PKE in perspective

With media commentary around the use of palm kernel expeller (PKE) in the dairy industry, the team at RD1 would like to clear up some misinformation; providing you with assurance around our processes for sustainability and biosecurity.

PKE stands for palm kernel expeller. It is a by-product of crude palm kernel oil, which is a by-product of crude palm oil. So, PKE is a comparatively low value by-product of the industry and is not the main reason palm fruit is harvested.

  • PKE makes up less than 2% of the processed crop value.
  • Pasture grass is and will remain by far the most dominant source of feed in New Zealand but supplements such as PKE are valuable for maintaining production or covering feed requirements when grass is short, especially in extreme weather conditions.
  • PKE generally makes up about 1% of the New Zealand dairy cow diet (this can change in extreme weather conditions, i.e. drought).
  • No one from New Zealand wants to see deforestation in South East Asia. New Zealand can make the biggest difference by working with companies, like RD1, that are doing things right.
  • The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) was established in 2003. It has over 300 members including Conservation International and World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
  • RSPO trial principles for sustainable palm oil production were put in place in 2005 and put into force in 2007.
  • A large majority of palm oil plantations in Indonesia and Malaysia have been planted on land that was previously farmed for rubber, cocoa and coconut.

Is RD1's PKE a threat to New Zealand biosecurity?

RD1 Nutrition PKE all comes from mechanical oil extraction plants. It comes out of this process at temperatures of around 85°C and at low moisture, and then it is conveyed to purpose built storage facilities and shipped within a month of production. The high temperature processing, low moisture content and contained storage makes PKE safe to import. Our PKE meets Biosecurity New Zealand standards.

Importantly, RD1 Nutrition only imports PKE from Wilmar plants. By sourcing PKE directly from the World's biggest Palm Oil producer, RD1 has full traceability of the product, from the processing plant to the farm. This is unique to the RD1 supply chain, guaranteeing farmers of consistently good quality product.

Wilmar plants are ISO9002 and AQIS (an Australian quarantine standard) approved. As a further precaution, RD1 Nutrition PKE is fumigated on loading at origin, then thoroughly inspected and sampled on arrival; ensuring it is free from contaminants and meets strict quality standards.

Is RD1 Nutrition PKE a sustainable product?

RD1 source all our PKE through Wilmar International which is the world's largest palm oil producer. Wilmar follows industry best practice in sustainable sourcing and is a leading member of the RSPO. The eight principles of the RSPO include use of appropriate best practices by growers and millers, environmental responsibility and conservation of natural resources, responsible development of new plantings and responsible consideration of employees and communities affected by the industry.

Wilmar operates under the following principles:

  • Adheres to RSPO standards
  • Strictly adheres to no deforestation of primary rainforests and a strict no-burn practice for land conversion
  • Carries out extensive audits of all land before being planted in oil palm and does not develop any land that is considered to be high value conservation forest (HCVF) land or deep peat land.
  • Has extensive social and environmental responsibility programmes in place.

Wilmar develops lands that are made up of degraded and logged-over secondary forests that have already lost their economic and environmental values. Converting these unproductive wastelands into productiveplantations helps local communities and the economy.

The value of PKE to the NZ dairy industry

PKE has fast gained recognition as a valuable feed for inclusion with other supplementary feeds but the implication that PKE has dominated the feed market to the detriment of locally grown grain is not true. PKE has never been marketed as a total feed solution. It is a supplementary feed choice - a partner to pasture, maize, molasses, grains etc. And an important feed solution during grass deficit, when it can be fed on feed pads or in the paddock with other supplements, without the associated risk of causing acidosis.

RD1 Nutrition PKE is a natural high quality stock feed containing 8-11% oil, 16-18% crude protein and 10.5-12.5MJME/kgDM (energy) - and a safe stock feed for most classes of livestock.

It is a non-GMO, safe and non-acid producing foodstuff (due to low levels of starch and sugar). It is an excellent source of oil and rumen fermentable fibre which can improve milk fat content. PKE is a good source of minerals, namely phosphorous, copper, zinc and manganese. Although high in Acid Detergent Fibre (ADF) and Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF), it is not a substitute for grass intake, i.e. PKE should be used to help increase total DM intake.

To conclude, the waste product of one major food industry provides a costeffective, nutritious solution for another. It has contributed to improving the welfare of New Zealand's dairy herd; and boosted milk production, which is obviously an added benefit. Despite some reports, the use of RD1's PKE as a supplementary feed is safe and sustainable.

PKE is recognised as an ideal supplementary feed for summer, with proven benefits. Make sure you secure your supply by ringing RD1 Nutrition on 0800 731 333 today.

 

 


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