Effect of azolla supplemented feeding on milk production of crossbred milch animals

Abstract

The experiment was carried out to determine the effect of feeding Azolla to crossbred milch animals. The experiment consisted of four groups, viz., Group I (control, devoid of Azolla feeding), Group II (Azolla 500 g + grazing), Group III (Azolla 500 g + concentrate feeding + green fodder), and Group IV (Azolla 1 kg + concentrate feeding + green fodder). The Azolla feeding trial was continued for two months. Two parameters, viz., milk yield and milk fat percentage, were recorded and analysed. The milk yield and fat percentage recorded for Group III and Group IV milch animals were significantly higher than those of Group II animals, which were devoid of concentrate feeding. Twenty-eight per cent replacement of concentrate feed with supplementation of 1 kg of Azolla improved the milk yield by 800 ml/day (11.4%) and increased milk fat by 0.9 per cent (26%) compared to the control group. Supplementation of 1 kg of Azolla along with regular concentrate and green fodder to crossbred milch animals improved milk yield and milk fat percentage and also provided additional profit to farmers, thereby contributing to improved socio-economic status of dairy farmers.