If you’ve ever wondered why you should be feeding your cow Azolla, you’ve come to the right place. This invasive plant is an excellent source of protein and will boost your cow’s milk production. In addition, you can feed it to your chickens or even use it as a green manure. Learn more about Azolla in our article below. We also discuss some reasons why it is an ideal feed for your cow.
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a good source of protein
Azolla is a highly nutritious, efficient feed substitute. It also has low lignin and low cost of production, making it an ideal feed supplement for many species. The plant grows in wetlands without the use of inorganic fertilizers. Moreover, it is a renewable source of protein and nutrient. It can be fed to livestock without any problems and is an excellent alternative to conventional feed.
In addition to supplying amino acids, Azolla is an excellent source of calcium, potassium, manganese, and essential fatty acids. Its growth rate has been demonstrated to be high and its chemical composition suited to animal feed. This is an excellent alternative to conventional feed, as the plant is easily available and is free of antibiotics and pesticides. Its high protein content is suitable for cows.
it is an invasive plant
The invasive plant Azolla can be found in many environments, including freshwater lakes, rivers, wetlands, ditches, and streams. It is capable of growing rapidly, and is a problem in both temperate and tropical countries. Because of its rapid growth, it has the potential to significantly change the biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems. For this reason, the plant is prohibited for use in many areas.
Azolla is a floating fern that is used as a biofertiliser in rice paddies, although in some parts of the world, it is considered an invasive plant. It is also used as a feed for cattle in southeast Asia. The invasive plant is now a part of the diet of a Syrian refugee who fled fighting in Aleppo and is a successful farmer in Thailand. Ibrahim is a huge advocate of Azolla, which has saved him a fortune over traditional animal feeds.
it is an ideal feed
Azolla is a legume that is abundant in protein and has a low fat content, while also providing appreciable amounts of vitamins and minerals. Its protein content can range from 25 to 35%. The plant’s high protein content also makes it a healthy choice for feed, as its inclusion can help improve the cow’s milk production by up to 15-20%. However, it should be grown in a pond or pit near a water source and a road.
Studies conducted in the Chitradurga district of Karnataka, India, found that feeding Azolla to cows at a rate of 800 grams fresh weight per day increased milk production by as much as 10% in one month. However, Azolla feed for cows requires a few days to become familiar with its flavor. Therefore, it is best fed along with concentrates in the beginning stages. Also, the feed must be properly prepared to avoid the unpleasant odor of the dung.
it increases milk yield
The Azolla plant is an alternative protein source for dairy cows. The plant contains beta-carotene, growth promoter intermediaries, and other nutrients. Azolla is an excellent feed supplement for dairy cows. It increases milk yield by seven to thirteen percent when fed to cows on a daily basis. The plant is inexpensive to grow, and dairy farmers are beginning to use it as a low-cost feed supplement.
The Azolla plant is a floating fern in the Azollaceae family. It contains a symbiotic blue green algae called Anabaena azollae that fixes atmospheric nitrogen. It has been used as a feed supplement for dairy cows because it is rich in protein, essential minerals, and appreciable amounts of vitamins, including vitamin B12, all of the essential amino acids, and many probiotics and bio-polymers. It also contains beta carotene, which is one of the most important dietary nutrients for dairy cows.
it improves weight of chickens
A study published in the Indian journal of Agricultural Science concluded that fresh azolla supplementation could replace as much as 20 per cent of commercial feed consumed by young chickens. For a 100-chicken flock, that would mean feeding 9 kg azolla daily. The amount required would be sufficient for a shallow pond 60 m2 in size. However, it is essential to plan where to grow azolla plants.
Broiler chickens fed Azolla meal grew more quickly than their counterparts receiving 100% corn and soybean meal. In fact, their total body weight increased by between 10 to 12 percent. Azolla feed also improved FCR, reduced heat stress mortality rate, reduced cost of broiler production, and increased egg and giblet percentages. Azolla meal may also help reduce the nuisance of houseflies and mosquitoes, which can significantly affect the profitability of poultry farming.
it increases feed conversion efficiency
Azolla is a low-cost fodder crop that has been found to increase milk production in cattle and improve feed conversion efficiency. It has also been found to reduce the intake of feed and increase digestibility, while boosting body weight gain in crossbred heifers. The crop can be mixed with commercial feed in a 1:1 ratio or given directly to livestock. The results of this study are promising.
Initially, the culture must be added to a pond in a shaded area near the house and water source. The water level in the pond must be maintained at three-fourths of the pit or pond’s area. Once the Azolla has been grown, it can be fed to cows in fresh, mixed, or dried forms. The harvested material must be cleaned and dried so that it does not smell of dung.
