Farm Animals

Cattle Welfare: Automated Body Condition Scoring

Automated body condition scoring using 3D camera systems enables continuous, objective welfare monitoring of large dairy herds.

Key Facts

Evidence-based animal welfare practices improve outcomes for animals and producers alike
Scientific research guides best practice in this area
Welfare improvements in this area are achievable at reasonable cost
Public awareness and consumer choice can drive positive change

Welfare Considerations

Automated BCS systems remove observer subjectivity and enable daily condition assessment of every cow in a herd, detecting welfare-relevant condition changes much earlier than manual scoring allows.

What You Can Do

Learn more about this welfare topic from scientific sources
Support organisations working on this welfare issue
Make informed choices that support better welfare outcomes
Share knowledge about animal welfare with others