Francisco Dias

Citation

Thesis Title
Supplementation of palm kernel expeller to grazing dairy farms in New Zealand

Read article at Massey Research Online:

Mr. Dias investigated the nutritional value of a by-product from the palm oil industry called palm kernel expeller (PKE), which is used to supplement grazing dairy cows in New Zealand. He conducted several laboratory based experiments, a dairy cow grazing experiment in late lactation and an indoor digestibility experiment with sheep to determine the digestibility and feeding value of this feed when fed with pasture. He found that PKE is a supplement with a moderate energy content and digestibility, which when used to supplement high quality pastures will decrease the overall energy concentration of the diet. However, when PKE is used to fill feed deficits in late lactation milk solid responses can be obtained, and its supplementation increases the milkfat concentration of the milk. This research will help farmers to decide when to use PKE to get the best results from it.

Supervisors
Dr Jennifer Burke
Dr David Pacheco
Professor Colin Holmes