Palm kernel expeller (PKE) being fed to dairy cows.
ADVERTISEMENT
Palm kernel expeller (PKE) is no longer available in most of Munster and Leinster. The Irish Farmers Journalunderstands that Dairygold, Kerry Agribusiness, McDonnell Brothers, Brett Brothers, Gain and Liffey Mills are all sold out of palm kernel.
The feed has become popular in recent weeks as farmers have started feeding it to cattle in response to the drought.
Controversial
ADVERTISEMENT
The advantage of PKE is that it can be fed ad-lib, with animals regulating their own intakes.
The feed is somewhat controversial, with Glanbia advising its milk suppliers not to feed PKE as it can affect the ability to process butterfat.
Speaking at the Glanbia/Teagasc open day at Kildalton College on Thursday, Martin Ryan from Glanbia said it is a poor-quality feedstuff and should not be fed in quantities greater than 3kg/day.
However, many dairy farmers have begun feeding PKE as it is easy to manage. With PKE no longer available, farmers will probably switch to feeding more soya hulls. It is not known when the next shipment of PKE will come in.
Register for free to read this story and our free stories.
This content is available to digital subscribers and loyalty code users only. Sign in to your account, use the code or subscribe to get unlimited access.
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
CODE ACCEPTED
You have full access to the site until next Wednesday at 9pm.
CODE NOT VALID
Please try again or contact support.
Palm kernel expeller (PKE) is no longer available in most of Munster and Leinster. The Irish Farmers Journalunderstands that Dairygold, Kerry Agribusiness, McDonnell Brothers, Brett Brothers, Gain and Liffey Mills are all sold out of palm kernel.
The feed has become popular in recent weeks as farmers have started feeding it to cattle in response to the drought.
Controversial
The advantage of PKE is that it can be fed ad-lib, with animals regulating their own intakes.
The feed is somewhat controversial, with Glanbia advising its milk suppliers not to feed PKE as it can affect the ability to process butterfat.
Speaking at the Glanbia/Teagasc open day at Kildalton College on Thursday, Martin Ryan from Glanbia said it is a poor-quality feedstuff and should not be fed in quantities greater than 3kg/day.
However, many dairy farmers have begun feeding PKE as it is easy to manage. With PKE no longer available, farmers will probably switch to feeding more soya hulls. It is not known when the next shipment of PKE will come in.
If you would like to speak to a member of our team, please call us on 01-4199525.
Link sent to your email address
We have sent an email to your address. Please click on the link in this email to reset your password. If you can't find it in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If you can't find the email, please call us on 01-4199525.
ENTER YOUR LOYALTY CODE:
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
SHARING OPTIONS