HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Lamb, R. C. Articles by Walters, J. L. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Lamb, R. C. Articles by Walters, J. L.

Effects of Forced Exercise on Two-Year-Old Holstein Heifers

SEA, AR, USDA and Utah State University, Logan 84322

ABSTRACT

Two trials with 88 two-year-old Holstein heifers measured effects of prepartum exercise on mammary edema, parturition, reproduction, consumption of feed, production and composition of milk, and efficiency of feed utilization. Exercise was in a circular lane; the driving mechanism was powered by an electric motor. Trial I involved three treatments: 1) no exercise; 2) exercise at 5.47 km/h for 1.6 km/day for 4/wk prepartum; and 3) treatment 2 but continued for 10 days postpartum. Trial II involved two treatments: 1) no exercise; and 2) exercise at 3.54 km/h for 1.6 km/day for 6 wk prepartum. Intake of feed was measured prepartum and for 50 days postpartum; production and composition of milk were measured for 305-day lactation. In Trial I exercise reduced the number of days prepartum that udder edema was evident, improved ease of calving, and hastened postpartum release of the placenta. Continuing exercise after parturition reduced intake of grain and digestible energy and reduced yield of milk for the first 50 days of lactation. In Trial II exercise increased intake of digestible energy, production of milk, and efficiency of feed utilization for the first 50 days and production for the entire lactation. Composition of milk, changes in body weight, and intake of feed prepartum were not affected by exercise.

¹ Science and Education Administration Agricultural Research, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Logan, Utah 84322. Jounal Article No. 7144.

² Utah State University, Logan 84322. Utah Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Article No. 2405.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. A. Davidson and D. K. Beede A System to Assess Fitness of Dairy Cows Responding to Exercise Training J Dairy Sci, September 1, 2003; 86(9): 2839 - 2851. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Y. Matsuno, K. L. Esrey, H. Perrault, and K. G. Koski Low Intensity Exercise and Varying Proportions of Dietary Glucose and Fat Modify Milk and Mammary Gland Compositions and Pup Growth J. Nutr., June 1, 1999; 129(6): 1167 - 1175. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				K. G. Dewey, C. A. Lovelady, L. A. Nommsen-Rivers, M. A. McCrory, and B. Lonnerdal A Randomized Study of the Effects of Aerobic Exercise by Lactating Women on Breast-Milk Volume and Composition N. Engl. J. Med., February 17, 1994; 330(7): 449 - 453. [Abstract] [Full Text]