A value-added venture focusing on the pet health market could be just what the doctor ordered for elk producers.
Norelkco, the North American Natural Health Products Co-operative, hopes to have its first six products available through veterinarians’ offices by mid-February.
Russell Sawchuk, the Edmonton-based project manager, said the products include elk velvet antler capsules to treat arthritic joints, promote healing and improve memory in dogs and cats.
The velvet will be processed at the former Velvet Independent Processors plant in Wilkie, Sask. and encapsulated at BioPak Ltd. in Edmonton. The products will be distributed through the new generation co-op’s head office in Yorkton, Sask., and a future office in Saskatoon.
Read Also
Stock dogs show off herding skills at Ag in Motion
Stock dogs draw a crowd at Ag in Motion. Border collies and other herding breeds are well known for the work they do on the farm.
“Hopefully, within six to eight months, we’ll be across the border,” Sawchuk said.
Initially the co-op plans to focus on Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario, where more veterinarians are located.
He said he isn’t sure how vets will respond, but research has shown that people are willing to spend money on their pets’ health.
Norelkco is pinning its hopes on a study published in the Canadian Veterinary Journal in 2004.
Researchers studied 38 adult dogs, all of which had orthopedic problems such as arthritis. Thirteen dogs received a placebo for 30 days, then elk velvet antler tablets for 60 days. Twenty-five dogs received the elk velvet tablets for 60 days.
The dogs receiving the placebo showed no improvement, but when they received the elk velvet antler all 38 dogs experienced an increased activity, vitality and improved gait. The authors concluded that the product alleviated arthritic conditions in dogs.
Animal arthritis can afflict up to 20 percent of dogs. Labrador and Golden Retriever breeds are most affected.
Sawchuk said people are looking for natural products for themselves and consequently for their pets.
Marilyn Sthamann, a Regina veterinarian who has studied homeopathy for seven years, said she has clients who have been pleased with the outcome of putting their pets on natural products.
She said there is no harm in using these types of products and they can be valuable in supporting immune systems.
“I generally tell people to go ahead, but I need to know what they’re giving (their pets),” she said.
The problem with natural products is that a lot of the research is more testimonial than scientific. More research is needed, Sthamann said, but drug companies are not interested in investing money into something that isn’t patentable. Yet, people are demanding natural ingredients.
Sthamann said the market is increasingly competitive.
Sawchuk agreed, noting the U.S. market alone is worth $34 to $38 billion annually.
“We’re looking at being a wholesale supplier of bulk (velvet) powder,” he added.
Sawchuk and the co-op members are counting on gaining a piece of that market to help them rebound from tough years while shut out of their key human health-care market in Asia.
The co-op has sold more than 40 of its 50 available memberships. Each member may purchase between $5,000 and $9,000 worth of shares, which allows him to deliver a certain amount of green velvet.
Sawchuk said members are from Alberta and Saskatchewan. There is interest from American producers but the co-op will wait to look at expansion both in Canada and outside.
The president of the Saskatchewan Elk Breeders Association, Luke Perkins, said the co-op’s success in gaining members and moving ahead shows how serious producers are about maintaining their industry.
“Norelkco is about equivalent to what happened when the States closed the border to beef,” Perkins said, referring to producers’ efforts to find their own markets.
He said Saskatchewan now has about 44,000 animals, while Alberta has 38,000. There are about 800 producers in the two provinces.
The elk breeders group provides office space and staff resources to Norelkco. The provincial Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership helped with market research and Ag-West Bio gave technical support.
