What is Palm-Kernel Meal?

• PKM is a ground meal by-product left after palm oil has been extracted from the palm tree kernel. This material comes from the Asia/Pacific region.
• PKM is a high density meal that is also a good source of some minerals as phosphorus and magnesium.
• PKM is a medium fermenting product of good digestibility.

The benefits of using Palm-Kernel Meal

• PKM can be included at 10-25% of the total cows diet.
• PKM provides extra protein and fat in summer when pasture protein and digestibility can be low.
• PKM will help all stock gain and maintain weight and will raise milk fat test.
• PKM can be used as by-pass protein source to help fertility and mating.
• Palatability of PKM can be improved by using aniseed flavours and mixing
• For winter milkers, PKM provides a cheap source of top-up dry matter to balance slower growing and less available grass in the winter months.

How to feed Palm-Kernel Meal

• For cows, levels of 2-6 kgs/day can be fed. Ensure cows have good appetites as some replacement of pasture may occur
• Combine with grains and molasses for best results
• PKM compliments low protein and high energy potatoes, maize silage and some grains.
• Cows will initially find PKM relatively unpalatable if fed by itself in in-shed feeding systems.
• PKM is best introduced to cows in troughs and/or mixed with other more palatable inputs (silage, grains, by-products, potatoes etc).
• Cows will eat straight PKM once they become accustomed to it (after about 10-14 days)
• When feeding PKM ensure animals have access to fresh water at all times.

Nutrient specifications

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