EFFECT OF EXERCISE ON MILK YIELD, MILK COMPOSITION AND BLOOD METABOLITE CONCENTRATIONS IN HEREFORD × FRIESIAN CATTLE

Three experiments were carried out in which lactating Hereford ${\times}$ Friesian cattle walked up to ten kilometers a day for three periods of five days with two non-walking days between each walking period and in which the animals were fed different diets. Measurements were made of milk yield, milk constituent yields and concentrations and blood metabolite concentrations. Exercise caused significant reductions in milk yield and in the yields of lactose and milk protein. Milk fat yield was not reduced when animals were exercised. During exercise the concentrations of ${\beta}-OH$ butyrate and free fatty acids increased, whereas the concentrations of glucose, magnesium and inorganic phosphorus decreased. Diet influenced the effect of exercise on some blood metabolite concentrations.