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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Letters from Lisa

We’ve all heard the saying “a good product sells itself.” If only that were universally true. People might line up for the release of the newest iPhone, but it’s not only because of the product itself. It’s also because Apple has spent decades building brand credibility, a unique customer experience and fantastic customer support

No matter the product, a prepared and knowledgeable salesperson is always going to prevail over an underprepared one. So, if you’re looking to increase your sales, read on for eight approaches that will boost your numbers and propel you forward.

Do your research ALWAYS
Adopt a consultative sales approach
Personalize your sales presentations
Focus on the person—not the product
Anticipate sales objections
Upsell and cross-sell only when appropriate
Stop focusing on closing
Manage your sales with a CRM (know your customer)

You believe in your company and the products you sell, and that probably shows in your pitches. However, in the current market, most companies aren’t only selling products—they’re selling experiences. In fact, 80% of customers say they’re more likely to do business with a company if it offers personalized and positive experiences

That’s not to say the product isn’t important, but truly unique products are rare nowadays, and the competition is fierce. The way to win customers is through superior, personalized experiences.

Personal selling is a longer game than product-based pitching, but it pays off with a higher percentage of repeat customers and referrals. Personal selling occurs when a sales representative meets with a potential customer to nurture them until they make a purchase.

Personal selling happens face-to-face. Direct contact distinguishes personals elling from other sales and marketing strategies, like public relations or automated sales calls that tout your company’s products or services.

Again, think of the personal selling process as getting to know someone like you would a friend or potential romantic interest who you consistently follow up with. You’re discovering details about what the person likes, dislikes and needs. And in the case of personal selling, you’re also learning about the motivations behind their purchasing decisions.

During this one-on-one interaction, focus on building a sincere relationship with the potential customer rather than on making a sale. Ask the right questions to establish rapport and learn more about their pain points and what they’re looking for in a solution. Listen carefully to their concerns and see how your company’s products or services can help them.

Say you sell mattresses. You might find out your customer’s sleeping preferences by asking:

Do you prefer a soft or firm bed?
Do you sleep on your stomach, back or side?
Did you run into any problems with your previous mattress?

Sure, you could collect answers to these questions through a survey or questionnaire, but you’ll receive a limited response. Personal selling is unique because it entails exchanging back-and-forth information and allows you to dive a little deeper so you can provide that personalized touch.

Remember, 80% of customers say they’re more likely to do business with a company if it offers personalized and positive experiences. You now officially have permission to be “personal.”

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.

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