SUSTAINABILITY 62 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE February 2024 If not palm, then what? Understanding the complex story of sustainable palm and the vital role it plays in supporting global conservation efforts, local economies and the dairy supply chain. THERE’S A FUTURE FOR PALM OIL IN THE DAIRY SUPPLY CHAIN, BUT SUSTAINABLE SOURCING MATTERS From ice cream to livestock feed rations, palm oil is a common ingredient found throughout all stages of the dairy supply chain. Valued for its unique melting point, mixability and low odour, it has become one of the top global edible oils by consumption since the palm oil boom of the early 1990s, says Catherine Barton, Policy Lead on Deforestation-Free Commodities and Regenerative Agriculture for Chester Zoo. “Palm is incredibly versatile and allows for manufacturing methods, product properties and extended shelf life that otherwise would not be possible if replaced with a different ingredient,” explains Barton. In on-farm dairy production this goes a step further, with palm oil fractions used in the manufacture of many types of rumen-protected fat supplements as highly energy-dense ingredients with unique fatty acid profiles. These supplements are targeted to improve various aspects of dairy production including milk yield, milk fat production and cow fertility, says Dr Richard Kirkland, Global Technical Manager and nutritionist for Volac Wilmar Feed Ingredients (VWFI). These rumen-protected feed fat supplements deliver an energy concentration around 2.5-times that of cereals without disrupting rumen function as is the risk with liquid oil sources. Recent research has demonstrated contrasting nutritional effects of palmitic (C16:0) and oleic (C18:1), the two major fatty acids in palm oil, when supplemented to dairy rations. “Palm-based fat supplements help to optimize rumen conditions for improved digestion and utilization of the entire ration. They also boost milk
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