About the company
Nutra-Fix, a company created by Roland Poirier, is located in Chesterville, Ontario. It is the owner, Roland Poirier, that designed their unique barley sprout fodder wheel, supplying both organic and large-scale farms in Canada and in the United States (Nutra-Fix Probiotics, n.d.). Nutra-Fix probiotics also offers several probiotics and supplements for various uses: livestock, hay and silage, soil, lawns, and gardens, lakes and ponds, and humans.
Product description
Benefits to Canada
Because Nutra-Fix is a rather small-scale local company, exporting their products to Nepal would support the company’s local economy and ensure employment to the local employees. The exportation of the livestock probiotics and barley sprout fodders would benefit and support Canada’s economy, as the Canada based company employs and creates work for Canadians. There is also a possibility to create new employment, for instance, sales representatives and consultants, possibly working from Nepal, for Nutra-Fix Probiotics in order to ensure the good running of the project. Furthermore, the resources used to build the fodder would originate from other Canadian industries.
Requirements
ProbioticsCostsNothing requires to be built in order to use the probiotics. The only cost associated to the product is the cost of the 20kg bag, which is sold at the price of $183/bag (Nutra-Fix Probiotics, n.d.).
InputsThe Fermentation Supplement for Livestock is composed of various yeasts and fermentation products, as listed below (Nutra-Fix Probiotics, n.d.).
Location/StorageThere are no complex storage requirements for the probiotics. It only requires to be stored in a fresh and dry area to maintain freshness of the product for up to 10 months (Nutra-Fix Probiotics, n.d.). This is an important advantage to the exportation process of the product as it minimizes greatly the logistics required during handling and shipping.
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FodderCostsThe fodder is a rather complex and expensive structure to export. The cost of producing such a fodder is $25,000(Nutra-Fix Probiotics). Included in this price are the required materials to build the wheel, listed below, in Inputs.
As mentioned previously, a particular type of seeds, NutraFX Clean Sprout, need to be used with the fodder wheel system in order to eliminate the risk of developing mold. These quality seeds can be purchased for the price of $24 per litre. InputsThe materials included in the fodder wheel building unit are as listed below (Nutra-Fix Probiotics, n.d.):
Location/StorageThe fodder requires a sufficient area, at least 12’ by 16’, that is stable enough to support the structure (Nutra-Fix Probiotics, n.d.). A similar project was executed in Kenya, where the cows could eat barley sprouts directly from the fodder. The purpose of this modification is to gather all the livestock, collect their manure and us it as fertilizer for crops (Nutra-Fix Probiotics, n.d.). This could possibly be done in Nepal, and the fodder would therefore need to be located in an area that can be accessed by the cows. The fodder system also requires to be located in proximity to a water source and needs a way to dispose or make use of the waste water.
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Competition
ProbioticsOrganic Biotech Private Limited’s probiotics require larger daily quantity of probiotics for a similar end result. Their probiotics are also added to water, rather than being a top coat to feed, which could be an issue, as it is difficult to ensure that each cow receives an adequate quantity. This product is also more expensive than the Fermentation Supplement for Livestock.
Life Products’ probiotics are a rather competitive product to Nutra-Fix’s Fermentation Supplement for Livestock, as a similar daily quantity is required and the product is offered in various forms. However, their product’s function is more specific, therefore multiple products are required in order to have the same health benefits as Nutra-Fix’s probiotics. Bovamine Dairy is one of the most competitive products. Although there is little information about cost or daily required quantities, its efficacy is proven and supported by much scientific research. Furthermore, because the company is based in Denmark, costs associated to shipping and handling would be lower as it does not need to travel across the Atlantic. Considering these three companies and the products they offer, Nutra-Fix’s Fermentation Supplement for Livestock is a competitive product and it would be reasonable to undertake its export to Nepal. |
FodderFodder Solutions’ fodder is very similar to the Nutra-Fix barley sprout fodder wheel, from building requirements to production rate. However, Nutra-Fix’s technology differentiates itself by the fact that the fodder wheel’s operation is supported by a motor rather than solely relying on electricity, an important factor when considering Nepalese life conditions.
Fodder Works is available in a more compact format. However, Nutra-Fix is the only company to offer a sprout fodder wheel. This unique concept differentiates itself from the other “storage unit” type sprout fodders as it allows cows to eat directly from the fodder, which as further discussed in Part 2 of this report, can help increase nutrients contained in the soil. Henan Machinery & Equipment Company Limited’s fodder, like most sprout fodders, requires 3,500L of water per day, a tremendous amount of water for a country like Nepal, where natural resources are available in very limited quantities (Alibaba.com, n.d.). Nutra-Fix barley sprout fodder wheel, although still requiring a source of water, only uses 190L of water during an entire 6 days’ cycle (Nutra-Fix Probiotics, n.d.). When comparing Nutra-Fix barley sprout fodder wheel to sprout fodders from other companies, it is obvious that it is a unique and competitive product that could certainly be a success on Nepalese farms. |