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.
