Effects of repeated walking on dairy cow performances

Effects of repeated walking on dairy cow performances. The effect of repeated walking (9.6 km/day every 2 days during 9 days) on milk production and composition was analysed on 60 multiparous dairy cows of three different breeds (Holstein, Montbeliarde and Tarentaise) at pasture. Performances of walking cows (group M) were compared to those of cows that remained during walking of the M group in a dry lot with neither water nor food (group T), and to those of cows that remained grazing (group P). On average on the 9 day period of walking, milk yield was significantly lower in the M than in the T group. The difference was lower in the Tarentaise cows (0.7 kg/day) than in the Holstein and Montbeliarde cows (1.5 kg/day). The immediate effect of walking was the same during the five walkings. Whatever the breed, there was no significant differences between P and T groups. During the 6 hours following the walking, M cows remained lying longer (+33 min, P < 0.01) and spent less time grazing (-29 min, P < 0.01) than the T cows.