Top Growth Products in 2023

It’s hard to know where you should go, without reviewing where you’ve been. We thought it would be fun to review some of our top selling products for 2023 year-to-date, compared to the same time last year.

These products are fast growing, and by keeping them stocked on your shelves and in your warehouse, you might just see a difference in your sales.

Backyard Boost® Defense – 8 oz

This was by far the top growth product, experiencing nearly a 151% growth, year over year. This liquid supplement for poultry designed to support digestion and a healthy immune response is also a high-margin product. It can be marketed during chick days and beyond as it provides nutrients needed in times of stress and promotes water intake and hydration. Several dealers actually use it to turn their water green during chick days and have signage that encourages customers to “Ask me about the Green Water.”

Gain Smart® Wheat – 50 lb bag

This somewhat seasonal and regional product charted a 92% growth in sales. A free-choice vitamin and mineral supplement for stocker cattle designed to maximize efficient gain on wheat or small grain pasture. Gain Smart Wheat provides nutritional support for a healthy immune system. It contains Amaferm, organic copper, iodine and zinc for maximum bioavailability and hoof health.

Vitalize® Blazin – 32 oz

This liquid product for horses is designed to support normal recovery from heat stress and exertion. This quick response product grew in sales 66%. It promotes cellular hydration and water retention. In addition to Amaferm, it includes antioxidants to reduce damaging free radicals caused by exertion and heat.

Sure Champ® Joint Juice – 64 oz bottle

Posting a 68% sales growth, is this multi-specie liquid product for livestock designed to support joint health utilizing patented technology. Joint Juice supports sustainable soundness and mobility while it lubricates joints. It contains MHB3®, a patented high molecular weight hyaluronic acid.

VitaFerm Conserve® CTC 3G – 50 lb bag

This VitaFerm product also charted a 67% growth. It’s a vitamin and mineral supplement for beef cattle with CTC designed to support herd health and performance while conserving cost. It features a complete, but economical vitamin and mineral package and contains CTC for control of anaplasmosis.

DuraFerm Goat Concept•Aid® – 50 lb bag

In the small ruminant line, this product grew by 39%. This free-choice vitamin and mineral supplement for goats is designed to support reproductive success. It supports embryo production and conception using organic trace minerals, while high levels of vitamin E assist in reproductive tract repair.

Vita Charge® Clench Gel – 30 mL

This rapid-response product grew in sales by 22%. Clench is a gel for all livestock designed to support normal digestive function during occasional diarrhea/scours. It contains MOS to help normalize gut microflora and support the immune system and electrolytes to support rehydration. It also has Amaferm, to enhance digestibility. Like all Vita Charge and Sure Champ products, it can be used on show livestock without testing and doesn’t interfere with antibiotics.

As you can see with a range in growth across product lines from 22% to 151%, the BioZyme family of brands truly does offer something for every customer. We recommend stocking some of these high-margin, more popular products to make sure that your sales continue to grow into 2024 and beyond.

Marketing materials or signage are now available in the SAMM Center (Signage, Apparel, Marketing Materials) in the Online Dealer Center. These branded materials, in one location, make your marketing even easier than ever.

Changes Coming in January

VITA CHARGE® TECHNOLOGY MOVES TO FLAGSHIP BRANDS

Starting in January, dealers and end-users will start to see some familiar products in the VitaFerm® and Sure Champ® brands. Although the products might have new names and labels, they are not necessarily new to the BioZyme family of brands. BioZyme is repositioning the Vita Charge products into either VitaFerm or Sure Champ to continue to provide undeniable impact to our customers.

The change comes after months of market and sales research, in an attempt to help increase efficiencies across all brands. All products will continue to be marketed “with the Vita Charge technology,” a fast-acting proprietary blend of ingredients that support animals during, before and after times of stress. All products will continue to have the same great formulas that customers have come to know and trust.

The production cattle products like Stress Tubs and 5L Cattle Drench will be marketed under the VitaFerm label.

All gels, Liquid Boost® and the 32 oz. Cattle Drench will be marketed under the Sure Champ label. Traditional Vita Charge Gel is being renamed Sure Champ Appetite Plus® with Vita Charge Technology, to better describe its function.

Both of the HydraBoost® products for swine become available only on special order, and no longer will be on the price list, once current inventory is depleted, much like HydraBoost AVX.

This will be a rolling change, as inventory of currently labeled products is depleted from inventory. Look for more information on the upcoming changes coming soon in the Online Dealer Center, Dealer Facebook Page and in your email.

How Dealers Can Work with ASMs to Plan their Growth

“The nature of life is to grow,” said Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. This famous quote suggests that growth is an inherent characteristic of life itself.

Long-time BioZyme® Area Sales Manager (ASM) Chris Kyle offers some advice when it comes to setting a growth goal for the approaching year. Kyle, who works with dealers in Arkansas, Louisiana and east Texas said he encourages his dealers to start thinking about the budgeting and planning process for the next year at the beginning of Quarter 4 the year prior.

“I usually start putting that reminder out there by the first of October. Then around the end of October or first of November, I like to sit down with my dealers to talk through how they see their sales going for the next year,” he said.

Be Strategic to Grow

Kyle offers advice to dealers as they think through and establish their sales goals for the next year.

First, they look at the current year’s sales. Now, it is time to set the bar a little higher and forecast growth. Kyle said individual dealers’ goals will vary and should align with their action plan and what level of BioZyme dealer they strive to become.

Sales growth can come in a variety of different forms. Revenue can be created by introducing new BioZyme products or brands, obtaining new customers within the same markets serviced in the past or selling more products to existing customers.

The BioZyme family of brands offers ample opportunities to introduce new products into a dealership. In addition, BioZyme’s new product development team works diligently to add new products to its lineup each year, ensuring you always have new opportunities for growth.

These products can be sold to new customers or even existing customers. With the recent Vita Charge® Cattle Drench campaign, several dealers increased sales by offering this product to existing VitaFerm® or Gain Smart® customers.

Finally, consider new business opportunities that you might have. Did you have a new producer move to your sales area? Will you have a producer meeting and invite prospective customers? Kyle’s experience shows that both these help his dealers increase sales, especially in the spring and fall.

Want to grow in 2024? Ask your ASM to schedule a time to help plan your action.

A Day in the Life of BioZyme Employee Shane Schaake

Shane Schaake is a Kansas native who has extensive knowledge of the cattle business. He grew up on his family’s Simmental operation north of Manhattan, Kansas, where they still raise about 100 purebred and percentage Simmental cows. Since he married his wife, Melissa, they have started building their own herd of very prestigious Hereford cows. Melissa and Shane are back-to-back American Royal Hereford Premier Breeder Award winners. 

Shane and his brother showed heifers across the country while growing up. Today, the Schaake family hosts an annual heifer sale with a focus on selling junior show heifer prospects. They also conduct a spring bull sale.  

Schaake attended Kansas State University, where he earned his bachelor’s in Animal Science in December 2015. After college, he managed a 700-head commercial cow-calf ranch on the edge of the Sandhills in Eastern Colorado. Prior to joining the BioZyme team in January 2020, he worked for Genex. Although he said cattle are his first passion, he also enjoys hunting, fishing and spending time with family. 

Shane Schaake Is Our Kansas Area Sales Manager 

Let’s learn more about a day in the life of the Kansas Area Sales Manager. 

Title: Kansas ASM 

Number of Years at BioZyme: almost 4 

Describe a “typical” day in your job:  

A typical day for Kansas is traveling around and working with our dealers throughout the state, providing marketing materials, delivering product knowledge, setting up producer meetings and doing customer visits with those dealers.  

In the spring is our big producer meeting time for most dealers so when that rolls around making sure we have our presentation prepared for what we are going to talk about that year as well as making sure we have all of our marketing material we need for it. We also stay in close contact with our distributor reps to help them help our dealers as well.  

What is the most interesting thing you ever have done at BioZyme:   

Attending NCBA twice now and talking with producers from all over the U.S. It’s very interesting to me how everyone has the same goal in an industry but can do it completely differently from coast to coast.  

Share a funny story about one of your days at work:    

Not sure if I really have any funny stories, but some of the most memorable times I have had at BioZyme is meeting, working with and learning about our dealers. My dealers in Kansas seem to be more like family than friends anymore! 

What has been one of the biggest challenges:   

Working with producers that are “old school” and are hesitant about changing their ways.  

Why is care that comes full circle important to what you do?   

This is extremely important to me and something I think about every morning when I start my day. This is honestly what drives me day in and day out. I think of this a lot of different directions to look at this from working with the producer to them helping get their stock to perform for them then returning it back the ground. Another example of this is everything we do for outreach with Jr Nationals and developing the youth to prepare them to take over the ag industry in the future.  

What is something you enjoy doing outside of the office?  

I really enjoy spending time with my wife on our ranch and taking care of our Hereford and Simmental cows, from calving to weaning, then into the show barn with them, it takes a group effort. I also really like artificially inseminating (AI-ing) cattle for different producers that are on Concept•Aid®. In fact, I really won’t breed for anyone who isn’t using Concept•Aid on their cattle anymore! 

Thanks for being part of the BioZyme family, and showing care that comes full circle in everything you do, Shane!

Product Quizzes & Calculators

Part of the care that comes full circle is taking the guess work out what our customers’ animals need to thrive and help them achieve the most profit. That is why nearly every brand we offer has online tools in the form of product quizzes and various calculators so customers can easily select the product that is best for their situation.

Product Navigator Quizzes

Many of BioZyme’s brand websites feature product quizzes, including:

  • VitaFerm® Concept•Aid®
  • Sure Champ®
  • Gain Smart®
  • Vitalize® Equine

Product quizzes allow you to help your customers determine the proper product(s) for their animals given the time of year, production phase they are currently in or the best way they need to help their animal.

Gestation Calculators

Most producers know gestation length for the species they raise. However, it isn’t always simple to figure 283 days in your head, or figure when you should breed if you want mid-March calves. BioZyme offers online gestation calculators for cattle, sheep and goats on the VitaFerm and DuraFerm websites. Online gestation calculators are available to enter your breeding date to populate a birthing date. Printable tables for each species are also online and are based on the following:

  • Cattle – 283 days
  • Sheep – 145 days
  • Goats – 150 days

Value Calculators

Because we know that saving money is important to our customers, we have also created several online value calculators. For VitaFerm and Gain Smart, you can access these calculators under the Resources Tab on their respective websites.

Gain Calculator allows producers to enter their own information to determine the additional gain advantage when feeding VitaFerm or Gain Smart products.

Forage Savings Calculator calculates the hay savings per pair from incorporating VitaFerm or Gain Smart into the diet.

Amaferm Value Calculator helps determine the advantages of per head per day of feeding AO-Biotics® Amaferm®.

These are also in a downloadable PDF version that you can easily have accessible anytime you are talking to a customer.

We strive to help you make the sale, while helping your customers understand that a premium vitamin and mineral program is an investment, not a cost.

A Day in the Life of BioZyme® Employee Chris Kyle  

Chris Kyle has a background in the dairy and rodeo industries. He joined joined BioZyme® in 2016 as an Area Sales Manager. 
 
Chris earned a bachelor’s degree in Ag Business from the University of Arkansas at Monticello, where he attended on a rodeo scholarship. 
 
He and his wife, Lacee and two children, Coree and Kit, live in Greenbriar, Arkansas. They are active in the rodeo community and love to hunt and fish. He currently raises Corriente cattle and has horses that he competes with in team roping events at amateur rodeos. 

If you have spent any amount of time with Chris, you know he has a sweet tooth and a heart of gold – both the size of Texas. He is a great story teller and might even make you a great deal on a car while telling you a tale or two.  

Learn more about Chris and a day in his life at BioZyme. 

Title: Area Sales Manager, Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas

Number of Years at BioZyme:

Describe a “typical” day in your job: Wake up, drive, talk on phone, stop and see customer, drive, talk on phone, see customer, repeat. 

What is the most interesting thing you ever done at BioZyme:  Every day is interesting. It’s always an adventure.  

Share a funny story about one of your days at work:  I was asked to show my ID at a store because of my name (American Sniper). I had to take my belt off and show them my name was on it before they believed me.  

What has been one of the biggest challenges:  Covid wasn’t really cool for traveling sales reps. 

Why is care that comes full circle important to what you do?  The people who purchase our products live the same lifestyle that my family does. We see each other outside of the sales calls and ranch visits. It’s very rewarding to see a customer or their children have success at an event (livestock show/rodeo/etc.) and have them attribute a part of their success to our products. 

What is something you enjoy doing outside of the office? Being a dad. I have two kids that keep me busy. 

Thank you, Chris, for being a valuable part of the BioZyme family. We appreciate your family sharing you with us, and for you being a shining example of care that comes full circle. 

BIOZYME® INC., OFFERS A VARIETY OF CAREER OPPORTUNITIES & FEED INDUSTRY JOBS

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.

BioZyme hires a diverse set of people with a variety of skills and interests. The common thread that ties our employees together is their caring attitude. They care about others, and they care about the wellbeing of animals.

At BioZyme we have people from all walks of life. Those who enjoy problem-solving through science and technology, those who enjoy working with their hands and those who enjoy talking on the phone and helping customers with their challenges.

Available Feed Industry Jobs

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

✔ Fermentation
✔ Maintenance
✔ Marketing
✔ Sales
✔ Quality

“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.

For example, BioZyme employees can earn company shares through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). He has also witnessed the opportunities that employees have gained in their skills with the growth over nearly three decades.

Some of the other great benefits that BioZyme offers includes:

✔ Competitive Salaries
✔ Comprehensive Insurance Plans
✔ Flexible, Remote Work Opportunities
✔ Ongoing Educational Opportunities

“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.

How To Put Weight on Calves: Research Proves Amaferm® Advantage

Are you wondering how to put weight on calves? Well, did you know the combination of Vita Charge® Cattle Drench and Vita Charge® Stress Tubs help support digestive health and intake? If your calves take to eating and drinking without hesitation, one thing is certain: they are likely to gain faster, too.

So, what is Vita Charge?

Vita Charge is a line of fast acting, multi-specie livestock products for support before, during and after stressful times. Both weaning and changing environments are stressful for young calves. Therefore, BioZyme® Inc., makers of Vita Charge, recommend Vita Charge products at weaning, when receiving calves or anytime stress occurs.

Vita Charge comes in various forms, including liquid, gels and tubs for multiple applications. And most products, with the exception of the Cattle Drench and Stress Tubs, can be used across all livestock species. The one commonality across Vita Charge – all products contain the research-proven prebiotic AO-Biotics® Amaferm® designed to enhance digestibility.

Research Proves Vita Charge Works

When BioZyme says it’s products work, we mean it. We take the time to research, test and verify the products we promote to consumers.

In a 2016 University of Tennessee – Martin research trial, 48 calves were purchased at a sale barn. After hauling them for about 2 hours, they were fed hay and water overnight before processing. All calves were stressed from hauling, being in a new environment and heat.

The calves were divided into two groups. A control group and the trial group that was given 1 ounce of Vita Charge Cattle Drench during processing.

In addition to Amaferm, Vita Charge Cattle Drench contains MOS (mannan oligosaccharide) to help normalize the gut microflora and supports the immune system. Drench also includes enzymes to generate a more rapid digestive response.

The trial group of calves were also turned out to pens that included Vita Charge Stress Tubs for three weeks. Stress Tubs are designed to support digestive health and intake. They also contain Amaferm and MOS. Additionally, they contain a probiotic to help restore the gut microbiome.

Cattle provided with Vita Charge Cattle Drench upon arrival recovered more quickly. This is shown with a significant increase in average daily gain (ADG) during week one. The control group actually lost weight during the first week.

The cattle that received Amaferm gained 1.54 pounds/head/day. Conversely, the control group lost .52 pounds/head/day during that first week.

How to Put Weight on Calves? Start Them Off Right

Although most calves will start gaining once they transition, this Tennessee study demonstrated that Amaferm offers an advantage in gain. Yes, the control group did start gaining after week 1. However, even after the Stress Tubs were removed after 21 days (week 3), the calves that had Amaferm in their diet kept outperforming.

Calves in the control group, in weeks 4-7 posted an ADG of 1.45 pounds. In the Amaferm group, the calves had an ADG of 2.33 pounds, more than a 3/4-pound advantage per head. When you are selling pounds, raising cattle to gain efficiently, Amaferm seems like an investment worth making.

What our Customers Have to Say

To put weight on calves means healthy, efficient gain. Matthew Cox runs an Angus cow herd in Nebraska. He also buys calves to background from a sale barn, so he has a combination of cattle to turn out to grass.

He is a big fan of the Vita Charge products, not only for the performance, but also for the increased health.

“I swear by the Vita Charge® Cattle Drench. In our yearling operation, we have noticeably less sickness and better appetites, both on calves we get in from the sale barn and on home-raised calves. We couple the Cattle Drench with Stress Tubs and within two weeks our calves are off to the races. Consumption gets to 2% per 100lbs of body weight within 5 days instead of 10,” he explained.

He went on to say, “the quicker I can stimulate appetite and get that young calf to get enough energy intake with the stressful weaning event the better off I am. Our troubles aren’t as prevalent, and we don’t have to treat calves. That’s a savings of $25-$40 per head with the current price of antibiotics. I am a firm believer in the Amaferm in these Vita Charge products.”

Bubba Rutherford from Texas is another cow-calf producer who believes in the benefits of the Drench.

“I give the Vita Charge Drench to every animal – calf, yearling or cow – that comes onto my place as soon as they unload and go through the chute. Even the cows that are heading to the packing house get the Drench. It seems like it just gives them an extra boost, and the cattle go to feed a lot faster. When we doctor yearlings in the pasture, they get a dose of Vita Charge Drench too, and they go right back to feed,” Rutherford said.

Are you Looking for Vita Charge?

Well, we can help you find it. Vita Charge and all BioZyme products are sold through our dealer network and online. Locate your nearest dealer with our dealer locator.

Not seeing a dealer near you? You can refer a dealer on our website, today.

Want more information about our products? Sign up for our regular newsletter.

BioZyme’s Favorite Retail Merchandising Tips: Tools & Resources to Help Dealers Drive Sales 

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.


BioZyme® Takes its Diversified Family of Brands to SuperZoo and Dakotafest 

What do Mitchell, South Dakota, and Las Vegas during the third week of August have in common? Probably not much unless you are wildly excited about the BioZyme® family of brands. 

Our team divided and promoted the diversity of brands at two unique events, SuperZoo and Dakotafest

The Similarities 

Both SuperZoo and Dakotafest allowed BioZyme experts to share the advantages of AO-Biotics® Amaferm®. They both had captive audiences of people interested in making animals’ lives better. This was BioZyme’s second year at each of the three-day events. 

SuperZoo 

SuperZoo is North America’s largest pet retail event. 

According to Lori Lawrence, Senior Manager of Commercial Marketing, it allows BioZyme to showcase diverse products that set us apart in the marketplace.  Additionally, we can connect directly with animal health and pet suppliers

“When we see all the different goods out there and all the suppliers, we realize just how large the pet industry is. It sure made us walk away with some ideas on how to be more innovative with new products and collaborations,” Lawrence said. 

BioZyme had a 10×20 booth in the Farm & Feed Area. We were able to showcase several product lines including Vitalize®, Backyard Boost®, Vita Charge® and Sure Champ®.  

“At SuperZoo, the pet business is huge. You realize how many people humanize their animals. You see a little bit of everything there,” Lawrence said. 

The Vitalize products have received NASC (National Animal Supplement Council) accreditation. Therefore, we were able to cross promote in the NASC booth. Lawrence said NASC allowed BioZyme to display Vitalize products with the NASC seal in their booth, adding to brand presence. 

Dakotafest 

This annual event is designed for farmers, ranchers and those who embrace a rural lifestyle.  

For the second year, the BioZyme Livestock Tent has been the hub of livestock industry information at Dakotafest. In addition to our own display, dealer Greg Steele, Greg’s Feed Service, also had a booth in the tent. Another BioZyme dealer, Cowell Ag, also was at the Dakotafest. 

While BioZyme sponsored the livestock tent, there were other vendors there. This was to our company’s advantage. Each day during chute demonstrations by the equipment company, we were able to demonstrate the ease of using Vita Charge® Cattle Drench and share its benefits. 

“We had a captive audience twice a day. We able to demonstrate cattle drench on live cattle while we hung it on our shoulders,” said Bob Burkham, Senior Manager of National Sales. 

That audience allowed our experts to share the benefits of Amaferm. Talks provided by Chris Cassady, Ph.D., ASMs Kevin Glaubius and Justin Doubet, touted the economic and nutritional advantages of VitaFerm. Wyatt Marshall, Industry and Events Coordinator, also spoke about Vitalize products. 

“Dr. Cassady talked about the value of Amaferm. He even had a white board so he could show the audience the math,” Burkham said. 

Doubet agrees that the set-up at Dakotafest is unique. 

“It gives us an opportunity to partner with another company demonstrating their equipment, while we can still showcase our products,” he said. 

Meeting our Goals 

Sales diversification is one of BioZyme’s core goals. From attending a pet-focused event in Las Vegas to demonstrating our products chute-side for ranchers in South Dakota, our team is dedicated to providing care that comes full circle to a variety of animals. With the BioZyme family of brands there is a product for every animal lover out there. 

BioZyme® Inc., Offers a Variety of Career Opportunities & Feed Industry Jobs

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.

A Day in the Life of a BioZyme® Employee Morgan Weinrich

Title: Missouri Area Sales Manager (ASM)

Morgan Weinrich

Number of Years at BioZyme: 1 year & 9 months

Describe a “typical” day in your job: As an Area Sales Manager, no day is ever the same. It can vary from an office day working from home, traveling to see dealers & their customers, or working at a trade show. Most of my weeks are filled with dealer face-to-face visits.

As an ASM, I am the dealer’s go-to for BioZyme products. Each day can change from listening to dealers’ challenges, helping them decide what products to suggest for one of their customers or educating them on new products.

What is the most interesting thing you have ever done at BioZyme: My second interview for my position with BioZyme was held at the Centennial Airport. Alan Lee had asked me to meet him there for an in-person interview. Unbeknownst to me, I’d also be walking in to meet the then CEO of the company, Bob Norton.

Share a funny story about one of your days at work: I have a few memories from my time in CO, WY & UT instead of a funny story.

One of my first visits with Keith Micke was to Scott Ranches in Douglas, Wyoming. The winds were easily blowing 50-60 MPH that day. Keith made sure that it was my job to open and close all the gates that day.

In Fall 2022, I was determined to make a trip to see Johnson Grain in Afton, WY. Mind you, this trip takes 8 hours to get to. I beat it down the road late one night to make it halfway and drive the other half the next day. Pure luck that I woke up to a few inches of snow on the ground, and the pass to Afton CLOSED. My only decision was to bust it back to Laramie before I got stuck on I-80 in a snowstorm.

I always have great memories of sales meetings with our BioZyme family, Superior Sales, the Wyoming & Colorado State fairs, and getting to know all of my dealers on a personal level.

What has been one of the biggest challenges: Hands down, the biggest challenge I have is traveling efficiently. As an ASM, we are pulled in many different directions to be in many different places at once.

For the last year and a half, I covered Colorado, Wyoming & Utah for BioZyme. Dealerships in Wyoming are spread across the state, and it takes a 1,400-mile trip to see all of them. This is a challenge that I will continue to work through as the Missouri ASM as well.

Why is care that comes full circle important to what you do?  When I stepped into the role of Colorado, Wyoming & Utah Area Sales Manager, I never imagined the kind of personal relationships an ASM develops with their dealers.

In March of this year, I was offered the position as the Missouri Area Sales Manager. One of the toughest phone calls I had to make was to Keith Micke, a dealer in Wyoming. In typical Keith fashion, he replied, “well, I love you like a daughter, so I wouldn’t want anything else for you.” To me, that’s care that comes full circle.

What is something you enjoy doing outside of the office? Golfing, attending livestock shows and spending time with my family & friends.

Bear Creek Country Stores Maximizes Marketing Potential

“If a customer can’t see it, they won’t buy it.”

This simple sentiment by Bear Creek Country Store Manager Drew Tolbert summarizes why he puts so much strategy in their stores’ retail merchandise displays. With two locations, in Leonard and Bells, Texas, Tolbert said the retail displays their stores create are vital to product awareness and education.

The Bear Creek Strategy

With so much experience serving his community and marketing to their needs, we couldn’t help but ask Drew for some tips and tricks. Here’s what he had to say.

It’s All About Timing

At Bear Creek, end caps are rotated about every two weeks; however, they feature one brand for the entire month. Their featured brand has a prime display location, and that display is left for the month before it is returned to its regular shelf or warehouse location.

Tolbert said, after a month of being featured, customers will know to look for it or feel comfortable asking for that particular product line.

Displays are made based on timing and scenarios that are happening. For instance, during chick days, poultry products are featured. During the recent local “picnic weekend” pet food and poultry products were featured and on sale.

Signage Is Key

Tolbert said posting big “featured price” signs on products draw customers in. Even if the prices are regular retail prices, customers will still feel good about purchasing a featured product, regardless of price.

Prioritize Detail

“When we put the products in front of the customers, they are likely to ask more questions. Some will just be satisfied with the price. Others will want more information,” Tolbert said.

That is where information like sell sheets and product guides can come in useful for a display. Typically, he likes to post just the price, and have the customer interact with him or his staff so they can ask questions and perhaps cross sell or upsell.

Use ODC as a Resource

Tolbert said he learned during the recent Dealer Retreat the value of the Online Dealer Center (ODC) for materials to liven up his in-store displays. He can access brand logos, sell sheets, product brochures and more to print from the ODC, and he adds these to his displays.

Partnerships Matter

Bear Creek Country Store is an ag retailer. It is also a family-owned and operated store in two rural communities. That is why it has partnered with the local chambers of commerce.

“We try to have informative and friendly events to try to promote products, interact with customers and build our brand,” Tolbert adds.

Tolbert says a partnership like this helps get feet in the door, and helps the local customers realize that they are more than just a feed store. They run promotions through the chamber, and when the chamber of commerce has a big event like Picnic Days that draws a crowd, they see the benefit, too.

Another partnership Tolbert encourages is with the Area Sales Manager. He said his ASM Chris Kyle is another great resource who he can bounce ideas with. Chris sees a lot of different stores. In addition to sharing product knowledge, he also can share marketing ideas with Tolbert.

For More Information About Profitable Partnerships, Turn to BioZyme

From retail displays to online marketing and texting, Bear Creek Country Store is mastering its marketing efforts. Thanks for sharing your marketing advice with us, Drew. We count ourselves lucky to benefit from a partner so committed to care that comes full circle!

If you’re looking to partner with BioZyme for marketing support or resources, learn more about marketing tools we have available.

Improving Egg Production with a Novel Postbiotic

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.

BioZyme® Inc., Offers a Variety of Career Opportunities & Feed Industry Jobs

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.

Dealer Emphasizes Sustainability, Sells Stacks of Empty Orange Tubs

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.

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BioZyme® Dealers Grow Animal Health and Supplement Businesses to Earn Achievements

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/

Central Farm Supply of Kentucky
K Triangle Feed
Basore Cattle Company
Associated Feed
Heritage Cooperative
Cluxton Family
Missy Hess
Cottor Farms

A Day in the Life of a BioZyme® Employee Mike Wadle

Title: Additive Territory Manager

Number of Years at BioZyme: 14+

Describe a “typical” day in your job: The beauty of the job is that there is no typical day; one day I am flying all day to get to appointments on either coast, the next day driving to meet with prospects/customers, and then the following day being stuck in a hotel room because of the weather working on the computer. 

What is the most interesting thing you have ever done at BioZyme: When starting to work at BioZyme, having to travel without all the technology of today and trying to find ranchers, farmers, customers and business prospects using a plat map and road atlas.

Share a funny story about one of your days at work: Traveling 2 hours to the airport for a 10 am flight and then going through security and realizing it was a 10 pm flight. It pays to double and triple check schedules!!!

What has been one of the biggest challenges: Working the territory because they are usually big and then not getting down when the word “NO” is heard more than “YES” when asking for the order.  There are so many opportunities in a territory and never giving up.

Why is care that comes full circle important to what you do? Understanding what the prospect/customer/distributor wants and needs and helping them fulfil that request. I have always said we help them; they will help us and as we need more boots on the ground it has worked out

What is something you enjoy doing outside of the office? It has been watching kids compete as that phase of life is moving onto being a Grandpa and working around the family farm with the cattle.

Dealer Spotlight: Cottor Farms Excels in Diversification

“We wish we would have gotten started with BioZyme® products sooner,” said Leo Sanftner, of Cottor Farms, Osceola, Wisconsin.

That’s a pretty strong sentiment from an 11-year veteran dealer who sells everything from VitaFerm® Concept•Aid® for breeding success to Vita Charge® Liquid Boost® to show rabbit customers, and even mixes AO-Biotics® Amaferm® into their own custom layer feed.

Sanftner, long-time employee of Cottor Farms, said he was first introduced to the BioZyme family of brands by former ASM Dorothy Orts at a bull sale when she recommended the Vita Charge tubes to jump start newborn calves. As they say, the rest is history.

According to Sanftner, once they saw how well the calves responded to the Amaferm in the Vita Charge, they started expanding their product offering to other BioZyme brands. Today, he said they have a majority of their customers on the fly control mineral for the summer. Cottor Farms mixes their own feed and serves both Wisconsin and Minnesota, being so close to the state line. They will average three tons of layer feed per week that includes Amaferm.

“We have very few dairy cows up here. Most of our customers have beef cattle, hogs and chickens. We cater to the smaller customers. We are smaller; they trust us,” Sanftner said.

Their mission is to go above and beyond when it comes to customer care. Sanftner said he will deliver feed up to 100 miles away for customers who need it, primarily larger customers and those who have show animals. They have also created signs for their show livestock and show rabbit families with the same statement: “Go above and beyond with Cottor Farms.”

Cottor Farms also supplies Maple Hill Feed & Farm Supply in Maple, Wisconsin, with their BioZyme products, including Backyard Boost® products and layer feed they needed for a recent Chick Days event. He said they will also conduct horse and beef clinics at the store; however, most of the promotion and education comes from him visiting personally with customers or through their social media. A new website is in development to be launched early this summer.

From chickens, rabbits and hogs to cattle and horses, there are no customers too big or small for Cottor Farms when it comes to showing care that comes full circle. Thank you for being leaders in species and brand diversification and hitting the target on one of BioZyme’s core goals!

2023 A Day in the Life of a BioZyme® Employee Samantha Albers

Title: Marketing Brand Manager – DuraFerm® & Backyard Boost®

Number of Years at BioZyme: 1

Describe a “typical” day in your job: A typical day in my job is starting my day by checking my daily to-do’s and emails, then starting in on tasks that are more time-sensitive to marketing projects. I also go through each of the social media accounts for DuraFerm and Backyard Boost, replying to comments, direct messages and then scheduling content either for that day or for later. Along with reviewing social media content, I also look at Facebook and Google campaign ads that are performing well and look at the metrics of those. My typical day is heavily in Asana for managing projects and tasks and looking at timelines of planning upcoming events for both DuraFerm and Backyard Boost.

What is the most interesting thing you ever have done at BioZyme: Organizing and putting together a campaign for the first Chick Days since I started at BioZyme. This was really fun to put together and create the various marketing materials surrounding Chick Days, and then seeing the sales team push these pieces out to our dealer network was really amazing to see all come together.

What has been one of the biggest challenges: One of the biggest challenges has been keeping up with marketing trends, specifically with retail merchandising, and challenging myself to think of the out-of-the-box ideas to implement for Backyard Boost and DuraFerm products through the BioZyme distribution and dealer network.

Why is care that comes full circle important to what you do? I love talking with people about how BioZyme products have helped them succeed in their livestock operations. I showed livestock through 4-H and FFA and we fed Sure Champ® products to our show animals, and now with marketing the BioZyme Family of Brands to livestock producers and being on the other side of that relationship with producers is really amazing to experience the care that comes full circle.

What is something you enjoy doing outside of the office? I love photography, visiting family and friends, going to a good coffee shop or winery and traveling.

2023 A Day in the Life of BioZyme® Employee Jill Vanover

Title: Director of Quality

Number of Years at BioZyme: 5 (10 including time at Cogent)

Describe a “typical” day in your job: My typical day starts at 5:30 a.m., where I open my e-mail and address any urgent issues, review my meeting schedule for the day and roll my kiddos out of bed and off to school. I get to the Lexington office after a hearty dose of caffeine and kick off my day. Each day is a combination of meetings – mostly virtual, managing any urgent issues including product concerns, quality-related supply chain issues, addressing any ingredient and finished product testing challenges and taking daily steps toward continuous improvements from a quality perspective. 

What is the most interesting thing you ever done at BioZyme: One of the most interesting things I get to be a part of in my role is helping to take a product concept on its journey through each stage of the development process to create a finished product that positively impacts the health of animals and people.  

Share a funny story about one of your days at work:  We were trouble shooting a labeler malfunction with a vendor technician over the phone. I explained that the labeler was making a terrible noise when the lock rollers were engaged and the tech asked me if I could describe the noise. Without thinking, instead of using my words to describe it, I made a very pronounced honking noise like a goose. Everyone involved – including myself – got a good chuckle out of that one.

What has been one of the biggest challenges:  One of the biggest challenges in my new role has been working remotely and connecting with my team in the same way that I’m used to doing in person. Working together, communicating well and building trust is vital to an effective team dynamic.

Why is care that comes full circle important to what you do?  By “living” quality and adhering to a mindset of continuous improvement, we offer products that are safe and accurate. Consistently doing so creates a foundation for upholding care that comes full circle. We help BioZyme take the first step to care and anticipate the return of the boomerang.

What is something you enjoy doing outside of the office? Outside of work, I love to “experience” life with my 3 (not so) little ones – Griffin (13), Jaycie (12), and Emma (8). On any given weekend you may find us enjoying live music, swimming, exploring, fishing or golfing.

Dealer Spotlight: Kentucky Distributor is Family Focused

If there’s one word to describe Central Farm Supply of Kentucky, it’s family. This family owned-and-operated BioZyme® distributor is based in Louisville, Kentucky. However, as a wholesale distributor to more than 700 stores from Kentucky to Virginia and points in between, its family has grown immensely since it was first established.

“We’re family owned, but every one of our dealers is part of our family. Our company was built on service, and that is still our strong suit,” said Larry Manning, Sales Manager, whose brother, Tommy, started the company in 1985.

Central Farm maintains a fleet of 10 tractors and 25 trailers. The fleet of trucks along with their 10 drivers allows them to be in control of the service they provide to their dealers, which has always been one of their strengths, but has become even more evident in the last few years in the midst of all the supply chain and distribution issues everyone experienced due to COVID.

Although Central Farm Supply of Kentucky has a long history in the agricultural industry, it is in its fifth year as a BioZyme dealer. Manning said incorporating the VitaFerm® line, and subsequently other BioZyme products, provided their customers with a premium product to offer their customers. He said with so many dealers that they distribute to, the need exists to have a product for every level of producer.

“We have to be able to offer products that fit every cattleman in our market. The VitaFerm products are premium cattle supplements that fit a lot of our cattle producer customers,” Manning said.

He suggests that every dealer discovers their market and knows who their customer is and what every customer wants in order to find success. Some will be happy with a salt block, some want the cheapest mineral they can buy, but those who truly keep records on their cattle operation will immediately see the results of using the BioZyme products.

Central Farm views their relationship with their dealers as a partnership. In order for Central Farm Supply to continue to be successful that partnership also includes their vendors. Since the early days, Central Farm has fostered the relationship between the dealers and vendors, by offering a buying show each October, so their dealers can come to Louisville to meet with their top vendors, exchange ideas and participate in “trade show specials” offered that day. Manning said it is truly a family event where dealers bring the entire family, including kids and grandkids for food, fun, entertainment and great deals during this one-day event.

The business actively uses BioZyme’s and other companies marketing tools, like Promoboxx and participates in quarterly dealer mailers. They also have four sales reps.

“I’d give BioZyme an A-plus in the marketing of their products when it comes to creating brand awareness and tying those brands to the dealers and distributors. Marketing is their real strength,” Manning said.

Family is important to Central Farm Supply of Kentucky, and it is important to BioZyme, too. We are certainly proud to have you in the BioZyme family, continuing that care that comes full circle!

A Day in the Life of BioZyme® Employee Jamie Miller

Title: Director of Operations

Number of Years at BioZyme: officially 4, contractor for 17

Describe a “typical” day in your job: A typical day at BioZyme for me is probably more of an atypical day for others. Most days consist of checking orders, evaluating any needed production changes for products that are set go negative and planning fermentation runs based on current information.  Mondays and Tuesdays are almost always filled with meetings with operations teams, development staff and tolling fermentation customers.

Wednesdays and Thursdays are used to address any changes to the monthly schedules and get caught up on emails and communications.

I typically like to spend at least two full days per week at each location (Stockyards and Easton); however, meeting requests, daily challenges and priorities sometimes require travel between the two.

What is the most interesting thing you ever have done at BioZyme: Supply Chain Center and Production automation. This part of the Back Office application has really allowed us to utilize all of the data we have from multiple systems to properly plan and manufacture safe, accurate product.

What has been one of the biggest challenges: With the scaling up of toll fermentation at our Easton facility and not having any formal training in the processes that are required, the last year at Easton has been personally challenging. The learning that has been required to understand the in and outs of the equipment, processes and needs for each customer has taken a lot of effort and time. With that, we have been able to make improvements, become more consistent, and our planning is getting better each month.

Why is care that comes full circle important to what you do? When you run into someone outside of work that is wearing BioZyme-branded attire or a jacket of one of our partners and you can strike up a conversation about how they use our products in their operation, it makes you realize why we do things we do at BioZyme.

What is something you enjoy doing outside of the office? Socializing with friends, throwing darts and aspiring to become a member of the “Premiere” “Karaoke” “Air Band” called PRIME with my buddies.

Two Minutes in April

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.”

Dealer Spotlight: Oklahoma Dealer Shares Passion for Products

Some might call it fate. Others might say it was destiny. However, it came to fruition, Wood Cattle Company, Vinita, Oklahoma, is sure of one thing – the timing was right, and they are glad to be BioZyme® dealers.

Patti and Chad Wood are long-time users of the VitaFerm® Concept•Aid® products. They had used them for years on their registered Red Angus herd in Wisconsin. When they relocated to Oklahoma, where the feedstuffs and forages were totally different, they were instructed that they would need to switch up their mineral program.

“We didn’t use it for a while, and the Genex rep who breeds our cows for us, told us to go back to the VitaFerm to see if we noticed changes. It was a night and day difference with the Concept•Aid. Not only in our conception rates, but in our feet, in our hide and hair. Down here in the heat and with the fescue, the HEAT mineral makes a world of difference, too,” Patti said.

No one nearby consistently kept the mineral on hand. Patti’s father-in-law was also bringing them commodities to mix their own feed. That is when they discovered an Umbarger dealer close to him. However, once they tried and decided they liked the Umbarger feeds, that dealer decided to quit his business, too. So, the Woods family took matters into their own hands.

They contacted Umbarger and became a dealer and opened a feedstore on their farm. They have been BioZyme dealers since 2018, and according to Patti, were thankful for the timing with the pandemic hitting just two years later.

“We never intended to have a feedstore. We moved from just outside Madison, Wisconsin, where there are lots of people and activities to Big Cabin, Oklahoma, which is very remote. Some of our best friends are the people we have met through our feedstore. We were busy through the pandemic, and this just fell into our lap,” Patti said.

She added that the products sell themselves, and she would never sell anything she doesn’t use or hasn’t tried herself, one of the reasons she feels like her sales have grown. She was hesitant about the Backyard Boost® line until she tried it at first. Now, she carries it and highly recommends it.

“Backyard Boost Defense is simply amazing! I picked up chicks from the post office. They were lethargic, droopy eyes, and I thought I would definitely lose some. I dipped all their beaks in water, and they fought me. I then took the water and added Backyard Boost, I walked out and left them. I came back 15 minutes later, and all the chicks were drinking and had drunk half of the water I put in with the Backyard Boost in it. All my chicks are alive, healthy and happy,” she said on one of her social media posts.

Patti relies on social media and word of mouth as her primary marketing tools. She also offers service and advice whenever needed. If someone comes in asking for Concept•Aid, for example, she will ask specific questions to learn their challenges to discover exactly which mineral they need. She also offers delivery, lives right at the farm so if someone needs “emergency mineral” can get it for them on a weekend, and her customers can see the Vita Charge® Stress Tubs in her kids’ show calves pens so they might ask questions, leading to more education and sales.

Her ”old school mentality” of service helps her gain customers and sales. Since her family does show, she will look for customers at the shows and offer them advice and help, as she wants to see everyone succeed.

“We’ve used the products. We know they work, and we believe in them, both from a seedstock operation and show program perspective. We have a passion for them, and for dealers to be successful, they need to be able to share that passion, too,” Patti encouraged.

Thank you for your passion, Patti. You are an example of care that comes full circle!

A Day in the Life of BioZyme® Employee Kevin Glaubius

Title: ASM – Nebraska

Years at BioZyme: 27

Describe a “typical” day in your job: Begin by checking daily plan and then on the road meeting with prospective clients and existing dealers. Road time goes by fast with incoming and outgoing phone calls. This winter Northwest Nebraska had 4 feet of snowpack, so driving conditions not always the best. Typically see six dealers face to face daily on my route. 

What is the most interesting thing you ever done at BioZyme: Research projects using Amaferm® are always interesting with something new to learn. I have been involved in a few over the years and always learn something new.  

Share a funny story about one of your days at work: First phone call I ever got from Butch Ehlert in 1995, he asked me where I was? I told him in the office (he didn’t know that was the name of my boat). Then I told him, and he said at least you’re honest; I knew you were on an annual fishing trip in South Dakota as I just talked to Merrill Neary.    

What has been one of the biggest challenges: In 2022 it definitely was the drought. Really had to focus on the value of Amaferm as a feed savings tool to maintain and grow sales with record high feed prices as producers struggled.

In 2021 it was simply driving and covering a whole state where most of the cows are 500+ miles away from where I live

Why is care that comes full circle important to what you do? Because without care that comes full circle people you touch wouldn’t continue to support our product lines.  You reap what you sow, so plant plenty of seeds and then nurture those accounts to be fruitful. 

What is something you enjoy doing outside of the office? My 4 grandkids and catfishing when I can find time! Typically fish one tournament per year and biggest fish is still a 85 lb. Blue Catfish caught on the Kansas River near KC. 

Two Minutes in March

By Shelia Grobosky, Content & PR Manager

The 50th 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.

#MeettheTeamMonday: A Day in the Life of Cody Jensen

Title: Senior Manager of Blending

Number of Years at BioZyme: 7

Describe a “typical” day in your job:  A typical day can venture in various directions for me. Usually, I start the day with making sure everyone’s area started up correctly, and they have the materials they need to complete the day. I then get on my computer and use the tools we have in BackOffice to assess orders, product shortages for orders and to make sure everything on the day is achievable for my team. During the day I monitor the different areas to make sure that the quality and efficiency we are striving for is met. At the end of every day, I check to make sure everyone has completed their checklist and accomplished the run list, while also scanning through all my emails. The last thing I do at the end of every day is walk through the plant to make sure everything is turned on that needs to be and everything that should be turned off is off, while listening for any abnormal noises since this is the only time it is really quiet throughout the plant.

What is the most interesting thing you ever have done at BioZyme: This would definitely be the creation of Sure Champ® Climate Control, now integrated into Vita Charge® Climate Control Gel. To go through the whole process from test batches to get the product consistency correct, to doing the test trials on multiple species along with different customers across the country and finally seeing the launch of the product and in our customer stores or show boxes.

Share a funny story about one of your days at work: It was relatively close to when I started and was down in Small Pack. We were making HydraBoost™, and at that time we were using powder dyes. While we were weighing it out, Bob Norton came through the plant and came into Small Pack. Well, the powder dyes get suspended in the air very easily, and the dye ended up dying Bob’s teeth green for the day.

What has been one of the biggest challenges: One of the biggest challenges we face in production is we are always striving to have the best facility in the world. With that comes capital improvements every year. Some of those capital improvements require down time. So scheduling production can sometimes become challenging, as we are trying to get the installation completed in a timely manner without sacrificing production’s time. Along with ensuring we have enough product on the floor to meet our customer’s needs, so they do not have to wait.

Why is care that comes full circle important to what you do? I am fortunate to have been raised in the agricultural world my whole life, mainly in the cattle sector. Nonetheless, with being raised in it, I have built numerous relationships through the years. Having a customer call and ask for guidance on what would help their ranch or in the show ring and seeing them use our products and hear the results that products provide while seeing it made is why the care that comes full circle is important to me.

What is something you enjoy doing outside of the office? Going to cattle shows either competing or working for other operations. When I’m not at those I am usually found at the golf course or lake.

#FeatureFriday: A Day in the Life of BioZyme® Employee Susan Day

Title: Senior Manager of Formulation & Regulatory

Number of Years at BioZyme: 11.5

Describe a “typical” day in your job: My email is my to-do list, so I start the day running through what needs to be done. Depending on the day, I may be balancing rations for customers, updating formulas for our products, working with the international regulatory group to expand our product coverage internationally or being involved with other teams as a nutritionist/regulatory person.

What is the most interesting thing you ever have done at BioZyme: Working with the International Regulatory Team and learning how things are different in other countries.

Share a funny story about one of your days at work: I typically work from home, but I was in the office a month or so ago and Chris Blakeney stopped by the office I was in to welcome me to BioZyme. He asked how long I had been working here, and I laughed and told him a long time! I appreciated the fact that he saw a new face and wanted to make me welcome, I thought it was very sweet.

What has been one of the biggest challenges: Making sure the proper systems are in place to get things done in a timely manner.

Why is care that comes full circle important to what you do? I formulate the mineral products used on farm, but also help the customer through diet formulation so I can help provide an excellent product and make sure the customer is set up to take full advantage of that product by providing the proper diet to use it with.

What is something you enjoy doing outside of the office? Spending time with family and friends, reading, watching our free-range chickens run around.

Changes Coming in February

VITALIZE® ALIMEND® UPC CODES CHANGES COMING

Beginning February 1, 2023, Vitalize® Alimend® products will feature an updated UPC. Please reference the table below for changes.

CHANGES TO AMAFERM BAG

As part of the rebranding of Amaferm to AO-Biotics® Amaferm®, the bag design will be updated. This change will begin in mid-February, but will be a rolling change as bag inventory is depleted.

CHANGES COMING IN MARCH 2023

CHANGES FOR SURE CHAMP® EXTREME WITH CLARIFLY®

Sure Champ® Extreme with ClariFly® will now labeled for sheep and goats in addition to cattle and pigs. In addition, we are discontinuing the 25-pound bucket of Sure Champ Extreme and introducing a 25-pound bag of Sure Champ Extreme with ClariFly, in addition to the existing 40-pound bag. Watch for this on the March price list.

AO-BIOTICS® EQE ADDED TO BACKYARD BOOST® DAILY ESSENTIALS

Starting March 1, AO-Biotics® EQE will be added to the Backyard Boost® Daily Essentials, in addition to Amaferm®. This will be a rolling change as inventory of the current stock is sold. However, as dealers get the new product, it will be a great marketing tool, especially for added egg quality and more sellable eggs.

Effective Action: Use Relationships to Ensure Producer Meeting Success

Any time you get a group of like-minded people in a room to talk about solving their challenges, you have the potential to host a successful producer meeting. Use existing relationships to create an even more rewarding meeting. There are a few ways that using these relationships when planning your next producer meeting can help build your business. Let’s explore.


Cooperate with another agricultural company.
Co-host your next producer meeting with another complementary agricultural company. The companies might have some overlap in customers, but each will likely have some unique customers who could benefit from the other company’s products and services. Perhaps you could partner with a genetics company or a show supply company, depending on what BioZyme® products you are talking about. Cooperating on a producer meeting splits the cost of the meeting and exposes a wider audience to your products.


Building on these already established relationships give you a leg up. It shows your potential customers that you are easy to get along with. It also provides an unspoken endorsement on the products and services you provide.


Encourage your customers to bring a guest.
Your customers are probably going to attend, but you could offer an incentive for bringing a guest who has the potential to become a new customer. Send a text reminder a few days before the meeting and let those within a set radius know that you will offer an incentive to those who bring a guest. If the newcomer becomes a customer, perhaps that incentive becomes even greater, like a percentage off your current customer’s order, like a discount for referrals.


Engage with the audience.
It’s always good to get the crowd engaged. Since the room consists of your customers, you should know their challenges and successes. Of course, the first topic to discuss is AO-Biotics® Amaferm®, but after that, mention how a certain product has impacted a particular crowd member’s conception or rate of gain. People like to be recognized and know that you care about their results.

Call upon your allies.
Word-of-mouth and testimonials go a long way in building trust and securing new customers. If there is a local veterinarian or a highly respected producer who has had success with the products, ask them for a few comments. It is always good to hear from a third party about the benefits of the products, without a hard sell.


Producer meetings are an efficient way to show appreciation to current customers and establish relationships with potential customers. Building on current relationships at these meetings makes them even more effective. Like any other enterprise, use your resources, count on your relationships and use those relationships to grow your customer base.

Customer Retention is a Wise Investment

As a youngster, you might have heard, “make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver, and the other’s gold.” Substitute the word friend with customer, and the same rings true. Retaining customers is a very important part of business and a wise investment if you want to watch your business continue to grow.

Returning customers give you the opportunity to provide ongoing value, develop more personalized relationships, create brand advocates, gain referrals and earn positive word-of-mouth marketing. In addition, research shows that 68% of new customers come from current ones, making it a smart move for your customers and your bottom line to keep current customers coming back.

We’re not insinuating that growing new customers isn’t important. However, it is important to invest in the current customer base that typically will spend 67% more than new customers. And it costs 16 times more to drum up new customers than it does to keep a repeat customer. Here are four ways you can invest wisely in those golden repeat customers.

Customer Outreach
Regardless of if you use a quick phone call, text or email, be sure to communicate with your customers on a regular basis. Your time can be the lowest cost
investment you make to retain a customer. Keep track of their orders, and if you notice it has been a while since they ordered a particular product, give them a call. Perhaps their daughter scored the winning basket at last Friday’s basketball game,
so start the conversation with a congratulations, and then move into asking if they were running low on VitaFerm® Concept•Aid® since you know they are preparing for calving season. Customer outreach is vital to retaining customers; it lets them know you care and that you really are keeping up on their program.

Customer Appreciation
Everyone enjoys being shown some appreciation and that includes your valued repeat customers. If you are hosting a customer appreciation event like an open house or an anniversary sale, be sure your local customers are aware of any promotions or sales. Provide them with a chance to come into your store, visit, shop and take advantage of any appreciation that you are showing. It will make a
difference in their return.

Customer Service
Retaining customers in not always about providing the best products at the best price. It might also be about providing the best services. Perhaps they can get the same products at a neighboring town, but you stay open later to serve those who have 8 to 5 jobs. Maybe the customer likes that you help load the product into their truck, whereas your competitor just expects the customer to load the product into
their own truck. Service, both large and small, adds up and means something to the customer.

Loyalty Programs
Now, it probably doesn’t make sense to have a “punch card” for a mineral program; however, if you have a customer who is buying large quantities of product from you, you might want to show some appreciation in some form. Perhaps with every
pallet, they get some swag, or some Vita Charge® Gel or a percentage off their next pallet. For every customer they refer that purchases a certain amount, they could receive a new cap and pair of gloves. Loyalty matters and rewarding loyalty will keep your customers returning and spending money with you.

Yes, investing time and money in your golden or current customers will pay in the long-term. One online article said that 80% of future profits come from 20% of current customers. Retain your current customers, and watch your business grow.

Two Minutes in January

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. 

A Day in the Life of BioZyme Employee Dan Delaney

Title: Inventory Coordinator

Number of Years at BioZyme: 35 (I started when I was 10 😊)

Describe a “typical” day in your job: Every ingredient we use is tested for various things depending on the ingredient. I pull a sample from each inbound ingredient and take to the lab for testing. Once the lab approves it, I can unload it or in the case of bagged product I will put it away in its proper place. In the case of bulk ingredients, I have to set it up in the receiving system and make sure the ingredient is going into the correct bin. It takes roughly an hour to unload each truck. Almost every morning there is at least one truck sitting here ready to unload. A typical day we’ll have around 4 trucks but have had as many as 8. Usually get 2 or 3 bagged ingredients each day as well. Medicated ingredients take special care, they are kept separate, and we have to keep records on its usage. Also, I will take inventory of both finished goods and ingredients to make sure we are staying on track. Every day is different and keeps me on my toes, I enjoy it a lot.

What is the most interesting thing you ever have done at BioZyme: Back when we had our own trucks and drivers, I would put together the loads, route the trucks and dispatch the drivers. It was VERY challenging, but it was nice when things came together, and I enjoyed working with customers and sales people to make things happen.

Share a funny story about one of your days at work: Hmmm oh my there have been a few! lol, I guess if I had to pick an all-time favorite it would be the day we had a belly dancer for Butch’s (Ehlert) 60th birthday.

What has been one of the biggest challenges: I think we are completing the new space in the warehouse literally just in time. It has been challenging finding space to store inbound ingredients and other inputs, and we were chomping at the bit to get to use the new space. Honestly on the day they gave us the go ahead that we could use the new space we had so much stuff coming in I’m not sure where we would have put it all. It has been a welcomed relief to have the new space.

Why is care that comes full circle important to what you do? Being at the beginning of process and knowing that each individual ingredient is going to be blended with others to make up our products that will ultimately be consumed by an animal is an important step. We can’t make great products if we don’t start with great ingredients.

What is something you enjoy doing outside of the office? Volleyball is my favorite, and I play competitively but also like golf, disc golf, corn hole, riding my motorcycle and listening to live music. Hanging out with friends and family.

We are thankful for long-term, caring employees like Dan as part of the BioZyme family!

Know your Checkbook: Customer Retention is a Wise Investment

As a youngster, you might have heard, “make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver, and the other’s gold.” Substitute the word friend with customer, and the same rings true. Retaining customers is a very important part of business and a wise investment if you want to watch your business continue to grow.

Returning customers give you the opportunity to provide ongoing value, develop more personalized relationships, create brand advocates, gain referrals and earn positive word-of-mouth marketing. In addition, research shows that 68% of new customers come from current ones, making it a smart move for your customers and your bottom line to keep current customers coming back.

We’re not insinuating that growing new customers isn’t important. However, it is important to invest in the current customer base that typically will spend 67% more than new customers. And it costs 16 times more to drum up new customers than it does to keep a repeat customer. Here are four ways you can invest wisely in those golden repeat customers.

Customer Outreach
Regardless of if you use a quick phone call, text or email, be sure to communicate with your customers on a regular basis. Your time can be the lowest cost investment you make to retain a customer. Keep track of their orders, and if you notice it has been a while since they ordered a particular product, give them a call. Perhaps their daughter scored the winning basket at last Friday’s basketball game, so start the conversation with a congratulations, and then move into asking if they were running low on VitaFerm® Concept•Aid® since you know they are preparing for calving season. Customer outreach is vital to retaining customers; it lets them know you care and that you really are keeping up on their program.

Customer Appreciation
Everyone enjoys being shown some appreciation and that includes your valued repeat customers. If you are hosting a customer appreciation event like an open house or an anniversary sale, be sure your local customers are aware of any promotions or sales. Provide them with a chance to come into your store, visit, shop and take advantage of any appreciation that you are showing. It will make a difference in their return.

Customer Service
Retaining customers in not always about providing the best products at the best price. It might also be about providing the best services. Perhaps they can get the same products at a neighboring town, but you stay open later to serve those who have 8 to 5 jobs. Maybe the customer likes that you help load the product into their truck, whereas your competitor just expects the customer to load the product into
their own truck. Service, both large and small, adds up and means something to the customer.

Loyalty Programs
Now, it probably doesn’t make sense to have a “punch card” for a mineral program; however, if you have a customer who is buying large quantities of product from you, you might want to show some appreciation in some form. Perhaps with every pallet, they get some swag, or some Vita Charge® Gel or a percentage off their next pallet. For every customer they refer that purchases a certain amount, they could receive a new cap and pair of gloves. Loyalty matters and rewarding loyalty will keep your customers returning and spending money with you.

Yes, investing time and money in your golden or current customers will pay in the long-term. One online article said that 80% of future profits come from 20% of current customers. Retain your current customers, and watch your business grow.

Dealer Spotlight: Darlington Feed, LLC

Show us a dealer with ambition, a wide network of diverse producers and a willingness to use the tools provided, and we’ll show you Darlington Feed, LLC. Matt Weigel at Darlington, Wisconsin, has been a BioZyme dealer for nine years, and says the best thing about the BioZyme products is that they always do what they say they will.

“I’m not selling them anything. I feel like I am helping my customers,” he said. “Whenever I am talking to anyone – in the store or somewhere else, I ask them ‘how are things at the ranch?’. They will always tell you what is wrong, then you know what to offer them to help them. It’s a simple conversation starter to help them.”

Weigel and his staff are helping a diverse group of producers. He said his team does a great job and is always confident selling the BioZyme products, knowing the products will do what they are needed to do.

One of his most popular products is VitaFerm® Concept•Aid® 5/S; however, the Vita Charge® Clench Gel is also increasing in demand with the dairies in his area. Dairy producers like to keep 2-3 cases of Clench Gel on hand when calving.

Another event that has grown for Darlington Feed is Chick Days, and Weigel has seen the benefits of putting Backyard Boost® in his chicks’ water.

Not only does he recognize the diversity and quality of products that he gets from BioZyme, but he also appreciates the presence that the marketing and sales staff offers from the tools they provide from signage and training.

“Everything is there for you to use. You just have to use it,” he said.

In 2022, Weigel was able to build his own store, giving customers a brighter, neater shopping experience. He said the investment shows his customers there is security in his business, and he intends to be able to provide them service for the long haul.

In addition to building his own store front, he has partnered with Eastland Feed, who has the ability to manufacture feed for him and adds Amaferm® to rations when customers request it.

BioZyme is proud to have ambitious, young dealers who use the tools that are offered to them to provide care that comes full circle. Thanks, Darlington Feed, for being a BioZyme dealer!

We Aren’t Competing with Santa!

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.

Know your Checkbook: It is more Blessed to Give than to Receive

In our household, the second grader regularly reminds her dad and me that “sharing is caring.” This bold statement can be applied to something small like sharing her apples with me while she eats her popcorn on Sunday night or agreeing to fill a few extra shoeboxes for boys and girls during Operation Christmas Child during the holidays. In other words, she enjoys sharing and knows the importance of it.

As we approach the holiday season, it seems like there are numerous opportunities to give. You can give your time, you can give gifts, you can give blood. You can give as an individual, a family or a business. Giving can be a spontaneous gesture like dropping a donation in the red kettle or it can be planned. Any way you give this season, and throughout the year, remember that it is indeed “more blessed to give than receive.”

Not only will you be blessed as you give, giving is healthy. Studies have shown there are several health benefits to giving. They include lower blood pressure, less anxiety and depression and increased self-esteem. Anytime you can do something good for others and improve your own health, that seems like a win-win.

Giving also makes us happy. Research shows that giving both money and time provides humans an emotional surge because feeling good is a product of doing good. It’s built into our neurochemistry. Giving triggers feel-good chemicals like endorphins, dopamine and oxytocin. And it’s true across cultural and economic lines, too, according to a Harvard Business School study.

Who doesn’t want to reduce their stress levels? It turns out that giving also lowers your stress. When we are overall happier, we are less stressed. Studies also show that volunteering and giving to others can help us with improved self-esteem and can reduce cases of depression.

Giving is contagious. Have you heard of paying it forward? It is a real phenomenon. It feels pretty amazing to be in the fast food or coffee line, and when you get to the window to pay, the clerk announces that the car in front of you has paid for your order. Because of your happiness, and the fact that giving is contagious, you will likely pay for the person behind you. It is a true chain reaction.

Giving builds relationships. If you give your money, time or material gifts, you must have a connection to an individual or an organization that you believe in. That contact is someone you can build a relationship with. You never know where that relationship can lead. It could lead to further relationships, a future employee or customer.

As you can see, the benefits of giving are many. Not only are you helping others, but you are also reaping the rewards, too, in terms of better health, less stress and more happiness. It truly is better to give than receive. There are numerous opportunities to give around the holidays. Give where you can.

Know your Customer: Help your Customer Set Goals for the New Year

As we start thinking about closing out this year and preparing for a new one, there isn’t much time to reflect on the past. We need to start looking ahead to what we want to achieve in 2023, and our customers are not any different. They are likely going to rely on you – their feed and supplement dealer – for some good nutrition advice. You know about their program and understand their challenges.

Once you do understand the overarching goals for their program, it is a good idea to ask them if they have planned out their year to see how they can best make progress. A good method to establishing goals

is to make sure that they are S.M.A.R.T. Goals should be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-bound. Let’s explore how you can help your customers set goals that match this set of criteria.

SPECIFIC

Help your customers define as many details for their goals as possible. Who is involved? Is there a deadline? Where and when will these goals be achieved? For instance, maybe you have a customer who is planning their first production sale. A very specific goal could be to host a production sale in March to sell 40 yearling bulls and average $4,000.

MEASURABLE

Every goal that is set should have a unit of measurement to indicate success. For example, your customer doesn’t just want to breed a majority of his or her cows. The measurable goal would be to have 95% conception rate.

ATTAINABLE

It is great to dream big; however, goals should be set that can be reached. Remember, Rome was not built in a day, and goals likely won’t be achieved overnight either.

RELEVANT

The goals defined should align with the overall goals of the operation. If the operation wants to raise bulls that produce high-performance calves for the feedlot, the owner or manager probably wants to focus on sires that have desirable growth and carcass traits. A goal to have 100% conception rates isn’t relevant if your customer puts one 2-year-old bull out with 50 cows.

TIME-BOUND

Make sure every goal set has a deadline and work ambitiously to meet those deadlines. Take that one step further and expand your goals to include short-term and long-term goals. Perhaps a short-term goal for the operation is to purchase a new a ram before breeding season (within two months). A long-term goal might be to host an on-farm club lamb sale in the spring (within the next year).

Now is a great time to work with your customers to help them set S.M.A.R.T. goals for their next production year. It’s always good to encourage writing down the goals where they will see them on a regular basis and posting deadlines that they can measure on a calendar that they also see regularly. Make sure their goals include a quality nutrition program. They will thank you, and you can watch your business grow.

#MasterDealerMonday

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

Effective Action: Care that Comes Full Circle Comes from the Heart

Have you ever wondered about the phrase “care that comes full circle”? It isn’t just a fancy little catch phrase that BioZyme® throws around. It is the company motto that the company and its employees live by each day. Where does the care come from? It comes from the heart.

One of the things that sets BioZyme apart from other companies is this care that comes full circle. It’s in our people. It’s in our products. It’s in our research. President and CEO Lisa Norton compares it to a boomerang that is properly thrown.

“When you throw a boomerang properly, it will always come back to you. If we make supplements at BioZyme that help animals perform to their fullest, then that care we provide to them will ultimately, come full circle and put food on our plate. Now that is care that comes full circle,” Norton said.

Simply put, caring comes from the heart. This is true if you are talking about making nutrition products for a chicken with a with a rather short lifespan or a newborn child who depends on you for its every need.

Caring about what you do and how you do it always starts with the heart. If you start from the inside out – with the heart – not only will your care shine bright, but that care will boomerang back or “come full circle.”

Our research shows care. With more than 100 published studies, BioZyme never introduces a product until it has been carefully and fully researched. Research starts with a team of scientists and continues to real-life scenarios. Our proprietary fermentation processes are backed by 70 years of research – both in the lab and applied.

Our products show care. It’s no secret that the products that we market and sell do what we say they do. With a research-proven prebiotic like Amaferm® that has been studied and used for more than 70 years, you and your customers can rest assured that the products are carefully manufactured. Amaferm is made one place in the world – St. Joseph, Missouri.

Our people show care. Our people care about the products they make, the way they promote them and the people they work with. They are carefully trained in production best practices and safety manufacturing. They keep safety for themselves, others and the product top of mind.

Not only do our people show care about products and people within the BioZyme family, they extend that care into the greater community. They are active in civic organizations, community projects and helping neighbors. They know that care that comes full circle is a boomerang effect.

From the research, products and people, our care that comes full circle starts in the heart. We know that our dealers have heart too. We hope that you never forget your heart and how to give, and receive, that care.

Two Minutes in December

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!  

Tell Everyone: Marketing Plans Start NOW

Marketing is one of the most important things you can do for your business. Regardless of if you are selling widgets or high-quality feed supplements, marketing is going to help you grow your business, build relationships with your customers and increase your profits.

As we move into 2023, there are more marketing opportunities than ever before. We no longer live in your grandpa’s world of driving downtown and putting an advertisement in the local newspaper made with clipart provided by the local cattle association, hoping for results.

Dealers, you have so many options available to you. So, grab your yellow legal pad or even your iPad, and take notes, because your marketing plans start now.

Make a plan. Divide your year into quarters and break each quarter into months. Decide what is important to your customers during those given months. If it starts getting hot in March or April where you live, you will probably want to start promoting a mineral that includes HEAT® in February or even earlier to make it top of mind. Market Sure Champ® products in the months leading up to and during livestock shows in your area. If you have a big wall calendar or like to use excel spreadsheets, use these tools to help visualize your plan.

Create a budget. Do you know how much money you have to spend on marketing? Do you plan to spend money each month? Every other month? Is the dollar amount dependent on sales or time of year? As you prepare your annual budget, set aside some marketing dollars for advertising, promotional items and even a producer meeting. If you have those funds budgeted early on, you should not spend them on other items, and know that you have the money reserved specifically for marketing efforts.

Choose your vehicles. Once you know your budget and what you plan to market, determine which outlets you would like to use for your marketing. Do you plan to rely solely on social media? Will you print stuffers to go with your invoices to promote new or timely products? Do you plan to advertise on the local radio station or with the local sports boosters on the high school football programs? If you know your customers or the potential customers you are trying to reach, you can determine which of the vehicles are relevant to them. Whichever vehicle you decide on, make sure you know the cost, the deadline and the file format you need to provide if it is an external company like a newspaper or radio station.

Use social media. Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok are growing in popularity. Social media offers several benefits, with the most popular being that it is free. Other benefits include that it is widely accessible by most people anywhere, including at their fingertips, and it allows you to interact with your customers, whereas traditional advertising only allows for one-way communication. Use social media to your advantage. If you are not fully comfortable with some of the tools and platforms, remember that BioZyme offers Promoboxx as free service, and you can link your Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts for free content.

Evaluate your action. After you have conducted your marketing action, it is always important to evaluate the outcome. Did a particular advertisement or promotion drive customers to the store? Did your business experience an increase in sales due to your marketing efforts? Take notes. If the sales didn’t increase, chalk one up for experience. If the sales went through the roof, write it down and plan for something very similar for the same time the next year.

Marketing is ever evolving. You don’t have to do it alone. Be sure to reach out to your ASM, use the tools provided to you in the Online Dealer Center or contact a member of the BioZyme Marketing Team. We are here to help you market your business and increase your sales.

Letters from Lisa – December 2022

December is my favorite month. This is because I get to give many “gifts” to those around me. These gifts include the most days off work of any month, end of year performance reviews, the annual Christmas bonus, Christmas gifts, happy New Year hugs and pausing to celebrate Jesus’ birthday.

The word in there I would like to focus on this month is pausing.

Pausing at times — even for just a few seconds — can make a major difference in how we think and react. Before you dismiss this as simple common sense, remember: the pause is easy in theory, difficult in practice.

Emotional intelligence (EQ) includes the ability to understand and manage our emotions, using them to work for us instead of against us. Emotional intelligence can help us think logically, rather than solely reacting with emotion. Like any ability, it can be learned, exercised and honed to help produce desirable outcomes. What one action can sharpen your EQ?

The pause.

The pause isn’t only effective when dealing with upsetting situations. Often, we are tempted to jump on opportunities that look really good at the time but that we haven’t really thought through. Used effectively, the pause can help reduce those “What was I thinking?” moments. Now wouldn’t that be a nice gift to give everyone around us?

How to Use the Pause Effectively

  1. Stop. Resist the urge to act immediately.
  2. Take a deep, long breath.
  3. If possible, take a walk. At least 10 to 15 minutes is great; longer is even better.

Using the pause can help us look to the future with more optimism. It is the pause that allows us to digest information and begin to use that information effectively. We can move logically through the processes of thinking, then planning and then doing. The order is important, and it is that order that allows the future to be all it can be for you and for your business.

Some situations do require immediate responses, and a pause may not always be an option. Time is money, but in big decisions that may have great impact, a pause can pay dividends.

Take the time this process requires, and you will find better decisions throughout business.

Now that’s a gift worth giving and receiving!

Changes Coming in December

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.

Dealer Spotlight: Falling Timber Farm

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!  

#MasterDealer Monday

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

Two Minutes in November

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.  

Dealer Spotlight: Hale Feeds LLC, South Dakota

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!

CHANGES COMING IN MARCH

VITAFERM® ONE LAUNCHES MINERAL BLOCK

With the excitement of VitaFerm® ONE released last month, we are even more excited to launch the VitaFerm ONE mineral block. This 35-pound pressed vitamin and mineral block for beef cattle designed to promote cattle performance year-round will be on the March price list and is now in the Product Center.

It meets or exceeds nutrient requirements throughout the production cycle in an easy-to-use pressed block, helping to meet our sustainability goals. The mineral block is the first of several additions to the VitaFerm ONE family that we’ll be introducing this spring.

VITALIZE® BLAZIN’ UPDATES CASE QUANTITY

Starting in March, cases of 32 oz. Vitalize® Blazin’ will now come in 12 per case instead of 6. This increases consistency and efficiency across 32 oz products.

BioZyme’s Guide: How to Market a Product

At BioZyme®, we provide you a vast array of products to sell to your customers. We know that you likely have other products and services to sell as well. However, once you have the products and services, they must be marketed, so your customers know what you have available. We don’t want to leave you in the dark. 

That’s why our team felt it was vitally important to provide you with this comprehensive guide on how to market a product. We’ll look at a lot of different tips and tools that will help you sell your products and grow your business! 

The best way to market a product depends on various factors. You have to consider the target audience, the nature of the product, the budget, and the overall marketing goals. 

However, there are some general strategies that can be effective in marketing products. Here are 10 tips on how to market a product. 

10 Useful Tips on How to Market a Product 

1. Know Your Target Audience 

The first step in how to market a product: know who you’re marketing to. Understanding your target audience is crucial for effective marketing. For instance, if you are in a highly concentrated cow-calf area with horses and dogs, you would be more likely to stock up and promote VitaFerm® and Vitalize® products. 

There probably isn’t much demand for Backyard Boost® for backyard chickens in big ranch country. Knowing your target audience is the first key to success when marketing any product. 

2. Develop a Strong Brand Identity 

Establish a clear and compelling brand identity that resonates with your target audience. This includes creating a memorable brand name, logo, tagline and visual elements that reflect your brand’s values and personality. 

Luckily for you, at BioZyme, we have created the brand identity for our products, and we have marketing collateral like ads, logos and other campaign materials ready for your use.  

Maybe you need to brand your store or dealership? You can work with our in-house marketing team to help you with that, too! Submit a marketing request in the Online Dealer Center and we can help you create a logo or any marketing piece you might be looking for. 

3. Create Compelling Content 

Develop high-quality, engaging content that showcases the features, benefits and unique selling points of your products. This can include product descriptions, images, videos, blog posts, social media posts and customer testimonials. 

Now, this is easier said than done. After all, it’s one thing to know how to market a product, and another thing entirely to produce quality marketing materials. But, knowing your audience and knowing your brand gives you a leg up. 

Have you signed up for Promoboxx? We have ready to use social campaigns loaded into Promoboxx for your use each quarter. We also have several of our logos and other content ready to use on the Online Dealer Center. 

4. Utilize Multiple Channels 

Just like one size doesn’t fit all with a mineral program, the same can be said for marketing channels. While I might still appreciate reading an ad in a print ad in a publication, another generation might enjoy social media or even hearing an ad on the radio while out feeding cattle. 

Take advantage of various marketing channels to reach your target audience effectively. This may include digital channels such as social media, email marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, content marketing, and influencer partnerships, as well as traditional channels such as print advertising, television, radio, and direct mail. 

5. Optimize for Mobile 

With the increasing use of smartphones and tablets, it’s essential to optimize your marketing efforts for mobile devices. Ensure that your website, emails, ads and other digital content are mobile-friendly and provide a seamless user experience across different devices. 

6.  Engage with Your Audience 

Foster meaningful connections with your audience by actively engaging with them on social media, responding to comments and messages, soliciting feedback and encouraging user-generated content. Building a community around your brand can help strengthen customer loyalty and advocacy. 

No one likes to hear silence on the other end of their posts. By engaging and interacting with your audience, it makes your brand appear more human. In the end, people buy from other people, not robots. If your brand seems more engaging and humanized, your customers will appreciate that and potentially turn into repeat buyers. 

7. Offer Promotions and Discounts 

Entice customers with special promotions, discounts, coupons and loyalty programs to incentivize purchases and encourage repeat business. Limited time offers and exclusive deals can create a sense of urgency and drive sales when it comes to how to market a product. 

Check with your ASM to discover how BioZyme can partner with you on promotions. Do you need a postcard, or a stuffer insert for your monthly billing statement. Remember, we are here to help you! We want your messaging to stay consistent and on-brand, so please reach out to our team! 

8. Monitor and Measure Results 

Regularly monitor the performance of your marketing campaigns and track key metrics such as website traffic, conversion rates, social media engagement and return on investment (ROI). Use this data to evaluate the effectiveness of your strategies and adjust as needed. 

Perhaps your Instagram traffic isn’t performing as well as you’d like. Maybe it’s time to shift gears and move those efforts to another platform. If your Facebook traffic is generating results, and getting customers into the store, maybe that is the channel you should focus more attention and resources on. 

9. Build Relationships with Influencers and Partners 

Collaborate with influencers, bloggers, industry experts and complementary brands to expand your reach and gain credibility within your target market. Influencer partnerships and co-marketing initiatives can help increase brand awareness and reach new customers. 

In other words, people like to buy from their peers. Is there someone in your community that excels in their particular area? Do they use products you market? Leverage that to your advantage. Perhaps there is a show livestock exhibitor who just won the State Fair feeding Sure Champ® products. Ask them to share testimonials on your website, or even speak at a producer meeting about their results and the benefits they have used. The same example can be used for any of the BioZyme family of brands. 

Find & Utilize Collaborators 

Also, when setting up a producer meeting, work with complementary company. Perhaps you are planning a meeting prior to breeding season to promote VitaFerm® Concept•Aid®. 

Partner with a local semen company to put on the dinner and meeting. Both companies share the common goal of helping others succeed with breeding success. Doesn’t it also make sense to share customer lists and resources to share costs? 

10. Provide Excellent Customer Service 

Deliver exceptional customer service and support throughout the entire customer journey. Respond promptly to inquiries and resolve issues quickly and effectively to build trust and loyalty with your customers. 

Customer service sells. Our customers what to know that you know about the products. They want service. They want you to help carry a few bags of mineral out to their truck. They would like you to open on Saturday mornings. Little things add up to make a big difference when it comes down how to market a product. 

BioZyme can Help You Market Products 

As we mentioned earlier in this blog, the BioZyme Marketing Team offers a variety of marketing pieces to its dealers to help market products. Let’s discuss these pieces in more detail. 

Readily Available Marketing Materials 

A variety of marketing materials including signage, shelf danglers, aisle violators, counter mat inserts, brochures and more are available from the SAMM Center. These are available in quantities for your use at your dealership, trade show or meeting. In a time crunch? Printable files of most items are also available online. 

Customized Marketing Materials 

Are you looking for something more customized? Perhaps you are hosting a producer meeting and need invitations, or you would like a sign for your store. BioZyme can also help with these projects. 

Submit a marketing request in the Online Dealer Center, at least three weeks prior to when you need your project or talk to your ASM. Please allow a little more time for items that require mailing like postcards or invitations that have specific dates, as bulk mail does take longer to go through the mail system. 

First Things First 

Remember, you can’t sell what you don’t have. It is important to keep inventory on hand of the products that your customers need and want that have seasonal demand. It is always wise to review sales from the same time the previous year, to be sure you have in stock what you sold last year and even the year prior. 

What does that mean going into spring? 

Springtime Products for Cattle 

It’s breeding season, fly season and HEAT season! It’s time to stock up on VitaFerm® Concept•Aid®, any products with ClariFly®, garlic and HEAT®

Now would also be a great time to stock up on the new VitaFerm ONE, a solution for all seasons. 

Stock up for Chick Days 

In many parts of the country, Chick Days are happening. Be sure to stock up on Backyard Boost products for your customers bringing home chicks. 

Additionally, with spring, the migration of songbirds is happening. Be sure to include the Backyard Boost Songbird Balls for the bird watchers in your area. 

Stock up for Spring, Summer Shows 

It’s not too early to start thinking about how to market a product for spring and summer livestock shows. Make sure to stock up on the complete line of mineral, gels and liquid in the Sure Champ® line to help your show livestock customers #PreptoWin!  

Don’t forget to be fully stocked with Gain Smart®, Vitalize® and DuraFerm® as well. You know your customers the best, and you know what they want and when they want it. 

By implementing a combination of these strategies and continually refining your approach based on feedback and insights, you can develop effective marketing campaigns. That way, you can drive awareness, engagement and product sales! 

Letters from Lisa

At BioZyme®, values are a critical component of our identity, decision-making processes and overall success. The BioZyme values have helped us create a positive and purpose-driven work environment for over 60 years. For many of these 60 years, BioZyme had three values. These included Research, Innovation and Outreach or Giving Back.

Why these values? Because they are who we areand why we exist. The value of Research ensures our products have an undeniable impact on the animals our customers work so hard to produce and love. Innovation encourages creativity, risk-taking and learning. Giving back is a value of high importance because we believe we have a responsibility to contribute to the well being of the broader community. These three values have served BioZyme well for a very long time.

There is a push and pull relationship between staying true to your values and allowing yourself to change and progress. After all, one of our values is innovation, which is often synonymous with some type of change. Growth, at any level, requires change. When an entity grows, it must change. Think of children as they progress through the stages of infant, toddler, teenager, adult – or a calf from newborn to weaning.

So, how do you change but stay true to your values?

The answer, we’ve found, is a one-degree change. The one-degree change feels slight; after all, it is just one tiny little degree. Yet, a one-degree change can be extremely powerful. As an example, prior to fancy avionics, pilots, especially in the military, were often taught about the 1-to-60 rule. Basically, it means that a one-degree off-set will put you off one mile from your intended destination at 60 miles from start. Traveling 600 miles? You’ll be 10 miles from where you thought. Small changes (good or bad) can make a big difference in outcomes.

So, in 2024, BioZyme’s commitment remains deeply rooted in our values, as well as to growth. Growth of our business, growth of our dealers, growth of our outreach. This growth will require many one-degree changes. We are excited to present these to you, our dealers, throughout the year as we whole heartedly believe they will also contribute to your growth.

A few of our own examples to illustrate the concept:

– The integration of Vita Charge products into Sure Champ and VitaFerm that began in January. This is one-degree change (only the brand name/look of the product) that we believe is already having an impact. We launched the “new look” at National Western Stock Show in Denver with great feedback and many comments about folks being excited to get their hands on the VitaFerm Cattle Drench.

– The launch of VitaFerm ONE in February. To say this is just a ONE-degree change (pun intended) feels a bit odd to those of us that have worked extensively on it for nearly a year, but all in all it is just a small change to open a BIG door of opportunity to have a product to position as a year-round mineral. And that’s what one-degree changes are all about.

If you know us very well, you know we aren’t going to stop there. The excitement we have for some of the one-degree changes we are developing for this year is extensive. The opportunities have never felt bigger. And for that we are very thankful.

CHANGES COMING IN FEBRUARY

VITAFERM® ONE LAUNCHES THIS MONTH
We are excited to release VitaFerm® ONE, a new line of cattle mineral products, this month. VitaFerm ONE offers one solution for all seasons. Watch for more information about VitaFerm ONE in the Online Dealer Center, Dealer Facebook group and in your email. Details about the product offering are recorded and posted in the BioZyme Dealers Facebook group.

Product information can be found in the Product Center.

BIOZYME® UPDATES DRENCH GUNS
Due to continually increased sales of drench and drench guns at BioZyme, we have been able to provide a better price on drench guns. The guns will be black instead of blue. They will be available for sale at the new price beginning in February.

VITA CHARGE® TECHNOLOGY MOVES TO VITAFERM®,
SURE CHAMP®

In January, we announced the transition of Vita Charge products to the VitaFerm® and Sure Champ® brands. Although the products might have new names and labels, they are not necessarily new to the BioZyme family of brands. BioZyme is repositioning the Vita Charge products into either VitaFerm or Sure Champ to continue to provide undeniable impact to our customers.

The change comes after months of market and sales research, in an attempt to help increase efficiencies across all brands. All products will continue to be marketed “with the Vita Charge technology,” a fast-acting proprietary blend of ingredients that support animals during, before and after times of stress. All products will continue to have the same great formulas that customers have come to know and trust.

The production cattle products like Stress Tubs and 5L Cattle Drench will be marketed under the VitaFerm label.

All gels, Liquid Boost® and the 32 oz. Cattle Drench will be marketed under the Sure Champ label. Traditional Vita Charge Gel is being renamed Sure Champ Appetite Plus® with Vita Charge Technology, to better describe its function.

This will be a rolling change, but we expect all products to be updated and sold with their new labels by the first week of February.

BioZyme® Offers Sheep and Goat Products for All Reproductive Phases 

When BioZyme® says it cares for all animals and the impact they make in the food chains, it sincerely means it. Care that comes full circle is at the heart of BioZyme and how we express our philosophy that everything impacts everything in a connective circularity. 

That is why we knew it was important to create DuraFerm®. DuraFerm is a line of nutritional supplements for sheep and goats that supports optimal digestion and nutrition for maximized performance at every stage of production. 

DuraFerm is Research Proven

The DuraFerm line offers three products specifically for sheep and two for goats. Each of these products contain: 

• High levels of vitamin E for reproductive tract repair.
• Organic trace minerals to support embryo production and conception.
AO-Biotics® Amaferm®, a prebiotic research-proven to enhance digestibility. 

Amaferm is research-proven with more than 111 published and/or presented research studies proving its increase in digestibility and ultimately its undeniable impact on the animal. In sheep and goats, Amaferm charts an increased gain through more feed efficiency. It also adds more pounds of milk to the lactating females. For more information on the research, visit our BioZyme Research Center

Additionally, the DuraFerm products are manufactured under the highest quality standards in our plant in Saint Joseph, Missouri. In 2023, we enhanced awareness of our food safety and safe, accurate product production processes through education. All of our operations, quality and laboratory employees have successfully completed PCQI training, and all regulatory personnel are FAMI-QS trained and certified. 

DuraFerm Products for Sheep

The three products exclusively made for sheep are all part of the Concept•Aid® line. They help strengthen your stock while increasing the overall lamb crop percentage. 

DuraFerm® Sheep Concept•Aid®

DuraFerm Sheep Concept•Aid is a free-choice vitamin and mineral supplement for sheep designed to support reproductive success. As the flagship product, it contains Amaferm, increased levels of vitamin E and organic trace minerals. Available in a 50-pound bag, this mineral is ideal to feed year-round to your flock. However, it is designed to be fed 30 days pre-lambing through 30 days post-breeding. 

DuraFerm® Sheep Concept•Aid® HEAT

DuraFerm Sheep Concept•Aid HEAT is a free-choice vitamin and mineral supplement for sheep designed to support reproductive success when temperatures are 70 degrees and hotter. This supplement will help keep ewes bred during summer’s hottest months, during the peak breeding season. It also comes in a 50-pound bag. 

DuraFerm® Sheep Concept•Aid® Protein Tub

The DuraFerm Sheep Concept•Aid Protein Tub is a protein tub with vitamins and minerals for sheep designed to support reproductive success. The 125-pound tub is fortified with 16% natural protein. It is ideal for those females in late gestation and lactation. They meet all the requirements for energy and protein, so you don’t have the added worry of ketosis or pregnancy toxemia. 

DuraFerm Products Made for Goats

BioZyme realizes that the nutrient requirements for goats and sheep are slightly different. That is why the Missouri-based company also makes two supplements specifically for goats. 

DuraFerm® Goat Concept•Aid®

DuraFerm Goat Concept•Aid is a free-choice vitamin and mineral supplement for goats designed to support reproductive success. Available in a 50-pound bag, this vitamin and mineral supplement is designed to be fed 30 days pre-kidding through 30-days post-breeding for optimal success. Due to its combination of organic trace minerals, vitamins and Amaferm, it is an ideal mineral for your herd year-round. 

DuraFerm® Goat Concept•Aid® Protein Tub 

The DuraFerm Goat Concept•Aid Protein Tub is a protein tub with vitamins and minerals for goats designed to support reproductive success. It contains the Concept•Aid goat mineral package along with 20% natural protein. It comes in a 50-pound, easy-to-handle tub. 

BioZyme Makes other Complementary Products 

In addition to targeted sheep and goat products, the BioZyme family of brands includes products for all species. In the Sure Champ® line, there are products with the Vita Charge® Technology that offer an undeniable impact to your herd and flock. 

The Vita Charge Technology contains a unique blend of ingredients to help support animal health before, during and after a stress response. Here’s how you can incorporate Sure Champ products into your feed room for sheep and goat products. 

Sure Champ® Liquid Boost® 

Sure Champ Liquid Boost is a liquid for all livestock designed to provide immediate support to the animal’s digestive and immune systems. Available in two sizes, this fruit-flavored liquid helps drive the intake of feed and water. It contains Amaferm, to increase digestibility. It also contains MOS (mannan oligosaccharide), to help normalize gut microflora and support the immune system. 

Sure Champ® Appetite Plus® 

Sure Champ Appetite Plus, formerly known as Vita Charge Gel, is a gel for all livestock designed to provide immediate support to the animal’s digestive and immune system. It comes in a 60- and 300-mL tube, ideal for all sizes and situations. It contains Amaferm and MOS and is ideal for boosting appetite and water intake. 

Sure Champ® Clench Gel

Sure Champ Clench Gel is a gel for all livestock. It supports normal digestive function during occasional diarrhea/scours. Formerly Vita Charge Clench Gel, it comes in a 30-mL tube and contains Amaferm and MOS but also includes electrolytes to support rehydration. Clench is ideal to have in the barn during lambing and kidding to help with scours. 

Sure Champ® Climate Control Gel

Sure Champ® Climate Control Gel is a gel for all livestock. It supports digestive health and recovery when temperatures are above 70 degrees. Formerly Vita Charge Climate Control Gel, this product contains Amaferm and MOS. It also includes HEAT technology, a combination of essential oils, to support animals when heat is a challenge. This gel is a must-have for those hotter climates and the summer months to help maintain temperatures and promote feed and water intake. 

The above products all contain the Vita Charge Technology. Every product with Vita Charge Technology contains an exact amount of B vitamins, vitamin E, potassium, zinc, MOS and Amaferm. In addition, we include a precise salt-to-sugar ratio in our products to boost water retention and hydration levels. 

Customers Trust DuraFerm  

Time after time, customers turn to BioZyme products. We hear from folks across the country, who love sharing the results they see when they feed DuraFerm sheep and goat products to their animals. Here’s what a few of them have to say. 

In Arkansas. . . 

“I was not having great results in the last couple of years with the flushes in our program, and that’s the main reason I wanted to try DuraFerm®. I put all of my recips and flush does on DuraFerm about 60 days ahead of time, and my flushes have gone from 20-40% so far this year to 60-80%, so I am tickled to death and very happy with those numbers. By far the biggest goal I had was to see if I could improve the number of embryos we get on a flush and the number of embryos to stick, and that’s where I have definitely seen some improvements in my program with DuraFerm being one of the new additions in my program this year.” – Scott Hoyle, DVM 

In Oklahoma. . . 

“I am a big believer in the Amaferm advantage, seeing big time results how well our sheep utilize their feed much better. We take our breeding program very seriously. The use of DuraFerm Sheep Concept•Aid Protein Tubs being out with our ewes nearly year-round is important. Since adding these tubs to our program, the ewes have had a more steady and consistent appetite along with maintaining good body condition.” – Chad Charmasson 

In Virginia. . . 

“We have been using BioZyme products and specifically DuraFerm Sheep Concept•Aid for over three years now. Our conception rates, the health of our flock and the health of our lambs continue to get better. We breed with some of the largest in the state on our A.I. program, and our rates have never been below 75% and as high as 90%, with our live cover being 100% on the first attempt. With a small flock, having this type of success is crucial as every ewe or lamb is a huge part of our success. I would recommend the Concept•Aid to any producer out there.” – Andy Wills 

BioZyme Strives to Help Every Animal

Not only does BioZyme make sheep and goat products, but the BioZyme family of brands includes products for cattle, horses, pigs, dogs and cats. All products are backed by years of research and include one of our proprietary products, either AO-Biotics Amaferm, for digestive health, or MHB3®, for joint health. 

MHB3 Hyaluronan is a proprietary hyaluronic acid ingredient that has been scientifically proven as bioavailable, absorbable, efficacious and safe. It confers greater and more consistent results than any other product on the market for both short- and long-term care. MHB3 has been awarded eight U.S. patents. 

Get Sheep and Goat Products Today

BioZyme’s sheep and goat products, along with the entire BioZyme family of brands, are sold through the BioZyme dealer network. You can find a dealer close to you. 

Perhaps you like the convenience of online shopping. You can also purchase products online. 

Interested in becoming a BioZyme dealer? We are always looking for those passionate about helping people and animals. Complete our dealer application today. 

A Day in the Life of BioZyme® Employee Jennifer Miller 

This month, we got to know a little bit about a big-hearted lady – Jen Miller. She has two decades of experience in customer support, making her an invaluable team member.  

Jen has worked in several roles at BioZyme, but she shines when helping others, especially our dealers.  

Outside of the office, Jen is a wife, mom, grandma and outstanding lady who likes to have fun.  

Let’s learn a little more about a day in her life at BioZyme

Title: Dealer Recruitment and Retention Manager 

Number of Years at BioZyme: 6 years 

Describe a typical day in your job:  

Work on all dealer applications that come via BioZymeinc.com. I contact the interested potential customers and go over a few questions to let them know what our goal is for dealers to ensure they are the right type of dealer for BioZyme. 

I also work with the Action Team to ensure we are working on our goals and helping our new and existing customers meet their goals, not only by sales but also by action! This team is part of the Retention side- Yes, we do need new dealers to grow, but we also must help our existing customers with everything we have to help them grow as well. We focus on the tools we offer outside of sales to ensure they have all the help they need to be successful. 

We are working on a process for the recruitment side of this job. Our goal is to build a pipeline of leads to be able to convert into new customers. This is a big task, but I am super excited, as this is key to helping BioZyme grow in the future! 

What is the most interesting thing you have ever done at BioZyme?  

I was able to help get everything set up for our International Partners Meeting in 2019, which was hosted in St Joseph, Mo. It was very interesting getting to meet all the different nationalities and learn how they position Amaferm® and what a huge impact it makes! 

What has been one of the biggest challenges? 

Getting the dealers to buy-in to Dealer Center and use the tools we offer to take actions to help grow their business. But I believe in 2024 we will see a change in our dealers’ mindset on this with the Action Team helping to make awareness of what all we offer from Dealer Center, Marketing, Message Board and all the other great tools we offer.  

Why is care that comes full circle important to what you do? 

I believe what the Action Team and I do on a daily basis by working with our dealers to ensure their success not only through sales but through the great tools we offer is definitely “Care That Comes Full Circle!” I do not know too many companies that offer a great tool like the Dealer Center that just doesn’t focus on Sales but on Marketing, Training, Product Knowledge and so much more. We take care of our customers on every level! 

What is something you enjoy doing outside of the office? 

Well, I have a few: 

  1. Seeing my beautiful grandbabies. 
  1. Going on adventures with family and friends! 
  1. Watching all the birds eat the Songbird Balls! I go through about 2 packs of songbird balls every 3 days! It is becoming an expensive hobby, lol! 

Thank you, Jen, for your heart and compassion for others. We are glad to have you as part of the BioZyme family!  

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Leadership Team Reflects on 2023 — Looks Forward to 2024

“No man will make a great business who wants to do it all himself, or to get all the credit of doing it.” Those are the words of American industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. Carnegie eloquently described, before his time, the Leadership Team, that is guiding BioZyme® Inc., in 2023 and beyond.

Although each company faces challenges, the BioZyme Leadership Team leads each individual team to pivot those challenges into opportunities on a regular basis. Let’s look back at 2023, and review some of the big wins, according to our leaders.

PRESIDENT & CEO
LISA NORTON

Defining wins in 2023 is subjective and depends on individual experiences, goals and perspectives. However, from my seat on the bus, I would define 2023 wins by reflecting on the following.

Personal Achievements: If you accomplish significant personal goals, 2023 was a win. With the use of the Culture Index (work traits analytics) in almost every facet of our business, I think we have had a win here. People understand themselves better so they can work with others to accomplish personal achievements.

Relationships: If you build strong and meaningful relationships it makes for an incredible win. This for sure happened in 2023; we had more meetings and offers to be partners with our vendors, customers and potential customers than we have ever had in the history of the company. Just to name a few, our bagging supplier, our phosphorus supplier, Zinpro, Furst-McNess and Trait Bio.

Health and Well-Being: BioZyme continues to be in a strong financial position. That is always a win in a forprofit business.

Positive Change: Getting our corporate governance and board of directors in place was a huge win in 2023. We now have a dynamic, experienced board of directors who represent all the opportunities and challenges BioZyme faces – industry, science, use of funds and historical perspective.

Happiness: Thanks to all our team members (YOU), most days we experienced and supported each other’s happiness which made the atmosphere at BioZyme happy. For me, that is always a win. Sure, we all make mistakes occasionally, but in totality I think we did a great job in 2023 at being happy, despite a lot of stress from capital projects and slow sales.

Learning and Growth: If you learn, grow and develop new skills or knowledge during a year, it is a huge win. I saw lots of this going on in 2023. Some learning was intentional (all manufacturing team becoming PCQI) and much came from the experiences of each day. In any case, it is a win.

Overcoming Challenges: Successfully overcoming challenges, adversity or obstacles is always a win as it demonstrates resilience and personal growth. In my opinion, we have done a lot of this over the last two years. We have done it by sticking together, not giving up and looking forward instead of backward. Ultimately, what makes a win in a company is a whole bunch of personal wins throughout each individual team member’s work. I think we had a lot of that in 2023, and for that I am very grateful!

DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
VOLKER ALTENBOKUM

This was a very busy, but successful year. Our focus was the launching effort for AO Biotics® EQE. The product is now already actively sold in eight different countries, and we are continuously registering it in more countries. Validation studies were done with many egg producers in different countries, and our research is confirmed constantly.

Another focus was the signing of distribution agreements in interesting countries that have a good potential for our portfolio. We appointed new distribution partners for the GCC countries, Egypt and Slovenia. Continuous training of Product Managers and Salespeople of our distribution partners was a very important part of our work. This is the base for continued growth we are expecting for 2024 and beyond.

DIRECTOR OF ANIMAL HEALTH & COGENT
KEN FORD

One of our biggest achievements from a marketing perspective has been positioning the BioZyme family of brands from a silo of individual brands to a family this year. This lets our customers know that we offer multiple products across species and that we can help more than just one kind of animal at a time.

We have also been building new teams and introducing new people to BioZyme, while overall getting better at knowledge transfer. We can never stop learning and growing, and this knowledge we learned in 2023 will help take us further in 2024.

The sales and marketing teams stepped up their retail merchandising and display activation. Thanks to you, the dealers, we now have more signage and presence each quarter, and this will continue into the next year.

In Animal Health, we continue to support our distributors and have eight additional salespeople working in the field servicing wholesale partners as they promote our products to the retail channel. In addition, Ali Brunner has transferred from ASM to Animal Health Sales Manager.

We have heard from our partners through the surveys and through that feedback the team is working to identify gaps in our product range so that we are able to introduce new products in 2024.

On the human health side, we were excited to focus complete attention on Baxyl® and HyaGlo® with the transition of all equine and companion animal products from Cogent to the Vitalize® line. We rebranded Baxyl and have built a new team while developing a new web-based platform for these products.

DIRECTOR OF QUALITY & REGULATORY
JILL VANOVER

This year, the quality and regulatory teams worked diligently to show just how WOWING BioZyme can be as we strive to live and breathe quality and compliance each day. Some of our 2023 wins are highlighted below.

BioZyme rocked our 2023 quality certification audits:
• Stockyards FAMI-QS – 99%
• Stockyards Safe Feed, Safe Food – 100%
• Easton FAMI-QS – 100%
• Cogent GMP – 100%
• Surprise EPA inspection at Stockyards – no findings
• Surprise FDA audit at Stockyards – no findings
• Surprise Eurofins FAMI-QS audit at Stockyards and Easton – no findings

We increased awareness of food safety and safe, accurate product through education:
• PCQI training for all of operations, quality, laboratory employees
• FAMI-QS training for regulatory personnel

We updated and implemented a more robust sampling and testing plan for finished products and raw materials:
• Updated Amaferm testing plan
• Implemented EQE testing plan
• Implemented Amaferm ECO testing plan
• Implemented a test-and-hold program for all international orders
• Created and implemented a sampling calendar for communication on testing needs and deadlines

We prioritized and expanded the scope of laboratory testing, monitoring, and documentation:
• In-house copper testing with one-day turnaround
• In-house non-protein nitrogen
• In-house acid insoluble ash
• In-house liquid fiber analysis
• Increased aseptic technique in Microbiology lab
• Implemented in-process environmental monitoring
• Implemented daily sterility checks for every AO batch
• Generated SOPs for Analytical and Microbiology labs

As we close out the year, we look back on all we’ve learned and the new relationships that have been solidified. I am especially thankful to be part of a work family where colleagues support and encourage each other and excellence is expected. I am most grateful that despite all the challenges we faced in 2023, our team has stayed the course and is fully dedicated to a bigger and brighter 2024!

DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH & INNOVATION
IGNACIO IPHARRAGUERRE

In the dynamic landscape of 2023, BioZyme’s Research & Innovation battalion experienced a pivotal year defined by strategic initiatives and groundbreaking accomplishments. Noteworthy was the company’s significant investment in state-of-the-art fermentation and drying technologies, laying a robust foundation for advancements in biotechnology.

This dedication also manifested in the expansion of our research portfolio, exemplifying our commitment to staying at the forefront of scientific innovation. Our team successfully devised and implemented a strategic innovation system finely attuned to both business development objectives and the evolving needs of our diverse customer base.

A highlight of the year was the team’s instrumental role in fortifying the AO-Biotics® brand, achieved through the strategic launch of a specialized postbiotic tailored for laying hens. This targeted product not only bolstered our market presence but also showcased our dedication to addressing specific challenges within the poultry industry.

Moreover, BioZyme actively contributed to advancing scientific knowledge in the field of postbiotics, with research findings garnering recognition from esteemed peers, including the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP). These accolades underscore our commitment to scientific excellence and further solidify our standing as industry leaders.

Importantly, the team continued to deepen its understanding of the impact of Amaferm, BioZyme’s flagship additive, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to excellence in animal nutrition. Efforts to expand our additive portfolio reflect a forward-thinking approach, aimed at addressing major challenges in animal nutrition and health. This comprehensive approach to innovation, coupled with a steadfast dedication to scientific inquiry, positions BioZyme as a trailblazer in the field, ensuring sustained growth and impact in the years to come.

Letters from Lisa

What Did 2023 Mean to Me? 

As we enter a new year, I always like to reflect on the past. 2023 was a year of recovery in many ways. To be honest, for me, 2022 went by without any real intention, but more so I was merely trying to make it from one day to the next. Grief is a funny thing; it sneaks up on you and doesn’t really care what you need or where you are trying to go. 

I was quite happy and relieved when I made it to 2023, hoping things would at least start moving week to week, not only day to day. And as He always does, God delivered. BioZyme has taken advantage of this time and accomplished many items that will have a significant impact on our very bright future. They include: 

  1. Tripling our fermentation and downstream capacity and ensuring that capacity allows for the most complex and impactful fermentation possible. This will ensure we can continue using fermentation and the knowledge we receive from it to develop passionate solutions for undeniable impact. 
  1. Restructuring the company governance to have a dynamic, experienced board of directors that represents all the opportunities and challenges BioZyme faces – industry, science, use of funds and historical perspective. 
  1. Expanding the manufacturing and sales teams so we have the mental and physical recourses to not be reactive but proactive and working to be amazingly predictive. 
  1. Getting our market channels better defined so we can help animals through all of our abilities, including nutrition, health, additive technologies and manufacturing expertise.  This has resulted in two new divisions: animal health and toll manufacturing (pelleting, minerals, fermentation/DSP, liquids and gels) both of which have a very bright future. 
  1. Expanding our operation to have an equine-safe line. This separate line allows us to manufacture in a 100% safe environment from a horse’s perspective. This also allowed all our manufacturing, outside of the tubs, to be in-house. This accomplished goal is one we have had for a few years. 
  1. Always looking ahead with intention, to ensure we don’t miss a chance to grow as humans in providing care that comes full circle in all that we do. 

In 2024, we’ll set our sights up high,  

With dreams as vast as the endless sky.  

The future opportunities, we can’t deny,  

A world of success will be nigh. 

In every heart, a burning desire, 

To reach higher, to aspire.  

In this year, we won’t tire,  

For hard work is what we require. 

We’ll innovate, create and explore,  

To open new pathways and unlock the door.  

Challenges faced, we’ll conquer and more, 

The future’s success, we’ll surely implore. 

With diligence, hard work, and funation,  

We’ll build a cool but thankful foundation.  

In 2024, a global celebration,  

Of progress, growth and realization. 

In our strategies, willingness to change and graphic arts,  

We’ll make our mark, playing our parts.  

While innovation will set us apart,  

Always working toward a brighter future and a fresh start. 

So let us march into this year, with hope and purpose, without fear.  

In 2024, success will be clear. 

Innovating Animal Health: The Journey Beyond Nutrition

If you know much about BioZyme®, chances are you might have heard of Larry Ehlert. Ehlert, a former feed salesman founded BioZyme in the 1950s across the street from the Saint Joseph, Missouri Stockyards. He subsequently purchased a patent and marketing rights to an unheard-of direct fed microbial produced from a fungus called Aspergillus oryzae, the basis of Amaferm, or what today we call AO-Biotics® Amaferm.

Ehlert was a visionary. He started producing and selling supplements with Amaferm in them, one of the first was VitaFerm®, which still exists today. But he knew producers didn’t know about direct fed microbials and wanted to get them exposed to the emerging technology. He knew the best way to educate cattle producers about Amaferm was through the animal health sector. Who did they trust for advice in the 1970s? Their veterinarians.

“Larry’s instinct was to work with vets because they understood the stress that livestock endured at specific time periods of life. If Larry could bring Amaferm to the animal health business through veterinarians, their clients could see how fast it works in times of stress, and Larry would have the buy-in of the vet. Then, the producers might better understand what Amaferm could do in a mineral program,” explained Kevin Glaubius, long-time BioZyme employee and Area Sales Manager in Nebraska.

After establishing a mineral program, BioZyme later began introducing animal health or small pack products that helped manage the side effects of stress in situations like weaning, hauling, processing, illness, diet changes or environmental changes. These products were originally sold as powders and boluses made for all species and formed the basis for BioZyme’s Vita Charge® Technology.

“Vets didn’t always have the time or space to sell 50-pound bags of mineral. But they could recommend these smaller products that worked fast and helped build immunity or got calves to the bunk or water tank faster,” Glaubius said.

The Evolution of Vita Charge Technology

With Ehlert’s foresight, the Vita Charge products of the 1970s grew and evolved. Livestock and pet enthusiasts appreciated the rapid response of these products, and Vita Charge increased in popularity. As time and technology evolved, so did the product offering.

Powders and boluses transitioned to pastes, liquids and tubs. The pastes eventually evolved to easier to use water-based gels in 2018 when BioZyme purchased Cogent Solutions Group in Lexington, Kentucky.

This proved to be a pivotal point in the evolution of all Vita Charge products. Cogent, a trailblazer in the research, development and production of liquid and gel products in the human and equine industries, brought a wealth of manufacturing knowledge to BioZyme.

With the purchase of Cogent, BioZyme could now make all Vita Charge products, with the exception of tubs, “in house,” utilizing cutting edge technology and automation.

What is the Vita Charge Technology?

According to Ignacio Ipharraguerre, Ph.D., Director of Research and Innovation, the primary focus in developing the Vita Charge Technology was to rapidly safeguard the gut from potential harm. The gut serves various vital functions, including a crucial role in maintaining animals in optimal health and well-being.

“Unfortunately, the inner layer of the gut, known as the mucosa, undergoes rapid renewal, rendering it highly susceptible to the impacts of stressful events. Simply put, any type of stress, even psychological stress, affects the gut mucosa, diminishing its protective barrier function. This protective function is crucial to prevent harmful inflammation and preserve the animal’s ability to digest and absorb nutrients,” he said.

The gut can become dysfunctional within minutes following exposure to stressful situations such as transportation, vaccination or negative interactions with other animals or caregivers. Although these adverse effects may be brief, they undoubtedly create a gateway for significant issues to arise. Consequently, Ipharraguerre and his team worked to create a rapid and effective solution to safeguard animal performance, health and overall well-being during and after stressful periods.

“This foundational work, which extended over several years, involved in-depth research and analysis to understand the intricate ways in which Amaferm and MOS interact with biological processes. The result is a comprehensive understanding of their synergistic effects, ensuring that Vita Charge is not just a product of development but a culmination of years of dedicated investigation and knowledge-building,” Ipharraguerre explains.

Stress also tends to deplete certain nutrients more than others. This is largely due to the “fight or flight” response prioritizing the support of the heart, lungs and muscles. During this physiological survival mode, the digestive process also ceases to be of high priority. The body will either immediately try to get rid of any undigested food (causing diarrhea) or will simply slow down.

The Vita Charge Technology is comprised of a unique blend of ingredients to help support animal health before, during or after the stress response. Every product with Vita Charge Technology contains an exact amount of B vitamins, vitamin E, potassium, zinc, MOS and Amaferm. In addition, a precisely defined salt to sugar ratio was developed and incorporated into the technology to support hydration. This combination provides undeniable impact to livestock under stress, embodying BioZyme’s overall purpose to provide “care that comes full circle.”

Vita Charge Technology in 2024 and Beyond

Although Ehlert had the foresight to position BioZyme as an animal health company nearly half a century ago, BioZyme has long been known for the many nutritional supplements found within the BioZyme family of brands. Brands like VitaFerm®, Sure Champ®, DuraFerm®, Gain Smart® and Vitalize® are becoming more familiar with livestock producers and equine enthusiasts.

In 2024, BioZyme will integrate the Vita Charge products into two of BioZyme’s more popular brand lines. The production cattle products like Stress Tubs and five-liter Cattle Drench will be marketed under the VitaFerm label. All gels, Liquid Boost® and the 32-ounce Cattle Drench will be marketed under the Sure Champ label.

“Both of the Sure Champ and VitaFerm names are really well-known brands within our industry. We feel that this transition will be a simple one with some good education, and perhaps less confusion with an extra brand,” said Lori Lawrence, Senior Manager of Commercial Marketing. “We have spent months working on this project, and we know we will continue to provide an undeniable impact to the livestock industry with our Vita Charge Technology, now found in our customer’s favorite BioZyme brands.”

All formulas will remain the same, only brand names will be slightly different, but the products will be marketed “with Vita Charge Technology” to help eliminate any confusion. For example, Liquid Boost will become Sure Champ Liquid Boost with Vita Charge technology. Same formula, same great results.

One product name will change. The Vita Charge Gel will become Sure Champ Appetite Plus®, indicating more of its direct impact to the animal.

Glaubius encourages livestock producers who haven’t used the products to find a dealer near them and try the products with Vita Charge Technology. He reminds users that the unique formulas work to support animals against a broad spectrum of unintended side effects from stress, something we often cannot control.

“The carefully crafted combination of Amaferm, MOS, B vitamins and other ingredients by BioZyme’s team of research scientists and nutritionists have been proven time and time again to help animals before, during and after stressful situations,” Glaubius said.

To learn more about the full range of products, visit VitaFerm or Sure Champ.

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