Category: What’s New

Dealer Spotlight: Valley Vet Supply

Valley Vet Supply is a name recognizable to many in the livestock and equine business as a go-to for their animal health and nutrition supplies. And rightfully so. A pair of veterinarians recognized the need of its customers and created the mail-order retailer for veterinary supplies in the small north central Kansas town of Marysville in 1985. In 1999, their online store, www.valleyvet.com went live, making them one of the early adapters of e-commerce, and today, they sell livestock, equine and pet products from coast-to-coast, including BioZyme® small pack products.

Keeping at the forefront of their customers has always been a priority for Valley Vet and is one reason they have adapted so well to technology. Although this nationally recognized company has a massive web and social media presence, personal service has always been a priority, explains Kori Simmons, Director of Marketing. She said that the veterinarians, Drs. Ray Shultz and Arnold Nagely, still come to work daily, and are available to answer customer phone calls, something they both enjoy. 

However, with the number of clients that Valley Vet serves and the diversity of their products, it has adapted its marketing program to include more information through video on its social media platforms. Simmons said this has proven to be a successful way to partner with its vendors and reach its customers. 

“Do not underestimate the power of video. In today’s day and age, people are less apt to read and more apt to watch a 30-second video – short, quick and to the point. It’s better to have five 30-second videos that are broken up than to have a five-minute video,” Simmons said.

Simmons said their marketing team realized the power of video compared to a typical post when they were analyzing engagement. So, they started using more video with simple giveaways and sweepstakes by partnering with some of their vendors. However, with COVID-19, the realization that their customers were looking for information, helped them transition their video content, and they saw an even greater boost in their customer engagement.

Prior to COVID, Simmons said their vendors and partners would come in to train the Valley Vet call center and marketing teams to ensure everyone was saying the right things to end-users. Once that came to a halt, they realized the need to continue to get their messages out to their customers, so they started producing Facebook Live sessions with their vendors.

“We started partnering with our vendors, and what we started doing was less of an infomercial and more of an educational focus. With a product focus versus topic focus that fills in with some product information, the engagement was night and day different. Since COVID, our engagement is up about 50%, and really and truly the only thing that has changed is our video engagement,” Simmons said.

Valley Vet typically has between 50 to 100 people watch each Live video, with a growing number of those being a regular following. She said it is not unusual for them to have 30,000 views after the Live is over. They have had great success keeping a regular time and day for their Facebook Lives, Tuesday and Thursday at 3:30 p.m. This helps them measure and compare engagement by keeping a consistent time and cadence.

Simmons recommends getting all speakers online about 30 minutes before your Facebook Live to test sound, lighting and background. Make sure that the background isn’t distracting; you might need to clean your office or go to a room with fewer windows if it is too bright. Make sure you have a speaker with a good personality, and one that can answer the questions that are asked. And make sure you have a person to monitor questions, even after the Live program.

“Make sure to actively monitor customer questions. Put yourself out there to answer questions. Make sure it happens,” Simmons reminds.

Although Valley Vet sometimes does prerecord and edit videos to post, the engagement on their live videos is just too good. Simmons said their engagement is usually quadruple on a live video what it is on a prerecorded video that they put on social media. She advises keeping prerecorded videos for product focus on your website, but to keep them short and to make sure they are updated as any changes are made.

Regardless the size of your business, you can make a big impression with Facebook Live and prerecorded videos. Follow the advice that Simmons offers to grow your customer engagement. Video is a tool that is here to stay! 

Upcoming BioZyme Plant Improvement Project

At BioZyme we take great pride in our manufacturing facility and the products we produce. As with any manufacturing facility, maintenance occurs all the time and from time to time repair projects are needed. When you experience growth and a desire for continuous quality improvement, more intensive upgrades need to occur. It is in that vein that we share the news that BioZyme will be undertaking a significant plant improvement project. 

The project will run from November 16, 2020 through December 4, 2020.

What does this mean for you? 

  • Amaferm and Amaferm Liquid will be available during this down time through BioZyme and our Key Partners – Consumers Supply Distributing and Nutra Blend.
  • All page 2 Price List products (Vita Charge & Vitalize brands) will be available during this down time as normal.
  • Due to receiving bin replacements, mixing upgrades and limited warehouse space BioZyme will have limited capacity of page 1 Price List products (VitaFerm, Gain Smart, DuraFerm, etc.) in our St. Joseph manufacturing plant; HOWEVER, we have worked closely to have sufficient inventory of all of these stock items throughout this time with our distribution partners. These include:
    • Consumers Supply Distributing at 800-383-6927
    • Roy Umbarger & Sons at 317-422-5195
    • BWI Companies at 903-838-8561
    • Eldon C. Stutsman Inc. at 319-679-2281

We have and will continue to work hard to meet your needs in every way that we can. Please feel free to contact your BioZyme representative, with any questions about this time.

The Power Of Protein

Protein is a powerful nutrient for your animal’s digestive system and rumen to function properly. However, spending money on protein supplementation may not always be the best investment for a producer to make. They need to know when to supplement protein and how much to provide to make it a wise investment in their operation.

Protein is essential within the diet of a ruminant to supply the ammonia needed for microbial growth and to provide the amino acids needed for absorption from the small intestine. A protein deficiency can limit microbial activity, microbial protein synthesis and rate of digestion. In turn, these can impact feed and energy intake. Furthermore, if an animal receives insufficient amounts of protein, meat and milk production can be dramatically reduced.

Follow these three helpful tips to ensure proper protein supplementation.

  1. Identify Protein Needs.

Requirements for protein vary throughout the year and depend on the animal’s stage of production. A cow’s protein requirements will vary from about 9% to 12%, while a ewe’s protein requirements range from 7% to 15%, depending on where she is in the production cycle. Requirements are lowest post-weaning to late gestation and continue to increase as the female gets closer to parturition and lactation. Protein requirements are highest immediately post-calving and post-lambing due to the increase in protein demanded for lactation.

  1. Identify What is in Your Customers’ Feed.

You know the stages of production when additional protein is required, but do you know how much protein to supplement with? Before your customers start a supplementation program, they need to know exactly what their animals are already consuming. Protein can come from pasture, stored forages and grain. By understanding the nutrient profile of the available feedstuffs, they can better identify what supplements they need in their feeding program to meet nutrient requirements and optimize animal performance. BioZyme® Inc. offers forage testing and ration balancing, free to its customers, to help them gain a better understanding of what they are missing in their livestock diets. If you are interested in participating, please contact your Area Sales Manager.

  1. Identify the Protein Supplement that Best Fits their Scenario.

Producers have options when it comes to choosing the protein that will work best with their management practices. BioZyme offers its protein supplements in a tub or meal form to cater to differing management scenarios, allowing for maximum convenience along with improved animal performance. In addition to the added protein, the Amaferm® found in BioZyme products increases the rate of digestion, allowing animals to meet their nutrient requirements faster and on less feed. Increased forage digestion provides for greater microbial growth and production of microbial protein to provide the animal with more protein for growth, lactation and reproduction. Furthermore, with Amaferm in the diet, they will effectively reduce the need to supplement large amounts of protein because they are making more of the protein in the forage available to the animals.

AVAILABLE PROTEIN PRODUCTS:

Cattle Products:

  • VITAFERM® CONCEPT•AID® PROTEIN TUB, 200-lb. tub: A combination of Concept•Aid breeding mineral and 20% natural protein in a cooked tub. Specifically designed for reproductive success when fed 60 days pre-calving through 60 days post-breeding. Especially beneficial in A.I. and E.T. breeding programs. Includes natural protein for when forage quality is low.
  • VITAFERM® CONCEPT•AID® PROTEIN MEAL, 50-lb. bag: A combination of Concept•Aid breeding mineral and 20% natural protein in loose form. Specifically designed for reproductive success when fed 60 days pre-calving through 60 days post-breeding. Especially beneficial in A.I. and E.T. breeding programs. Includes natural protein for when forage quality is low.
  • VITAFERM® 30-13% PROTEIN TUB™, 200-lb. tub: A 30% protein cooked tub for beef cattle on forage. Includes no more than 13% equivalent crude protein from non-protein nitrogen allowing for a higher protein level in a low feeding rate. Contains organic copper for maximum bioavailability to support the animal’s immunity.
  • VITAFERM® CONSERVE™ PROTEIN TUB, 200-lb. tub: An economical vitamin and mineral supplement that supports the health and condition of the whole herd. Includes the Amaferm advantage to optimize nutrient digestion and absorption while the vitamin and mineral pack preserves cattle performance and contains protein for when forage quality is low.

Sheep Products:

  • DURAFERM® CONCEPT•AID® SHEEP PROTEIN TUB, 125-lb. tub: A breeding mineral with 16% natural protein in a cooked tub for sheep specifically designed to target cycling, embryo production and conception when fed 30 days prior to lambing through breeding. Especially beneficial in A.I. and E.T. breeding programs.

Horse Products:

  • VITALIZE® EQUINE PROTEIN PELLET – 40 LB. BAG: A pelleted, natural protein supplement fully fortified with vitamins, minerals, organic trace minerals for horses who are not receiving additional grain or are receiving very low quality forage.

Letters From Lisa – October 2020

Staying Connected in Disconnected Times

Salespeople are naturally resilient and strong, but how do we keep selling in COVID-19 times? It is part of our DNA to keep going, quickly recovering from the many rejections we receive from prospects and the market, and this time is no different. More than ever, it’s time to roll up our sleeves and tackle the situation.

Whilst many people believe businesses should completely shut down and that now isn’t a time to buy and sell, we understand that the economic impact on businesses and families will be more detrimental if companies stop buying and selling. We need to be creative and quick to adapt to new challenges while supporting team members, partners and clients as much as possible.

How to adapt

Many events are being canceled or turned into virtual conferences, and the face to face element and networking opportunities are no longer possible, which in turn drastically decreases the number of leads and engagements. So, how do we adapt to the new reality?

Switch the focus to two channels:

  • Digital – which means webinars, digital advertising, trainings, content, etc.
  • Proactive Outreach / Outbound Prospecting – which means a more human and tailored approach to get in touch with prospects via phone, Zoom, email or social.

When using video, phone, email or zoom, there are still a few elements that need to be taken into consideration when you reach out to a prospect. For example:

  • Empathy – We are all human beings and maybe the person you are reaching out to has a close friend or family member that just lost a job, or even worse, is ill. The first thing to do in your outreach is to be human, address the issue, and feel the vibe of the conversation.
  • Tone – The tone is fundamental in your approach. If you sense that the person on the other side of the line is not open to a conversation, make sure you back up, and don’t be too pushy.
  • Be patient and resilient Some people won’t take it well that you are still trying to drive business in tough times. You will have to be even more resilient and work harder to get into conversations that will be open and interactive.

People are more open to talk

Currently, a lot of people are working from home, meaning that they are much more receptive for interaction and happy to talk. Now is the time to have more conversations and to build relationships. Talk to people, listen to their challenges, understand their point of view and empathize with the situation. Whenever they need you or your solution in the future, they will remember you, so put all of your efforts into these calls. This will be crucial for your success in the future, even if not right now.

Look after your customers

In times where business may slow down, it’s time to look after your customers and make sure you are providing them with the value they need. It is an opportunity to get closer to your clients and strengthen these relationships. Understand the challenges they are facing and be flexible in your business terms. Once this all is over – and it will be they will remember the companies that stood by their side.

Changes Coming in October 2020

NEW PRODUCTS

  • Sure Champ® Joint Juice will be available October 1, 2020 in half gallon and gallon sizes. Sure Champ Joint Juice is a joint product for show livestock powered by MHB3® Hyaluronan, the most highly researched and proven hyaluronic acid available. It is carefully crafted to naturally support, promote and enhance joint and soft tissue health.

PRODUCT UPDATES

  • The Vita Charge Stress Tub (50 lb and 200 lb) and Vita Charge Stress Tub HEAT are being upgraded in October to a new and improved formula that now includes a temperature tolerant probiotic to work synergistically with Amaferm® to replenish and stimulate gut bacteria. The new formula will begin shipping out on October 5th, 2020. The old formula has been sold out and is not available. Orders for the new one may be entered at any time but will not ship until the 5th of October.
  • Vitalize® Alimend K9 (for dogs) is now shipping in case quantities of 6 of the 6 oz. bottles. This is a great product for those dogs who have chronic digestive upset.
  • Feedback from our Dealers and Sales Team has prompted us to change the case quantity of the Vitalize® Horse Treats. A case now contains 12 of the 2-lb. bags. These treats come all the way from Germany and are made by a horse feed company (Eggersmann) that has been in the same family for over 50 years. They are great people who live horses and have made these treats out of that love.

MANUFACTURING UPDATES

  • In October, the shrink wrap used to wrap pallets during manufacturing will be changing from clear to orange.

PRICING UPDATES

  • On August 1, 2020 BioZyme® implented a manufacturer’s minimum advertised pricing (MAP) policy around all of the small package animal products sold by BioZyme and our sister company Cogent Solutions Group. In order to purchase small pack products, you must acknowledge receipt of the policy. Click Here to fill out the Acknowledgement Form. 

ORDERING UPDATES

  • Cogent Solutions Group’s animal joint health products are now available on the BioZyme Price List to help streamline the ordering process for dealers. This includes: Hyaluronex® (gallon and half gallon sizes), Trixsyn® Canine, and Trixsyn® Feline. Cogent Solutions Group’s human joint and skin care products can still be ordered by contacting Courtney Keller at 859-259-0300. These products have 7 patents behind their impact on joint health. They work!

EMPLOYEE UPDATES

  • Sarah Cravens has joined BioZyme as our General Counsel.
  • Maddie Dollar has joined BioZyme as our Organizational Development Intern.
  • Kori McLaughlin will join the BioZyme team on October 5, 2020 as the new Area Sales Manager for Iowa.

CHANGES COMING IN NOVEMBER 2020

MANUFACTURING UPDATES

  • At BioZyme we take great pride in our manufacturing facility and the products we produce. As with any manufacturing facility, maintenance occurs all the time and from time to time repair projects are needed. When you experience growth and a desire for continuous quality improvement, more intensive upgrades need to occur. It is in that vein that we share the news that BioZyme will be undertaking a significant plant improvement project. The project will run from November 16th, 2020 through December 4th, 2020.

CHANGES COMING IN DECEMBER 2020

DISCONTINUED PRODUCTS

  • On December 31, 2020, VitaFerm® Cattleman’s Blend™ AUREO 3G and VitaFerm® Cattleman’s Blend™ AUREO 3G IGR will be discontinued due to declining sales.

Dealer Spotlight: Conserve’s Diversity Helps Grow Customer Base

Dealers are the heartbeat of the BioZyme ® organization. They connect the end-users to the products that help the animals stay healthy and performing. During times of unprecedented challenges, like a pandemic and uncertain markets, BioZyme developed the VitaFerm Conserve line to help dealers reach a new market of customers and keep Amaferm in front of their existing customers.

Read what some dealers had to say about Conserve and how it’s helped them grow their customer base.

“BioZyme hit the nail on the head with Conserve. With the world in somewhat of a crisis and producers having a lot of questions about what the markets are going to be like this fall, BioZyme offered a good basic mineral. The first cost a rancher is going to cut is mineral. With VitaFerm Conserve, they can still get a good basic mineral package with Amaferm included. I’ve brought in a few new customers at the Conserve price point that were interested in the Amaferm advantage that I might not have gotten otherwise. I’ve sold a lot of the Conserve with Garlic since the IGR has to be put out early in the year to help with fly control. After about a week, the garlic is helping with the flies. The customer response has been good, and their cattle are looking good.” – Tee Hale, Union Center, South Dakota

“I’ve gained at least two new customers by offering the Conserve mineral this spring to people who just want to save money. The guys in my area don’t want to spend extra on their mineral, so this has been a welcome addition to the VitaFerm line.” – James Bartonek, Olmitz, Kansas

“If I could summarize the new Conserve mineral in one word, it would be diversity because you can go so many different routes with it. The various forms are a big advantage. When times are tough, guys can still get a nice range mineral and have the garlic in there for fly control. I think that is the biggest thing right there. I’m excited to give my customers an economical line that competes with other brands, and it seems to be doing well for customers who have bought it. You can get it in various forms, in these challenging times that we are facing with the coronavirus and all the markets not cooperating the way we want them to, it gives guys more options to stay with BioZyme and keep using our products.” – Blake Bauer, Bingham, Illinois

The Vita Charge Stress Tubs are getting an upgrade!


The New and Improved Vita Charge Stress Tubs are now formulated with the inclusion of heat tolerant Bacillus spores that act as a probiotic to replenish the good bugs in the gut, while Amaferm works to sustain that balance once replenished.

*The new formula will begin shipping out on October 5th, 2020.

VitaFerm Conserve: Save Many with Several Choices

Cutting spending is something everyone can get on board with. But cutting spending while still having several choices – that is just about too good to be true. However, with the VitaFerm® Conserve™ line, producers do have several options to choose from, depending on their specific needs.

A one-size-fits all mineral program doesn’t typically work for everyone, all times of the year. That is why BioZyme has formulated the VitaFerm Conserve in five additional formulas to the original. Producers can choose the product right for their particular situation.

VITAFERM® CONSERVE™ This original vitamin and mineral supplement contains Amaferm® to provide your herd the health benefits they need. It supports the health and condition of the entire herd and like all but one of the other formulas comes in a loose form.

VITAFERM® CONSERVE™ CTC 3G This is another economical supplement choice for beef cattle, that includes CTC for the control of Anaplasmosis. This formula is ideal to feed while cattle are grazing or during breeding season. Remember, since 2017, a VFD is required to purchase and feed anything with CTC or any other medicated feed.

VITAFERM® CONSERVE™ GARLIC This loose mineral combines both Amaferm and garlic, making it an ideal summer mineral. Amaferm is research-proven to maintain body temperature. Garlic is added to naturally deter insects.

VITAFERM® CONSERVE™ MAG This is an economical mineral and vitamin supplement that is fortified with high levels of magnesium to help prevent grass tetany. If you are in region susceptible to tetany, your customers might consider this in the spring or early summer or any time they start feeding hay that has yet to be tested.

VITAFERM® CONSERVE™ MOS The newest product in the line, the combination of Amaferm and MOS make this supplement a great choice any time of the year to maximize herd health cost efficiently. The added MOS helps trap and remove harmful pathogens from the digestive tract, eliminating their ability to do harm.

VITAFERM® CONSERVE™ PROTEIN TUB This 200-pound cooked tub contains all the same benefits from the vitamins, minerals and Amaferm as the loose mineral, but has the added protein needed when forage quality is low. The 20% added protein is ideal for feeding as summer slips away to fall and the grasses change their nutrient content. The tubs also add convenience to distributing the mineral.

Everybody likes a choice, and with a quality base of vitamins, minerals and the Amaferm advantage, the VitaFerm Conserve is a great choice for those producers looking for an economically friendly supplement for their herd.

Letters From Lisa – September 2020

Good Times.
Tough Times.
Animals Need Amaferm®.
Animals Need You!

Nature teaches us that tough times pave the way for good times. In my life, I have observed that tough times usually prepare me for good times because they make me see things differently and inspire me to go after what truly matters. Things that may have been right in front of me, but I could not see. It is in that vein that I write this month. Please note, I was asked to write about how the best thing you can do in both good and tough times is to make Amaferm accessible to EVERY producer. While that is very true (seriously) what is more relevant in this “interesting” time is how we can use these tough times to see the good that’s ahead of us if we can figure out how to see it. Here are a few things to think about:

Beliefs Filter Our Communication
Beliefs are powerful; they limit what we can see or don’t see. They filter our perceptions, and they are always in motion. That’s why sometimes suspending our disbelief can help us see new possibilities.

If You Don’t Believe It, You Won’t See It
They say, “seeing is believing,” but in a lot of cases, it’s actually the believing that enables the seeing. That’s why trust and rapport, or giving somebody the benefit of the doubt, or stepping into their shoes, or looking at it from their perspective, can help get over communication humps and reduce friction, rather than talking past each other.

If You Don’t Ask, You May Not See It
Sometimes the best way to break out of the loop, is to ask a question, or a different question, or to interrupt a pattern of questions.

You may note that in every sentence there is a common word. You. You are the only one that can truly use these tough times for the good. Enjoy the process. I know this type of decision-making might not be the most fun thing to do, but it is a game of opportunity. Enjoy that. Never forget animals need you in good times and tough times as do people. Take advantage of this opportunity.

And just for the fun of it read this.

There has been some good out of COVID-19. People are sleeping better. Data from Fitbit users in six U.S. cities shows that people are getting an average of 17 minutes more sleep each night during the coronavirus lockdown than they were before the pandemic hit. The health tracking tech company also shows that sleep quality has improved with users getting more REM and Deep Sleep. See, there is good in all tough times. Go Get ‘Em, and then go get 17 more minutes of sleep!

Changes Coming in September 2020

PRICING UPDATES

  • On August 1, 2020 BioZyme® implented a manufacturer’s minimum advertised pricing (MAP) policy around all of the small package animal products sold by BioZyme and our sister company Cogent Solutions Group. In order to purchase small pack products, you must acknowledge receipt of the policy. Click Here to fill out the Acknowledgement Form. 

PRODUCT UPDATES

  • Starting September 1, 2020, Vitalize® Alimend K9 will begin shipping in case quantities of 6 of the 6 oz. bottles.
  • Due to feedback from our Dealers and Sales Team, case quantity of the Vitalize® Horse Treats will now be 12 of the 2-lb. bags.
  • In response to customer requests for a more durable and weather resistant bag, we have begun switching our bagged products from multi-wall, paper to Biaxially Oriented Poly Propylene bags. Vitalize Digest More Plus 40 lb., Vitalize Protein Pellet and Vitalize High Performance, DuraFerm products, VitaFerm® HEAT®, and some VitaFerm Concept•Aid® and Gain Smart® Mineral products have begun shipping in the new bags. The remaining products will transition over the next 6 months.

INGREDIENT UPDATES

  • The impacts of coronavirus are being felt in the supply chain. The effect is most noticeable for vitamins, which have increased dramatically because of tight global supply. We are working diligently to mitigate the effects of the shortage to our products and minimize price increases.

ORDERING UPDATES

  • Starting September 1, 2020, Cogent Solutions Group’s animal products will be available on the BioZyme Price List to help streamline the ordering process for dealers. This will include: Hyaluronex® (gallon and half gallon sizes), Trixsyn® Canine, Trixsyn® Feline. Cogent Solutions Group’s human products can still be ordered by contacting Courtney Keller at 859-259-0300.
  • As of August 1, 2020, an order may only be cancelled with in the first 24 hours of placing the order. After 24 hours, order cancellations will no longer be accepted. Due to our order and picking process, once an order goes into picking it cannot be changed or deleted. Please review the email confirmation you receive once the order is placed and if changes or cancellations are needed, contact the Outreach Support Center within the 24-hour window.
  • As of August 1, 2020 BioZyme® will be implementing a new Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) Policy & Procedure. As a FAMI-QS and Safe Feed/Safe Food Certified facility, we now have to follow a strict new return policy to keep these amazing certifications. The new policy will require the receipt of an RMA tag before a return of product will be accepted. All Products are subject to inspection, prior to any return claim being processed. BioZyme products may not be returned without prior written approval from Biozyme’s Customer Outreach Center. Contact Jennifer Miller at (816) 596-8785 or via email at jenmiller@biozymeinc.com. Please do not contact Area Sales Manager about returns.

Any floor stock product may be returned if determined by BioZyme to be:

  • Product was invoiced by Biozyme within the last 15 days
  • Product is not a custom product
  • Product has not been unwrapped, opened, or taken off the delivery truck for any reason
  • Product still has the license plate attached to the outside of the pallet
  • An error caused by BioZyme

CHANGES COMING IN OCTOBER 2020

PRODUCT UPDATES

  • In October we will upgrade the Vita Charge Stress Tub (50 lb and 200 lb) and Vita Charge Stress Tub HEAT to a new and improved formula.
  • In October we will be adding an exciting new product to the Sure Champ product line. Watch your email, the Online Dealer Center and Dealer Facebook group for details.