C. Exercise - Moderate exercise is conducive to high milk production. Too much or too little is detrimental. Cows in stanchion barns should be turned out at least once per day for exercise and heat detection. Metabolic Diseases Related to Lactation Milk production starts suddenly and increases daily in early lactation. Each day greater amounts of nutrients are needed for lactation.
Ca stores are difficult to mobilize rapidly.
Several metabolic diseases can arise under these conditions. Ketosis Results from a rapid drain of blood glucose at exactly the same time that there is an underlying negative energy balance. Occurs usually 10 days to 6 wks postpartum. Animals rarely die from ketosis, rather the symptoms persist until a new equilibrium is reached, of course this is at a reduced level of production. For each kg of milk produced, the cow must produce 50 g of glucose to make lactose, and production is increasing daily.