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>View discussions about this entry Country: Canada
Organization: Frostfree Nosepumps Ltd.
Field of Work - Water
Year the initative began (yyyy) - 2001
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Project URL: http://www.frostfreenosepumps.com
Positioning in the Mosaic of solutions
What is your signature innovation, your new idea, in one sentence? - A livestock operated watering device that works in warm and cold weather without the use of any form of energy.
Describe your innovation. What makes your idea unique and different than others doing work in the field? - This pump is called a Frostfree Nosepump. Other nose pumps are on the market but only work in warm weather. This pump, a downhole piston pump, will work year round without a source of purchased energy ! We have learned how to capture enough geothermal heat from the earth( free and natural heat ) to keep the temperature inside the cribbing above freezing, even during extreme cold outside temperatures. (This has been verified over nine winters of use on our own ranch, as well as the ranches of many customers.) The only other energy required is 'cow power' (free and willing energy in exchange for water). This is a typical example of sustainable agriculture - we require no costing inputs to achieve production!
Delivery Model: How do you implement your innovation and apply it to the challenge/problem you are addressing? - We currently use this innovative pump on our own ranch and market it world-wide (current emphasis on North America). Our ranch and a demonstration trial at Olds College (as well as a number of willing customers) are used as models for interested producers and educators.
How do you plan to expand your innovation? - As time permits, and ideas come forward, we endeavour to share this unique and proven idea with producers who could benefit from the technology. eg. advertising, media stories, educational seminars, trade shows
Do you have any existing partnerships, and if so, how do you create them? - What type of partnerships to do need? Not at this time. Limited by revenue, the business currently cannot sustain a partner.
Provide one sentence describing your impact/intended impact. - This is an affordable system that produders can use to keep livestock out of public waters to preserve water quality, and the environment.
How many people have you served or plan to serve? - Currently approximately 500 systems in place in North America, but the potential is all livestock owners
Please list any other measures of the impact of your innovation? - Serious impact on the cost of production by eliminating a dependancy on energy (hydro, solar, wind etc)
Does not drain back contaminants into the water source, thereby protecting the water source from contamination.
Exactly who are the beneficiaries of your innovation? - Producers save money, cattle receive clean, cool water, citizens' water courses are protected from contamination
How is your initiative financed (or how do you expect your initiative will be financed)? - Our initiative is financed by sale of units to producers.
Provide information on your finances and organization: - Current Annual budget (2007 fiscal year)?
Annual budget for the past 1-2 years (2006 and 2005)? Annual revenue generated? What are your current sources and/or streams of revenue? Do you currently have sources of earned income (examples?); If not, why? Our only source of funds is earned income. Financials available upon request if kept confidential. What is the potential demand for your innovation? - How do you estimate this demand?
Number of staff (full-time, part-time, volunteers): Once the benefits are understood and believed by producers, the demand could be huge. All livestock owners are concerned with the cost and the quality of the water available to their animals. According to Statistics Canada , in 1998, there were 63,395 cattle farms operating in Canada, not including dairy. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that in 1997 there were 1,148,000 cattle operations in the U.S. What are the main barriers to financial sustainability? - Exposure, sales, and the ability to grow with the company. We are currently a Federally incorporated business, run by Jim & Jackie Anderson, co-owners. Our sons have interest in the business, but other employment. As we grow, we will look at needed partnerships via dealers/distributors etc.. Financials are available upon request if kept confidential.
What is the origin of this innovation? Tell us your story. - On the Anderson ranch near Rimbey, AB, three of the four quarters that Jim and Jackie Anderson own were not serviced with power. About nine years ago, they wanted to improve the economics of their farm by being able to graze hay and pasture land on these quarters without services. However, the main hurdle was that in order to accomplish this, they needed to figure out a way to get water to the animals. Initial research quickly showed Jim that running power service into these quarters would not only be uneconomical but would also add a constant power charge regardless of whether power was being drawn or not. On the home quarter, Jim had been making use of diaphragm nose pumps along the river and creeks that ran through the farm. He really liked the idea of a nose pump because no power was required and the animals pumped their own water from the river. But the diaphragm pump could only be used during the warm months of summer because it is not resistant to cold temperatures.
While searching for a more economical way to solve his watering dilemma, Jim met a man who had an idea for a nose pump that, while not mobile, would theoretically work year-round. Jim was very interested in improving and developing the concept into a marketable, reliable product, which he now refers to as the Frostfree Nosepump™. Jim did not pursue marketing the Frostfree Nosepump™ until he did further testing and refinement on the system. In the meantime, he installed four Frostfree Nosepumps™ on his own ranch and field-tested them for three years. Knowing better what worked well and what needed improvement, Jim contracted Earl Jensen, a mechanical engineer at the Alberta Research Council to work with him as he devised an attractive design and a more effective Frostfree Nosepump™. The actual design was Jim’s, but he was very grateful for Earl’s expertise in bringing it to fruition. The technical alterations and refinements that Anderson applied to the nose pump are outlined in the patent. Please provide a personal bio. Note this may be used in Changemakers marketing material - (Jim) James H. Anderson, Owner, Frostfree Nosepumps Ltd.
A second-generation farmer, Jim Anderson was born and raised on a farm near Rimbey, Alberta, Canada. Throughout his life, he has always taken an active role in farming. After high school, Jim enrolled in the Bachelor of Science program at Red Deer, but quickly moved onto what he loved most, farming. In 1973, Jim graduated with a diploma in the Farm and Ranch Production program from Olds College. For the next 20 years, Jim farmed together with his father, and as time went on, gradually increased his share of the assets and decision-making. His father retired from farming in the early 1990s. Today, Jim and his wife, Jackie—a home economist— still maintain their mixed farm with four quarters of hay, pasture and cropland, and cattle. Full time farming and marketing the Frostfree Nosepump keep them very busy year round. The Anderson family were early adopters of riparian and grazing management. In partnership with Woodlot Association of Alberta, the Andersons fenced off about three miles of river bank on their farm, where the Blindman River and two creeks run, as a means to reduce the impact of cattle on riparian areas. In 2002, the Andersons were awarded the Alberta’s Farm Classic Farmer Innovation Award recognizing them for offering this innovative product to the agricultural community. In 2007, Frostfree Nosepumps Ltd. were finalists in the Small Business category of the Emerald Wards – an award given to businesses promoting environmentally friendly products. Jim’s volunteer activities have included 4-H Leader for 10 years, Forshee Hall Board member for six years, and RADCAP (Rimbey and District Clean Air People) founding and continuing member. Recreation includes hockey, woodworking and straw bale housing. Contact Information:
Jim & Jackie Anderson
owners Frostfree Nosepumps Ltd. (Livestock pump company) Discussions about this entry |
Livestock work for themselves to get clean water without waste
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Jim and Jackie,
This is really a great invention. Congratulations. I can't imagine what -42 degrees feels like. Brrr!
You state that you don't currently have any partners. I think that you could potentially partner with universities or with certain magazines that would be interested in profiling your innovation. I can see your pump in "Good" magazine. It'd be great for you to put together a press release and start getting some exposure for your work!
I have a lot of questions so please bear with me:
Who else do you think could benefit from this technology? Do you see this working anywhere outside of the farm? Does it have a broader impact on society outside of the positive results for the livestock producer and the cattle? For example, you mention that a key feature is that it doesn't contaminate local water sources. Is this a widespread problem that this technology is addressing?
Also, could you please complete the question "what are the main barriers to creating or achieving your impact?"
How much do the pumps cost? Are they difficult to install? How many have you sold? Approximately how many cows does one pump serve?
I look forward to hearing your response.
Dana Frasz
Changemakers
Thanks for your interest.
The technology is being used with traditional hand pumps. What makes our product unique is making it so livestock can operate it. Otherwise it is no different from a hand pump excepting the system we have developed to make it frost tolerant (ie: depth to capture geothermal heat, diameter of casing, insulation etc.)
The pump is $1195 Canadian. Most handimen would have no trouble installing. We have currently sold approximately 500 pumps, most in Canada, some in the US and one in Europe. One pump will serve 100 cows. Two pumps can be installed on a 24" casing, accommodating 200 head.
Our website www.frostfreenosepumps.com contains further information.
J&J
Hi Jim and Jackie,
I loved your video!
Is there a water table depth restriction?
Thanks,
Brian
Hi Brian,
Yes, we feel the limit of lift is about 50 feet (that is STATIC water depth, not well depth). The higher the livestock are lifting the water, the harder the push on the pendulum. At 50 feet it is a pretty hard push!
Glad you liked the video. There are more videos on our website www.frostfreenosepumps.com
J&J