Abstract: A method of and apparatus for grading a characteristic of an animal is described. The animal is guided to a detection area whereupon an image of the back of the animal is captured. Analysis of the image identifies anatomical points and determines angles at these points. The angles are then used to calculate a grading for a characteristic of the animal. An embodiment is presented for automating the determination of body score condition in dairy cows using seven angles determined at three anatomical points from an image over the back of the cow.