Irradiated Soybean Meal

A total of 350 21-day old pigs were used to determine the effects of feeding irradiated protein sources.  The 22-day study involved five pigs/pen, seven pens/treatment, three protein sources (spray-dried animal plasma, soybean meal and fish meal), protein sources with and without irradiation, and the feed fed in the meal or pelleted form.  The irradiated meals were fed during the first eleven days and all pigs were fed the non-irradiated meals during days 11-21.  Results indicated that irradiation and pelleting will reduce bacteria and coliform counts in both the protein source and the complete diet.  There were no differences in pig performance of pigs fed irradiated protein ingredients compare to the control diets.  Pigs fed the meal diets ate more feed and were less efficient in converting feed to gain compared to the pigs fed the pelleted diets.

Groesbeck, C.N. and co-workers.  2006. Effect of irradiated protein sources, fed in meal or pelleted diets, on nursery pig performance.  Kansas State University Swine Day Report, pages 86-90.