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

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) 3.22km at 3.54 km/h; 3) 9.66km at 3.54 km/h; and 4) 3.22km 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.