‍

Palm kernel and its use in the dairy industry is a topic that encompasses big questions about deforestation, farming intensity, and sustainability. The opinions are strong on both sides of the debate. 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, producing fruit used to make palm oil—a widely utilised ingredient. In fact, about 50% of supermarket products contain palm oil because it’s odourless, tasteless, and semi-solid at room temperature, making it a versatile thickener and texture enhancer.

Palm kernel, on the other hand, is the husk surrounding the palm fruit. During processing, this husk is discarded. Historically, it was burned or 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.

It’s important to note thatIndonesian farmers grow palm trees primarily to produce palm oil for human consumption. The decision to plant palm trees is driven by the demand for palmoil, not the by-product—palm kernel—which is sold to New Zealand dairy farmers.Thus, banning palm kernel in New Zealand would have no impact on the number of palm trees being planted.

The Arguments For and Against Palm Kernel

The Pro-Palm Kernel View

1. Utilising a By-Product: Palm kernel 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.
2. Comparative Standards: 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.
3. For example:
    
   • Soybean farming contributes to deforestation, particularly in the Amazon.
    
   • Soybean crops in North America a leading cause  to the nitrification of the Mississippi River, affecting the Gulf of Mexico.
    
   • Soybean hulls are also used for animal feed yet there is not an outcry over its use.

The Anti-Palm Kernel View

1. Environmental Concerns: Palm oil production is closely linked to deforestation and adverse environmental impacts.
2. Intensive Farming: Using palm kernel as feed supports the intensification of dairy farming, and anything that promotes the intensification of NZ dairy should not be promoted.
3. Ethical Standards: Critics believe we should strive to purchase products that are ethically produced and beneficial for the planet. Without maintaining this standard, meaningful change is unlikely to occur.

Finding Common Ground

While these opposing views may never fully align, 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 undergone significant changes. The number of cows has increased by2 million, 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 became a significant feed source in 2007, alongside maize silage and fodder beet.

Regional Differences

• North Island: Palm kernel accounts for a significant portion of supplementary feed.
• South Island: Fodder beet and maize silage are the primary feeds with relatively low levels of palm kernel being fed.

While critics of palm kernel have suggested that its use is a major driver to the expansion and intensification of NZ dairy. The data would suggest 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.

‍