Three hundred weanling pigs (initially 23.7 lbs and 17 ± 6 d of age) were used in a 19-d growth assay to determine the effects of
increasing levels (2.5, 5.0, and 10.0, and 20.0 kGy) of gamma ray and electron beam irradiation of spray-dried blood meal on growth performance. Irradiation of blood meal
resulted in decreased concentrations of aerobic bacteria, E. coli, mold, and yeast in
spray-dried blood meal. The inclusion of
irradiated spray-dried blood meal tended to
improve F/G from d 0 to 7 and for the overall
trial (d 0 to 14), but had no effects on
ADG or ADFI. Comparison of the two types
of irradiation and dosage level showed no
differences in growth performance. In this
experiment, the inclusion of spray-dried
blood meal did not improve growth performance
over that obtained with the control diet.
