DeLaval BCS Body Condition Scoring Camera
By DeLaval
Last reviewed: January 2026
3D camera system mounted above cow traffic lane that automatically scans each cow's body at every milking, generating accurate body condition scores on a...
Overview
DeLaval BCS is an automated 3D camera system that provides daily body condition scoring for dairy cattle. By capturing images as cows pass under the camera, the system eliminates the need for manual visual or tactile assessments while providing more frequent and consistent data than traditional scoring methods.
The system uses advanced video capture technology at 30 FPS with 32,000 reference points captured per cow, analyzing key anatomical features including pins, tail head ligaments, thurl, sacral ligaments, short ribs, and hooks to calculate automated BCS scores.
DeLaval BCS integrates with DelPro Farm Manager, providing individual cow, group, and herd-level BCS graphs and trends with configurable alerts when cows fall below specified thresholds.
Snapshot
Description: Automated 3D camera system that monitors dairy cattle body condition by capturing and analyzing images of cows' lower backs as they pass under the camera daily.
Who It's For: Dairy farms seeking consistent, objective body condition monitoring without the labor and variability of manual scoring.
What It Does Best: Provides daily automated BCS assessments for all milking cows with strong correlation to manual scoring and earlier detection of condition changes.
Why It Matters: Body condition directly impacts fertility, health, and milk production. Frequent, objective monitoring enables proactive nutritional management and early intervention.
Ideal Users
Farm Types: Dairy operations using DeLaval milking systems or sort gates
Herd Size: All sizes benefit, with largest ROI on herds of 200+ cows where daily manual scoring is impractical
Roles: Nutritionists, herd managers, veterinarians, reproduction specialists
Main Features
3D Video Capture
Continuous video at 30 FPS with 32,000 reference points captured per cow for precise measurements
Anatomical Analysis
Evaluates visibility and curvature of pins, hooks, tail head ligaments, thurl, sacral ligaments, and short ribs
Daily Automated Scoring
Scores every cow automatically each time they pass under the camera (typically daily, post-milking)
DelPro Integration
View individual cow, group, or herd-level BCS graphs and trends in DelPro Farm Manager
Configurable Alerts
Automated notifications when cows fall below specified BCS thresholds
Data and Integrations
Integrates With: DelPro Farm Manager, DeLaval VMS robotic milking systems, DeLaval sort gates
Data Flows: BCS scores export to veterinarians and nutritionists; historical trends available for analysis
Implementation
Timeline: Professional installation typically 1 day; system begins scoring immediately
Infrastructure: DeLaval sort gates at barn exits or DeLaval VMS robotic milking stations
Installation: Professional installation by DeLaval certified technicians
Tips
Training and Support
Training: DelPro Farm Manager navigation, alert configuration, data interpretation
Support: DeLaval global dealer network, remote diagnostics, software updates
Pricing
Model: Hardware purchase plus software integration with DelPro
Summary: Contact DeLaval dealer for pricing. Typically bundled with VMS or sort gate installations.
Pros and Limitations
Strengths
Limitations
Best For
Not Ideal For
Evaluation Questions
Key Features
- 3D Body Scanning: Scans cow's topline and body contours from multiple angles at every milking
- 1-5 Scale Scoring: Generates accurate daily BCS for each cow, eliminating human subjectivity
- Trend Detection: Detects subtle condition changes indicating nutrition issues, illness, or energy deficit
- DelPro BioModels: Predictive alerts if cow deviates from her ideal BCS curve
- Task Triggering: BCS alerts can trigger tasks in DelPro (diet changes, vet checks)
Advanced Features
- DelPro BioModels Integration: Predictive alerts when cow deviates from her ideal BCS curve through lactation
- Ketosis Early Warning: Sudden BCS drops can indicate early lactation energy deficit or developing ketosis
- Unified Data View: BCS logged alongside milk yield, feed intake, and breeding data in one database
Ideal For
Farm Types: Farms using DeLaval VMS robotic milkers, Dairies with DeLaval sort gates, Operations using DelPro software
Competitive Advantages
What sets DeLaval BCS Body Condition Scoring Camera apart from alternatives:
- Full integration with DeLaval DelPro farm management software
- Predictive BioModels for ideal BCS curve monitoring
- Acts as early warning for diseases like ketosis
- Reduces labor from periodic manual scoring
- Option included with VMS robot or sort gate installations
Pricing Information
Here is the pricing information for DeLaval BCS Body Condition Scoring Camera:
Standalone system $9,000-14,000 initial plus $1,200-2,400/year. Bundled with VMS significantly less.
Pricing Model: Hardware purchase plus software subscription
Prices verified Q1 2024. ROI typically 12-18 months through improved reproduction.
Pros & Considerations
- Daily scoring of all cows without added labor
- Strong correlation with manual scoring (r = 0.78)
- Detects BCS changes in approximately 12 days vs 44 days for manual methods
- Objective data removes human scorer variability
- Integrates seamlessly with DeLaval ecosystem
- Requires DeLaval infrastructure (sort gates or VMS)
- Less accurate for under-conditioned (<3.0) and over-conditioned (>3.75) cattle
- Initial investment in camera hardware
ROI & Value Proposition
Understanding the return on investment for DeLaval BCS Body Condition Scoring Camera:
Prevents overfeeding (saves feed costs) and catches excessive weight loss (prevents vet bills). System pays for itself through improved feeding efficiency and reproduction performance.
Implementation & Setup
How to implement DeLaval BCS Body Condition Scoring Camera on your dairy operation:
Implementation Timeline: Professional installation typically 1 day; system begins scoring immediately
Training & Support
Training and support options available for DeLaval BCS Body Condition Scoring Camera:
Evaluation Questions
Key questions to consider when evaluating DeLaval BCS Body Condition Scoring Camera:
- Do we have DeLaval VMS or sort gates installed?
- What are our current BCS monitoring practices and frequency?
- How do we share BCS data with our nutritionist?
- What lactation stages need the most attention for condition management?
- Are we using DelPro Farm Manager for herd management?