Ideally, sort cows by condition at weaning time or 90 to 100 days before calving. Continue monitoring cow condition because weather and feed quality affects condition. Group cows by condition score and feed them to reach condition score of 5-7 by calving. An example would be placing all of the BCS 1, 2, 3, and 4 cows in one pen or pasture and allowing them access to higher-quality feed. Using a deworming product on the cows, or at least the thin cows, is advisable. The BCS 5, 6, and 7 cows can be fed as usual (maintain BCS). The BCS 8 and 9 cows could be grouped together and fed a lower-quality diet during the middle one-third of gestation.
A higher plane of nutrition may be required for cows with condition scores of 4 or less earlier than the last third of pregnancy. It will be easier to get weight gains in early fall before cold weather occurs, helping with insulation during the cold winter months.