Month: September 2024

A Step-by-Step Approach to a Successful Producer Meeting

The BioZyme Team wants your next producer meeting to be a success. Follow this guide as you plan your next meeting this fall or winter.

1. Set a Date

Setting a date can be the biggest challenge, as you want to work around your customers’ schedules of calving, harvest, pulling cattle off of government managed ground and other tasks. Work with your Area Sales Manager and set a date at least 60 days out that works best for your schedule.

2. Submit a Marketing Request

At least 60 days before your producer meeting, submit a Marketing Request through the Online Dealer Center to let your ASM and the Marketing Team know that you are planning a Producer Meeting, along with all the pertinent information. The Marketing Team will send invitations on your behalf, provide you with literature and arrange one of the BioZyme experts to speak at your event, if you so choose.

“Use the BioZyme Marketing Team. They are a talented, creative group, so let them help you,” said Keith Micke, K Triangle Feed. Micke hosts at least one successful meeting annually.

3. Update your Customer List

Once you have your Marketing Request submitted, you will want to get an updated customer mailing list submitted to the Marketing Team. Make sure this includes customers and potential customers that you want to invite to your meeting.

Make sure your list is relevant; if you have customers out of state, no need to invite them. If you are focusing on cow-calf nutrition, should you invite customers who only buy dog supplements?

Make Local Arrangements

Decide on what you need locally for your meeting. Are you providing a meal or heavy appetizers? Secure the caterer or work with a local church group or producer’s group to do the cooking. Make sure you have adequate tables, chairs, plates and utensils. If you are having a speaker, you will need a screen and an LCD projector.

5. Follow Up with Phone Calls

Micke advises following up the printed invitation with a friendly phone call. Although the postcard invitation is professional and looks nice, so many of his customers get lots of mail. He said the phone call is a nice reminder for people who might otherwise forget about the meeting.

6. Host the Producer Meeting

On the day or evening of the meeting, make sure you have everything you need. Micke said the best piece of literature he offers attendees is the Product Guide.

“I used to flood them with too much literature. Now we just go through the Product Guide to let them know we have products for every animal and even humans. I will usually sell Baxyl at every meeting,” Micke said. “The other piece of literature that is important is the Amaferm booklet. It all starts with Amaferm, and they need to see how it works.”

He adds that his customers really appreciate seeing someone from BioZyme like Chris Cassady or John Jeffrey at the meeting, as they do a great job explaining and showing care that comes full circle.

7. Close the Sale

At the end of the meeting, follow up with the attendees to gather any orders, especially if you are offering a one-time discount. Follow up with potential customers who you might have met at the meeting within a few days to answer any questions.

The ASM will collect contact cards. A thank you email will be sent on yours and the ASMs behalf. Producer meetings are a great way for outreach, marketing and sales. Reach out to your ASM or the Marketing Team if you have questions on how to make your next producer meeting a success!

Continuous Improvements Lead to New Product Developments

“Times and conditions change so rapidly that we must keep our aim constantly focused on the future.”

This quote from entrepreneur Walt Disney aligns perfectly with the values of BioZyme®. With a mission to show care that comes full circle to all animals and caretakers of those animals, our team is continually focused on making positive changes for the future. 

One of BioZyme’s more recent changes and improvements comes from forming a key partnership with Zinpro®, a world leader in trace minerals. We are excited to kick off this partnership that allows us to introduce a new organic trace mineral (OTM) technology. 

“Absorption is key. Present research shows that using an amino acid complex opens multiple doors for absorption and increases mineral retention rate, providing for maximum utilization. Zinpro Performance Minerals also utilize amino acid transporters for uptake into the bloodstream,” said Chris Cassady, Ph.D., BioZyme Director of Beef Technical Sales. 

Zinpro amino acid complexes have four primary benefits outlined here: 

1. Soluble

Soluble simply means being capable of being dissolved in a liquid. Since we know that the animal’s body is primarily made of water, if a mineral is not soluble, it won’t be available. 

Mineral absorption is water based, and all Zinpro Performance Minerals have high solubility to improve efficacy and absorption into the enterocyte (small intestinal cell). 

2. Stable

The stability of the organic trace mineral is primarily based on the bond between the mineral (metal) and the amino acid it is “complexed” to. 

Varying bond strengths and pH changes throughout the GI tract cause a lot of OTMs to break apart and become less usable. The rumen is 6.7-7.0, the abomasum is around 2, the duodenum starts to increase back to 5, so it has to be strong enough to make it through this gauntlet of pHs. All Zinpro Performance Minerals are bound to an amino acid ligand with a stability constant between 2-7.4 pH. 

Stability requires a balance, tight enough to stay together, but not so tight that it can’t let go when needed. 

Cassady compares stability to a dating relationship. 

“Stability is a really good girlfriend. If you find this person, you should marry them.” 

“A crazy (too strong bond) clings, clings, clings to you and never lets go when you need it to,” he explains. “Alternatively, the weak girlfriend kind of holds your hand, but lets go and leaves you hanging when younger, more attractive guys show up to the party (antagonists in the rumen),” he said. 

3. Absorbable

For an OTM to be absorbable, it is able to easily enter the bloodstream. Obviously, for trace minerals to be used by the animal, they must be absorbed and distributed through the bloodstream to organs, tissues and enzyme systems. 

Zinpro Performance Minerals are manufactured to create a molecule that the animal can absorb and put to good use. Inorganics and some other organics are inadequately absorbed or not absorbed at all. If they aren’t absorbed, they aren’t used, and are excreted into the environment. 

Zinpro has the data and science to prove that their amino acid complexes are absorbed through the amino acid transporters. So, the receptor on the enterocyte essentially recognizes the specific amino acid it is targeting and “pulls it in”. The Availa Zn, Mn and Cu we are now using have these minerals complexed to multiple amino acids instead of just 

one glycine molecule like we had in the past. This increases the affinity and “opens more doors” for the complex minerals to be absorbed compared to the technology we used in the past.  

4. Metabolically Available

Metabolically available amino acids are in the body, available for immediate use and help animals reach their full genetic potential more efficiently and effectively. Zinpro Performance Minerals are research-proven to provide greater efficiency to reach target organs, tissue, and enzyme systems. These OTMs give us the opportunity to consistently increase the amount of minerals that are available and usable in the animal. 

As you can see, the primary benefits of the Zinpro Availa organic trace minerals are increased health, performance and absorption for the animals. The producers should see more efficiency, a reduced cost and more gain. 

At BioZyme, we know that continuously improving is important to the animals, the customers and you, the dealers. If our products don’t get better, we don’t get better. We hope that you and your customers appreciate these enhanced OTMs the progress we are making to improve our products every day. 

Prebiotic Tools for Heifer Development

By Chris Cassady, Ph.D., BioZyme® Inc., Director of Beef Technical Sales 

A new era of calf prices has brought amazing revenue for cow-calf producers. Immediate income opportunities incentivize cattlemen to sell their weaned calves, meaning a greater number of heifers are destined for the cattle feeding sector. Collectively, the cow herd hasn’t expanded as quickly as projected, ushering in amazing value for the replacement female. Like any valuable asset you may own, protecting your genetics with quality nutrition and management can help cattlemen get the most out of their retained females. Longevity is key to success in this business. With minimal incentive to grow the cow herd, it’s time to explore all the technologies available to produce high quality, sufficient levels of beef with the fewest cow numbers in decades. 

Maximize Cow Herd Longevity

Maximizing longevity is dependent upon getting your replacement heifers bred up early enough to calve by two years of age. Research has shown the long-term negative impacts of late calving heifers on their productivity and stayability as a mature cow. Fertility is paramount, but it’s hard to single-trait select for due to its low heritability. Additionally, the fact that reproduction is non-essential, it’s no surprise that any nutritional or health insult to a growing heifer can prevent her from effectively breeding. Missing cycles takes away substantial dollars to our weaned calf market next year and puts the replacement herself at risk of falling out of the herd thereafter. Collectively, it’s our job to protect cattle from any stressors that can impact their lifetime productivity in the herd. 

Heifers need to stay healthy to breed. However, the immune system requires an exorbitant amount of nutrition when activated and is responsible for anestrous, early-term abortions and more. The first thing that comes to mind when talking about herd well-being are effective vaccination protocols. Many are effective promotors of acquired immunity in your animals, but did you know that more than 70% of the immune system can be found in the gut? Hence, researchers have focused their efforts in evaluating the positive relationship between gut health and overall immune function. It may be time to take a proactive approach to the well-being of our developing heifers. Products such as prebiotics are designed to improve the number and activity of beneficial bacteria in the rumen and gastrointestinal tract. Competitive exclusion by promoting the good bugs and maintaining a stable rumen pH can help to eliminate pathogens and their negative effects on reproductive function. 

Just like a late-night informercial would claim, that’s not all for prebiotics! Prebiotics are defined by their positive impact on beneficial microorganisms in the gut, and some are research proven to improve feed utilization. At BioZyme®, we are proud to have AO-Biotics® Amaferm®, a research-proven prebiotic designed to enhance digestibility. Amaferm stimulates the growth of energy-harvesting bacteria, resulting in greater volatile fatty acid production (VFA) in the rumen. Volatile fatty acids serve as the primary energy source for ruminants, and an improvement in VFA production by 16% from feeding Amaferm is nutritionally the same as feeding a pound of DDGS per head per day. Unlocking more energy from within affords the heifer additional energy available for growth, improved body condition and an earlier onset of puberty. Not to mention elevated energy levels have been shown to improve the production of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), which are crucial to the effective onset of ovulation in heifers. Obviously, these are essential for reproductive success, meaning that the prebiotic Amaferm can help improve breed-ups without any risks of grain-fed, overweight heifers. 

Prebiotic vs Probiotic

One of the key elements that distinguishes a prebiotic from a probiotic is that it is non-living. The fact that it stays viable at extreme temperatures and varying moisture and pH levels suggests that many delivery mechanisms exist for your heifers. Prebiotics can be fed via total mixed rations (TMR) in confined heifer development systems but are more commonly incorporated into mineral supplements. Vitamin and mineral supplementation strategies are well-established promotors of beef production efficiency. When highly available mineral and vitamin products serve as the carrier for a powerful prebiotic, an effective one-two nutritional punch can be provided to your replacements. 

The best way to incorporate Amaferm into your herd is through the VitaFerm® vitamin and mineral supplements powered by Amaferm. VitaFerm® is a line of nutritional supplements for beef cattle that maximize energy and forage utilization for successful production. A variety of products are available for cattle producers that contain organic trace minerals and Amaferm to help your heifers optimize their health and maximize their reproductive success. 

The feeder calf market is holding back any herd expansion because it incentivizes producers to cash in on their heifer calves while the market is hot. However, if you’re keeping fewer replacements this year, it’s likely you’re keeping the absolute elite of your calf crop. While this will certainly improve the genetic merit of a smaller domestic cow herd, it’s still up to us to maximize the genetic potential of our programs by developing our heifers in the best possible way. Great genetics require premium nutrition, and now is the most critical time to effectively set up our yearling females for a lifetime of success in the herd. 

Offering a prebiotic like Amaferm through a supplementation program like VitaFerm is the best way to ensure your yearling heifers are successful contributors to the herd. Prebiotics are powerful tools that can proactively benefit health from within as well as improve feed utilization and energetic status in the animal. Collectively, this technology serves as a vital tool for maximizing heifer breed-ups in the first year, and effective longevity thereon.  

CHANGES COMING IN SEPTEMBER

VITAFERM® CONCEPT•AID® PROTEIN PROMOTION

We are pleased to announce a booking promotion of $500 off full truckload orders of Concept•Aid Protein Tubs and/or Concept•Aid Protein Meal placed between September 1 and 20. Delivery is scheduled between October 1 and October 22.

For more information contact your BioZyme sales representative or email orders@biozymeinc.com.

VITAFERM® 30-13% PROTEIN TUB MOVES TO CONSERVE LINE

Currently, the VitaFerm® 30-13% Protein Tub stands alone, and it is not part of any product line. In an effort to remedy that and to build more product awareness, we are moving it to the VitaFerm Conserve® line, renaming it the VitaFerm Conserve® 30-13% Protein Tub.

Watch for this rolling change as the current product inventory is depleted, and new tubs with updated labels are made.

NEW CAPS ON LIQUID PRODUCTS PREVENT SPILLS

In an effort to continuously offer our customers the best service, we are updating the caps on 2.5 Gallon Liquid Boost® and HydraBoost® RTU closures from white vented to white heat seal for economy and security/reduction of spillage during shipment.  We conducted trials for 6 months to ensure no bloating occurred with a completely sealed closure.

VITALIZE® UPDATES

To better align with its purpose and usage, Vitalize® Free Choice will now be known as Vitalize Equine Vitamin & Mineral Supplement. Using the same great formula this highly-fortified, loose vitamin and mineral supplement is designed for horses as a daily top dress or free choice supplement to support nutritional and digestive health. The name change reflects the ability of the product to be fed various ways, either free choice or top dressed on feed.

The Vitalize Equine Vitamin & Mineral Supplement, Protein Pellet and 40 lb Digest More Plus will also be transitioned into a new style of poly bag later this month. Look for this rolling change as current inventory is depleted.

UPDATE TO DEALER REWARD POINTS REDEMPTION

When redeeming your points for BioZyme swag (wearables), in the Online Dealer Center, sizes are now linked to inventory, taking the guesswork out of if wondering if the item and size you want is available. This makes it convenient to see which items and sizes are available to you, just another way we can show care that comes full circle!

SAMM CENTER IS CONTINUALLY UPDATING

The Marketing Team is working diligently to provide dealers with the most current information. In order to keep the materials relevant, some pieces have been converted to digital only – allowing you to download and print on demand. Other literature, like the VitaFerm® ReproMaxx® sell sheet has been updated and is available for your request. Be sure to visit the SAMM Center regularly for all your Signage, Apparel & Marketing Material needs.

NOW AVAILABLE: VITAFERM® REPROMAXX® MASTER DEALER ON DEMAND

The Master Dealer On Demand course is now available in the Dealer Center to test your knowledge on the new VitaFerm® ReproMaxx® mineral product for your beef cattle customers.

Visit the Dealer Center to get started with the VitaFerm ReproMaxx On Demand training. 

A ReproMaxx sell sheet is also available now in the SAMM Center.