Category: Business Topics

Making The Most of Chick Days: Chicken Products, Sales Strategies and The Value of Planning Ahead

As any seasoned dealer can tell you, Chick Days is more than a routine—it’s a boom or bust moment for any vendor in the world of chicken products. As a dealer or feed store owner, you’re not just witnessing a surge in demand; you’re at the forefront of a thriving market. That means there’s genuine opportunity there that you might not initially realize. 

Chick Days isn’t just a blip on the calendar; it’s an opportunity for those well-versed in the nuances of poultry commerce and products. In this blog, the BioZyme team is diving into the intricate dance of supply, demand and consumer behavior during this pivotal period. Let’s be frank: as dealers, you are the experts in what your consumers want. You know your community better than we do. That’s why we aim to provide insights that resonate with the seasoned dealer. Our goal is to offer strategies to fine-tune your approach and extract the maximum value from Chick Days. 

And if you’re new to Chick Days and are looking to get an insight into how to best set up your operation for success, we’ve got you covered. This guide is not only intended to be practical but a tool for everyone. Let’s navigate this season together, leveraging your industry acumen to make Chick Days not just profitable but a standout chapter in your business story. 

What’s So Special About Chick Days? 

Chick Days are a period marked by increased interest in chicken products—typically involving the sale of live chicks to enthusiasts and farmers. 

But it’s more than just about buying chicks. This tradition, rooted in the agricultural calendar, serves as a bridge between winter and spring. It signals not only a practical approach to poultry farming but also a cultural celebration of renewal and growth. It’s more than a fun seasonal event—it’s an annual agricultural milestone. It’s also a dynamic sales period. 

Seasonal trends vary based on factors like geographical location and evolving consumer preferences. Understanding these fluctuations is essential. Are backyard enthusiasts looking for specific breeds? Is there an uptick in demand for organic feeds? By deciphering these nuances, businesses can tailor their offerings, aligning with the pulse of consumer behavior during Chick Days. 

Planning for Chick Days 

For the seasoned dealer or feed store owner, Chick Days necessitates a strategic approach. Anticipating the ebb and flow of demand, optimizing inventory and crafting targeted promotions are imperative for success during this critical season. Strategic planning ensures businesses don’t merely navigate Chick Days; they thrive. 

Check out our Starter Guide for Baby Chicks. 

Our Tips for Ensuring Successful Chick Days for Your Business 

Tip #1: Consider Your Customers 

Identifying your target customers during Chick Days is pivotal. Are they seasoned farmers, backyard hobbyists or first-time enthusiasts venturing into the world of chicken products? These customers are looking for different things from their dealers, and you can service all of them if you’re strategic. 

Customer Preferences for Chicken Products 

This may sound like a lot of work, especially if you’ve run Chick Days in the past, but where there’s products to sell, there’s more money to be made. With that in mind, it’s important to think about what different types of customers may be looking for. Experienced farmers may gravitate towards heritage breeds, valuing their resilience and self-sufficiency. Hobbyists or first-time buyers are likely to prioritize organic or high-end feeds, as they want to guarantee success and don’t know all the ins and outs of caring for chicks. 

It also doesn’t hurt to take some time to examine accessory trends. For instance—novel coop designs, automated feeding systems or eco-friendly bedding options. While not all of these will be right for all your customers, they can be a great source of additional profit. That being said, don’t make investments that don’t match your community’s needs. If your customer-base is exclusively long-standing chicken producers, you don’t need to go all-in on chicken products for first timers. 

It’s important to make these considerations to ensure you’re pre-empting demand. 

Tip #2: Create A Stellar Lineup of Chicken Products 

Beyond live birds, dealers can enhance their product lineup with a comprehensive array of essential supplies and accessories. This encompasses coops, nesting boxes, bedding and other coop management essentials. Creating an all-in-one shopping destination ensures customers have convenient access to all chicken products required for a successful poultry-raising experience. 

The Value of Nutritional Supplements and Feeds 

The nutritional well-being of poultry is a top priority for backyard enthusiasts and farmers alike. Dealers can elevate their offerings by including a range of nutritional supplements and feeds. This includes specialized feeds for different life stages, ensuring optimal growth and egg production. Nutritional supplements, such as those promoting digestive health and immune support, add a layer of care to the product lineup, providing customers with comprehensive solutions. 

BioZyme offers a variety of excellent supplement products through our Backyard Boost brand that you can steer customers toward! 

Backyard Boost Products Include… 

Backyard Boost® Defense 

A liquid supplement for poultry designed to support digestion and a healthy immune response. Backyard Boost Defense contains AO-Biotics® Amaferm®, a prebiotic research-proven to enhance digestibility and provides nutrients needed in times of stress. By adding this green liquid to their fresh water daily, you will promote water intake and hydration. 

Backyard Boost® Daily Essentials 

A pelleted protein supplement for poultry designed to maximize digestibility and egg production. Backyard Boost Daily Essentials also contains Amaferm. Additionally, it contains AO-Biotics® EQE, a postbiotic research proven to enhance egg quality and production. This supplement also provides nutrients needed for overall well-being. 

Backyard Boost® Busy Balls 

A prebiotic treat to help bounce boredom, we designed Backyard Bost Busy Balls to maximize engagement among backyard chickens and improve overall quality of life. Busy Balls also contain Amaferm, making them a powerful tool to supplement nutritional deficiencies and improve overall quality of life for a coop. 

Tip #3: Merchandising for Brick-&-Mortar Stores 

Now this is a subject that the BioZyme marketing team has A LOT to say about. Not just because we’re a big fan of our own work, but because it genuinely improves results for dealers at the checkout counter. And we believe that’s what you deserve. 

If you’re looking to make a killing on chicken products during Chick Days, effective merchandising is more than arranging shelves. It’s all about creating an immersive experience. A well-merchandised store isn’t just a place to buy supplies—it’s a hub engaged customers will want to spend money and acquire information. How do you make that happen? 

Eye-catching Displays and Signage 

Transform your store into a shopping destination with displays. Eye-catching arrangements draw customers in, highlighting the diverse array of chicken products you have available. They also make your store look better and more reputable across the board. You can even be strategic about how you place signage, subtly guiding your customers through the available offerings you carry. 

Create Themed Sections for Ease-of-Access 

In particular, many dealers have success organizing their store with themed sections that mirror the journey of raising chickens. This not only simplifies the shopping experience for customers, it makes it easier for you to keep track of what you’re selling the most of. 

Educate Customers About Products In-Store 

Knowledge is key—empower your customers with information about each product. Engage them through interactive displays and informative signage. We also encourage staying up to date on product details so you can have informed conversations with them! An educated customer is a confident customer, more likely to make purchases that ensure the success of both their flock and your business. 

Check out this blog for additional retail merchandising tips! 

Tip #5: Think Digitally 

We’re more than willing to recognize that this tip is easier said than done for a small operation. Especially if your customer base is older and less likely to use the internet to keep current on deals, seasonal events and purchasing information. But learning to take advantage of e-commerce platforms or social media to announce available chicken products during Chick Days can be a real boon to your business. 

You can consider running special deals on certain chicken products or allow customers to reserve purchases ahead-of-time online. You could even create social posts highlighting your store to potential users looking to partake in Chick Days. Being easier to find and engage with online will almost always help your sales numbers. 

Advice from an Expert… 

To provide you all with a little more usable information, we consulted with Content and Digital Strategy Manager John Sprong, our resident web marketing expert. 

“If you’re a small dealer servicing a smaller community, it’s important to recognize your ability to reach new people online is going to be modest. It might not be worth the man hours necessary to execute a small campaign for your business. But if there’s a real chance you can reach a larger, untapped audience, make sure your investment is meaningful. Link back to your business’ website, run a countdown ‘til the start of Chick Days, send reminder emails. You might even consider creating a special promotion for the event, and reposting your store’s address to help new folks find you.” 

“I recognize this isn’t going to be practical advice for everyone, but if you have a website, you want to create as many opportunities for your customers to engage with you digitally as possible. This can be through exclusive online deals, eblasts to loyal customers, or Facebook posts that you send out prior to the start of Chick Days. You want to highlight your chicken products, and why consumers should turn to YOU.” 

As Sprong stated rather succinctly, “what matters is planning ahead and following through on that strategy.”   

Tip #6: Encourage Customer Engagement 

As most dealers already know, engaged customers are the heartbeat of a successful business. That’s why great dealers don’t only focus on transactions. They create passionate consumers. This may sound a little hokey, we know, but it’s worth thinking of your business as a community in-and-of itself. This can transform chicken product sales during Chick Days into sustainable, year-round revenue. But how do you do that? 

Build a Community Around Chick Days 

Transforming Chick Days from a transactional event to a community celebration is an investment in the longevity of your business. We have found that small dealers thrive by fostering connections, creating spaces where enthusiasts can share experiences, tips, and the joy of raising chickens. So, what does that look like? 

Involve Your Customers 

Empower your customers to share their Chick Days journey. This can be powerful online, or even in the store. Everything from posting testimonials, leaving business reviews or sharing photos, videos and posts about their journey raising chickens. If you care about their experience, they’ll come back to keep buying from you. It can also do wonders to help encourage other people online to pay you a visit and spend money with you. There’s no better advertising than an enthusiastic customer! 

Think About a Customer Loyalty Program 

Loyalty is a two-way street. Implementing a customer loyalty program not only rewards purchases but also acknowledges engagement. From exclusive Chick Days previews to special discounts, valuable incentives can be a key driver in new business. Who wouldn’t want to be a dedicated customer with a dealer that values them? 

Tip #7: Encourage Feedback 

If you’re a small operation looking to make the most of this Chick Days and improve in the years to come, there’s no better compass than your customers. This holds true for larger dealers and feed stores, too. Nobody knows whether your customers are getting what they want better than your customers. 

That’s why if Chick Days come to a close, and you’re wanting to take stock of what worked and what didn’t, turn to your customers. It’s possible their feedback doesn’t give you much direction. Lots of folks might not be comfortable sharing their unfiltered opinion. But there’s real value in asking for honest feedback. 

Maybe you didn’t have the chicken products they were looking for, or the layout of your store could use a little bit of fine-tuning. All of that is useful information. But also, it lets your customers know that you care about their experience. More than that, it showcases that you want to serve them better in the future. So, even if you get nothing but glowing reviews, checking in with the people you serve can be a great way to ensure you get repeat customers next Chick Days. 

BioZyme Can Help Make the Most of Chick Days 

If you’ve read this blog and are feeling overwhelmed about prepping for Chick Days, 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 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. 

Have an idea for something you’d like to see? Submit a Marketing Request or watch the Dealer Facebook page and VISION newsletter for more merchandising material in the future or to ask for help. 

Planning is Vital to Tracking Today’s Livestock Show Schedule 

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. . .yes, people are gearing up for the holidays. But in the show livestock world, they are also preparing for livestock shows.  

Yes, jackpots are now basically year-round, and the winter majors are happening soon. The livestock show schedule is a crazy, never-ending loop. So, how do breeders and exhibitors prepare? It all comes down to planning. 

Regional Livestock Show Schedules 

Livestock show schedules happen on a somewhat regional basis. In many parts of the U.S., including the Midwest, plains states and coasts, county and state fairs happen in the summer through the fall. This allows young people to take advantage of the summer months, when they are not in school, to work with their animals and attend weeklong county fairs and junior nationals. 

However, in Texas, the leading state for livestock shows based on number of animals shown, the well-known “Texas Majors” happen in the winter through spring. The Southwestern Livestock Exposition, commonly known as Fort Worth kicks off this string of multi-species major livestock competitions in January. 

Other southern states like Georgia, for example, start showing new projects just like they do in Texas in November and December. These first-time projects are getting their start now and will wrap up in late spring. 

Check out our list of shows at the end of this blog HERE.

Impact on Breeders 

Regionalized livestock show schedules allow for some breeders to have year-round marketing outlets. For instance, those who raise show pigs can breed for and farrow summer pigs for those in the south who need pigs that will finish in the winter and spring. Since sows have a shorter gestation length than a cow, they can have on average 2.57 litters per year. Thus, realistically a sow will have two litters of pigs, which means show pig breeders will have the opportunity to market to two different sets of clientele.  

Of course, cattle breeders don’t have that luxury; but cow-calf producers either fall or spring calve, and there are always options available for exhibitors. 

Livestock Show Schedules Run on Exhibitor Ages 

For most breed associations and youth programs like 4-H and FFA, there are age minimums and maximums for the participant. Depending on the organization and the location, most of the ages are by January 1. However, some of them are set by the actual show date or another date, like September 1. Always be sure to read and know the particular show guidelines set forth by the show or organization.  

You don’t want to get to a show and realize that your son or daughter is not the correct age to show, after you have invested the expense and time into a show project. Read and reread the rules carefully and keep them with you in case you have any questions or concerns. 

How Can Dealers Help Exhibitors Power Champions? 

It is important for dealers to help their customers power champions by keeping a full line of Sure Champ® products stocked during your particular show season. If you live in an area where shows happen year-round, you want to keep the staples like Liquid Boost®, Sure Champ® Joint Juice, Sure Champ® Cattle and the gel products on hand.  

If you have shows in primarily the summer months or live in a warmer, southern climate be sure to have Sure Champ® Extreme with ClariFly® stocked, as that multi-specie product is a crowd favorite in the heat when flies become a challenge. 

Take Advantage of Tools For Success 

Need help promoting these Sure Champ products? We have got you covered there too! Visit the SAMM Center to request all your marketing materials and literature. 

Do you use Promoboxx? Promoboxx is free to our dealers, and we have social media posts already created for these products. Use these to your advantage! If you don’t have Promoboxx, sign up today. It simplifies your social marketing and offers you posts across all of the BioZyme family of brands. You can find more information about Promoboxx under the Marketing Tab in the Online Dealer Center. 

Tracking livestock show schedules in your area can be a challenge. However, with proper planning you can help your customers power their champions by providing the products they need from Sure Champ. You can also provide a list of upcoming shows. Nearly every show has a social media site, so follow or like the show on Facebook or Instagram so you can keep up with deadlines and dates, and perhaps post those dates on your own social media as a service to your customers. Although many states have a show of some kind on every weekend, we have provided a list of national shows for you to have handy for you to track.  

Featured BioZyme Team – Cogent Solutions Group

Cogent Solutions Group was founded in 2005 in Lexington, Kentucky, with its early focus on the equine industry. From the very onset, Cogent has developed products with proven efficacy. The company’s focus is unique in that during the product development process, it emphasizes focus on addressing the underlying issues of challenges that humans and animal face – rather than just relieving symptoms. Ultimately, its corporate goal is to improve the quality of life of its customers and their animals by upholding the “care that comes full circle” model. BioZyme acquired Cogent in the summer of 2018. Both companies are founded upon proprietary fermentation-based ingredients. Both uphold the highest quality standards, aiming for safe, accurate products ALWAYS. And both believe in only putting forth products and ingredients that are backed by research that do what they say they will do.

At Cogent, a large percentage of its business is dedicated to contract manufacturing relationships. Cogent’s expertise lies in its ability to take an idea, formulate it, test it, scale it up and adapt its production to suit the needs of its vendor.

Currently, Cogent focuses primarily on manufacturing liquids of varying viscosities from the consistency of water up to a thick gel. They are able to adapt to filling multiple container types and sizes, based upon the vendors’ needs and wishes. In the summer of 2018, Cogent worked to transition all existing BioZyme paste products to water-based gel formulas. That conversion improved:

  • Product consistency across different environments (extreme temperature doesn’t affect the consistency of gels like it does paste)
  • Ease of administration (no more getting stuck in the tubes)
  • Homogeneity & dosing accuracy of the full spectrum of ingredients
  • Product texture (animals seem to prefer the smoothness of the gel over the paste)

Cogent Solutions Group manufactures a unique high-molecular weight hyaluronic acid formula calledMHB3®Hyaluronan. MHB3 is a high molecular weight hyaluronic acid patented & proven for the support of GI tissue integrity, joint, and bone health. It has eight U.S. patents for joint health support (osteoarthritis, bone spurs & more).

Several BioZyme products are powered by MHB3, including:

  • Vitalize®Alimend®
  • Vitalize® Hyaluronex®
  • Sure Champ®Joint Juice
  • Vitalize®Trixsyn®Canine & Trixsyn®Canine Performance
  • Vitalize®Trixsyn®Feline

Cogent also sells and manufactures products for humans, including HyaGlo®, a skincare line, andBaxyl®, supplements for joints and digestive health. To learn more about these products, visit baxyl.com and hyaglo.com

Do you want to carry Baxyl or HyaGlo in your dealership? To get signed up as a wholesaler call (816)238-3326 or visitcogentsolutionsgroup.com/bz-dealer

Six Ways to Maximize Opportunities at Livestock Shows 

Attending livestock shows is a way of life for families across the U.S. From the local county fair to the State Fair of Texas, which boasts more than 2 million visitors annually, people typically enjoy going to a fair. The sites, the smells and the attractions offer nostalgia to some. But for our clientele, it’s likely the livestock shows that draw attention. 

For BioZyme® dealers, you can use livestock shows as a venue to reach young exhibitors. Regardless of if you sell products from a feed store in town or from a shed off the farm, shows at the local level are a great marketing tool. You can promote your business; further educate others about the benefits of the products you offer and reach out to potential customers. 

Livestock shows also serve as a wonderful outreach tool. BioZyme’s Area Sales Manager Shane Schaake, who travels Kansas, said the BioZyme company moto, care that comes full circle, is what drives him to get out of bed each day.  

“Whenever I get to work with young people, either talking to them at a show, producer meeting or other youth leadership event, I get excited because I know I am helping them learn more about their animals and themselves. These livestock shows help young exhibitors learn core values while helping them build their program, and that is exciting to me.” 

Let’s explore six ways dealers can get involved at livestock shows at a local level. 

Marketing Opportunities at Livestock Shows 

  1. Networking 

Getting out to your local jackpot show or county fair allows you to visit with new and potential customers. If you are able to have a table with a sign, and perhaps have a give-away or sell product, people will stop by and visit, especially in the down time. 

“People who show livestock are sometimes more progressive and willing to try new products. They will usually ask good questions, so be present to visit, and keep literature on hand, said Kevin Glaubius, ASM for Nebraska. 

  1. Building Awareness 

A sign around the show ring, sponsoring awards or providing back numbers will help create awareness about your business and the products you offer. The BioZyme marketing department has pre-made formatted numbers branded with Sure Champ® that are easy to print.  

These back numbers can be printed or emailed directly to your printer. You can also submit a marketing request for a banner to hang from the show ring or your table to promote the fact that you are there promoting the show. 

  1. Provide Sponsorship 

A case of Vita Charge® Gel is an inexpensive investment for class winner or division winner prizes. This will give the recipients a chance to try a product they might not otherwise have tried. Once the exhibitor tries the Gel, they will likely want to know more about how it works, buy more or even want to purchase other products in the BioZyme family of brands. 

Another way to get involved is to provide a tee-shirt or cap with your business name on it to the young exhibitors. Kids will remember these small gestures, and so will their parents, who are the decision makers and often control the finances. 

  1. Be an Educator 

Make sure to take several pieces of literature with you to the show. Not only will you want information about Sure Champ, but you will also want information about the other product lines you carry. 

“If you are at a livestock show, and someone has a heifer, chances are they have cows at home. They need VitaFerm, too. Even if they are showing lambs, pigs or goats, they probably have other livestock at home, and almost everyone has a dog,” Schaake reminds. 

  1. Make a Sale 

“The biggest thing is if you’re going to a show, be stocked at least with the small pack products, and be willing and able to sell them,” Schaake said. 

There is nothing more disappointing to a potential customer who has just learned about the advantages of a new product than being told that it isn’t available. If you are going to talk about the products, make sure you have them on hand, or someone is at your local store front, and can bring them out to make the sale.  

We know that the benefits of quick response products, those that are typically the small pack products, sell themselves. If a new customer sees how well those products work, they might be more willing to purchase mineral. 

  1. Build Rapport with Future Customers 

Glaubius enjoys the outreach aspect of working with those who attend a livestock show.  

“Obviously, it is important to support the kids and give back to the local community. But just as important, you are working to build your future customer base,” he said. 

If a young person has five show heifers now, with a goal of building his or her herd, they might graduate college with 25 to 30 cows, that all should be on a mineral program. That young person remembers that your dealership gave out a tube of Vita Charge and a Sure Champ sticker a decade previously, so he or she returns to your dealership to learn about VitaFerm®. VitaFerm for 30 cows might not seem like a lot, but that person eventually builds his or her herd to 200 cows, has a few horses and starts a backyard chicken flock. See how the domino effect works on one small outreach effort. 

“Investing in our young people today has the potential for a great return on investment,” Glaubius said. 

What You Get Out of It 

We’ve discussed how you can engage with your community at a livestock show. But let’s take a second to discuss what taking time to invest your energy in local livestock shows can do for your business. Because the results can be impressive. 

Create New Business Opportunities 

Livestock shows bring together a diverse group of individuals involved in the industry, including breeders, exhibitors and potential customers. This means you have ample opportunity to identify new business prospects, establish connections with potential clients and expand your customer base. 

Provide New Market Insights 

Attending livestock shows allows dealers to stay updated on market trends, new technologies and the latest developments in the industry. Interacting with other professionals provides valuable insights into the current demands and preferences of customers, helping you adapt your strategies to meet the needs of your community. 

Promote Products 

Livestock shows are an ideal platform for dealers to showcase products and services. You even have the opportunity to engage with potential customers, demonstrate the features and benefits of your offerings and generate interest in products. 

Increase Your Industry Knowledge 

Livestock shows provide the opportunity to exchange knowledge and information with others in the industry. This can include insights on breeding techniques, health management and other aspects of livestock production. This shared knowledge can contribute to your expertise and enhance your ability to valuably serve your community. 

Establish Collaboration Opportunities 

Collaborative efforts often arise at livestock shows. Dealers can explore partnerships with other businesses in the industry, such as suppliers or service providers—like BioZyme, for instance. This allows you to offer more comprehensive solutions to your friends, neighbors and customers. 

Improve Your Visibility and Branding 

Being present at livestock shows increases your visibility within the industry and community. This visibility contributes to brand recognition, which is essential for attracting new customers and establishing credibility in the market. 

Keep Up to Date With Industry Updates 

Livestock shows often provide a platform for discussions on industry changes and standards. So, you can use livestock shows to stay informed about any new regulations that may impact your business. This helps ensure your compliance and continued success. 

Investing in livestock shows isn’t just about making immediate sales. It’s about building relationships, staying informed and positioning your business for long-term success in a dynamic and interconnected industry. 

Don’t Go it Alone 

At BioZyme, we want to be sure you have the materials and resources you need so that you are not flying solo when it comes to meeting your marketing needs. In the BioZyme SAMM Center, a plethora a signage, apparel and marketing materials include literature and more are readily available for you to order.  

In the SAMM Center you can order literature, ink pens, t-shirts, caps, stickers and more. If you are looking for something more specific like a show banner or back numbers, you will need to submit a marketing request. Please be sure to allow at least three weeks for printing and shipping for marketing requests for livestock shows or any event. 

Rely on our People 

If you know you want to get involved with a livestock show in your area, but you aren’t sure of the correct step, reach out. Your ASM and our Marketing Team can help. ASMs see many different promotional and marketing opportunities in their travels across their territories. Likewise, the Marketing Team has created many different projects, and they can give you some great advice if you have an idea, but just are not quite sure how to implement it. 

Marketing at livestock shows is a simple and effective way to capture a new audience while providing community outreach and support. There are various ways to get involved with your local community and your youth at a local livestock show. 

Take advantage of the opportunities above to help build brand awareness, support your community, and you will watch your business grow. 

Featured BioZyme Team – Domestic Sales

At BioZyme®, we take the TEAM approach, meaning that Together Everyone Achieves MORE! That is why we have a sales TEAM to support our customers. You likely know these men and women out in the field as your ASMs, or Area SalesManagers. They are our boots on the ground to help the dealers succeed in their business.

“We want the dealers to communicate with the ASMs their goals and aspirations for their business,” said Bob Burkham, Senior Manager of National Sales, who oversees the team of ASMs. “Do you want to grow as a dealer? Or are you happy where you currently are? Use your ASM to help you grow!”

The Sales Team is currently comprised of 12 knowledgeable men and women across the country to help you reach your goals. If there isn’t an ASM in your specific territory, feel free to call the BioZymeOutreach Support TEAM at 800-821-3070.

According to Burkham, the Sales Team offers dealers four key areas of support.

Product Knowledge

The sales team is well-versed in product knowledge and can provide training to you or your staff.

Expert in the Field to Answer Questions

Do you or a potential customer have a question about how a product works, the best product within a line for a specific scenario or how to merchandise a product? Use your ASM or Inside Sales Rep to get your questions answered.

Access to Nutritional Support

Not every company offers nutritional support, but in addition to the Sales Team, we offer a staff of nutritionists to help you. The ASMs can help you work with them, and also help you gather hay and feed samples for testing to be sure your customers get the right products.

Business Development

Do you have a potential end-user who is on the fence? Schedule a joint meeting with that producer, you and your ASM to discuss a product and the BioZyme products that would benefit its operation.

“My main goal is to help people improve their animals’ performance. Training the dealer to service the end-user is one of the best uses of my time. Fifty dealers are going to talk to way more people than I can in a day, and that helps us spread the care that comes full circle,” said Kevin Glaubius, ASM in Nebraska.

In the end, Burkham and Glaubius both agree, the dealer-ASM relationship is based on a common goal –growing the dealer’s business and providing solutions for customers.

“Call on any ASM to get the resources you need. They are here to help you reach your goals,” Burkham said.

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!

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!

The Importance of Testimonials – How to Snag ‘Em and Ways to Use ‘Em

Word of mouth marketing is one of the most important marketing tools you can use in any type of marketing vehicle: social media, website, sales letter, advertisement. 

According to socialfresh.com, “customer testimonials have the highest effectiveness rating at content marketing at 89%.” In other words, testimonials are 89% better at increasing conversion rates than other forms of marketing.

At BioZyme®, we love to earn customer testimonials, and we use them frequently. The hashtags #TestimonialTuesday or #FeatureFriday are a great way to showcase what customers are saying about the products on social media, and as you will read below, there are other ways to showcase testimonials as well. 

However, it isn’t always easy to get customers to share what they like about a product. 

“I usually find that if I start the conversation asking about their animals and their goals, they will be more open. I ask what challenges they were having and what led them to using the particular BioZyme product. Then, I ask them specific questions about the results they saw. What was their overall conception rate? How many more lambs did they wean? How many more pounds of gain did they experience with the Gain Smart mineral? Our producers are typically very data driven and keep great records and those are the stories we want to share,” said Shelia Grobosky, BioZyme Content & PR Manager. 

Below are four types of testimonials you can use in your marketing. 

  • Quote Testimonial:

The most common type, it is exactly what its name implies, a simple quote. You can get these over the phone, via email or in person, and use these a variety of ways. These are often the most read and most effective. The audience can read these quickly, and the quote gets right to the point.

  • Longform Testimonial: 

This might be a five-minute testimonial. You might record a conversation with a customer (always ask for permission before recording), and he or she has a great story. You can transcribe this for your website or even ask permission to post the entire audio to your website, as some people will prefer to listen to it over reading this long paragraph. These will also typically show more emotion, and emotion sells. 

  • Social Testimonial: 

This is another effective testimonial where you ask your customer to post their own review of a product on their own social media account, perhaps with a photo of the product. 

  • Video Testimonial: 

Like its name implies, this is a video of a customer telling you and your audience why he or she likes the product and the impact they have seen with the product. This is often the most beneficial since there is no reading involved, and the viewer can see and hear the emotion in the speaker’s voice. 

Testimonials are a great marketing tool. We encourage you to use them in your marketing, and if you have a great testimonial to share with our team, reach out to Grobosky at sgrobosky@biozymeinc.com. 

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!

Diversity Offers Increased Profitability

Diversity is the key to business survival. Sure, some companies have thrived on one product line, like Michelin or Crocs like Lisa referred to in her letter earlier in this issue. However, think about a company that only sold rain gauges in the West in 2022. That company likely didn’t fair too well.

In the animal nutrition business, there are many reasons to diversify. Most people own multiple species, and they genuinely care about their animals.

Here are three reasons BioZyme® has chosen to diversify its product lines, and why the company encourages its dealers to diversify too.

Reduce Risk

Many customers will make buying decisions based on economic and environmental conditions. These are the reasons BioZyme offers multiple products in our VitaFerm® line. Of course, Vita Ferm® Concept•Aid® is the most popular mineral, known for aiding with reproductive performance within the cow herd. However, VitaFerm® Cattlemen’s Blend™ is a great vitamin and mineral option for producers who want to supplement cows once they are bred and turned out on grass. VitaFerm Conserve® offers multiple options as a maintenance mineral for producers who want to cut costs but not their nutrition program.

The variety of products reduces the risk of the customer leaving the VitaFerm brand because they provide a variety of options during challenging economic times in a variety of environments.

Open the Door to Opportunities

A variety of products in your portfolio increases the opportunities to make a sale. Not only can you up sell and cross sell, but you also increase your customer base due to the variety of products that you offer. BioZyme capitalized on this opportunity during the pandemic when the backyard chicken craze exploded, and BioZyme simultaneously launched its Backyard Boost® line of products. Since it is important to take care of every animal, we wanted backyard chicken owners to have the same opportunity to include AO-Biotics® Amaferm® in their chickens’ daily diets.

In addition to an additional new line, let’s think about the programs BioZyme offers. For example, the Gain Smart® Stocker Program consists of three products that work synergistically to improve animal health and performance – Vita Charge® Cattle Drench, Vita Charge® Stress Tubs and the Gain Smart® Mineral. Additional product offerings are almost always complementary in nature and meet multiple consumer needs which provide great opportunities for business growth.

Fulfill Customers’ Needs

A single product focus cannot meet all customer needs. Let’s look at a family in rural America. The father might run a commercial cow herd. He definitely needs the VitaFerm line. The mom might have a flock of ewes and sell club lambs. She will most likely be interested in in DuraFerm® and Vita Charge. They might have children that show horses and also have a flock of backyard birds. They will need the Vitalize® and Backyard Boost products. Look at the opportunities that live at one address. The customers’ needs can all be met at one nutrition supplier because you offer a diverse range of products.

Diversification – it just makes sense for your customer and your bottom line. Diversify your product offering, and watch your business grow.