azolla cattle feed

  Azolla is a fern,which can grow on fresh water. azolla can use for cattle feed due to rich source of protein, carbohydrates, minerals and  beta caratine.this artificial cultivation of azolla gives feed at cheeper cost then concentrate feed & also give more nutrients. These azolla feed can use for cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat, pigs and poultry

 Nutritive value of azolla

                            Protine 18 -22 %, rich source of all essencial amino acids, vitamine A ,

                            B carotene,

                           

                        

Cultivation procedure

            Materials require;

                                2.5mx1.5m lenth pit,

                                Silpavline sheet  2.6mx1.6m

                                Sieved fertile soil 10 -15 kgs

                                Cow dung 1kg

                                  Mineral mixture 30 gms

         Procedure technique:

                              First prepare a pit measuring L 2.5m x W1.5 m x H 10 cms , clan and remove all stone particals,keep silpavline sheet  2.6x1.6 over the pit. take 10-15 kgs sieved fertile soil and mix it with one kg of two days old cow dung, and add 10 lits of pure water in to pit, mix it well and add 30 gms of mineral mix . water level must be 10 cms length hight. Then add 0.5 -1 kg pure azolla culture , it requires 10 -15 days to spread the to total lenth of the pit, daily 0.5 – 1 kg of azolla can harvest then after.

Add 30 gms mixture and 0.5 kg cow dung every week gap to combct mineral deficiency.

Replace some water every 10 days, replace culture every 6 months

    Precautions

                     - Maintain temperature 25 degree centrigrate

                     - Use net to prevent direct sunlight and dust

                     - Remove the azolla regularly to avoid over accumulation

                      -Add fresh water every 10 days

                     - Add fresh culture every 6 months

                      -Clean azolla with fresh water to remove the dung odour

            By this method we can get 1 kg of azolla feed for cattle buffalo,sheep, goat, and poultry  daily usage.  Cost of azolla feed 0.50 paise/kgs by this azolla cultivation farmers can decrease the feed cost and also produce more milk production,provide good nutrient diet to animals. Azolla culture can offer by mix with concentrate feed in equel ratio                    

By giving azolla feed we  enhance the milk quantity and also fat percentage