Azola Improves Cattle Milk Yield

[rgiridhar]

Source: Hindu, September 20, 2007

Fodder is an important requirement for cattle. Even if the animals are fed with commercial feeds from the market, fresh green grass or dry straw is a must for them as fodder availability greatly reduces the expenditure on commercial feeds.

The success of a dairy plant depends largely on increasing milk production without escalation in feeding cost. Growing fodder grass is a good option. Another is azolla cultivation.

Azolla is a floating fern which resembles algae. It is rich in proteins, amino acids, vitamins and minerals. Experiments conducted by the Vivekananda Kendra-Natural Resources Development Project (VK- NARDEP), Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu have proved that the quantity and quality of milk yield of cattle went up when they were fed with azolla.

With support from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), the research team at the institute has developed a sustainable model for backyard azolla cultivation.

Mass multiplication
“Normally azolla is grown in paddy fields or shallow water bodies. In some places it is grown in concrete tanks. Studies conducted at our institute found that both these methods are not very conducive for its mass multiplication to be used as biofeed for cattle.

“Our research team has developed the silpauline lined pit method or NARDEP method which is popular among farmers,” said Mr. G. Vasudeo, Secretary of the institute.

The soil is first cleared of weeds and levelled. Bricks with a length of about 10 cm are lined horizontally in a rectangular fashion.

A UV stabilised silpauline sheet of 2.5 x 1.8 mt size with 150 gm thickness is uniformly spread over the bricks in such a way as to cover the margin of the rectangle made by the bricks.

About 30-35 kg of sieved soil is uniformly spread over the silpauline pit, which will provide the primary nutrient base for Azolla.

Carbon source
About 4-5 kg of two day old cow dung is made into a slurry (fresh biogas slurry may also be used) after mixing it in 15-20 lts of water, which provides the carbon source for Azolla.

About 40 gms of macro-nutrient mix (mixing 10kg of rock phosphate, 1.5 kg of magnesium and 20-50 gm of muriate of potash) are mixed in the slurry before pouring it into the azolla bed. (Another macro nutrient mix named Azofert can also be used).

Level of water
Water level is maintained at about 7-10 cm in the pit. Wastewater from bathroom and cattle shed can also be used to fill the pit.

Where there is a problem of fresh water availability, the water left after washing clothes (after the second rinsing) can also be used.

About 1-1.5kg of pure mother azolla culture seed material is spread uniformly over the water, after mild stirring of soil and water in the azolla bed. Fresh water should be sprinkled over the azolla immediately after inoculation to make the azolla plants upright.

In a week’s time, the azolla spreads all over the bed and develops a thick mat like appearance. Harvesting can be done every day from the 7th day onwards with the help of a plastic sieve or tray with holes at the bottom.

Cowdung and minerals removed by the azolla biomass have to be supplemented at least once in seven days. The harvested azolla should be washed in fresh water to get rid of the cow dung smell.

Mixing ratio
Fresh azolla thus collected can be mixed with commercial feed in the ratio 1:1 or given directly to livestock. It was found that the milk production in cattle increased by 10-12 per cent when they were fed with azolla and there was 20-25 per cent savings on buying commercial feeds, according to Dr. Kamalasanan Pillai, Scientist at the Institute.
Increase in body weight

Azolla can also be fed to poultry birds. It was observed that the birds grew faster and there was 10-12 per cent increase in their total body weight compared to the birds which were given only normal diet.

The egg yolk increased and the egg shell colour became glossy in appearance. In addition the azolla bed acts as a rain harvesting station and live mulch for the fields.

About 2kg of soil in the azolla bed is almost equal to about 1 kg of commercial NPK fertilizer after six months.

For more information readers can contact Mr. G. Vasudeo, Secretary, VK- NARDEP, Vivekanandapuram, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu 629-702, email: ngc_vknardep@sancharnet.in, phone: 04652-246296, mobile: 9442646296 and Dr. Kamalasanan Pillai, Scientist, mobile: 093872-12005.

[rgiridhar]

Hindu BusinessLine 13-AUg-2004


INSPIRED by the Azolla ponds at the Vivekananda Ashram in Kanyakumari, the Managing Director of the Coimbatore District Co-Operative Milk Producers' Union Ltd, Dr A. Subramaniam decided to introduce the technology and tap the potential of this hitherto neglected herb.

It has taken him almost a year to convince the farming community about the wealth of this blue-green algae found in ponds.Calling it a `wonder herb', Dr Subramaniam said "it can both complement and supplement cattle feed, particularly when there is an acute shortage of green fodder. It can also can be used as a bio-fertiliser, a mosquito repellent, in the preparation of salads and, above all, it is a bio-scavenger, for it takes away all heavy metals."

Though the technology is simple and inexpensive, the awareness level is still low and farmers are still reluctant to adapt to it," he said, recalling his efforts at popularising the technique.

While the Vivekananda Ashram pioneered the Azolla cultivation technique, he said "we are only taking it forward. There are over 85 micro ponds and 45 demonstration units in the district".

Dr Subramaniam further pointed out that over 20 farmers had taken to intensive cultivation of Azolla. However, none was into commercial production. The entire produce was for captive use.

The Cooperative Milk Producers Union supplied the inoculants, the plastic sheets and provided training on setting up the Azolla bed.

"The herb multiplies very rapidly. A farmer can harvest up to 750 tonnes of Azolla from one acre. The bed would have to be wet and in the shade."

According to Dr Subramaniam, two micro ponds (each measuring 9 x 6 ft) of feed, per cow, per day was sufficient to increase the milk yield by 30 per cent. "The protein content in the milk is also enriched," he added.

When asked if Azolla alone would be sufficient to feed the livestock, he said that it could only complement and supplement the normal feed. "Only 10 per cent of the body weight of any animal is given in the form of feed and forage," he said.

Whether there was an increase in milk production, he said, "It has increased significantly after introducing Azolla as feed for cattle. The daily production has shot up from 1.21 lakh litres to 1.61 lakh litres in Coimbatore district. We are also selling close to 18,000 litres a day to Kerala." He further added that "the entry of private players has not eroded our share in the market". With 543 Societies affiliated to Aavin, the union is supporting one lakh farm-families in this district. The managing director at Aavin said "nearly Rs16 lakh of urban money was being ploughed back to the farmers on a daily basis".

[avutu_kunduru]

Originally Posted by rgiridhar

Hindu BusinessLine 13-AUg-2004


INSPIRED by the Azolla ponds at the Vivekananda Ashram in Kanyakumari, the Managing Director of the Coimbatore District Co-Operative Milk Producers' Union Ltd, Dr A. Subramaniam decided to introduce the technology and tap the potential of this hitherto neglected herb.

It has taken him almost a year to convince the farming community about the wealth of this blue-green algae found in ponds.Calling it a `wonder herb', Dr Subramaniam said "it can both complement and supplement cattle feed, particularly when there is an acute shortage of green fodder. It can also can be used as a bio-fertiliser, a mosquito repellent, in the preparation of salads and, above all, it is a bio-scavenger, for it takes away all heavy metals."

Though the technology is simple and inexpensive, the awareness level is still low and farmers are still reluctant to adapt to it," he said, recalling his efforts at popularising the technique.

While the Vivekananda Ashram pioneered the Azolla cultivation technique, he said "we are only taking it forward. There are over 85 micro ponds and 45 demonstration units in the district".

Dr Subramaniam further pointed out that over 20 farmers had taken to intensive cultivation of Azolla. However, none was into commercial production. The entire produce was for captive use.

The Cooperative Milk Producers Union supplied the inoculants, the plastic sheets and provided training on setting up the Azolla bed.

"The herb multiplies very rapidly. A farmer can harvest up to 750 tonnes of Azolla from one acre. The bed would have to be wet and in the shade."

According to Dr Subramaniam, two micro ponds (each measuring 9 x 6 ft) of feed, per cow, per day was sufficient to increase the milk yield by 30 per cent. "The protein content in the milk is also enriched," he added.

When asked if Azolla alone would be sufficient to feed the livestock, he said that it could only complement and supplement the normal feed. "Only 10 per cent of the body weight of any animal is given in the form of feed and forage," he said.

Whether there was an increase in milk production, he said, "It has increased significantly after introducing Azolla as feed for cattle. The daily production has shot up from 1.21 lakh litres to 1.61 lakh litres in Coimbatore district. We are also selling close to 18,000 litres a day to Kerala." He further added that "the entry of private players has not eroded our share in the market". With 543 Societies affiliated to Aavin, the union is supporting one lakh farm-families in this district. The managing director at Aavin said "nearly Rs16 lakh of urban money was being ploughed back to the farmers on a daily basis".

What will be the cost of silpauline sheet of 2.5 x 1.8 mt size with 150 gm thickness and shade net (50%). By considering these two factors what will be the cost of 1 kg Azola.

[lucky]

Originally Posted by rgiridhar

Source: Hindu,
September 20, 2007

Fodder is an important requirement for cattle. Even if the animals are fed with commercial feeds from the market, fresh green grass or dry straw is a must for them as fodder availability greatly reduces the expenditure on commercial feeds.

The success of a dairy plant depends largely on increasing milk production without escalation in feeding cost. Growing fodder grass is a good option. Another is azolla cultivation.

Azolla is a floating fern which resembles algae. It is rich in proteins, amino acids, vitamins and minerals. Experiments conducted by the Vivekananda Kendra-Natural Resources Development Project (VK- NARDEP), Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu have proved that the quantity and quality of milk yield of cattle went up when they were fed with azolla.

With support from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), the research team at the institute has developed a sustainable model for backyard azolla cultivation.

Mass multiplication
“Normally azolla is grown in paddy fields or shallow water bodies. In some places it is grown in concrete tanks. Studies conducted at our institute found that both these methods are not very conducive for its mass multiplication to be used as biofeed for cattle.

“Our research team has developed the silpauline lined pit method or NARDEP method which is popular among farmers,” said Mr. G. Vasudeo, Secretary of the institute.

The soil is first cleared of weeds and levelled. Bricks with a length of about 10 cm are lined horizontally in a rectangular fashion.

A UV stabilised silpauline sheet of 2.5 x 1.8 mt size with 150 gm thickness is uniformly spread over the bricks in such a way as to cover the margin of the rectangle made by the bricks.

About 30-35 kg of sieved soil is uniformly spread over the silpauline pit, which will provide the primary nutrient base for Azolla.

Carbon source
About 4-5 kg of two day old cow dung is made into a slurry (fresh biogas slurry may also be used) after mixing it in 15-20 lts of water, which provides the carbon source for Azolla.

About 40 gms of macro-nutrient mix (mixing 10kg of rock phosphate, 1.5 kg of magnesium and 20-50 gm of muriate of potash) are mixed in the slurry before pouring it into the azolla bed. (Another macro nutrient mix named Azofert can also be used).

Level of water
Water level is maintained at about 7-10 cm in the pit. Wastewater from bathroom and cattle shed can also be used to fill the pit.

Where there is a problem of fresh water availability, the water left after washing clothes (after the second rinsing) can also be used.

About 1-1.5kg of pure mother azolla culture seed material is spread uniformly over the water, after mild stirring of soil and water in the azolla bed. Fresh water should be sprinkled over the azolla immediately after inoculation to make the azolla plants upright.

In a week’s time, the azolla spreads all over the bed and develops a thick mat like appearance. Harvesting can be done every day from the 7th day onwards with the help of a plastic sieve or tray with holes at the bottom.

Cowdung and minerals removed by the azolla biomass have to be supplemented at least once in seven days. The harvested azolla should be washed in fresh water to get rid of the cow dung smell.

Mixing ratio
Fresh azolla thus collected can be mixed with commercial feed in the ratio 1:1 or given directly to livestock. It was found that the milk production in cattle increased by 10-12 per cent when they were fed with azolla and there was 20-25 per cent savings on buying commercial feeds, according to Dr. Kamalasanan Pillai, Scientist at the Institute.
Increase in body weight

Azolla can also be fed to poultry birds. It was observed that the birds grew faster and there was 10-12 per cent increase in their total body weight compared to the birds which were given only normal diet.

The egg yolk increased and the egg shell colour became glossy in appearance. In addition the azolla bed acts as a rain harvesting station and live mulch for the fields.

About 2kg of soil in the azolla bed is almost equal to about 1 kg of commercial NPK fertilizer after six months.

For more information readers can contact Mr. G. Vasudeo, Secretary, VK- NARDEP, Vivekanandapuram, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu 629-702, email: ngc_vknardep@sancharnet.in, phone: 04652-246296, mobile: 9442646296 and Dr. Kamalasanan Pillai, Scientist, mobile: 093872-12005.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Sir, i would like to know the source from where the raw materials to build the pond and the materials to be poured in the ponds, A TO ZEE, every things needed for this project, Where will this all be available ???? plz guide.
thank you.................... LUCKY.