Category: Nutrition

Include Sure Champ® Products in your Show Cattle Supplies 

Spring is in the air, and weekend jackpots, state preview shows and county fairs will be here before you know it. Young cattle exhibitors work hard to prepare their show projects for these events, and they rely on Sure Champ® products to help them #preptowin 

Sure Champ is a line of products that support the health and well-being of show livestock. As a dealer you likely think of Sure Champ as a nutritional supplement, and you are correct. However, we challenge you to think of them as part of the exhibitors’ show cattle supplies, too. After all, it’s not just helping their animals get the most out of their feed—it’s helping them perform. Now is the time to stock up on the liquids and gels they need, especially when they are on the show road this summer!  

Cattle experience a lot of stress while traveling and getting shown. There’s the stress of hauling, changing environments, eating schedules and climates. Heat stress is its own challenge in the summer months, even when not traveling every week. The great thing about the Sure Champ liquid and gel products is they are fast acting, help reduce stress and are portable enough to fit in the show box. Yes, they make great show cattle supplies!  

Stock Up on Sure Champ Show Cattle Supplies Today 

Although we hope you stock up on all Sure Champ products, here is a list of those we recommend you position specifically as “show cattle supplies” or “show box must-haves.” 

Sure Champ® Cattle Drench    

Sure Champ Cattle Drench supports digestive health before, during and after challenges. This green drench contains enzymes that generate a more rapid digestive response. Like all the products in the list, it contains AO-Biotics® Amaferm®. Drench also MOS (mannan oligosaccharides), which help normalize gut microflora and support the immune system.      

Sure Champ® Liquid Boost®       

Sure Champ Liquid Boost is a liquid for all livestock and provides immediate support to the animal’s digestive and immune systems. Formerly known as Vita Charge Liquid Boost, it contains both Amaferm and MOS and flavoring to help drive feed or water intake.       

Sure Champ® Appetite Plus Gel       

Sure Champ Appetite Plus Gel is a gel for all livestock and provides immediate support to the animal’s digestive and immune systems. Formerly known as Vita Charge Gel, it contains both Amaferm and MOS and works fast to support appetite and hydration.      

Sure Champ® Climate Control Gel       

Sure Champ Climate Control Gel is a gel for all livestock and supports digestive health and recovery when temperatures are above 70 degrees. Formerly known as Vita Charge Climate Control, this gel contains Amaferm and HEAT® technology, a combination of essential oils, to support animals when heat is a challenge. It promotes appetite and water intake.       

Sure Champ® Clench Gel       

Sure Champ Clench Gel is a gel for all livestock and supports normal digestive function during occasional diarrhea or scours. Formerly known as Vita Charge Clench Gel, it includes Amaferm and MOS, and it contains electrolytes to support rehydration.       

What Makes Sure Champ Unique?  

Sure Champ products help keep your animals healthy and performing by enhancing their digestive systems. Since we know that 70% of the immune response is found in the gut, if your animal’s digestive system is healthy, the rest of it will be healthy, too. How does this happen?  

Amaferm is a key ingredient in Sure Champ, our line of products that support the health and well-being of show livestock. Not only is Amaferm a research-proven prebiotic to enhance digestibility, but research shows that it also increases gain by .25 pounds per day, which means it stretches your feed resources further.   

While the Amaferm in our products works to keep your animals healthy and performing, we’ve added other nutrient combinations into each product to ensure your animals reach their optimum potential. In addition to Amaferm, Sure Champ also offers a joint supplement powered by MHB3®, a patented high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid.  

Happy Birthday, Sure Champ! 

This summer we’ll be celebrating Sure Champ’s 40th birthday! That’s a long time for a product to survive the marketplace. We’ve been around for generations because of our innovative products backed by research and our love for developing young leaders. We hope you will help us celebrate our birthday and get involved with the celebration. 

Watch the Social Media Toolbox and the Dealer Facebook page for more information about Sure Champ’s 40th birthday. And don’t forget to stock up on your  show cattle supplies today. Your youngest customers will thank you! 

Signs of Heat Stress in Cattle 

Summer brings multiple challenges to cattle producers, including but not limited to insects and heat stress. Cattle are more resilient than we often think. However, the combination of heat and humidity can still wreak havoc on the health of the cow herd. When your customers identify signs of heat stress in cattle early on, they will need a quality supplement from VitaFerm® to help mitigate that stress. 

At BioZyme®, our mission is to create products that provide solutions. We know that heat stress is a challenge that producers face across the country. We want to provide you, our dealers, with the most comprehensive options available to fit your customers’ needs. 

Let’s discuss heat stress, the signs of heat stress in cattle and how our products can work for cattle producers across the U.S. to mitigate heat stress this summer. 

What is Heat Stress?   

Heat stress occurs when the animal’s ability to release heat becomes inhibited due to the overwhelming high temperatures. Typically, heat stress isn’t caused by excessive heat alone; it is also triggered by high humidity and decreased air movement. Livestock, like humans, are most comfortable in their thermoneutral zone.   

The Thermoneutral Zone (TNZ) is the environmental temperature range in which the least effort is required by an animal to regulate body temperature. In the TNZ, an animal is most comfortable, has the fastest growth rate, and achieves the most efficient feed-to-gain ratio. This temperature zone is highly variable and depends on several factors. Those include: species, humidity, time of year, age, acclimation, amount of fat or hair coat insulation, level of production, wind, and other factors.  That’s according to a Washington State University Extension Fact Sheet.    

Heat Stress Cases Vary  

It’s important to point out that cattle response varies by geographical location and breed makeup when discussing heat stress.  

“The unfortunate part is everybody’s situation is different based on regional climate differences,” said Chris Cassady, Ph.D., Director of Beef Technical Sales at BioZyme® Inc.  

“Where a backgrounder in Texas might have to deal with severe heat for seven months, someone in North Dakota might have extreme heat for just two months. However, the commonality is understanding the cascade of events associated with heat stress – symptoms to look for and what to do.”   

Signs of Heat Stress in Cattle 

During the summer, producers should take extra care to look over their livestock regularly to monitor factors that can lead to heat stress. Encourage your customers to watch for behavioral and physical signs that animals are experiencing heat stress so they can effectively mitigate it before it turns fatal.   

Heat stress can have significant implications for cattle health, productivity and well-being, especially during hot and humid weather conditions. Recognizing the signs of heat stress in cattle is essential for implementing timely interventions to prevent heat-related illnesses and losses.   

Increased Respiration Rate  

The first visible sign of heat stress to look for is an increased respiration rate. Excessive or rapid panting, with extended periods of open-mouth breathing, is a sign of heat stress. Cattle that show this increase in respiration rate will have increased air volume intake, which can ultimately lead to other sicknesses. With increased air intake, animals are inhaling more dust, dirt, bacteria and viruses into their bodies, which can quickly lead to bigger problems. Elevated respiratory rates indicate the animal’s effort to cool down and maintain thermal equilibrium.  

Seeking Shade, Shelter & Water  

When battling heat stress, cattle often tell you what they need. The most common sign of heat stress is animals seeking out shade and water during the peak heat of the day. This disrupts the normal feeding pattern of continuously grazing and consuming smaller meals.   

That distraction shifts to night grazing and slug feeding, where they eat more at once due to increased hunger. Slug feeding leads to acidosis and bloat in ruminants, which can lead to more health issues or death. When cows bunch up, they are more likely to be exposed to sickness because of shared germs – compare them to school kids inside all winter with little fresh air.   

Heat-stressed cattle may seek shade, shelter or cool, shaded areas. This is to escape direct sunlight and reduce heat exposure. Providing adequate shade structures and shelter options can help mitigate the effects of heat stress.  

Cattle experiencing heat stress may increase their water consumption to maintain hydration and regulate body temperature. Providing access to clean, fresh water is crucial during periods of heat stress to prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.  

Decreased Feed Intake  

Heat-stressed cattle may reduce their feed intake due to decreased appetite and metabolic heat production. Reduced feed consumption can lead to decreased nutrient intake and weight loss, impacting overall productivity and performance.  

Other Signs & Symptoms  

Other typical signs of heat stress in cattle include lethargy, drooling, aimless wandering or staggering and—in severe cases—ultimately death. In addition, increased body temperature and increased heart rate are also symptoms of heat stress. 

Cattle struggle to hide these symptoms, so recognizing these signs early allows producers to implement proactive measures. This can alleviate heat stress and minimize its impact on animal health and performance.  

Implementing management practices to reduce heat load is critical for mitigating the effects of heat stress in cattle.  

Effects of Heat Stress   

It’s worth mentioning that some effects of heat-stressed cattle aren’t immediately obvious. They can be long-lasting and detrimental to the overall health of your herd.  

Heat stress can be detrimental to the herd both from a performance and reproductive standpoint. Animals that are not eating or grazing are not gaining weight. Heat stress can cause shorter gestation lengths, resulting in lighter birth weights and immune-compromised offspring.    

Extreme heat is a major cause of poor reproductive performance. Females can face problems initiating and maintaining pregnancy. The males can become sterile and also experience a lack of libido.   

Hot Cows Make Bad Mamas 

The added heat can be debilitating to animals, especially when combined with humidity. Hot cows make bad mamas for several reasons. Why, you might ask. The reasons are listed in the signs of heat stress in cattle that we listed above, but we’ll describe some specific examples: 

  • First, if a cow tries to cool off in a pond or bunches under shade, their calf isn’t nursing. A calf that isn’t nursing isn’t gaining. Last we checked; the goal was to wean off pounds.  
  • Next, with summer comes breeding season, and we want to help you get them bred and keep them bred. 

Thankfully, BioZyme has HEAT® technology to keep those mamas cool, get them bred and keep them bred. With the realignment of the VitaFerm brands into the good, better, best – VitaFerm® ONE, Concept•Aid® and ReproMaxx™ – we have repositioned HEAT away from its own line. HEAT is now a technology, allowing us to incorporate it into more brands and lines than ever before! This lets you promote and market the HEAT technology to more customers, making a bigger impact. 

What’s in the HEAT Technology? 

HEAT Technology is comprised of: 

  • A proprietary blend of essential oils supports animals when heat is a challenge. 
  • Garlic helps deter insects. 

“The proprietary blend of capsaicin and essential oils in HEAT technology helps improve blood flow to the extremities,” Cassady said. “When the benefit of improved rumen function of Amaferm is tied with the HEAT technology, you can be assured your cows will be grazing even in the most extreme temperatures. They won’t be huddled under the shade trees.” 

More Choices with HEAT Technology 

Now, your customers have more product choices with HEAT technology, including:  

VitaFerm® ONE HEAT® _ A free choice vitamin & mineral supplement for beef cattle that promotes cattle performance when temperatures are above 70 degrees Fahrenheit or when cattle are grazing fescue. 

NEW: VitaFerm® ONE HEAT® with ClariFly® _ A free choice vitamin & mineral supplement for beef cattle with ClariFly. It promotes cattle performance when temperatures are above 70 degrees Fahrenheit or when cattle are grazing fescue. 

VitaFerm® ONE HEAT® CTC 3G with ClariFly® _ A free choice vitamin & mineral supplement with ClariFly and CTC for beef cattle. It promotes cattle performance when temperatures are above 70 degrees Fahrenheit or when cattle are grazing fescue. CTC helps control anaplasmosis. 

NEW: VitaFerm® ONE HEAT® Mineral Tub – A free choice vitamin & mineral supplement for beef cattle in a cooked tub that promotes cattle performance year-round. 

VitaFerm® Concept•Aid® 5/S HEAT® – A premium free choice 5% phosphorus vitamin & mineral supplement for beef cattle. It supports reproductive success when temperatures are above 70 degrees Fahrenheit or when cattle are grazing fescue. 

VitaFerm® Concept•Aid® 5/S HEAT® with ClariFly® – A premium free choice 5% phosphorus vitamin & mineral supplement with ClariFly for beef cattle. It supports reproductive success when temperatures are above 70 degrees Fahrenheit or when cattle are grazing fescue. 

VitaFerm® Concept-Aid® 5/S HEAT® CTC 3G – A premium free choice 5% phosphorous vitamin & mineral supplement with CTC for beef cattle. It supports reproductive success when temperatures are above 70 degrees Fahrenheit or when cattle are grazing fescue. CTC helps control anaplasmosis. 

NEW: VitaFerm® ReproMaxx™ HEAT® – A premium free choice vitamin & mineral supplement for beef cattle. It maximizes reproductive success when temperatures are above 70 degrees Fahrenheit or when cattle are grazing fescue. Includes research-proven levels of Zinpro organic trace minerals. 

VitaFerm® HEAT® Tub – A vitamin & mineral tub for beef cattle that supports overall health when temperatures are above 70 degrees Fahrenheit or when cattle are grazing fescue. 

VitaFerm® HEAT® Stress Tub – A tub for beef cattle that supports digestive health and intake when temperatures are above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. (Formerly known as Vita Charge HEAT Stress Tub.) 

Gain Smart® Stocker HEAT® – A free choice vitamin & mineral supplement for stocker cattle that maximizes efficient gain when temperatures are above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Stock up on HEAT Products Today 

Spring is here, and HEAT season is right around the corner or perhaps already here in some geographic locations. It’s time to start watching for signs of heat stress in cattle and stocking up on products with HEAT technology for your customers. 

Dealer Support Available 

At BioZyme, we want to support our dealers as much as we can. Watch for marketing support materials in the SAMM Center. We’ll have print ads, postcards and invoice stuffers.  

Also, look for social media graphics in our Social Media Toolbox.  

Finally, look for the Heat Stress session in the Master Dealer – ON DEMAND Training Sessions. This brief overview supports everything we’ve covered and more about signs of heat stress in cattle the products you can offer your products. 

BioZyme® Launches VitaFerm® Sure Start Gel

BioZyme’s mission is to provide an undeniable positive impact on the health and wellness of the animals it serves. Therefore, BioZyme and its staff continually research and create products to help animals and maximize efficiencies for producers. With our mission and commitment to care that comes full circle in mind, we are excited to introduce VitaFerm® Sure Start Gel.   

VitaFerm Sure Start Gel is specifically formulated to support newborn calves’ immune function and overall health during the critical post-birth period.  

“Getting calves off to the best start possible is paramount for their long-term health and ultimately your profitability. While a year-round VitaFerm program can improve colostrum quality, Sure Start Gel uses our new Broad-Shield technology to give an additional boost of immunity,” said Chris Cassady, Ph.D., BioZyme Director of Beef Technical Sales.   

Benefits of VitaFerm Sure Start Gel

The new VitaFerm Sure Start Gel offers several benefits to give your newborns a sure start. Like all VitaFerm products contains AO-Biotics® Amaferm®, a research-proven prebiotic to support digestibility by stimulating beneficial microbes. Furthermore, this innovative gel:  

• Delivers IgY antibodies derived from Salmonella, E. coli, bovine rotavirus, bovine coronavirus, and Clostridium and MOS for broad support of the immune system.  

• Provides nutritional support to maximize calf vigor.   

“VitaFerm Sure Start Gel is research-proven to enhance the efficacy of the antibodies the cow naturally passes to her calf, giving your calves every chance to develop their immune system and capitalize on healthy, efficient performance,” Cassady said.   

This single-dose product comes in a 30 mL tube and should be administered after the calf has had colostrum. For best results, it is recommended to be given within the first 24 hours of birth. It can be repeated daily as needed. The bright orange color allows for distinct recognition of administration.  

How to Position Sure Start Gel

At BioZyme, we want you to succeed in your efforts to market and sell new products. We know that producers are in the heart of calving season, and this is a great time to stock up and promote the new VitaFerm Sure Start Gel. 

Remember, we want the calf to get its colostrum first, but this is a great product for the first 24 hours of life. It protects from pathogens entering the system and protects from stressors that partition nutrients that we want the calves to receive. It also promotes successful immune function, calf vigor and the establishment of the microbiome.  

Watch the SAMM Center for a Sell Sheet soon. We’ll also post a training to the Online Training Center about VitaFerm Sure Start. 

Just the Beginning

As part of our care that comes full circle, we want to give every calf a chance for a successful life. A healthy calf pays us back with a long, productive healthy life or a high-performing optimal pay weight. You only get one shot for a good start, make it a Sure Start!  

Get your VitaFerm Sure Start Today

VitaFerm Sure Start Gel is now available for you to order.   

The 30 mL tubes come in a case of 12. See the February price list for more information. 

2024 is a Year to Remember for BioZyme® and its Dealers 

As the last weeks of the year wind down and we make plans for a new year, it is often fun to reflect on the year’s accomplishments. 2024 has definitely been a busy and successful year at BioZyme®, and we have much to be grateful for. 

Let’s stroll down memory lane to reflect on some of the exciting new products and partnerships that this year has brought to our team. 

2024 Brings New Products, Exciting Collaborations 

A business simply can’t grow if it continues to do the same thing, day after day and year after year. With sales growth and diversification as two of BioZyme’s five goals, our team has been busy launching new products for you to share with customers this year.  

Remember, these products are formulated around our research-proven prebiotic, AO-Biotics® Amaferm®. Amaferm is the flagship prebiotic that BioZyme is known for. At BioZyme, we understand that digestion and absorption help all animals stay healthy and perform to their optimum. 

Transition Vita Charge® to a Technology 

The first thing we did in 2024, from a brand perspective, was transition Vita Charge from its own brand line to a technology. All Vita Charge products either transitioned into the popular VitaFerm® or Sure Champ® lines. 

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

New product names include:  

VitaFerm One 

On February 1, we introduced the VitaFerm ONE line to the world at the Annual Cattle Industry Convention in Orlando. This “One Solution for All Seasons” mineral initially came as a loose mineral and a 35-pound mineral block. We have also added the following options:  

Mid-year, when we added VitaFerm ReproMaxx™, VitaFerm ONE became the first level of mineral in the VitaFerm line’s Good, Better, Best marketing structure we introduced at the Dealer Retreat.  

Good: VitaFerm ONE provides one solution to conveniently and consistently promote cattle performance in all seasons.  

Better: VitaFerm Concept•Aid® promotes effective, easy breeding when fed at least 60 days pre-calving through 60 days post-breeding.   

Best: VitaFerm ReproMaxx provides maximum performance within intensive reproductive systems.  

DuraFerm® ONE Sheep 

We understand that sheep producers are also looking for a simple year-round solution. That’s why we introduced DuraFerm ONE Sheep. DuraFerm ONE is a free-choice vitamin and mineral supplement for sheep that promotes performance year-round.  

This was our only new small ruminant product this year, but we have had several requests for other sheep and goat products, so stay tuned. 

VitaFerm® ReproMaxx™ 

This summer, we were able to announce our first exciting collaboration of 2024, with the launch of VitaFerm ReproMaxx. ReproMaxx is one of few minerals designated as Zinpro® Availa 4 Verified. 

VitaFerm ReproMaxx products provide high vitamin and mineral fortification and research-proven components. The new line of products maximizes reproductive success by leveraging the benefits of Amaferm and Zinpro Performance Minerals. 

“Zinpro is as committed to research and technology as we are,” said Lisa Norton, BioZyme President and CEO. “This is an exciting time for our company, our dealers and our customers.”    

In addition to the traditional formula, we also provide a formula to protect against anaplasmosis:  

ReproMaxx provides the “premium” mineral in the VitaFerm Good, Better, Best marketing model. Remember, the difference between the three minerals is the intensity of nutrition. ONE provides great nutrition, Concept•Aid provides better nutrition, and ReproMaxx provides the best nutrition.  

Partnership with Four Sixes Ranch™ Leads to Legendary Nutrition™ Product Line  


This line combines the best of both brands’ expertise to provide comprehensive nutritional solutions designed to enhance the health and productivity of resilient commercial cattle herds.  

“I wanted BioZyme to develop a product that works in the real world, not just on an improved small pasture. It has to work in a big pasture. It has got to work in big country. There are still a lot of places in the United States that have ranches that you can’t drive to every corner. You have to have something that works for that,” said Joe Leathers, General Manager at the Four Sixes Ranch. 

From One Legend To Another

“I have worked with BioZyme over the years and operated nine different ranches in five different states. The nutritional needs in every one of those states were different. I saw a need for a tub or a product that would work for normal ranchers in different areas to meet the nutritional needs in all those different states. The partnership we have with BioZyme to develop this product would do just that. Not just smaller ranchers, not just purebred operators, but day-in-day-out ranchers that make a living off the land.” 

Those words from Leathers summarize BioZyme’s partnership with the Four Sixes. The legendary ranch has been feeding BioZyme products fueled by Amaferm for years. They know the benefits Amaferm offers their 7,000-head cow herd in big country. They want others to get those same benefits when forage is the primary feed source. 

The Four Sixes Ranch has worked with the BioZyme Team for 16+ years to provide their herds with industry-leading nutrition. After all, you don’t become a legend by settling for anything less than the best products on the market. And at BioZyme, our relationship isn’t just a partnership— it’s a shared commitment to excellence. The Four Sixes’ trust in us is what ultimately led to our exciting new product collaboration. 

Introducing Four Sixes™ x VitaFerm® Legendary Nutrition Protein Tub  

The Four Sixes x VitaFerm Legendary Nutrition Protein Tub is a ranch-tested 20% all-natural protein tub with vitamins and minerals designed to support beef cattle health and productivity when grazing moderate to low-quality forage. Furthermore, it:  

  • Carefully crafted specifically for the legendary Four Sixes Ranch, Legendary Nutrition is now available for operations of all sizes. 
  • Provides quality nutrition and industry-leading organic copper and zinc proven to deliver real-world results on the ranch. 
  • Contains AO-Biotics Amaferm, a prebiotic research-proven to enhance digestibility. 

Ranch-Tested 

Forage utilization is vital to the ranch, which depends on the grasses to feed all 7,000 cows. Amaferm, the key ingredient in every VitaFerm product, helps cattle get the most out of the forage. Amaferm is a prebiotic research-proven to enhance digestibility and increase the energy available to the animal.  

“We’re grass farmers with a cow problem… This tub is another tool in our toolbox to give us the ability to take care of our country. To scatter our cows so we don’t overgraze any one area of our country. So, we don’t beat it out, so invasive species don’t come in, all the while maintaining the health and nutritional needs of our cattle,” Leathers said.  

Research-Proven  

At BioZyme, research is a core value. It’s been this way for more than 7 decades. Why? Because of our motto: care that comes full circle. We believe that every animal we care for ultimately takes care of us in return. Doing what’s right for our animals, our land and our producers comes back around in the end.  

Developed using the latest research in animal nutrition, the Four Sixes x VitaFerm Legendary Nutrition product line provides quality nutrition to deliver real-world results. The flagship protein tub combines essential vitamins, minerals and organic trace minerals that are crucial for the overall health, growth and reproductive performance of cattle.   

“The collaboration makes perfect sense for cattle producers across the country and for the two companies, who have been doing business together for a long time. We are so pleased to partner with the Four Sixes on the Legendary Nutrition line,” said John Tucker, BioZyme Large Beef Accounts Manager. “With industry-leading organic trace minerals, 20% protein, and Amaferm, the tub is a great and convenient option for operations of all sizes.”  

The American Rancher 

A December 16 episode of The American Rancher on RFD-TV featured The Four Sixes and this new ranch-tested, research-proven protein tub. On a beautiful fall day, our team and the Sixes Crew filmed a great episode for you to learn more about their ranch philosophy and why the convenient nutrition of a tub is important to them. Tune in to YouTube to watch this episode of The American Rancher. 

“The thing about the tub is it’s a complete package. The nutritional needs of the cows shift throughout the year. This is a product you can put out year-round. It will regulate itself. We’ve seen it regulate itself. Therefore, you have a comfort level that is economically feasible. The cows will consume when they need it and won’t when they don’t,” Leathers said. 

BioZyme® Earns AFIA Feed Facility of the Year Honor 

New products and collaborations are exhilarating. However, the most exciting announcement of the year was that BioZyme’s Stockyards location earned the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) and Feedstuffs 2024 Feed Facility of the Year.  

This prestigious award is presented annually to a feed facility demonstrating an outstanding commitment to quality, safety, productivity, regulatory compliance, employee development and customer relations. Additionally, BioZyme received the highest productivity and efficiency score.  

BioZyme hosted a special event with employees, customers and special guests on October 31 to celebrate the achievement.  

“I am very proud of our team’s shift to a data-minded, continuously improving production facility. We make continuous improvement for our customers a priority every single day,” said BioZyme president and CEO Lisa Norton.  

This has been more than a decade-long goal of Norton. She said AFIA positioned the program as a recognition as well as a benchmarking opportunity to enhance continuous improvement. 

 “We put in a lot of effort through the pandemic and over the last several years to change our culture and data use to be considered,” she said. 

A Point of Pride

One of the items that Norton is most proud of is that the entire production team is PCQI (preventative control qualified individual) certified. Although the requirements are that one team member receives this certification, the BioZyme leadership ensured everyone on the production team received certification. The team certification helps ensure the production of safe, accurate product that moves through the plant daily.  

“It is such an honor to be a part of this team! We hear all of the time how impressed visitors are with the cleanliness of our facilities. This award means so much more . . . In addition to cleanliness, this award encompasses our commitment to quality. This is only achievable with the quality culture we have created with all of our employees. It’s an honor to work with a team that makes every effort to achieve ‘Care that comes full circle.’ If we didn’t have this team, we wouldn’t be able to achieve this award,” said Robert Cortez, Director of Quality. 

BioZyme, an animal nutrition and fermentation company, has been driving innovation since 1951. Founded by Larry Ehlert, BioZyme began as Ehlert’s Guaranteed Feeds with just a $2,500 loan and a small feed store in the St. Joseph Stockyards.

Today, BioZyme’s product line includes high-quality vitamin, mineral and protein supplements enhanced with AO-Biotics® Amaferm®, a prebiotic. The Stockyards plant produces 31,000 tons of supplements annually.

Nationally Recognized

“We were extremely impressed with the BioZyme Stockyards facility, as it is evident that the company and its staff exemplify the core values of the Feed Facility of the Year program,” said Gary Huddleston, AFIA’s director of feed manufacturing and regulatory affairs. “The plant is a shining example of manufacturing excellence in the animal food industry.” 

The lengthy application of nearly 180 questions gave employees the opportunity to increase their already high standards in areas such as occupational and safety hazards, sustainability, and utility usage, according to Jill Vanover, Vice President of Quality and Regulatory. She recalls a previous FAMI-QS auditor commenting on BioZyme’s commitment to quality from the top down and noted it as the best he had ever seen. 

“This award is possible because of the tremendous pride that all our employees demonstrate throughout the company. They have a love for animals, a belief in the products and understand the importance in the roles they are playing to make safe, accurate products,” Vanover said. 

Looking Ahead to 2025 

As we reflect on 2024, we can’t help but be a little nostalgic. A lot of WOWing things happened to BioZyme. But the windshield is larger than the review mirror for a reason. We look forward with great anticipation and know that 2025 will also bring new excitement!  

BioZyme® Introduces Legendary Nutrition™ Product Line in Partnership with Four Sixes Ranch™

BioZyme®, makers of animal health and nutrition products, have partnered with the historic Four Sixes Ranch™ to create research-proven and ranch-tested beef cattle nutritional supplements under the VitaFerm® brand. The Four Sixes x VitaFerm collaboration is a legendary one that brings to market supplements that are powered by VitaFerm’s 75 years of cattle nutrition research and rigorously tested by the Four Sixes Ranch. The products combine the best of both brands’ expertise to provide comprehensive nutritional solutions designed to enhance the health and productivity of resilient commercial cattle herds.

As its flagship product, the collaboration has first launched a Legendary Nutrition Protein Tub that features:

  • AO-Biotics® Amaferm®, a prebiotic research-proven to enhance digestibility
  • Industry-leading organic copper and zinc that deliver real-world results
  • 20% natural protein to help overcome deficiencies in the diet

“The collaboration makes perfect sense for cattle producers across the country and for the two companies, who have been doing business together for a long time. We are so pleased to partner with the Sixes on the Legendary Nutrition line,” said John Tucker, BioZyme Large Beef Accounts Manager. “With industry-leading organic trace minerals, 20% protein, and Amaferm, the tub is a great and convenient option for operations of all sizes.”

“I wanted BioZyme to develop a product that works in the real world, not just on an improved small pasture. It has to work in a big pasture. It has got to work in big country. There are still a lot of places in the United States that have ranches that you can’t drive to every corner. You have to have something that works for that,” said Joe Leathers, General Manager at the Four Sixes.

Ranch-Tested

The Four Sixes have relied on VitaFerm vitamin and mineral supplements for decades on their cattle operation. When fully stocked, they run between 6,000 to 7,000 cows. On big country, relying on grass, the mineral tubs make perfect sense.

“We fed cubes for years and years, and I liked that because we could see the cattle well. But cubes cause the cattle to bunch up, and they don’t utilize the country well. By using the tubs, we are able to keep our cows scattered out and use a lot more of the country through the winter than they normally do,” Leathers said. He added that the cows appear healthier and perform better on VitaFerm.

Forage utilization is vital to the ranch, which depends on the grasses to feed all 7,000 cows. Amaferm, the key ingredient in every VitaFerm product, helps cattle get the most out of it. Amaferm is a prebiotic research-proven to enhance digestibility and increase the energy available to the animal.

“We’re grass farmers with a cow problem… This tub is another tool in our toolbox to give us the ability to take care of our country. To scatter our cows so we don’t overgraze any one area of our country, so we don’t beat it out, so invasive species don’t come in, all the while maintaining the health and nutritional needs of our cattle,” Leathers said.

Research-Proven

At BioZyme, research is a core value. It’s been this way for more than seven decades. Why? Because of our motto: care that comes full circle. We believe that every animal that we take care of ultimately takes care of us in return. Doing what’s right for our animals, our land, and our producers, comes back around in the end.

Developed using the latest research in animal nutrition, the Four Sixes x VitaFerm Legendary Nutrition product line provides quality nutrition to deliver real-world results. The flagship protein tub combines essential vitamins, minerals, and organic trace minerals that are crucial for the overall health, growth, and reproductive performance of cattle.

How to Purchase Legendary Nutrition Products

Interested in learning more about the products and collaboration? Visit www.vitaferm.com/four-sixes-ranch-partnership.

Order this legendary product: https://dealers.backofficeapps.com/products/1772

Continuous Improvements Lead to New Product Developments

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

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

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

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

Zinpro amino acid complexes have four primary benefits outlined here: 

1. Soluble

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

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

2. Stable

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

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

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

Cassady compares stability to a dating relationship. 

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

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

3. Absorbable

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

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

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

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

4. Metabolically Available

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

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

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

Prebiotic Tools for Heifer Development

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

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

Maximize Cow Herd Longevity

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

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

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

Prebiotic vs Probiotic

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

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

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

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

Fuel Your Reproductive Success with VitaFerm®

Buyers want options. With that in mind, BioZyme® is excited to announce its newest line within the VitaFerm® brand – VitaFerm® ReproMaxx®, designed to Maxximize Reproductive Success.  

VitaFerm ReproMaxx products provide high vitamin and mineral fortification and research-proven components to take reproductive success to the MAXX.  

ReproMaxx

• Contains AO-Biotics® Amaferm®, a prebiotic research-proven to enhance digestibility.  
• Includes verified, research-proven levels of Zinpro organic zinc, copper and manganese.
• Maximizes reproductive success of the herd while supporting colostrum quality and bull soundness and fertility.  

“At our Dealer Retreat, we talked about the Olympic mindset. Competitiveness and hopefulness, two qualities of Olympians, can be broken into three themes; having a killer instinct, being intense and being a fierce competitor,” said Chris Cassady, Ph.D., BioZyme Director of Beef Technical Sales said. “Developing a new top of the line reproductive mineral has been a two-year process because we are competitive, and we are hopeful that the producer will always see value in what we offer.”   

  

VitaFerm ReproMaxx is part of the Zinpro Verified program and contains research-proven inclusion levels of organic manganese, copper and zinc. The product was developed in conjunction with Zinpro. 

Moving to Good–Better–Best

Adding ReproMaxx to the VitaFerm brand allows BioZyme to offer three choices of breeding minerals to cow-calf producers. As we know from studying the Good-Better-Best model, which is used across a multitude of industries, customers like to have choices. Think about your options at the fuel pump, when purchasing insurance or even airline tickets. The price-conscious consumer wants the basic product that will get the job done with no bells and whistles – good. A good product will often attract new customers to your brand.   

  

The next product is better than good. It offers some added value at a slightly higher cost. People who are willing to pay for that value will buy this product. Think of the middle tier of about any product. It’s often what customers choose; they don’t want the cheapest offering, but they don’t need premium either.   

  

Finally, some customers desire more features. They only want the best version, and cost is not an issue because they are willing to pay for the premium and understand the value of the product.  Some customers equate price with quality. Although you offer a quality product at a lower cost, they think that if it is higher dollar, it is higher quality, and that is what they want. As we all know, that’s not necessarily correct. While it’s never going to hurt your bottom line to let them buy the “best” marketed option, you have room to communicate and potentially build trust if you steer them toward something more affordable that is potentially more appropriate to their needs. 

  

Decades of research, recently summarized by the Harvard Business Review, proves that the Good-Better-Best model works. With new product offerings, ONE and ReproMaxx, BioZyme now offers Good-Better-Best breeding minerals, so you and your customers can benefit.  

Good: VitaFerm® ONE

Provide one solution to conveniently and consistently promote cattle performance in all seasons.  

This is an easy-to-implement solution for all seasons that contains Amaferm and the Zinpro organic copper and zinc. This is a good mineral to target customers who have heard of VitaFerm and Amaferm and are looking for an introduction to the brand. We also think it’s a great option for folks that don’t need all the bells and whistles of the next two product lines because their breeding operation is more simplistic and doesn’t demand it.  

Better: VitaFerm® Concept•Aid®

Promotes effective, easy breeding when fed at least 60 days pre-calving through 60 days post-breeding. Our tried-and-true line of breeding mineral contains Amaferm, organic copper, zinc and manganese as well as higher levels of vitamin and mineral fortification than ONE. 

You will likely have many customers stay at this level or get several new customers who have heard of Concept•Aid or Amaferm and want a quality breeding mineral. It’s a great option for producers that are using some reproductive technologies, such as AI and ET. Customers often tend to shop at the mid-range level. It is comfortable for them, as it isn’t the basic, and it also isn’t “premium.” That’s okay. As long as you are providing a product and service that they are comfortable with, and they become repeat customers, that is the goal. Who knows? They could reach a point where they do move up to the best! 

Best: VitaFerm® ReproMaxx®

Provides maximum performance within intensive reproductive systems. ReproMaxx contains Amaferm, research proven and verified levels of Zinpro organic copper, zinc and manganese as well as even higher levels of vitamin and mineral fortification as compared to Concept•Aid.  

Your target audience when marketing ReproMaxx should be those who use advanced reproductive technologies extensively. There will be room for some new customers within this line, and you will likely move a few of your “better” customers up to this level.   

  

Cassady suggests identifying bull-focused producers in your area and inviting them to a meeting or discussion about their top challenges – soundness and fertility. This is a great opportunity to introduce them to VitaFerm ReproMaxx.  

Talking Points for YOU

We want you to be comfortable talking about the Good-Better-Best lines of VitaFerm nutrition. Here are a few talking points for your dealership.  

  • The main difference between ONE, Concept•Aid and ReproMaxx is the intensity of nutrition. ONE provides great nutrition, Concept•Aid provides better nutrition, and ReproMaxx provides the best nutrition.  
  • ReproMaxx contains less copper, but more zinc than Concept•Aid. The reduced level of copper is due to the high percentage of highly available organic copper found in ReproMaxx. Animals also store copper more efficiently than zinc. 
  • The increased level of organic zinc found in ReproMaxx provides research-proven support for hoof health and colostrum quality. Compared to copper, zinc is more transient in the system. It’s not stored as well as and there’s a much greater demand for zinc utilization, especially in growth and reproduction.  
  • All three VitaFerm product lines (ONE, Concept•Aid and ReproMaxx) are suitable for cow-calf operations. Depending on the goals and needs of your operation, you can select the VitaFerm mineral you need to fuel your reproductive success.  

Stock up on VitaFerm Today!

There is no time like the present to get your inventory in order. Order your VitaFerm for your dealership today, and remember, the VitaFerm ReproMaxx is now available in the Dealer Center. Be sure to have this in stock, because as we know, customers do like options. 

The Importance of Hay Testing Near Me

We know that BioZyme® dealers wear many hats. You are a salesperson, a consultant in nutrition across species, a supporter of youth livestock and horse events, and a pillar in your community. Let’s add one more role to your over-extended job description: forage sampler. Did you know that hay sampling is a free service that BioZyme offers its customers, who are ultimately your customers?  

That’s right! The next time you have a customer ask, “Is there anywhere that does hay testing near me,” your answer will be simple: right here. 

Why Test Hay? 

Testing hay in the late summer and early fall is imperative to know exactly the nutrient content and makeup. Just like no two BioZyme dealers are the same, no two hay crops are the same, even if they both look similar. There is no way to tell the nutritional makeup of your hay just by looking at it. You could have the most gorgeous group of bales, yet they could all be deficient in protein or energy. 

If you or your customers cannot tell the nutrient value of your hay, how will your livestock be getting the proper nutrition. A simple forage analysis can help a customer determine what is missing from their hay, which in turn helps you sell them the added vitamins and minerals to supplement their herd. Forage testing is a win for the customer, you, and their animals. That’s care that comes full circle. 

That is why hay testing is so important.  

Hay Testing Made Easy 

At BioZyme, we want to make your customer’s forage testing experience as simple as possible. That is why we have broken it down into these 5 simple steps. 

1. Identify your Hay 

It is important for you or your customer to have their hay identified by a lot number, so they know which test results are from which lot. A lot is defined by the field and the cutting it is from. 

For instance, a lot from the second cutting from field one would be named Lot 1-2. A first-cutting sample from the third field would be 3-1. It is important to identify the lots when you haul them from the field and store them and continue to know where they are kept.   

2. Collect Samples 

Once the lots are identified, it is time to collect samples. As a dealer, you or your Area Sales Manager should be prepared to help your customer collect samples. Having an accurate sample is the key to a successful analysis. 

We recommend taking 10 samples from each lot, mixing them together, and submitting them as a representative sample of that lot. Be sure to get the samples from as far inside the bale as possible. There are two ways to collect samples: with a probe or by hand. 

Sampling with Hay Probe 

Reach as far as possible inside the bale with your coring tool. This can be more difficult when bales are wet or when the hay is very mature. In those cases, a spare battery for the drill is helpful, especially if a large number of bales are to be probed. 

Sampling Hay by Hand 

It helps to use a short pipe to pry open the bale. The goal is to reach inside with your hands open and grasp tightly a handful of hay. You want to try not to strip the leaves off when you grab them, so many small handfuls are better than one large handful. 

3. Place Samples Into a 5-gallon Bucket. 

Repeat steps 2 and 3 until you have at least 10 samples from 10% of the bales in the lot you are testing. Place all the samples into the same 5-gallon bucket. 

After sampling your bales, make sure to pull apart and thoroughly mix the entire sample. Do not rely on the lab to mix your sample. 

Place the sample into a re-sealable plastic bag and remove any excess air. It is fine if the bag is not completely full, but you will need approximately 1/2 a quart of material in the bag. You, the BioZyme dealer, should be able to submit the samples. 

If you have any questions at all, please contact your Area Sales Manager or a member of the Dealer Action Team. We submit every sample we receive to Dairyland Laboratories. 

4. Wait for Results 

Once you submit forage samples for testing, we can typically generate results within a week. These results indicate any deficiencies in energy or protein. In addition to knowing the nutrient content of your forages, it is also important to know the amount of each lot of hay you have. 

This is especially important when working with the BioZyme Nutrition Team to plan your next steps. This will help them calculate the proper rations and make supplement recommendations moving forward when they know how to match your forage supply to your production calendar. 

5. Work with the BioZyme Nutrition Team 

We send the forage analysis results to the producer, the dealer, and the ASM. We suggest the dealer and producer work with the nutritionist at BioZyme to calculate and coordinate formulations and supplementations. 

Where Can I Find Hay Testing Near Me?  

So, next time you hear, “Where can I find hay testing near me?” you will know just how to answer. We hope you are confident that you can pull and collect samples and submit them. That way, you can help your customers find the best nutrition options available.  

Sometimes wearing all these hats can be a challenge. But sometimes, it makes you a superhero, too. Offering hay and forage testing is just one way you can offer customer service that will pay your customers’ dividends in the long run. 

Why Should you Prioritize High Protein Cattle Feed?

Every BioZyme® dealer is different. What one on-farm dealer in North Dakota makes a priority might be totally different than the storefront in Florida. However, you all share more in common than you might think. Every single dealer puts the customer first, and that is care that comes full circle. With fall around the corner, it is time to start thinking about getting high protein cattle feed in stock. 

Be Prepared; Fall is Coming

You are probably selling products with the HEAT® technology and fly control faster than we can say AO-Biotics® Amaferm®. And that is a good thing, for now. However, time moves quickly, and before you know, fall will be here, as the temperature shifts, so will the needs of the beef cow herd. 

We want you to be prepared so you can best serve your customers. If you have protein supplements on hand when your customers are ready, they won’t have to go to another product or another dealer. They will be pleased that you have thought ahead and put their concerns at the top of your mind. 

So, start now to plan your fall protein orders and stock up on high protein cattle feed and supplements. 

Why Worry about Protein in the Fall?

Your cattle customers, and more specifically their cattle, often need added protein in the fall for several reasons. Forage quality decreases, they are preparing for winter, and their nutritional needs increase. Let’s examine each of these a little more in-depth as you consider why you should stock high protein cattle feed and supplements.  

Decline in Forage Quality

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and that is true for summer. As the growing season ends, the nutritional quality of pasture forage typically declines. The protein content in grasses and other forages decreases, forcing supplemental protein to meet cattle’s dietary requirements. 

Increased Nutritional Demands

During the fall, many cattle enter stages that significantly increase their nutritional needs, particularly for protein either late gestation or early lactation. Adequate protein is crucial for fetal development, milk production and overall health. It is vital to ensure your herd has high protein cattle feed or supplements during these phases.  

Preparation for Winter

Providing additional protein helps cattle build and maintain body condition before the harsher winter months. Adequate body condition is essential for maintaining health and productivity during the winter, when nutritional challenges can be more severe. 

Growing in Young Livestock

Young, growing cattle require higher protein levels to support their growth and development. Fall supplementation ensures they continue to grow efficiently and stay healthy as they transition to winter feeding programs. 

The Importance of Protein Supplements for Cattle

Protein is essential for cattle for several key reasons. 

Growth & Development

Proteins are fundamental building blocks for muscle, skin, hair and other tissues. They support the overall growth and development of young cattle, ensuring they reach their full size and potential. Because protein is vitally important to growth and development, it is important that calves in the growing phase receive adequate protein. 

Milk Production

Protein is crucial for lactating cows producing high-quality milk. Adequate protein levels in the diet help maintain milk yield and composition, particularly the protein content of the milk itself. Supplementing with extra protein during lactation helps to ensure your cows produce an adequate milk supply. The calf also receives that extra protein through the milk supply.  

Protein is important for reproductive health. Adequate protein levels improve fertility rates, support healthy pregnancies and contribute to the overall reproductive efficiency of the herd. 

Immune Function

Protein plays a critical role in maintaining and boosting the immune system. Adequate protein intake helps cattle resist diseases and recover more quickly from illnesses. 

Repair & Maintenance

Protein is necessary for the repair and maintenance of body tissues. Protein helps in the healing of wounds and the regeneration of damaged tissues, ensuring cattle remain healthy and productive. 

Enzyme & Hormone Production

Many enzymes and hormones, which regulate various physiological processes, are proteins or are derived from amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. These are crucial for digestion, metabolism and overall bodily functions. 

Energy Source

While carbohydrates and fats are the primary energy sources, proteins can also be used for energy, particularly in situations where other energy sources are inadequate. 

Feed Efficiency

Proper protein nutrition improves feed efficiency, meaning cattle can convert feed into body mass or milk more effectively. This is economically beneficial for cattle producers. 

VitaFerm Protein Options

In total, VitaFerm offers 5 options of protein supplements for cattle, between both the tubs and loose mineral forms. All contain Amaferm, the prebiotic research-proven to enhance digestibility. 

Let’s learn more about their similarities and differences: 

VitaFerm® Conserve® Protein Meal

VitaFerm® Conserve® Protein Meal 

VitaFerm Conserve Protein Meal, a free-choice vitamin and mineral supplement with protein for beef cattle designed to support herd health and performance while conserving cost. 

• Includes 20% natural protein. 

• Features a complete, but economical vitamin and mineral package. 

VitaFerm® Concept•Aid® Protein Tub

VitaFerm Concept•Aid® Protein Tub, a premium protein tub with vitamins and minerals for beef cattle on grass pasture designed to support reproductive success on low protein forage. 

• Includes 20% natural protein along with organic copper, iodine and zinc for maximum bioavailability, innate immunity and hoof health. 

• High levels of Vitamin E support reproductive tract repair and milk quality. 

VitaFerm® 30-13% Protein Tub

VitaFerm 30-13% Protein Tub, a protein tub for beef cattle with urea and natural protein designed to support herd health and performance while conserving cost. 

• Includes 30% urea protein with no more than 13% equivalent crude protein from non-protein nitrogen. 

• Features a complete, but economical vitamin and mineral package. 

VitaFerm® Conserve® Protein Tub

VitaFerm Conserve Protein Tub, a natural protein tub for beef cattle designed to support herd health and performance while conserving cost. 

• Includes 20% natural protein. 

• Features a complete, but economical vitamin and mineral package. 

VitaFerm® Concept•Aid® Protein Meal

VitaFerm® Concept•Aid® Protein Meal, a premium free-choice 2% phosphorus vitamin and mineral supplement with protein for beef cattle on grass pasture designed to support reproductive success on low protein forage. 

• Includes 20% natural protein and organic copper, iodine and zinc for maximum bioavailability, innate immunity and hoof health. 

• High levels of vitamin E support reproductive tract repair and milk quality. 

Regardless of the protein supplement you choose, it is just important to be sure that your herd receives the added protein it needs when it needs it most. 

“Providing cattle with a proper supplement that contains adequate minerals is important, as it serves as an insurance policy for seasonal fluctuations in forage quality and can keep cattle from becoming deficient or imbalanced in energy, protein or mineral status,” said Chris Cassady, Ph.D., Director of Beef Technical Sales for BioZyme. 

Save Dollars with Loose Mineral

BioZyme offers two loose supplements with a combination of essential minerals, Amaferm and natural protein in a granular form for beef cattle.  

In a loose formulation, salt is added to control intake. Producers don’t sacrifice any nutrition if they do offer loose mineral instead of tubs. Many of the same high-quality ingredients are used along with less expensive protein sources in the loose mixes, but since molasses is not in the mix, there is added cost savings. 

Another cost savings comes with the packaging. The bag that the loose mineral comes in costs less than 50 cents. A tub adds about $6-7 additional cost to the product; that is money spent that your cows are not consuming. 

For every pallet of tubs purchased, you could purchase a new ground mineral feeder to feed the loose mineral. 

BioZyme Products are Research Proven

Amaferm® is the key additive in all VitaFerm products. It has more than 111 published and/or presented research studies proving its increase in digestibility and, ultimately, its impact on the animal.    

Providing a high-quality trace mineral and vitamin supplementation like VitaFerm Concept•Aid is research-proven to improve reproductive efficiency. For example, our reproductive success report shows that VitaFerm Concept•Aid has proven itself as an industry leader in fertility support. Its ability to improve pregnancy rates, calving percentages, and weaning weights is unmatched by other brand products.    

“Research proves that cattle fed Amaferm synthesize 100 more grams of microbial protein each day. That’s enough protein equivalent to a pound of supplemented soybean meal available for the cow or heifer. This additional protein generated from Amaferm in a year-round supplemental program can help producers reduce their need for additional protein by up to 40% annually. That is a huge continuous savings on feed costs,” Cassady said.  

Get Your High Protein Cattle Feed & Supplements Today

We hope we have convinced you that it is time to start thinking about stocking up on your high protein cattle feed and supplements. Be prepared so when fall comes, your customers are not waiting on you to get the products they need and want for their cattle. 

In addition to the VitaFerm protein supplements, BioZyme also has some protein and VitaFerm mineral literature you might find helpful to have in stock to share with your customers. A protein product guide shows and describes all the products for cattle producers, their benefits and approximate cost per day. 

The other handy resource for this time of year is a seasonal product guide. This one-sheet guide suggests which BioZyme products a producer should feed at which time of year. 

You can request both of these guides and more through the SAMM Center by logging in through the Online Dealer Center. 

Prepare for the fall nutritional needs of your customers now. Fall will be here before we know it — so don’t be left unprepared. Stock up now on high protein cattle feed and supplements. You’ll be glad you did!