Palm Kernel Extract

PKE is It is a dry, gritty meal with a soapy smell and can have a low palatability until cows get a taste for it. PKE has reasonable levels of protein and metabolisable energy (ME) of around 11 MJ ME/kg DM. It is relatively easy to introduce to cows over a range of farm systems. PKE’s cost-effectiveness depends on its price compared to the milk payout.

PKE management and the Fat Evaluation Index (FEI)

A Fat Evaluation Index (FEI) Grading System was introduced by Fonterra in 2018. This index was designed to indicate the suitability of the milk fat composition for processing into a variety of products.

Your FEI is mainly influenced by the amount of PKE and fat content you feed. Other factors like diet composition, lactation stage, and specific breeds can also impact it. To manage FEI, monitor your graphs, check PKE fat percentages, and adjust feeds as needed.

The main driver of FEI is the amount of PKE fed and the PKE fat content. PKE fat content can vary from about 3 – 10% with region, origin, supplier, or shipment. Be sure to check your FEI graph when a new load of PKE is bought on farm.

How can I manage my FEI?

Continually monitor your FEI graph. If you start to approach a B (orange band) check how much PKE is being fed, consider weighing feed when loading, and what else you are feeding your cows.

Consider an alternative feed (e.g. more pasture or a different supplement/PKE blend). Be aware of pasture allocation and round length, and the economics of feeding different supplements.

In winter/spring, feed PKE to dry stock and allocate more pasture/silage to lactating cows. Avoid high levels of PKE close to calving - it’s high in phosphorus and can increase the risk of milk fever. In summer and autumn, dry off stock and feed PKE to dry cows and/or remove cull cows earlier, leaving more pasture or alternative supplements for lactating cows.

Be aware how much PKE is being fed as a proportion of the diet. A cow eating 3 kg PKE out of a total diet of 15 kg will have a higher FEI than eating 3 kg PKE out of 18 kg. Total intake can be affected by weather, and quality of other feeds in the diet.

Transition onto crops following best practice management and avoid feeding high levels of fodder beet if PKE is also being fed.

Check FEI levels when switching cows to OAD or changing other feeds in the diet, particularly, if feeds high in sugar or starch are added.

More information

Visit the Farm Source website or contact your local Farm Source Team or 24/7 Helpline 0800 65 65 68.