Sno Case

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
• investigating supply requirements in Japan through an importer of hay and hay products
• investigating the horse racing industry in the Middle East, Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong.
Sno identified the following export segments.
• Dairy industry in South East Asia and Japan.
• Horse racing industry in Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong and Middle East.
• Leisure horse industry.
• Live cattle exports to the Middle East, Malaysia...