Case Study

Sno’s Hay and Feed has developed a new method of compressing and vacuum packing lucerne hay, which keeps it fresh for more than three years. The invention has several benefits for the long term storage and use of lucerne hay over traditional methods of baling and storage.

The benefits include:

reduced transport costs by 75%

reduced storage costs by 75%

dramatically extends storage time in hot, dry weather and hot, humid weather

retains its visual appeal by remaining green inside the block and on the exterior if a black plastic bag is used for vacuum packing

reduces risk to horse owners and breeders of the vagaries of fresh chaff supply

dramatically reduces the risk to horses of mould in humid weather

reduces risk to farmers supplying lucerne to Sno’s business of the vagaries of supply and demand

lucerne hay itself is a high protein natural feed that is highly suitable for horses that are ‘working’ to keep them in condition with good muscle mass.

The competition for the new product are:

traditionally baled lucerne hay, which takes eight times the space and becomes dry and dusty over a period of a year

compressed lucerne hay with additives that subject the product to mildew attack

pelleted compressed lucerne hay, which becomes dry and dusty if not used quickly

grain feed which is much more expensive but higher in protein content.

Sno conducted research into export markets by:

investigating Austrade data on exports of hay, lucerne and other feeds

investigating Austrade data on export of live animals

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