The consumer experience has changed over the years. Retail stores are finding it challenging to hire workers. Online shopping has continued to grow since the pandemic. However, consumers still want to go into brick-and-mortar stores for items like household goods, furniture and livestock nutrition needs.

BioZyme® Inc., is a company that relies on a dealer network to promote and sell its products across the country. Dealers’ stores vary from family-owned feed stores to farm and home stores to cooperatives.

However, at BioZyme we don’t just provide a product and expect the dealers to sell it. We also provide marketing support in multiple forms.

We Support our Dealers

“One of the things we really pride ourselves on is our Marketing Team. It serves as an in-house marketing agency for our dealers,” said Lynsey Whitacre, Ph.D., Senior Manager of Smarketing and Product Development. “In order for our dealers to succeed, we must provide them the materials they need to promote the products and educate others about them.”

But we don’t only want to help the incredible dealers we work with. That’s why we focused this informational guide on retail merchandising tips and tricks any supply store or agricultural dealer can take advantage of.

The BioZyme Marketing Team has collaborated to share some of its top tools and resources when it comes to creating eye-catching displays.

Retail Merchandising Tips and Tools from BioZyme

Retail merchandising can be one of the hardest parts of running a retail business. It requires lots of planning, materials and attention to detail. All of that while also running a successful business.

It’s no wonder dealers turn to BioZyme’s dedicated ASMs and Brand Managers for regular retail merchandising tips.

Here are our Top 4 Retail Merchandising Tips for Dealers

Tip #1: Signage is Key

Did you know that 65% of people are visual learners? That’s why signage is so important to effective retail merchandising.

In addition to attracting customers, guiding shoppers and strengthening your brand, signage can help drive business and increase sales.

As many dealers are well aware, a customer can’t buy something they don’t know to look for. With in-store signage, you can alert customers to your latest deals and promotions like holiday specials without needing them to be a regular.

But make sure not to dump all your signs near the door. Take advantage of your entire layout, incorporating signs where they will have the most impact on customers. Don’t forget to take advantage of high-value spaces—think counter space near the register—that can be used to upsell additional offerings.

Our Favorite Signage Tools 

Not all signage is created equal. The BioZyme Marketing Team has worked collectively to create eye-catching, informative merchandising materials for their dealers. Some of their favorite pieces include:

Shelf talkers

Shelf talkers or shelf danglers are small signs that hang right in front of a product. They typically highlight the product or product line. They are a great place for a QR-code that links to a quick video or website for more information

Counter mats

BioZyme created counter mats featuring the BioZyme family of brands that are clear and can have the insert replaced depending on the product you want to promote at the time. These are great for providing information at the counter – a focal conversation point.

Aisle violators

These larger signs are rather “violating.” They typically go on an aisle’s end and jump out at customers with bright visuals and bold wording. They are very eye appealing.

Posters & Banners

A variety of sizes of posters and banners across all brands are available. Quality large-form signage is a great tool to communicate with customers on new products, discounts, or important store information.

Product shelf displays

Product shelf displays are available for Vitalize® Equine Gel and Backyard Boost® Busy Balls and Songbird Balls. These help make the product look neater and add visual appeal.

Mini Tabletop pull up signs

These are perfect for special events, promotions, displays and trade shows.

Tip #2: Cross-Merchandise where you Can

Cross-merchandising combines related items within a single display. This is a fantastic way to enhance your sales and improve customer convenience. Not to mention, it allows you to display products in more spaces across your store, boosting the likelihood of a sale.

For example, during Chick Days, you would want to display both Backyard Boost® Daily Essentials and Backyard Boost Defense. This informs customers there are two products that work together to help their chicks at various stages of life.

Likewise, at weaning, we suggest promoting the Vita Charge® Cattle Drench and Stress Tubs with the Gain Smart® minerals. This 3-step approach lets producers know they can keep their animals on AO-Biotics® Amaferm® for best results.

This strategy can also extend between stores, where collaboration and sharing lists of needed items from various local businesses can expand customer reach and boost sales. While we recognize that may not be applicable to every dealer out there, cross-merchandising can be a great opportunity for creative collaboration within your community.

An engaged dealer is a reliable dealer, and customers will respond to that.

Tip #3: Make your Merchandising Active

“Regardless of the kind of retail merchandising you use, be sure it has an effective call to action,” said Hayley Keck, Senior Brand Manager.

“A QR Code makes a good call to action because they are simple to use with a smartphone camera, can be linked to a video or website, and we can also include a sign-up form for newsletters, promotions or giveaways.”

Very similarly to what we mentioned in previous retail merchandising tips, active merchandising leads to engaged customer behaviors. That’s a win for your business. Building opportunities for active engagement can help boost sales, increase customer retention and keep your customers invested in what you have stocked.

Not only that, but a quality call to action can be a fun way to make shopping with you a more conscientious activity. It’s an easy way to show that you care about the quality of their experience.

It all boils down to improving customer experience, and happy customers are repeat customers.

Tip #4: Placement can Make or Break a Sale

This is one of our retail merchandising tips that our ASMs are most passionate about. Setup and display are key. Where you put things in your store can be the difference between a good quarter and a bad quarter.

Now, we know that may sound unlikely on first read. But knowing how to optimize item placement across your store can and will boost your sales.

We recommend dealers place high-volume or popular products slightly further back in the store to encourage customers to walk through the whole space when they visit. It’s the reason products like milk and bread are placed in the back, corners or sides of the grocery store.

People buy them frequently, and you want customers to walk by as much product as possible on their way to them.

Display is Equally Important

This rule also applies to how you display products in the store. Products placed at eye level will get more attention. Goods placed below waist level are more likely to be passed over.

Using benches, shelves and other display materials are a great way to move products from the floor to waist level or higher. This makes them more noticeable to customers, but also prevents customers with physical limitations from having to bend over. A win for everybody.

Similarly, goods placed too high can be frustrating for consumers and a liability for dealers should they fall or break. You should, of course, use the space you have—be it on the floor or up high—to store products.

We just encourage you to have additional quantities nearby so that customers can see and select from them rather than reach up or bend down for them. Especially if they’re heavy or bulky.

Why Invest in Retail Merchandising?

Some dealers reading this may be wondering, “my business is doing just fine without elaborate merchandising strategies. Why are these retail merchandising tips actually worth my time?”

The short answer is because it’s the perfect way to improve your customers’ shopping experience.

Quality retail merchandising helps your customers find what they’re looking for, learn about products and encourages purchases. All things that benefit your business.

The need for knowing product location and information are two primary advantages to retail merchandising, but nowhere near the only reasons.

Other reasons you would want to focus on merchandising include:

• Visual appeal – Make a positive first impression
• Strategic placement of product – Complimentary products placed together leads to cross-selling
• Increase product movement – Customers don’t buy what they can’t see
• Lead to impulse buys – Customers might learn something about a product from signage

Dealers can Get our Materials

If you’ve read all 4 of our retail merchandising tips and are feeling overwhelmed, don’t worry! BioZyme is here to help. Most standardized retail merchandising supplies can be requested through the Online Dealer Center or through your Area Sales Manager. There are exceptions.

To request materials for the current Vita Charge® Cattle Drench campaign, which includes shelf talkers, neck tags and counter mat inserts, contact Katie McComb at kwilliams@biozymeinc.com. Let her know how many of each item you would like, and they will be shipped to your dealership.

To request Backyard Boost display boxes, email Sam Albers at salbers@biozymeinc.com, with your dealership name, the type needed (Backyard Bird or Songbird) and quantity needed. These will be delivered to you by your ASM, preassembled.

Watch the Dealer Facebook page and VISION newsletter for more merchandising material in the future.

Have an idea for something you’d like to see? Submit a Marketing Request.

Need more information about BioZyme?

Perhaps you are wondering how you can purchase some of our great BioZyme products? Locate one of our dealers near you on our dealer locator.

Or maybe, you do like to shop online. We also provide that option.

Have you read our retail merchandising tips and are interested in becoming a BioZyme dealer? Learn more about the Dealer opportunities.

Looking for a full-time career? BioZyme is an employee-owned company, with amazing benefits. It maintains a list of career openings and is always looking for compassionate, self-starters who want to make a difference in animals’ lives.

Do you love animals? Do you care about people? Do you want to ensure a safe and wholesome food supply for the world?

If you answered yes to these questions and are looking for a rewarding and challenging career, BioZyme® Inc. is hiring. BioZyme, headquartered in Saint Joseph, Missouri, is a global leader in the animal health and nutrition industry.

Our People

“Care that comes full circle” is the company motto, and that care is spread throughout the world, starting with its people. That is what motivates 28-year employee Kevin Glaubius every day in his role.

“BioZyme has a different business model that focuses on quality and consistency, and in the feed industry that is a rarity. I can feel confident that if I help a dealer get a customer on a product or program, they are going to experience the same performance time after time because our products do what we say they do,” said Glaubius, Area Sales Manager in Nebraska.

Available Feed Industry Jobs

Currently, there are positions available on the career listing in several interest and skill areas, including:

• Administration
• Fermentation
• Marketing
• Sales

“We encourage those people interested in working at BioZyme to watch the website, as we continually update the careers page. Applying is easy, and we also rely heavily on the Culture Index to ensure that we place the qualified candidates in the positions that they are most comfortable in,” said Caity Norton, Senior Manager of Human Resources.

BioZyme Benefits

Glaubius added that in addition to helping people and their animals, he enjoys the benefits that BioZyme offers its employees.

As an employee-owned company, each employee has the opportunity to buy into BioZyme. He has also witnessed the opportunities that employees have gained in their skills with the growth over nearly three decades.

“When I started, there was one sales manager, one marketing person. Now, there are opportunities to gain experience and new skills or work in a variety of roles if you already have those skills. We have our own lab and testing facilities and are committed to improving the facilities when we can,” he said.

Join The Biozyme Family

If you are interested in feed industry jobs or joining the BioZyme family—or you know someone who would make an ideal team member—please visit BioZyme Careers.

By César Ocasio Vega, Ph.D. 

Recently, a novel category of feed additives has been introduced: postbiotics. The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) defined postbiotics as a “preparation of inanimate microorganisms and/or their components that confer a health benefit on the host.”  

All over the world, egg production is gaining popularity and importance, mainly fueled by increasing egg consumption. Therefore, there are some challenges that producers need to overcome to fulfil consumer demands. The most urgent challenges are related to eggshell quality and hen life span. Maintaining normal physiology and good health of the laying hen is essential to produce high-quality eggs for longer periods of time. Dietary interventions like the feeding of fermented feeds, fiber, probiotics, prebiotics and postbiotics are acceptable means for influencing the gut microbiota and its metabolic activity. In laying hens, inclusion of postbiotics in the diet to maintain/improve productivity and egg quality has been researched and has led to the development and commercialization of a new feed additive, AO-Biotics® EQE (Egg Quality Enhancer).  

AO-Biotics® EQE is a fungal postbiotic produced using patent pending technology and specifically indicated to improve the number of sellable eggs, egg mass, and productive lifespan of laying hens. De Juan et. al. (2021) studied the effects of the dietary inclusion of 50 grams of EQE per metric ton of feed on the performance and egg quality traits of hens from 15 to 43 weeks of age. In this study, the addition of EQE significantly reduced the incidence of shell-less eggs. In addition, from 15 to 21 weeks of age, the feeding of EQE increased egg production by 9% and improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) by 8%. Motivated by these results, de Juan et. al. (2022) performed a second study extending the laying period of hens to 65 weeks of age. In agreement with previous observations, the inclusion of EQE improved all major production traits at the peak of production, including increasing egg mass by 2%, egg production and egg weight by 1%, and FCR by 2%.  

Several field trials have subsequently evaluated the inclusion of EQE in the diets of commercial laying hens. In agreement with findings reported by de Juan et. al. (2021 and 2022), the inclusion of EQE under commercial conditions improved egg mass, the number of sellable eggs per hen and the productive lifespan of the flock. In eight field trials involving more than 400,000 laying hens, the supplementation of the AO-derived postbiotic resulted in approximately 2% more egg mass, 3% improvement in egg production and 3% more sellable egg per hen. On average, a reduction of 24% in the mortality of the flocks was also observed, demonstrating that EQE improved the productive lifespan of the laying hens. Overall, field trial results were in line with findings found by de Juan et. al. (2021 and 2022) in controlled studies and support the proposition that EQE can contribute to improving eggshell quality, egg mass and productive life span of laying hens.

Do you love animals? Do you care about people? Do you want to ensure a safe and wholesome food supply for the world?

If you answered yes to these questions and are looking for a rewarding and challenging career, BioZyme® Inc. is hiring. BioZyme, headquartered in Saint Joseph, Missouri, is a global leader in the animal health and nutrition industry.

Our People

“Care that comes full circle” is the company motto, and that care is spread throughout the world, starting with its people. That is what motivates 28-year employee Kevin Glaubius every day in his role.

“BioZyme has a different business model that focuses on quality and consistency, and in the feed industry that is a rarity. I can feel confident that if I help a dealer get a customer on a product or program, they are going to experience the same performance time after time because our products do what we say they do,” said Glaubius, Area Sales Manager in Nebraska.

Available Feed Industry Jobs

Currently, there are positions available on the career listing in several interest and skill areas, including:

• Administration
• Business Development
• Fermentation
• Marketing
• Outreach (Call Center)
• Sales

“We encourage those people interested in working at BioZyme to watch the website, as we continually update the careers page. Applying is easy, and we also rely heavily on the Culture Index to ensure that we place the qualified candidates in the positions that they are most comfortable in,” said Caity Norton, Senior Manager of Human Resources.

BioZyme Benefits

Glaubius added that in addition to helping people and their animals, he enjoys the benefits that BioZyme offers its employees.

As an employee-owned company, each employee has the opportunity to buy into BioZyme. He has also witnessed the opportunities that employees have gained in their skills with the growth over nearly three decades.

“When I started, there was one sales manager, one marketing person. Now, there are opportunities to gain experience and new skills or work in a variety of roles if you already have those skills. We have our own lab and testing facilities and are committed to improving the facilities when we can,” he said.

Join The Biozyme Family

If you are interested in feed industry jobs or joining the BioZyme family—or you know someone who would make an ideal team member—please visit https://biozymeinc.com/careers.

What started as a family tour around Dr. Bob Black’s ranch landed as an opportunity and an idea for sustainability. Bob, DVM and cattle rancher, and his wife, Shirley, had “massive stacks” of the empty VitaFerm® and Vita Charge® tubs around their ranch, when family toured last Thanksgiving. At the suggestion of a sister-in-law from Texas who said that someone could surely use these empty tubs, Bob decided to start offering them for sale on the popular Facebook Marketplace starting in spring 2023.

“My goal is to see an orange tub in every yard in Wichita,” chuckled Katie, Black’s daughter, who works full-time at the Elk County Vet Clinic where Dr. Black practices, while she also studies nursing.

Katie said their family lives about an hour from Wichita, and that is where a majority of tubs end up. With her grandmother and an aunt living in Wichita, those driveways often serve as the pick-up point for the tubs that get used for starter gardens, storage bins, water recycling vestibules, cleaning yards of sticks and leaves and more.

“My dad does most of the Facebook postings, listings and monitors all of that,” Katie said. “Some people will come to the clinic or contact him directly because they have heard about all these tubs.”

Dr. Black shared that he enjoys recycling the tubs.

“Having a second or third use for the plastic tubs is great and helps recycle a product that otherwise might not be used,” said Dr. Black.

BioZyme dealer Bob Black is creating sustainable uses for empty tubs and providing new customers a product that they can readily use. That’s care that comes full circle.

###

BioZyme^® Inc. recognized the following dealers for their outstanding sales, action, years of business and diversification in 2022 at the BioZyme Dealer Retreat June 6-7, 2023, in St. Joseph, Missouri. These awards recognize dealers that are taking action to grow their animal health and supplement businesses. BioZyme was thankful to bring the Dealer Retreat back in-person for 2023 to recognize these “out of this world” dealers on their 2022 achievements.

Central Farm Supply of Kentucky – Kentucky

• Top Overall Dealer
• Second Place VitaFerm^® Dealer 
• Second Place Gain Smart^® Dealer 
• Second Place Backyard Boost^® Dealer 

K Triangle Feed – Wyoming

• Second Place Overall 
• Second Place Action Dealer 
• Second Place Overall Individual

Basore Cattle Company – Missouri 

• Top VitaFerm^® Dealer 

Twin Rivers Vet Supply – Texas

• Top Gain Smart Dealer 

Associated Feed & Supply Co – California

• Top Sure Champ^® Dealer
• Top DuraFerm^® Dealer 

Cowell Ag – Illinois 

• Second Place Sure Champ^® Dealer 

Sullivan Supply, Inc – Iowa

• Top Vita Charge^® Dealer 

Stockmen’s Feed Bunk Inc – Texas

• Second Place Vita Charge^® Dealer 

FarmVet.com, Inc – Tennessee

• Top Vitalize^® Dealer 

Surrey International – New Jersey

• Top Backyard Boost^® Dealer 
• Second Place Vitalize^® Dealer 

Heritage Cooperative – Ohio

• Second Place DuraFerm^® Dealer

Boyce Feed and Grain – Texas

• Top Action Dealer

Jeff Cluxton & Sons – Ohio

• BioZyme Dealer for 50 years 

Hess Ranch – Louisiana

• BioZyme Dealer for 52 years

Cottor Farms – Wisconsin

• Family of Brands Diversification Award

Producers Coop – Texas

• Second Place Family of Brands Diversification Award 

The BioZyme network is comprised of more than 2,000 independent dealers from coast-to-coast who provide access to the BioZyme family of brands, including VitaFerm, Gain Smart, DuraFerm, Vita Charge, Sure Champ, Vitalize, and Backyard Boost. To locate a dealer near you, visit: https://biozymeinc.com/find-a-dealer/

By Shelia Grobosky, Content & PR Manager

The adage April showers bring May flowers might need to be changed, depending on the part of the country you are in. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor and colleagues I’ve spoken to recently, April showers would barely settle the dust in parts of Nebraska, Western Kansas, Oklahoma and the northern tip of the Texas Panhandle. Meanwhile, California is facing devastating flooding. The Dakotas are digging out from yet another April blizzard, which means once all the snow finally melts, they will have some green grass AND flowers.

Mother Nature can be brutal, but dealing with her mood swings is part of the risk those of us in agriculture take every day. Spring is officially here, and in my home state of Illinois, when farmers aren’t cleaning up from the recent tornadoes, they are getting equipment ready to start working ground and planting.

Of course crop production has a direct impact on feed prices for all classes of animals, and we are in the nutrition business. The U.S. Department of Agriculture released its Prospective Plantings report on the last day of March that summarizes producers’ planting intentions in the U.S. and reflects expected profitability levels for various crops. Most notably, corn acreage was estimated to increase by roughly 4% from last year – to just under 92 million acres. By comparison, soybean acreage was projected to be virtually unchanged from 2022.

Feed prices are currently high, and significant change is not likely before harvest. Additional corn acres would undoubtedly be seen as a positive from the perspective of livestock feed prices. As long as those additional acres are planted, Mother Nature plays nice this Summer, and harvest is good, producers could see feed prices decrease. If not, remember to use the increased digestibility of AO-Biotics^® Amaferm^® as a marketing tool to help livestock get the most benefit from the feed producers do have available to them.

Sen. John Thune (R-SD) introduced legislation the first week of April to repeal the federal estate tax, often referred to as the Death Tax. According to a statement from NCBA, “Ensuring a farm or ranch can be passed to children or grandchildren is a priority for family-owned farms, ranches and agricultural businesses. It is critically important that producers and business owners have permanent relief from the Death Tax. Current Death Tax relief is set to expire at the end of 2025, and it is vital that Congress takes immediate action to provide permanent relief for agricultural families.”

By Shelia Grobosky, Content & PR Manager

The 50^th anniversary of National Ag Day was observed earlier in March, and it should be no surprise that it was celebrated in big fashion across various social media platforms from thanking farmers and consumers alike. Perhaps one of the most honest posts I saw was on LinkedIn from a friend and colleague from Farm Journal, who posted this t-shirt that said, “without farmers you would hungry, naked and sober.”

As a mother in rural America, I know that not many of my daughter’s classmates have a direct connection to agriculture. That is why I was pleasantly surprised to read findings in the 2023 Feeding the Economy report that show the economic importance of U.S. food and agriculture to communities throughout the nation this month.

Showing an increased economic output in all 50 states compared to the 2022 report, the food and ag contributed more than $8.6 trillion, nearly 20%, of the country’s economic activity. In addition, the industries accounted for over $202 trillion in export value.

Reflecting a rebound in national economic activity, the largest total output gains were from Hawaii (31%), North Dakota (26%), New York (23%), Nevada (22%) and Florida (21%), according to the report.

While producers raise crops, produce and livestock on two out of every five acres of U.S. soil, millions of other U.S. workers fulfill jobs in over 200,000 food manufacturing, processing and storage facilities to strengthen the food supply chain across the world. I’m proud to say that I am one of those workers involved in agriculture every day.

In other news, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has awarded $15.8 million to 60 projects to focus on the nation’s response and control to animal disease outbreaks, through the 2018 Farm Bill’s National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program (NADPRP). While that number seems steep, think of the impact a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak or an African Swine Fever break would have if it reached us here in the U.S. This year’s projects focus on enhancing prevention, preparedness, early detection and rapid response to diseases that threaten U.S. livestock, including helping states develop and practice plans to quickly control an outbreak, train responders and producers to perform critical animal disease outbreak response activities, educate and increase the use of effective and practical biosecurity measures on farms, and support animal movement decisions in the case of a disease outbreak.

One Day Left!

It’s the final day to redeem your Action Award Points. Use them or lose them, and we never want that to happen! https://dealers.backofficeapps.com/dealer-rewards

Mark your Calendar

It is time to opt in for the Q1 Dealer Mailer, featuring Vita Charge for All Seasons. Send your mailing list to Shelia Grobosky sgrobosky@biozymeinc.com by February 6. If you want to be included in ALL of this year’s mailers, just let her know that in the email. Free marketing is hard to beat!

As we enter a new year, it seems like a good time to set some new goals. I prefer the term goals over resolutions, because the average resolution lasts 32 days. I sure hope I can stick with something I want to achieve longer than just a month. 

A new year also means new changes in leadership following the November elections, like getting a new Speaker of the House. Following are a few hot topics impacting agriculture from Washington, D.C.  

It’s the year of the farm bill, and Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.), the new House Ag Committee Chairman is already hosting a farm bill listening session in his home state in January. With just six months until Congress breaks for summer recess, Thompson wants to act on getting a farm bill passed that “prioritizes the needs of the farmers, ranchers and foresters,” according to one media report.  

Another news bit from D.C. that impacts you and your customers is the looming definition of WOTUS (Waters of the United States). Late in 2022, an interim definition from EPA was introduced. The new rule would give federal protection to large waterways, like interstate rivers and streams and wetlands that are adjacent to them. Wetlands would be considered adjacent if they are connected to those larger waterways with “relatively permanent” surface water connections, or if they have a “significant” hydrologic or ecological “nexus” to those protected tributaries. This is definitely something to keep watching in the headlines of your local farm publications and the online newsletters you receive. 

Finally, technology is getting even bigger and more advanced each day. According to an article in Farm Journal’s PORK, Dragonfly Aerospace launched its first imaging satellite from the SpaceX launch site in Cape Canaveral, Fla., this month. “Named EOS SAT-1, this is the first of seven ag-specific satellites to be launched over the next three years, which is boasted to be the first such constellation focused on image data collection for agriculture. The constellation will maintain low Earth orbit and collect imagery for EOS Data Analytics with the goal of collecting high-quality data for crop monitoring, application mapping, soil moisture, yield prediction and biomass levels.” 

Technology is everywhere. Even places we don’t think about. 

Due to the holidays, there will be no scheduled freight pickups or shipments from BioZyme today (Thursday, December 22) through Monday, December 26.

We will ship again next Tuesday & Wednesday,

To ensure you receive the freshest product, in the timeliest manner, there is also no shipping or pick-up the following days:

• Thursday, December 29 to Monday, January 2, 2023

We will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, January 3, 2023.

Congratulations to the following for completing advanced levels of the Master Dealer Program in November:

Master Dealer Chapter 3

• Boyce Feed & Grain Corp
• Lazy JB Cattle Works

Master Dealer Chapter 4

• 5 F Feed
• Circle Z Farms
• Foxfire Feed LLC
• Straightway Farm Services
• Falling Timber Farm LLC
• Diamond H Land & Cattle
• Boyce Feed & Grain
• Renew Ag Supply
• Sayre Farmers Cooperative Gin Association
• All Creatures Mobile Clinic
• Gillespie Feed & Farm Supply

by Shelia Grobosky, Marketing Brand Manager – Dealers & Public Relations

For some, it is the most wonderful time of the year. The holidays are approaching, and a new year is too. But for others, the holidays are not a happy time to navigate. And the year-end is a reminder of bills that are due and deadlines that must be met. 

Agriculture is hard. There are no two ways around it. However, one of the best things about this industry is its people. If you are having a challenging time right now, remember that you are surrounded by some of the greatest people in the business. Not only are the people in agriculture great, but your BioZyme family is here for you too. 

Mental health and happiness are probably not what you were expecting to read about this month. Cattle numbers are short. Tighter regulations are being put down on truckers, and freight is still a concern. But in the grand scheme of this thing called life, the things that matter most are faith, family and YOU! Let’s talk about you for just a few more paragraphs. 

If you are feeling a little down in the dumps this holiday season or anytime of the year, it is ok to reach out. There is always someone there who wants to help you. And if you don’t think so, just contact me or your ASM. I love listening to people, and sometimes that is just what a person needs – an unbiased person to listen. 

Do something for you. Sometimes we get so busy in our daily lives we forget to live. I know this is true for myself. I was going through the motions, and then one day realized my daughter was growing up in front of my eyes. So, I give my time to her from the time she gets off the bus until bedtime. It might mean putting in a few later nights, but those evenings together are so worth it. 

Take up a hobby. Have you always wanted to learn to play the guitar or decorate cakes? You are never too old to learn a talent that can serve as a creative outlet and help you relieve stress at the same time. 

Take a deep breath. Sometimes those deep breaths are just what I need to help clear my mind and help me put things back into perspective. 

I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and celebrate this wonderful time of year!  

START LOOKING FOR NASC QUALITY SEAL

BioZyme^® Inc. and Cogent Solutions Group will now carry the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) Quality Seal on products specifically designed for the equine and companion animal markets. Dealers and customers will start seeing the NASC seal on packaging for products for horses, dogs and cats under the Vitalize^®, Hyaluronex^® and Trixsyn^® brands. The seal will be a rolling change as current packaging inventory is exhausted.

VITALIZE^® HORSE TREATS AVAILABLE IN HOLIDAY PACKAGING

Vitalize^® Horse Treats are still available in limited-edition holiday packaging. These carrot-flavored prebiotic snacks make great gifts for your favorite equine companions. Stock up now before the supply is gone!

HOLIDAY HOURS AND SHIPPING

To allow our families to observe the Christmas and New Year holidays, we are closed the following:

• Friday, December 23 & Monday, December 26

 • Monday, January 2, 2023

To ensure you receive the freshest product, in the timeliest manner, there is no shipping or pickup on:

• Thursday, December 22 to Monday, December 26

• Thursday, December 29 to Monday, January 2, 2023

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the BioZyme Family.

Batman and Robin. Kenny and Dolly. Johnny and June. Some things are just meant to be together. That same can be said of Falling Timber Farm LLC and BioZyme® Inc. John and Heidi Ridder, Marthasville, Missouri, started as BioZyme dealers shortly after they got married, and have been growing their business while watching BioZyme grow for nearly the last two decades. 

“The VitaFerm® products have a reputation of quality in the cattle world. The products sell themselves,” John said. 

He described the early beginnings in the nutrition industry. One of John’s jobs after college was a sales manager for a feed store before he returned to the home farm in eastern Missouri. The BioZyme district manager asked him to start selling BioZyme products. At that time, BioZyme still ran their own delivery trucks and would call dealers to put together orders every week. They would unload 10 bags of product at a time at Ridder’s shop and hand stack it onto a plastic pallet.  

“A few really good years changed everything,” he said. 

As if he and Heidi were looking into a crystal ball, they started identifying other good end-users in their area to work underneath them in getting products distributed. Falling Timber Farm was among the first to be part of the sub-dealer network.  

“Sub-dealers were going to be the only way to survive, even back then. When the freight changed and they started to bring a load in at a time, the sub-dealers were a great way to get more products out to more customers,” John said. 

Not only do they have several sub-dealers that they work together with, Falling Timber Farm also engages in several marketing opportunities that BioZyme offers. They participate in the quarterly mailer dealer four times a year, offer their customers a promo each spring and fall where they send their own postcard and work closely with their Area Sales Manager Ali Brunner. 

“The dealer mailer is easy, and it works. We keep our mailing list up to date,” Heidi said. “I have considered moving to an email for our spring and fall promos instead of a postcard, but that postcard gives them something in the mail to look at instead of an email where they can just delete it with a push of a button. That postcard usually gets us a few calls after it goes out.” 

In addition to their BioZyme business, the Ridders also have a registered Hereford operation, so they maintain several customer lists with the use of Excel spreadsheets. Heidi said her BioZyme spreadsheet rarely has any returned postcards due to being kept current. One tip she offers others is that for a minimal fee, the Post Office will check a list for accuracy, which she does before mailing their annual production sale catalog, since it is thicker and requires more postage. 

Although they face the same challenges most dealers face, John and Heidi enjoy the family atmosphere that their dealership has given them while raising their own two children, who are the fourth generation to grow up on the ranch. Madi is a sophomore at the University of Missouri studying Animal Science, and Ben is a freshman at Oklahoma State University majoring in Agriculture Systems and Technology.  

“We are able to help other producers with smaller herds and full-time jobs meet their production goals. They come out to get products with their family and their kids. We’ve grown up in this business and our customers have grown up with us, and we get to watch their families grow up, too,” Heidi said. 

John agrees. He also encourages anyone interested in getting involved to branch out and be patient. 

“You likely won’t survive on one entity alone, so you will need to diversify. That might be sales and grain farming or sales and livestock,” he said. “Don’t expect to grow real fast. Grow your customer base one really good customer at a time.”  

Just like John and Heidi Ridder of Falling Timber Farm had the foresight to grow their customer base and their sub-dealer system, they know to use their resources, diversify their opportunities and provide care that comes full circle to their customers. We’re proud that they have been with BioZyme for the long haul!  

Reminder! Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, there will be no product shipping or order pick up, Wednesday, November 23 – Friday, November 25.

Our offices are closed Thursday and Friday to allow employees time with their families. Business will resume as normal, Monday, November, 28. 

Congratulations to these dealers who completed Chapters 3 & 4 of the Master Dealer program in October! Master Dealer is just one action to help increase your product and business knowledge and help grow your business!

Master Dealer Chapter 3

• Ark Country Store
• Cobleskill Agway
• Foxfire Feed LLC
• The Feed Box

Master Dealer Chapter 4

• Ark Country Store
• AX Feeds
• Carousel Design
• Crusty’s Feed Store
• E-Barr Feed & Supply
• Elk County Veterinary Services
• Fayette Ag Services, Inc
• L & L Farm Supply, Inc
• Landreth Livestock Products
• Lime Ridge Ag Supply
• Lincoln Farmers Copperative
• Logan Boyle
• Maple Lane Farm Group LLC
• Maus Angus Ranch
• Muddy Creek Ag LLC
• Silvercrest Ag
• Slavik Farms
• Southern Oregon Feed & Mineral Solutions
• Stillwater Milling Agri Center
• The Feed Box
• We Feed It, LLC

By Shelia Grobosky, Marketing Brand Manager – Dealers & PR

Corn and soybean harvest begins to wind down, and the leaves crunch under foot on the way to the barn each morning. Those subtle reminders combined with the need for a hoodie or light jacket are evidence that Thanksgiving is just around the corner. There are many things to be grateful for this year, including the opportunity to work with those of you who market the BioZyme® products I am passionate about, and ultimately show care that comes full circle.

Of course, there is an election this month. I hope everyone took time to go to the polls and made their voices heard. We still live in a democracy, last I checked, and the process still should thrive.

I don’t have to remind the dealers how big of a logistical nightmare that transportation is; however, just in case you tried to forget, there is a looming railway strike that could yet happen in November. In late October, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) joined more than 100 other national and state trade organizations in sending a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to work with the railroad unions and railroads to avoid a strike. The letter made clear “the overwhelming concern that a rail shutdown would have a significant impact on the U.S. economy and lead to further inflationary pressure.”

With the holiday season basically upon us, many folks are focused on the economy – both from a spending and a profit standpoint. According to Rabobank analysts’ forecast, lower real wages will negatively impact protein consumption in the remainder of 2022 and the first half of the new year.

In one article on porkbusiness.com, Glynn Tonsor, professor of Ag Economics at Kansas State University who also tracks consumers buying habits through the Meat Demand Monitor, said the country is indeed in a recession. One indicator of that can be tracked by consumer spending, including protein.

“We’re seeing some trading down within the protein complex. Think about going from a bacon product to a ham product, or from a ribeye steak to a sirloin steak. There’s a lot of examples like that,” Tonsor said.

So, while the economy and transportation issues might feel like we are in a world of gloom, remember, there is still always something to be thankful for. Count your blessings each day and remember what is most important. Faith, family, friends, good business partners and the promise a bright future.  

Imagine eating lunch with a local celebrity – it’s kind of like Cheers, except nowhere near Boston. Enning, South Dakota. The local establishment is multipurpose. It is a restaurant/bar, convenience store and post office all in one building. It was a Tuesday in September, and local BioZyme® dealer Tee Hale of Hale Feeds was having lunch with his ASM Brett Tostenson and Marketing Brand Manager – Dealers Shelia Grobosky. Tee was more like a local celebrity, where nearly everyone stopped by to pat his back, shake his hand or just exchange a few good words.

Tee is a well-rounded local guy who has a lot going on. This particular day he took time from his schedule to talk to Brett and Shelia about what he likes about BioZyme, the products and how he works to market them.

As an on-farm dealer who is also a cow-calf producer and has a passion for horses, he understands the needs of his customers. And as a friend and neighbor, he wants those customers to succeed. That is one reason carrying the products with Amaferm® is so important to him. One of his friends built him a small shop on his ranch that Tee finished on the inside to carry small pack products like Vitalize® and Vita Charge® along with some horse supplies and gloves.

“We want to make a living doing what we love. That’s the best part about running cows and feeding the products. I can tell them what I’ve seen with my own eyes. You know what to expect,” he said.

In the heart of cattle country, Tee’s number one seller is VitaFerm® Concept•Aid®. However, the Vitalize products are also growing in popularity. He has formulated his own ration of horse feed that includes Vitalize Equine Free Choice mineral mixed with other ingredients like oats and beet pulp, which is popular with his customers.

Even though Tee is well known in his community, he values the marketing assistance that BioZyme provides the dealer network. He keeps current on the Master Dealer Program. His Facebook page is linked to Promoboxx, he engages with the Quarterly Dealer mailers, and he works with his ASM to provide timely promotions to his customers to promote products that will work for their operations.

With an easy-going spirit and a willingness to try new things, it is easy to see why Tee is successful in his BioZyme dealership. Thanks for showing your customers care that comes full circle, Tee!

VitaFerm^® and Amaferm^® will be featured on the next episode of The American Rancher on RFD-TV, 9 p.m. EDT, Monday, October 31.
It will feature Jason & Katie Jagels of Jagels Land & Cattle sharing how Amaferm works to their advantage in the Nebraska Sandhills.