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Collecting Mature Cow Condition

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WBV GENETIC EVALUATION
Collecting Mature Cow Condition

Knowledge Centre

Collecting Mature Cow Condition

Cow condition scores are a visual assessment of the fat coverage of females, typically recorded at the same time as mature cow weight. Condition scoring provides a simple and effective way to monitor the nutritional status and reproductive readiness of breeding females. Maintaining cows within an optimal condition range supports fertility, calf performance, and overall herd productivity. 

Recording Mature Cow Condition 

Body condition is typically assessed on a 1–6 scale, where 1 represents very poor condition and 6 represents extremely fat animals. Half-scores (e.g., 3.5) are also accepted to provide a more precise assessment of intermediate conditions. Scores correspond with estimated fat depth at the P8 rump site and 12th rib and should be submitted on the Australian Wagyu Cow Performance Data Template. Mature cow condition scores are typically recorded at the same time as mature cow weights, generally when cows are between 3 and 12 years of age; see the table below for P8 and 12th rib fat ranges and detailed score descriptions. 

Score
P8 
12th Rib
Description 
1 
0-2mm
0-1mm
Cow is extremely thin with little to no fat cover. Ribs, short ribs and hip bones are highly visible and feel sharp to the touch. The tail head area shows no detectable fat.  
2 
3-6mm
2-3mm
Cow is still lean with minimal fat cover. Ribs and short ribs are easy to see and feel, although the spine appears slightly rounded rather than sharp. Little fat is present around the tail head.  
3 
7-12mm
4-7mm
Moderate condition. Short ribs are rounded and easily felt but not sharp. Ribs can be detected with firm pressure, and some fat cover is present around the tail head.  
4 
13-22mm
8-12mm
Cow shows noticeable fat cover. Short ribs cannot be felt. Small, soft fat deposits appear around the tail head and hip area. 
5 
23-32mm
13-18mm
Cow is fat with heavy condition. Tail head and hip bones are well covered, and fat deposits are evident in the brisket and flank. Ribs appear uneven or ‘wavy’ due to fat layers.  
6
>32mm
>18mm
Cow is excessively fat with significant fat deposits throughout the body. Tail head and hips are buried in fat and large deposits are visible in the brisket, udder and flank areas. 

Source: Adapted from industry body condition scoring guidelines. 

 

Where do you Asses Body Condition? 

Mature Cow Collection Points

Body condition should be assessed using both visual observation and manual assessment. Key areas to evaluate include: 

  • short ribs (around the 12th Rib)  
  • spine and backbone 
  • tail head  
  • hooks and pins 
  • Brisket 

These areas provide a reliable indication of fat cover and overall body condition. 

Helpful Hints 

  • Record condition scores at the same time as mature cow weights where possible. 
  • Assess all animals in the same management group on the same day. 
  • Use consistent scoring method and assessor to improve reliability. 
  • Consider separate management groups if cows have been exposed to different nutritional conditions, calf rearing or if assessors change during scoring. 

Completed templates should be submitted to the AWA performance email for processing. 

Note – Cow condition scores are not currently used in the WBV evaluation but may be in the future for enhanced cow body composition WBVs. 

 

  • Last Updated August 20th, 2026
  • First Published August 18th, 2026

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IMPORTANT NOTICE - Terms & Conditions

It is a condition of use of this database that you accept these terms and conditions. 

It is important that you appreciate when accessing the Australian Wagyu Association Limited (AWA) database (which may be hosted on an external website) that the information contained on the AWA database, including but not limited to pedigree, DNA information, Wagyu Breeding Values (WBVs) and Index values (together called Database Information), is based on data supplied by AWA members and/or third parties.  

Whilst sincere effort is made to ensure the Database Information is accurate and complete, to the extent permitted by law, AWA, its officers and employees, shall not be responsible for its use or interpretation, and you use the Database Information at your own risk. Please be aware of the following limitations of the Database Information.  

Regarding WBVs and Index values, it is important to appreciate, and you need to be aware that:  

  • WBVs are derived using genetic evaluation technology developed for the AWA, using information contained within the AWA database and parameters derived from it.
  • WBVs are estimates of genetic potential of individual animals and may change with addition of new data or with new parameters.
  • WBVs are genetic merit estimates only and may not reflect the raw animal phenotype.
  • WBVs can only be directly compared to other WBVs calculated in the same AWA genetic analysis.

Regarding pedigree and DNA testing results submitted to the AWA, it is important to appreciate, and you need to be aware that:  

  • Animals whose registration identifiers start with PED are Pedigree Recorded Animals. What this means is that the details which AWA used to register the animal were obtained from a Recognised Wagyu Registry Organisation – in other words a Wagyu breed association based outside of Australia. AWA has not independently verified the information with respect to the animal or the details recorded about the animal. You should read AWA’s by-laws which set out details regarding the definition of a Pedigree Recorded Animal.  
  • Pedigree and DNA data submitted and supplied to AWA may have errors in it which cannot be detected without further DNA testing.  
  • Technology may have advanced since a particular test was undertaken so that genetic issues or inaccuracies which were previously not detectable are now able to be detected by current testing technology (i.e. if the animal was tested again with current technology).  
  • AWA estimates that less than 1% of the pedigree entries, ownership or breeding details in the AWA Herdbook may have errors or which may be misleading. For this reason, users ought to consider if they need to obtain independent testing of the relevant animal (if possible) to ensure that the data is accurate.  

Regarding prefectural content, it is important to appreciate, and you need to be aware that:  

  • Prefectural content is based on the estimation of prefectural origin from Japanese breeding records of 201 foundation sires and 168 foundation dams. As genotype-based parent verification is not used in Japan, and full Japanese registration certificates are not available for all foundation animals, exact prefectural composition for these sires and dams cannot be validated.  
  • The calculation of prefectural content for Australian Herdbook animals relies on the accuracy of pedigree records and DNA samples provided by AWA members.   

Regarding DNA testing and genetic condition results submitted to the AWA, it is important to appreciate, and you need to be aware that:  

  • As genetic testing results are provided by independent DNA testing laboratories at the request of AWA members, AWA relies solely on the accuracy of the reporting of genetic testing as completed by the laboratories.  
  • AWA uses GeneProb software to calculate the likelihood of pedigree animals being a carrier of genetic conditions.  This likelihood is an estimate based on the available genetic testing results.  

If you consider that you do not understand or appreciate the nature and/or implications of the data provided on this website or the WBVs of a particular animal, then AWA strongly recommends that you seek expert advice.  Note there is substantial technical information and articles on the Wagyu website to assist our members. 

AWA’s liability for any loss or damage, consequential or otherwise, suffered or incurred by you or your related business, arising directly or indirectly from your use of Database Information, to the extent permitted by law, is limited to AWA providing you with a refund for the fees paid for the service (if any), or AWA re-performing the service, where possible, at the election of AWA.  

AWA administers this database in good faith to support AWA members and the industry. AWA does not represent or warrant that the animals recorded in this database, or animals breed from them, will achieve any particular genetic or phenotype performance.

THIS DISCLAIMER HAS BEEN UPDATED AS OF 03/02/2026, PLEASE ENSURE YOU HAVE READ IT IN DETAIL

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