‍

Palm kernel and its use in the dairy industry is a topic that gets a lot of people mad. Both sides of this debate have strong feelings. Thats because this topic includes issues like deforestation, farming intensity, and sustainability.

In this post, we’ll explore the arguments for and against palm kernel, and finally, share Happy Cow Milk’s perspective on this controversial topic.

What Is Palm Kernel?

Palm trees grow in tropical regions around the equator, and the palm fruit is used to make palm oil and palm oil is used is so many foods. It's estimated about 50% of supermarket products contain palm oil. Its used so much because it’s odourless, tasteless, and semi-solid at room temperature, this makes it a great thickener and texture enhancer.

Palm kernel is the husk surrounding the palm fruit. During processing, this husk is thrown away, but in the past 15years, New Zealand dairy farmers have been importing palm kernel as a supplementary feed for cows due to its nutritional value.

‍

Whats the increase in palm kernel production?

It’s important to note that Indonesian farmers grow palm trees primarily to produce palm oil for human consumption. The decision to plant palm trees is driven by the demand for palm oil, not the by-product—palm kernel—which is sold to New Zealand dairy farmers.

If New Zealand banned the importation of palm kernel it would have no impact on the number of palm trees being planted.

The Arguments For and Against Palm Kernel

The Pro-Palm Kernel View

People in favor of feeding palm kernel will point out that it is a waste product that will exist whether or not NZ dairy farmers buy it or not. If it isn’t used as animal feed, it will simply be discarded. Which is a wasteful practice and being wasteful is not a sustainable practice.

Farmers who feed palm kernel argue that the environmental and ethical standards that palm kernels critics apply to palm kernel. Should also be applied to other products like soybeans and corn, which also have significant environmental impacts.

For example, soybean farming contributes to deforestation, particularly in the Amazon. Soybeans grown in North America are a leading cause to the nitrification of the Mississippi River, which is causes the low oxygen dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico. The point these people are making is there is no outrage over the use of soy hulls as a stock feed. When soybeans are arguably just as distructive as palm oil production.

The Anti-Palm Kernel View

People against palm oil production will point out that we need to be concerned about the deforestation and adverse environmental impacts caused by this crop. They will also say that feeding palm kernel to cows is supporting the intensification of dairy farming, and anything that promotes the intensification of NZ dairy should not be promoted.

Anti palm kernel people will firmly believe we should strive to purchase products that are ethically produced and beneficial for the planet. Because if we don't have this standard real change will never happen and the environment will always come last if it's not actively defended.

‍

Can we find common ground?

These two views are based on how you view the world and I doubt there will ever be agreement between the two. Both sides raise valid points. A persons point of view very much depends on their opinion of the expansion of the dairy industry over the past 25 years.

Palm Kernel and Dairy Intensification in New Zealand

Since 1990, the New Zealand dairy industry has increased by 2 million cows, and each cow now produces 50% more milk than in 1990. Supplementary feed use has also risen dramatically, from 150 kg of dry matter per cow annually in 1990 to around 800 kg today.

Palm kernel has became a significant feed source since 2007. Along with maize silage and fodder beet.

The critics of palm kernel have suggested that its use is a major driver to the expansion and intensification of NZ dairy. I think a more accurate summary is that palm kernel has played a role in the slight increase in stocking rates in the North Island. But it’s not the primary driver of dairy industry growth in the South Island. Irrigation and lower land values are bigger factors in SI growth in dairy.

Happy Cow Milk’s Perspective on Palm Kernel

At Happy Cow Milk, we would say that palm kernel is not necessarily worse than any other imported feeds. But we believe that imported feed is not the best option for the cows or the environment.

Every time feed is imported, additional nutrients are brought onto the land. Most nutrients pass through the cow and end up as dung and urine, which increases the nutrient loading on the land.

We think a better approach is to grow crops locally—either on your own farm or nearby—and integrate them with dairy cows. This creates a regenerative system where crops absorb nutrients from the soil, and cows return nutrients back into the ground.

By adopting local, regenerative practices, we can create a more sustainable and ethical dairy industry that aligns with our values and supports the health of our planet.

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍