Palm oil byproduct may be unsafe for cows

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2022-12-05 13:21

New Zealand

fruits of oil palm, Elaeis guineensis, F.Cl. de Patako, Senegal (cc-by-sa-2.5)

New Zealand brings in around two million tonnes of palm kernel expeller every year, mostly as feed for dairy cows. Testing samples of palm kernel expeller has shown higher levels of magnesium, phosphorus, and iron than is recommended for cows. The researchers say it is a complex topic, as the expeller may be a good alternative fertiliser. However, the researchers say that NZ also produces its own biowastes. If future research finds that our own local biowaste provides similar beneficial nutrients as palm kernel expeller, then this could contribute to a circular economy where waste products are used rather than dumped. They also say palm oil has been linked to the deforestation of virgin tropical forests, and the excess elements discovered in their study warrant an urgent re-assessment.

Media release

From: Author comment from Hadee Thompson-Morrison, University of Canterbury:

"New Zealand imports approximately 2 million tonnes of palm kernel expeller (PKE), a waste product of palm oil processing, from Indonesia per year to support our dairy farms. At current prices, this costs approximately $800,000,000 per year.

"The chemicals contained in the PKE can significantly affect our soils and animals, both positively and negatively.

"PKE may alleviate some micronutrient deficiencies in livestock and provide contaminant-free phosphorus into our soils.

"However, some chemical elements may cause nutrient imbalances in animals, as several elements exceed maximum tolerable levels for animal feed.

"An assessment of the effects of PKE on the sustainability of our agricultural systems is urgently needed."

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Research , Web page Open access

Journal/
conference: Sustainability

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: University of Canterbury

Funder: This work is derived from the Centre for Integrated Biowaste Research funded by Strategic Science Investment Funding from Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, New Zealand (contract C03X1701). The lead author gratefully acknowledges the receipt of a University of Canterbury Doctoral Scholarship.

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