Short communication: Kelp taste preferences by dairy calves
Abstract
Kelp is a common feed additive used on many dairy farms in the United States. However, few data are available supporting the efficacy of its addition to cattle feed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the taste preferences of calves provided with 0, 30, or 60 g of kelp daily in a sequential elimination experiment. Calves in this study always ranked the control treatment first when given a choice and consumed 34.5% more dry matter from the control treatment in the first 3-d segment of the experiment. During the second feeding segment (d 4 and 5), when the control treatment was removed, daily dry matter consumption was reduced in 4 out of 6 calves compared with control calves when this treatment was available (first feeding segment). However, calves did not differentiate between the 2 amounts of kelp. Results indicated that calves preferred calf starter grains without kelp.
Publication Date
2-1-2012
Journal Title
Journal of dairy science
Publisher
American Dairy Science Association
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.3168/jds.2011-4826
Scientific Contribution Number
2452
Document Type
Article
Rights
© American Dairy Science Association®, 2012 .
Recommended Citation
Erickson, Peter S.; Marston, S. P.; Gemmel, M.; Cabral, R. G.; Deming, J.; Murphy, M. R.; and Marden, J. I., "Short communication: Kelp taste preferences by dairy calves" (2012). Journal of dairy science. 105.
https://scholars.unh.edu/nhaes/105