Effect of Replacement of Concentrate Mixture with Azolla on Milk Yield, Blood Metabolites and Economics of Alpine X Beetal Goats

An investigation was undertaken to study the effect of replacing concentrate mixture with azolla on milk yield, blood metabolites and economics of Alpine x Beetal goats. Eighteen Alpine x Beetal goats (43.00±1.37 kg body weight, 1.17±.04 kg milk yield/day) were divided into three groups of six each. Goats in the control group (T₀) were fed a conventional ration, whereas in T₁ and T₂ groups, 25 and 50% of the concentrate mixture was replaced by fresh azolla. Azolla is a good source of protein and contains 23.20% protein. Dry matter intake was significantly (P<0.05) higher in T₀ (1.840±0.08 kg) as compared to T₂ (1.708±0.11 kg). Blood metabolites (blood urea nitrogen, non-esterified fatty acids), enzymes (alanine transaminase and aspartate aminotransferase), and milk yield and composition were unaffected by substituting azolla for 25% and 50% of concentrate feed. On feeding of azolla to the T₁ and T₂ groups, the cost of feed/kg milk yield was decreased by 16.37 and 20.44%, respectively, in comparison to the T₀. It was concluded that 25% replacement of concentrate mixture with azolla decreased the cost of milk production in Alpine x Beetal goats.