Effect of Monosodium Glutamate in Starter Rations on Feed Consumption and Performance of Early Weaned Calves

In a feed preference or acceptability trial 12 dairy calves offered a choice of a complete starter (18% crude protein and 20% ground sun-cured alfalfa) with 0 or 0.2% monosodium glutamate and weaned at three weeks, consumed more 0.2% glutamate starter each week and cumulatively from three to nine weeks of age than they did starter without glutamate. Differences in weekly starter consumption were significant (P < 0.05) only from three to seven weeks. During the 10th to 12th week many calves rejected rations containing the glutamate. Total consumption of each starter by the calves from birth to 84 days was not significantly different.