An on-farm trial study was carried out to evaluate the effect of Azolla (Azolla pinnata) as a green supplement in the diet of crossbred cows. Twenty crossbred cows of 2nd to 4th lactation were randomly distributed to two groups. The first group (n=10) in addition to the regular feeding schedule were supplemented with 40g of area specific mineral mixture (ASMM) and the second group (n=10), in the addition to ASMM were fed fresh Azolla @ 2.0kg/cow/day. The chemical analysis of Azolla showed that it was a good source of protein (21.9%) and the most of the minerals, the concentration of the calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and sulphur were 1.4, 1.1, 0.74, and 0.21 per cent respectively, while those copper, zinc, iron, magnesium, cobalt, and iodine were 22, 31, 755, 130, 4.5, and 32 ppm, respectively. Milk yield was improved in cow’s supplemented azolla (Av. 8.8 vs. 8.0 lit./cow/day) with marginal increases on 10.0 per cent. The milk composition (SNF and Fat) did not differ significantly between both the groups. Feeding fresh Azolla enhanced the milk production resulting in a net profit of Rs. 4.4/cow/day. It is concluded that Azolla can be used as a valuable green feed supplement, particularly under low input livestock production system.

Keyword: Azolla; Crossbred cow; Green Feed; Supplement;