Manitoba Co-operator
File photo of a Canadian Holstein dairy cow outdoors. (Diane Kuhl/iStock/Getty Images)

Op/Ed: The unintended consequences of palm-based dairy rations

Palm kernel product imported for use on dairy farms may be harmful to cows

Palm kernel expeller (PKE) is a byproduct of palm-oil processing and a popular ingredient in dairy rations around the world. But research shows PKE contains concentrations of elements that may be harmful to cows. We analyzed the chemical composition of several batches of PKE imported into New Zealand over two years. We found it contained