Mortality and decreased weight gain resulting from infection and disease in dairy calves are problems within the dairy industry. The bovine neonate relies solely on colostrum to acquire antibodies through passive transfer. To date, colostrum quality is determined by the concentration of antibodies. However, proteins and cells in the colostrum might also enhance immune development in the neonate. To determine the effect of maternal colostral immune cells on calf health and immune status, maternal colostrum was fed either fresh or after lysis of cells by flash-freezing in liquid nitrogen. Thirty-seven female Holstein and Jersey dairy calves were fed 4 quarts total of whole colostrum (WC) or cell-free colostrum (CFC) at birth. Respiratory and fecal scores were measured from birth to d 45 of life. Calf peripheral blood samples were obtained before and after feeding colostrum as well as on d 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 of life. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were collected and analyzed for cellular parameters by flow cytometry. Total respiratory scores were greater in CFC-fed calves compared with WC-fed calves on d 38 of life. There were fewer CD4+ T cells and CD4+CD62L+CD45RO- T cells on d 1 and fewer CD4+CD62L+CD45RO+ T cells on d 1 and 3 in CFC-fed calves compared with WC-fed calves. Compared with WC-fed calves, CFC-fed calves had a greater percentage of CD4+CD62L-CD45RO+ T cells on d 0.25, 1, 3, and 7, and a greater percentage of monocytes on d 7. Our data suggest that colostral cells adoptively transfer and enhance neonatal immunity during the first month of life.

To evaluate dietary N and P partitioning, 36 Holstein cows grouped by parity were assigned at calving to diets supplemented with soybean meal (S) or a combination of S and blood meal (B). Diets S and B were formulated to contain 16.2% CP and 0.35% P using mono- and dicalcium phosphate (PM) or wheat bran (WB) as the supplemental source of P. Actual dietary P contents were 0.38, 0.36, 0.34, and 0.34% for SPM, BPM, SWB, and BWB. Two-day total collections of feces, urine, and milk were conducted between 30 and 45 d in milk (DIM), then all cows were fed a control diet until 120 DIM. Between 120 and 150 DIM, cows were again fed the diet assigned at calving, then 2-d total collections of feces, urine, and milk were conducted. Milk production was similar for cows fed diets containing WB (SWB or BWB) when compared with cows fed PM. However, DMI tended to be lower, and P intake and total P excretion were lower in response to WB (20.7 kg/d, 71.9 g/d, and 40.3 g/d) compared with cows fed PM (23.0, 86.7, and 46.8 g/d). Apparent digestibility of dietary P did not differ due to source of supplemental P, averaging 45% across diets. The lower P intake by cows fed WB resulted in lower absorbed P and lower retained P (32.2 and 7.5 g/d) compared with those fed PM (40.6 and 13.4 g/d). Apparent N digestibility, urinary N, and N retention were not affected by P source. Blood meal decreased apparent N digestibility and absorbed N, and also decreased P retention compared with S. In later lactation, cows retained proportionately more absorbed N and P in body tissue and secreted less in milk than they did in early lactation. Results indicated the organic source of P (phytate-P) in WB can be used to provide a substantial portion of the P needed in dairy cattle diets after peak lactation, but the amount of WB in the diet during early lactation should be limited to prevent suppression of DMI and P retention.

Forty four multiparous Holsteins, 114 +/- 28 days in milk (32 kg/day, 3.4% fat), were fed a basal diet of 12% crude protein and 20% acid detergent fiber for 10 days, then stratified by milk production into four groups. Cows were randomized to one of nine diets in a 3 X 3 factorial in which basal was supplemented with dried brewers grains, wet brewers grains, or soybean meal to supply in the diet 14.5, 16.0, and 17.5% crude protein. Eight cows remained on basal during the 50-day trial. Basal contained: 14% alfalfa silage, 27% ensiled ground-corn, 53% corn silage, and 6% vitamin-mineral mix. Milk production (kg/day) for cows fed dried brewers grains (29.4) and wet brewers grains (28.9) was higher than soybean meal (26.2) and basal (23.1). Milk production was different for diets with high (29.6) vs. low (27.8) and medium (27.2) protein. Dry matter intake (as percent of body weight) was 3.7, 3.5, 3.3, and 2.9 for dried brewers, wet brewers, soybean meal, and basal, respectively. Milk protein percent and milk fat percent differed for protein source. Rumen fluid ammonia nitrogen for combined 2, 4, and 6 h post-feeding, was (mg/100 ml) 10.4 for dried brewers, 14.9 for wet brewers, and 18.0 for soybean meal and increased from 13.2 to 15.4 with increased protein. Plasma urea tended to follow patterns of rumen ammonia. Dried brewers grains had lower apparent nitrogen digestibility but equal nitrogen balance, indicating more efficient metabolic use than soybean meal.

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