Evaluation of factors affecting heart rates of dairy cows

This study was made primarily to determine the importance of several factors which might affect heart rate of Jersey and Holstein dairy cattle in the University of Tennessee dairy herd. It was conducted during the summer and early fall months with cattle representing different age groups, different stages of lactation and gestation, and different levels of nutrition. A secondary objective was to develop some heart rate standards for use in future studies in which heart rates may be important criteria of experimental effects.