While there are numerous benefits to feeding palm kernel to dairy cows, there are also some risks associated with the addition of the oil. While the oil can be beneficial for dairy cows, it should never be a sole source of dairy cow fat. Instead, it should compliment the diet and not be added solely to increase milk fat yield. The addition of palm fat to dairy cow diets should be done with a degree of nutrition sense, which is also beneficial for the overall profitability of the dairy barn.
Contents
Non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC) content of palm kernel cake
The non-fibrous carbohydrate (NFC) content of palm kernel cake is an important factor in determining the digestibility of milk and meat produced by dairy cows. Palm kernel cake contains a high level of non-starch polysaccharides that limit the digestibility of its nutrients. The fibre is degraded into smaller units of sugar, mainly mannose, which has a lower absorption rate than glucose.
In a study, scientists found that dietary inclusion of palm kernel cake decreased dry matter intake in dairy cows and negatively affected their nutritive value. They also noted lower palatability and higher fiber content. The amount of total carbohydrates, protein, and NFC in the diets of dairy cows was reduced by 30%. In addition, the percentage of NFC in the diet significantly increased rumination efficiency. However, the percentage of palm kernel cake increased when the diet contained more NFC.
A study in Nigeria found that supplementation of palm kernel cake with other oil palm by-products was associated with increased milk yield and milk fat content. However, it was not clear why the supplementation of palm kernel cake would increase milk production and fat content. While the results showed that palm kernel cake is better than conventional feeds in reducing milk production, they did not show an increase in lactose content.
Impacts of palm oil on indigenous communities
The IUCN’s report on the effects of palm oil on biodiversity and deforestation suggests that the best way to curb this problem is to increase demand for sustainably produced palm oil. This would increase the pressure on producers to adopt better practices. Furthermore, replacing palm oil with other vegetable oils would result in a greater loss of biodiversity as other oil crops require nine times the amount of land to yield the same volume of oil. The transition to other vegetable oils would shift the deforestation associated with palm oil production to other regions, such as South America.
As a gro-industrial by-product, palm kernel cake is produced from the kernels of oil palm plants. It contains five to twelve percent oil and is extracted through solvent extraction. Palm kernel cake is then processed to produce palm kernel meal. The resulting product contains a high level of protein, vitamins, and other nutrients that are beneficial to human health. However, the production of palm kernel cake can result in negative environmental impacts.
Effects of palm oil on milk fat production
Despite increasing concerns about sustainability, it has not been established that palm oil consumption has any negative impacts on milk fat production. While there are no legal restrictions, the practice may have practical dietary effects. High-fat diets tend to reduce the overall feed intake of a cow and therefore its productivity. Diet also affects milk fat composition. Changes in palm oil intake may alter the fatty acid profile of milk. However, this recent change in palm oil byproducts did not appear to have an effect on the hardness of butter.
A recent study found that palm oil increases the proportion of saturated fat in milk and raises the melting point of butter. While other dietary changes may have contributed to the hardening of butter, palmitic acid was found to be the main culprit. Despite these risks, palm oil is commonly used in cattle diets. Approximately half of the dairy herds in Eastern Ontario are fed supplements containing palm oil, which are sold as a way to increase the production of milk and butterfat.
Impacts of palm oil on carbon footprint
There are several issues with palm oil, but a major one is its impact on biodiversity. It is a major emitter, responsible for 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, the palm oil industry threatens more species than coconut oil. It is therefore important for dairy farmers to know where their palm oil comes from. The ethical dilemma is complicated by the fact that dairy cows are not the primary consumers of palm oil.
The study highlights that despite its positive effect on animal welfare and animal productivity, palm oil consumption is responsible for around 9% of global GHG emissions. However, previous life cycle assessments have not included indirect GHG effects, which occur from expansion of feed crop production and replacement suckler-beef production. However, a consequential life cycle assessment incorporates indirect GHG effects into mitigation calculations.
