KUALA LUMPUR, 20 Jan 2023 — Palm kernel expeller (PKE) or palm kernel cake (PKC) is safe to be used as feed material for dairy cattle. Studies which used different batches of PKE have consistently revealed positive effects on the performance and health of dairy cattle.
“This shows that different trace elements from different batches of PKE production have no negative effect on dairy cattle,” said Director-General of Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) Datuk Dr. Ahmad Parveez Hj. Ghulam Kadir.
According to him, the inclusion of PKE in the dairy cattle diet is formulated by animal nutritionists to meet the nutrient requirements.
“PKE is normally used in a specific ratio with other feed materials, resulting in trace element levels in the diet that are more beneficial and safer for the animals.
These research findings contradict a recently published article which stated that PKE contains concentrations of some elements such as iron, magnesium, and phosphorus that exceed safe levels for dairy cattle’s health,” he said.
Additionally, the article mentioned that some batches contained concentrations of aluminium, copper, sulphur and potassium within 90 per cent of their safe limits.
Other claims reported in the article include a biodiversity issue as a result of tropical rainforest deforestation for palm oil production.
“The above claims in the article are not scientifically proven in feeding trial and were made solely to promote the use of their abundant local food waste materials as a possible alternative to PKE and reduce the greenhouse gas emissions produced in the landfill in their country,” he said.
The effect of PKE usage in dairy cattle diets contributing to higher milk fat content claimed in the article is beneficial to a dairy industry where milk is sold based on its fat content and can help farmers to gain better milk prices. Thus, by adjusting feed with PKE inclusion, higher milk fat content can be achieved.
According to Datuk Dr Ahmad Parveez, PKE has been widely used in dairy cattle diets for decades and the beneficial effects have been reported by many researchers.
He said a study revealed that the inclusion of PKC up to 15 per cent of the dairy cattle diet decreased feed costs and increased milk protein content without affecting milk yield.
“Furthermore, this study also concluded that due to its specific fatty acids profile, PKC fed at 2-3 kg daily to dairy cattle tends to increase milk fat content and produce a firm butter.
“PKE is generally safer to feed where feed access is not carefully controlled or when pasture quality is particularly lush. Typically, PKE can be fed at a higher percentage for each dairy cow per day as compared with wheat, barley, or maize without having ruminal acidosis, a protective effect resulting from high neutral detergent fibre (NDF) content in PKC,” he explained.
According to another study, the high phosphorus-to-calcium ratio in the PKC makes it a good choice for dairy cattle feed.
Citing a study, Datuk Dr Ahmad Parveez added that PKC is used as a common ingredient in German and Dutch dairy rations, with approximately 10 per cent whereas in Malaysia, it includes more than 50 per cent and no adverse effect has been reported.
Phosphorus and calcium, the trace elements in PKC play a major role as the key minerals required in biochemical energy transformation in all body cells besides forming the mineral basis of bones and teeth in livestock.
“The inclusion of PKC at 40 per cent increased milk fat and total solid contents without affecting days in milk, milk production, body weight and body condition in crossbred dairy cows. A high level of NDF, between 50 and 65 per cent in PKC increases the fat content in milk,” he added.
Malaysia does not allow deforestation for oil palm cultivation. According to Datuk Dr Ahmad Parveez, the State of the World’s Forests 2020 reported that the amount of forest loss has decreased globally and this shows a positive sign where a balance between biodiversity conservation and sustainable forest use or development does exists.
Based on the perspective of Malaysia’s commitments including the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification, the decline in primary forest loss in Malaysia for four consecutive years (from 2017-2020) may have contributed towards this downward trend as reported by the Global Forest Watch, 2021, Datuk Dr Ahmad Parveez said.
— Akses Malaysia
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