Farmers Advised to Look Beyond Palm Kernel Price When Buying Supplementary Feed
When it comes to buying supplementary feed, farmers are being encouraged to look beyond the headline price of palm kernel and consider the full value of what’s on offer — from service and freight to the quality of the overall feed blend.
According to J Swap Stockfoods Sales Manager Joe Hardman, focusing on the cheapest ingredient alone can sometimes lead to higher costs in the long run.
“It pays not to focus on just one aspect,” says Hardman. “You’ve got to look at the average price over time, the best time to buy, and — most importantly — the full cost of a blend delivered to farm.”
It’s About the Whole Package
Hardman explains that while palm kernel often attracts attention — particularly around Fieldays — it’s only one part of the equation. Other components in a feed mix can cost significantly more per tonne and have a greater impact on the final price farmers pay.
“People can forget about mixing fees, freight, service, and the cost of the other ingredients,” he says. “Those things matter just as much as the base price of PKE.”
He also notes that some suppliers may offer palm kernel at cost — or below — only to make up the difference elsewhere.
“At J Swap, we’re in it for the long run. Pricing needs to be sustainable for both us and the farmer. We want to offer great value across the season, backed by strong service — not short-term wins that cost more later.”
Reliability Beyond Price
J Swap Stockfoods has been a long-standing contributor to the growth of the dairy feed sector, supported by large-scale storage, a wide range of feed and mineral options, and a nationwide transport fleet.
With full control over logistics, farmers benefit from fewer delivery delays and a streamlined service experience.
“We’re more than just a seller,” says Hardman. “We manage and control the full operation — from supply through to delivery — so farmers don’t run short and get feed when they need it.”
Back to Agriculture
For Joe Hardman, returning to J Swap Stockfoods is also a return to his roots.
Originally from Preston in the UK, Hardman began working on dairy farms from the age of 13, later gaining experience on high-intensity robotic dairy systems before spending seven years in the UK police force.
In 2014, he moved to New Zealand with his Kiwi wife to work on her family’s dairy farm near Rotorua, before transitioning into the building sector with Bennett Homes, where he spent seven years in sales and management.
Now, he’s back in the industry he’s most passionate about — agriculture — bringing a unique mix of hands-on farming experience and commercial insight to his role as Sales Manager at J Swap Stockfoods.
“This industry has always been home for me,” says Hardman. “Being able to support farmers with the right feed solutions — and the right service — is what really matters.”
Supporting Smarter Feed Decisions
At J Swap Stockfoods, the focus remains on helping farmers make well-informed decisions that balance cost, performance, and reliability.
By looking beyond the price of any single ingredient and considering the full value of supply, service, and delivery, farmers can build feeding programmes that support both productivity and long-term sustainability.