In an excellent review paper, University of Nebraska scientist, Rick Funston, recently discussed nutritional factors that affect reproduction in beef females. Table 1 shows the relationship of body condition score (BCS) to beef cow performance and income. BCS is evaluated on a scale of 1 to 9 (1=emaciated; 9=obese).

Table 1.

Relationship of BCS to Beef Cow Performance and Income

BCS	Pregnancy rate, %	Calving interval, days	Calf avg. daily gain, lb	Calf weaning wt., lb	Calf price, $/cwt	Income, $/cow exposeda
3	43	414	1.60	374	96	154
4	61	381	1.75	460	86	241
5	86	364	1.85	514	81	358
6	93	364	1.85	514	81	387
aIncome per calf x pregnancy rate.

As shown above, peak performance and income were achieved at a BCS of 6. In addition to increasing costs, getting cows fatter would reduce reproductive performance, especially when BCS reaches 8 or 9 (Funston, R. 2006. Proceedings, Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle, Aug. 30-31, 2006, St. Joseph, MO).