• improved fertility
• improved health
• improved productivity and profit

1. Robust and resilient animals will be needed in the future as livestock farming comes under pressure both politically and environmentally. Genetically higher BCS animals are part of the response to that pressure.
2. Genetic BCS is often masked by over-feeding. Breeders need to apply nutritional and environmental pressure to rams and bulls.
3. Commercial farmers should buy rams and bulls produced under commercial conditions.