1-71 Palm Kernel Extract (PKE)

What is PKE?
PKE is a by-product of the palm oil industry in South East Asia. It is derived from the nut of the
palm fruit after the oil is mechanically extracted. This feed is a dry gritty meal with a soapy smell
and has low palatability. However, PKE has reasonable levels of energy (ME) and protein, and
is relatively easy to introduce to cows over a range of farm systems. The profitability of PKE is
dependent on the price of PKE relative to payout and the utilisation of PKE and pasture.
Nutritional Composition of PKE
Table 1 Nutrient content (% DM) of palm kernel extract (mechanical extraction)
Typical Range

Suggested Average Content

Dry matter (%)

88-95

90

ME (MJ/kg DM)

10.5 11.5

11

12 - 20

14

5-8

Neutral detergent fibre (NDF)

67 - 79

70

Starch

4 - 20

Ash (%)

3 - 12

Calcium

0.21-0.34

0.25

Phosphorus

0.48-0.71

0.65

Magnesium

0.16-0.33

0.30

Potassium

0.76-0.93

0.80

Sodium

0.02

0.02

Chlorine

0.50

0.50

20-28

22

Crude Protein (%)

Oil (%)

Copper (ppm)

The table above is sourced from C Pyke's 2006 Dairy3 paper Using PKE to improve cow
performance and is based on papers by Alimon (2004), Kolver (2006) and Mulligan et al.
(1999).
The majority of PKE in NZ is mechanically extracted (known as expeller). There is also solvent
extracted meal available and this differs in content, typically 2% oil and 10.5MJME compared
with the 8% oil and 11MJME of mechanical extraction). Check with your feed supplier as to how
the PKE was extracted.
The majority of the energy in PKE comes from digestible fibre, oil and protein. Most feed testing
labs in New Zealand are not set up to correctly measure digestibility or ME content of PKE due
to the unusual carbohydrate structure of its digestible fibre. The labs estimate the ME content
from calculations. There is also no standardisation of the method to estimate ME between the
labs. Consequently, there can be wide variation in the ME reported from these labs. Where the
nutrient analysis shows ME, CP etc values outside the typical range, the results need to be
treated with caution. Due to the variable quality of PKE it is acceptable to use the averages
suggested in Table 1.

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Protein level is moderate (12-20% crude protein) and minerals are generally within acceptable
ranges although calcium and sodium will need to be supplemented if feeding at high levels (e.g.
over 5 kg PKE DM/cow or half their diet). Due to PKEs small particle size it has low effective
fibre (30% of NDF) so it will not result in a lot more chewing and saliva production.
Long term feeding of PKE can cause copper (Cu) to accumulate in the cow at a faster rate than
pasture feeding. If this is the case routine supplementation with Cu supplements should be
preceded by testing cow blood or tissue samples for Cu.
Milksolids Responses from PKE
Like any other supplement of reasonable quality, high immediate milksolids responses (e.g. 5060g MS/kg DM or 4.5-5.5g MS/MJME) will be achieved when feed wastage and pasture
substitution are minimised. This is achieved when cow intake would otherwise be restricted
(grazing harder than 7 clicks on the rising plate meter (RPM) or 1500kg DM/ha on the winter
equation clicks x 140 + 500) and cows are of high genetic merit.
As with other supplementary feeds, cows will substitute PKE for grass. The amount of
substitution is driven by how hungry the cow is i.e. the size of the feed deficit. Grazing residuals
are a good indication of the extent of the feed deficit with a guide to response rates for any
supplement fed with pasture shown in Table 2.

Table 2
Response
g MS/kgDM
fed 1

Negative - 30

30 60

60 90

90 150

Response to Supplement in Spring

Response
g MS/MJME
fed

Negative - 3

3 5.5

5.5 8.0

8.0 14.0

Breakeven
cents/ME
eaten at
$7.00/kg MS

Conditions for response 2

Residuals > 9.5 clicks or 1800 kg DM/ha;

Poor quality supplement < 10.5 ME; Pasture
quality in subsequent rotations poor and less
pasture grown

1.9 3.8

Residuals 8-9.5 clicks or 1500-1800 kg

DM/ha; Average quality supplement 10.5 ME
& average utilisation; Supplement feeding
stopped too late creating surplus feed

3.8 5.7

Residuals 6-8 clicks or 1300-1600 kg DM/ha;

Good quality supplement > 10.5 ME & good
utilisation; average pasture cover > 1800 kg
DM/ha

5.7 9.5

If supplement not fed, residuals < 6 clicks or

1300 kg DM/ha. Responses increase with
period of severe underfeeding (90g response
at least 2 weeks, response of 150g at least 4
weeks); High quality supplement > 10.5 ME
and high utilisation; APC <1700 kg DM/ha

Notes:1 g/kg DM based on 11.0 ME feed

2
kg DM/ha based on the winter equation clicks on the rising platemeter x 140 + 500
Generally total response rates will be 70-90 g MS/kg DM PKE where grazing residuals are 1400
- 1500 kg DM/ha i.e. total DM intake will increase by 0.45 - 0.6kg DM for every kg of PKE DM
fed.
This has been confirmed in a split herd study conducted by SourceNZ, a supplier of PKE and
reported at the 2006 Dairy3 conference. A response of 72 g MS/kg PKE fed (80g/kg DM PKE
at 90% DM) was reported when PKE was fed from mid-October to the end of January in a farm
system set up to make good use of supplementary feed.

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The substitution rate measured was 50% (0.5 kg DM of silage harvested for every kg of PKE
fed) and was estimated at 35% when modeled using UDDER i.e. the total dry matter intake was
increased by 0.50 to 0.65kg DM for every kg of PKE DM fed.
Cows that would otherwise have been underfed (grazing lower than 7 clicks on the RPM) will
respond with increased milksolids production and body condition. If the use of PKE allows cows
to reach body condition score targets at calving and mating that would otherwise not have been
met, then fertility would be expected to improve.
In cases where PKE partially replaces maize silage or grain, expect higher milk fat yields and no
change or a small decrease in protein yield.

Body Condition Score and Efficiency of Liveweight Gain

The efficiency that PKE is used for liveweight gain is estimated to be similar to top quality maize
silage (11 MJME) at 160 kg DM per body condition score. As not all cows will eat PKE there
can be a wider range in BCS when feeding PKE. This was observed in the SourceNZ trial.
How to Feed PKE

PKE is delivered on farm in bulk loads (minimum load normally 20t)

PKE has a low starch and sugar content so cows cannot over-eat it and acidosis is not a
problem.

PKE is not highly palatable, so it takes time for cows to acquire the taste and they tend not
over indulge. Therefore when cows are first introduced to PKE they need to be in a feed
deficit (e.g. in the dry period when intake is restricted) and have access to PKE and water
over 24 hours i.e. need to have PKE in bins in the paddock.

However, if PKE is mixed with Tapioca which has a high starch content, acidosis is a risk
(refer to FarmFact 1.70, Tapioca).

Start feeding at low levels (0.5 kg PKE/cow/day) and generally, within a week of introducing
the feed cows will be eating 2-3 kg PKE/day.

If PKE is being used to fill emergency feed deficits e.g. during a drought, cows can safely
eat up to 6 kg DM/day, providing the cows have 50% of their diet as forage (pasture or
silage) to ensure they have adequate effective fibre.

Feeding Methods

All methods of feeding PKE need to minimise wastage. The highest utilisation achievable is
estimated at 10%. Wastage occurs during storage, when filling bins and when the cows are
feeding at the bins or when PKE is fed in the paddock. Wastage when fed in the paddock,
even with silage will be high (estimated at 25-40%) and can make feeding PKE unprofitable.

Free access: Free-access feeding with trailers or troughs in the paddock is an efficient
method of supplementing on relatively low-input farms. To reduce wastage, troughs must
not be overfilled. Feeding in bins can lead to pasture damage. To minimise this place the
bins on high ground and do not shift every time there is a new break in the paddock better
to confine damage to one place. Spreading seed around the bin that the cows can tread in
will help with recovery.

The number of bins per cow depends on bin size and targeted intake. For an intake of 4-5
kg PKE/cow/day, 12 hr grazing the ideal bin allocation should be no more than 0.4 cows/kg
of bin capacity i.e. for a 400 kg 160 cows/bin. Overfilling bins to get higher intakes just
wastes PKE.

Feed pad: PKE can be fed in troughs on a feed pad. Combine with maize silage, start at a
low level (approximately 0.25 kg PKE/cow/day) and build up over a week or more to prevent
cows from dropping their maize silage intake.

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In dairy: Feeding through a silo in the dairy is an option. However, in dairy feeding will
restrict the amount of PKE cows will eat compared with feeding in bins in the paddock with
intakes as low as 0.7 kg PKE per milking recorded. Cow intake is affected by many factors
such as how much pasture is being offered at the time, access to water and milking time per
cow. To keep the PKE flowing, silos need to have smooth sides, a steep cone, and a large
opening. Mixing PKE with grain may also improve the flow. Some farmers use small steel
balls on the auger at the base of the cone to stop the PKE from bridging. Wetting the feed in
the bail with water or molasses improves palatability and speeds up intake.

Feeding PKE to Calves

PKE should NOT be offered to very young calves as the amount and quality of the
protein is not ideal. Young stock are also far more sensitive to any mycotoxins if storage
has been poor. Avoid feeding PKE to young stock at least until they are 9 months of age.

Storage & Safety of PKE

Most farmers order PKE as they need it and therefore use it quite quickly. In general, it can
be stored for up to 4 6 months and the longer you plan to store PKE the better your
storage facilities need to be.

PKE must be kept dry as moisture combined with heat will cause fungi to grow. Fungi
produce aflatoxins which can be toxic to stock and will contaminate milk. If aflatoxins are
detected in milk the use of PKE will be banned as has been done with Copra. Therefore
having good storage on farm is essential for the continued use of PKE as a feed for dairy
cows.

As PKE is very dry it quickly absorbs moisture. Ideally PKE should be stored on concrete
(that has been sealed to moisture) and covered. If storing in a shed, ensure the roof is high
enough for delivery access.

Shipments to New Zealand are tested for nutritive content, heavy metals, fungi, mould,
yeasts, bacteria and salmonella by an independent laboratory and are inspected by MAF.
This information should be available from your supplier.

Incorporating PKE into a Farm System

When incorporating supplements into any system, many factors need to be considered to
ensure the additional milk income is higher than the cost of adding the feed. (e.g. substitution,
wastage, capital and time)

References:
Alimon, A.R. (2004).
Developments.40

The Nutritive Value of Palm Kernel Cake for Animal Feed.

Palm

Kolver, E. (2006). PKE an Economically Priced Supplement, Dexcelink Autumn 2006

Mulligan, F.J., Caffery, P.J., Rath, M., Coyle, J.E., Cronin, E.J. and OMara, F.P. (1999).
Establishing the quality of feedstuffs used by animals in Ireland, Faculty of Agriculture and Food
Science., University College, Dublin, Ireland
Pyke, C. (2006). Using Palm Kernel Extract (PKE) to improve cow performance. Dairy3
Proceedings 2006: 61-65

July 2008

DairyNZ 2008