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 Anderson, M. J. Articles by Walters, J. L. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Anderson, M. J. Articles by Walters, J. L.

Effect of Prepartum Exercise on Feed Intake and Milk Production of Muciparous Cows

Department of Animal Science, Dairy, and Veterinary Science, Utah State University, Logan 84322

ABSTRACT

This study was to determine whether forced exercise of multiparous cows during the last 7 wk of gestation would increase feed intake and milk production after parturition. Cows were housed loose in a corral with free stalls. Exercise treatments consisted of 1) control (not forced exercise); 2) 3.22 km at 3.54 km/h; 3) 9.66 km at 3.54 km/h; and 4) 3.22 km at 5.47 km/h. Cows were exercised 5 days/wk up to parturition. Feed intake was measured during the exercise period. Feed intake, milk production, and milk composition were determined for 70 days postpartum.

Forced exercise of multiparous cows did not affect either pre- or postpartum feed intake, postpartum milk production, percentage of protein, or percentage of solids-not-fat, but decreased percentage of butterfat. There were no differences in final prepartum body weight among the three exercise treatments, but unexercised cows were heavier at parturition than exercised cows. Further research is needed to determine whether different combinations of distance, rate, or duration of exercise will stimulate feed intake and milk production.

¹ Science Education Administration, US Department of Agriculture, Utah State University, UMC 48, Logan, 84322.

² Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Science, Utah State University, UMC 48, Logan, 84322.

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]