Use of modified ingredients and feed to improve performance and/or utilization of animals

Reference Number: K 00-17

Inventors: DeRouchey, Joel M.; Tokach, Mike D.; Nelssen, Jim L.; Goodband, Robert D.; Dritz, Steve S.

Owner: Kansas State University Research Foundation

USPTO Link: 6534104

Invention Summary

This invention comprises a method for preparing a nutritionally adequate diet for an animal, the diet having a reduced pathogen content and the diet containing an effective amount of at least one irradiated component selected from a grain and grain by-product, a fat source, a protein source or a lactose source, mixtures thereof and the like, which comprises providing a non or partially irradiated component to a suitable irradiation application means and applying an effective amount of radiation to the component(s) whereby an irradiated reduced pathogen component is produced and including the irradiated component in a diet fed to an animal.

In another embodiment, this invention comprises a method of enhancing the feeding of an animal which comprises feeding said animal and having said animal consume, as by eating, a nutritionally adequate diet, said diet comprising an effective amount of at least one irradiated component, said irradiated component selected from a grain and grain by-product, a fat source, a protein source or a lactose source, mixtures thereof and the like.

In yet another embodiment, this invention comprises a method of enhancing weight gain in an animal by feeding said animal an effective amount of a nutritionally adequate diet, said diet containing an effective amount of at least one irradiated component selected from a grain and grain by-product, a fat source, a protein source or a lactose source, mixtures thereof and the like.

In a still further embodiment, this invention comprises a method of optimizing feed gain efficiency in an animal which comprises feeding said animal an effective amount of a nutritionally adequate diet, wherein said diet comprises at least one irradiated component selected from a grain and grain by-product, a fat source, a protein source and a lactose source, mixtures thereof and the like and wherein the amount of said irradiated component is selected to optimize the feed gain of said animal.

In another embodiment, this invention comprises a method for optimizing feed lot production of animals, which comprises supplying to an animal a nutritionally adequate diet of reduced pathogen content, the diet containing an effective nutritional and volume amount of at least one irradiated component selected from a grain and grain by-product, a fat source, a protein source or a lactose source, mixtures thereof and the like and wherein the amount of the diet is optimized to the weight gain of the animals.