Featured BioZyme Team – Cogent Solutions Group

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

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

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

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

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

Several BioZyme products are powered by MHB3, including:

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

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

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

A Day in the Life of BioZyme Employee Shane Schaake

Shane Schaake is a Kansas native who has extensive knowledge of the cattle business. He grew up on his family’s Simmental operation north of Manhattan, Kansas, where they still raise about 100 purebred and percentage Simmental cows. Since he married his wife, Melissa, they have started building their own herd of very prestigious Hereford cows. Melissa and Shane are back-to-back American Royal Hereford Premier Breeder Award winners.

Shane and his brother showed heifers across the country while growing up. Today, the Schaake family hosts an annual heifer sale with a focus on selling junior show heifer prospects. They also conduct a spring bull sale.

Schaake attended Kansas State University, where he earned his bachelor’s in Animal Science in December 2015. After college, he managed a 700-head commercial cow-calf ranch on the edge of the Sandhills in Eastern Colorado. Prior to joining the BioZyme team in January 2020, he worked for Genex. Although he said cattle are his first passion, he also enjoys hunting, fishing and spending time with family.

Shane Schaake Is Our Kansas Area Sales Manager

Let’s learn more about a day in the life of the Kansas Area Sales Manager.

Title: Kansas ASM

Number of Years at BioZyme: almost 4

Describe a “typical” day in your job:

A typical day for Kansas is traveling around and working with our dealers throughout the state, providing marketing materials, delivering product knowledge, setting up producer meetings and doing customer visits with those dealers.

In the spring is our big producer meeting time for most dealers so when that rolls around making sure we have our presentation prepared for what we are going to talk about that year as well as making sure we have all of our marketing material we need for it. We also stay in close contact with our distributor reps to help them help our dealers as well.

What is the most interesting thing you ever have done at BioZyme:

Attending NCBA twice now and talking with producers from all over the U.S. It’s very interesting to me how everyone has the same goal in an industry but can do it completely differently from coast to coast.

Share a funny story about one of your days at work:

Not sure if I really have any funny stories, but some of the most memorable times I have had at BioZyme is meeting, working with and learning about our dealers. My dealers in Kansas seem to be more like family than friends anymore!

What has been one of the biggest challenges:

Working with producers that are “old school” and are hesitant about changing their ways.

Why is care that comes full circle important to what you do?

This is extremely important to me and something I think about every morning when I start my day. This is honestly what drives me day in and day out. I think of this a lot of different directions to look at this from working with the producer to them helping get their stock to perform for them then returning it back the ground. Another example of this is everything we do for outreach with Jr Nationals and developing the youth to prepare them to take over the ag industry in the future.

What is something you enjoy doing outside of the office?

I really enjoy spending time with my wife on our ranch and taking care of our Hereford and Simmental cows, from calving to weaning, then into the show barn with them, it takes a group effort. I also really like artificially inseminating (AI-ing) cattle for different producers that are on Concept•Aid®. In fact, I really won’t breed for anyone who isn’t using Concept•Aid on their cattle anymore!

Thanks for being part of the BioZyme family, and showing care that comes full circle in everything you do, Shane!

Changes Coming in November

AO-BIOTICS® AMAFERM® NOW LABELED FOR FISH

The labels on AO-Biotics® Amaferm® have been updated to reflect the feeding rates for fish.

VITALIZE® PELLET BAGS

The 40-lb bags of Vitalize® Equine Digest More® Plus and the Vitalize® Equine Protein Pellet are now being bagged in a slightly different bag to better accommodate the volume of those products.

Product Quizzes & Calculators

Part of the care that comes full circle is taking the guess work out what our customers’ animals need to thrive and help them achieve the most profit. That is why nearly every brand we offer has online tools in the form of product quizzes and various calculators so customers can easily select the product that is best for their situation.

Product Navigator Quizzes

Many of BioZyme’s brand websites feature product quizzes, including:

VitaFerm® Concept•Aid®
Sure Champ®
Gain Smart®
Vitalize® Equine

Product quizzes allow you to help your customers determine the proper product(s) for their animals given the time of year, production phase they are currently in or the best way they need to help their animal.

Gestation Calculators

Most producers know gestation length for the species they raise. However, it isn’t always simple to figure 283 days in your head, or figure when you should breed if you want mid-March calves. BioZyme offers online gestation calculators for cattle, sheep and goats on the VitaFerm and DuraFerm websites. Online gestation calculators are available to enter your breeding date to populate a birthing date. Printable tables for each species are also online and are based on the following:

Cattle – 283 days
Sheep – 145 days
Goats – 150 days

Value Calculators

Because we know that saving money is important to our customers, we have also created several online value calculators. For VitaFerm and Gain Smart, you can access these calculators under the Resources Tab on their respective websites.

Gain Calculator allows producers to enter their own information to determine the additional gain advantage when feeding VitaFerm or Gain Smart products.

Forage Savings Calculator calculates the hay savings per pair from incorporating VitaFerm or Gain Smart into the diet.

Amaferm Value Calculator helps determine the advantages of per head per day of feeding AO-Biotics® Amaferm®.

These are also in a downloadable PDF version that you can easily have accessible anytime you are talking to a customer.

We strive to help you make the sale, while helping your customers understand that a premium vitamin and mineral program is an investment, not a cost.

Letters from Lisa

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Day in the Life of BioZyme® Employee Chris Kyle

Chris Kyle has a background in the dairy and rodeo industries. He joined joined BioZyme® in 2016 as an Area Sales Manager.

Chris earned a bachelor’s degree in Ag Business from the University of Arkansas at Monticello, where he attended on a rodeo scholarship.

He and his wife, Lacee and two children, Coree and Kit, live in Greenbriar, Arkansas. They are active in the rodeo community and love to hunt and fish. He currently raises Corriente cattle and has horses that he competes with in team roping events at amateur rodeos.

If you have spent any amount of time with Chris, you know he has a sweet tooth and a heart of gold – both the size of Texas. He is a great story teller and might even make you a great deal on a car while telling you a tale or two.

Learn more about Chris and a day in his life at BioZyme.

Title: Area Sales Manager, Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas

Number of Years at BioZyme: 7

Describe a “typical” day in your job: Wake up, drive, talk on phone, stop and see customer, drive, talk on phone, see customer, repeat.

What is the most interesting thing you ever done at BioZyme: Every day is interesting. It’s always an adventure.

Share a funny story about one of your days at work: I was asked to show my ID at a store because of my name (American Sniper). I had to take my belt off and show them my name was on it before they believed me.

What has been one of the biggest challenges: Covid wasn’t really cool for traveling sales reps.

Why is care that comes full circle important to what you do? The people who purchase our products live the same lifestyle that my family does. We see each other outside of the sales calls and ranch visits. It’s very rewarding to see a customer or their children have success at an event (livestock show/rodeo/etc.) and have them attribute a part of their success to our products.

What is something you enjoy doing outside of the office? Being a dad. I have two kids that keep me busy.

Thank you, Chris, for being a valuable part of the BioZyme family. We appreciate your family sharing you with us, and for you being a shining example of care that comes full circle.

Changes Coming in October

LOOK FOR NEW PACKAGING, LABELS ON VITALIZE® PRODUCTS

There have been several packaging updates to Vitalize® products, both in the equine and companion animal lines. These updates include new labels on Vitalize Dog and Vitalize Digest More Plus. Vitalize Alimend® K9 along with all Vitalize Trixsyn® products will also begin being packaged in boxes for easier distribution with dosing mechanisms to retailers and better in-store visibility.

Vitalize Dog 40 lb. has also received a new UPC code registration (033471001696). Customers may also notice some slight changes in Vitalize pellets due to the recent completion and inception of the new pellet line.

INCREASED PROPORTION OF ORGANIC COPPER IN ALL VITAFERM® CONCEPT•AID® PRODUCTS

Extreme weather conditions (both drought and flooding) across the country this year have had a substantial effect on nutrient quality of forages. After thorough analysis by BioZyme’s team of ruminant nutritionists, we have increased the proportion of organic copper in all VitaFerm Concept•Aid products (both tubs and minerals). This change allows us to feel confident that we are helping to improve the health status of cattle across the country experiencing some level of copper deficiency due to the decline in the amounts of the nutrient available in the forage most are eating. This change will not have an impact on the guaranteed analysis.

VITAFERM CONSERVE® PROTEIN MEAL NOW AVAILABLE

We introduced VitaFerm Conserve® Protein Meal last month. Conserve Protein Meal is a free-choice vitamin and mineral supplement with protein for beef cattle designed to support herd health and performance while conserving cost. We are excited to add this as an option to our protein lineup.

Click here to download a comparison of the VitaFerm Protein Options

BIOZYME® INC., OFFERS A VARIETY OF CAREER OPPORTUNITIES & FEED INDUSTRY JOBS

Do you love animals? Do you care about people? Do you want to ensure a safe and wholesome food supply for the world?

If you answered yes to these questions and are looking for a rewarding and challenging career, BioZyme® Inc. is hiring. BioZyme, headquartered in Saint Joseph, Missouri, is a global leader in the animal health and nutrition industry.

OUR PEOPLE

“Care that comes full circle” is the company motto, and that care is spread throughout the world, starting with its people. That is what motivates 28-year employee Kevin Glaubius every day in his role.

“BioZyme has a different business model that focuses on quality and consistency, and in the feed industry that is a rarity. I can feel confident that if I help a dealer get a customer on a product or program, they are going to experience the same performance time after time because our products do what we say they do,” said Glaubius, Area Sales Manager in Nebraska.

BioZyme hires a diverse set of people with a variety of skills and interests. The common thread that ties our employees together is their caring attitude. They care about others, and they care about the wellbeing of animals.

At BioZyme we have people from all walks of life. Those who enjoy problem-solving through science and technology, those who enjoy working with their hands and those who enjoy talking on the phone and helping customers with their challenges.

Available Feed Industry Jobs

Currently, there are positions available on the career listing in several interest and skill areas, including:

✔ Fermentation
✔ Maintenance
✔ Marketing
✔ Sales
✔ Quality

“We encourage those people interested in working at BioZyme to watch the website, as we continually update the careers page. Applying is easy, and we also rely heavily on the Culture Index to ensure that we place the qualified candidates in the positions that they are most comfortable in,” said Caity Norton, Senior Manager of Human Resources.

BIOZYME BENEFITS

Glaubius added that in addition to helping people and their animals, he enjoys the benefits that BioZyme offers its employees.

For example, BioZyme employees can earn company shares through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). He has also witnessed the opportunities that employees have gained in their skills with the growth over nearly three decades.

Some of the other great benefits that BioZyme offers includes:

✔ Competitive Salaries
✔ Comprehensive Insurance Plans
✔ Flexible, Remote Work Opportunities
✔ Ongoing Educational Opportunities

“When I started, there was one sales manager, one marketing person. Now, there are opportunities to gain experience and new skills or work in a variety of roles if you already have those skills. We have our own lab and testing facilities and are committed to improving the facilities when we can,” he said.

Join The Biozyme Family

If you are interested in feed industry jobs or joining the BioZyme family—or you know someone who would make an ideal team member—please visit BioZyme Careers.

How To Put Weight on Calves: Research Proves Amaferm® Advantage

Are you wondering how to put weight on calves? Well, did you know the combination of Vita Charge® Cattle Drench and Vita Charge® Stress Tubs help support digestive health and intake? If your calves take to eating and drinking without hesitation, one thing is certain: they are likely to gain faster, too.

So, what is Vita Charge?

Vita Charge is a line of fast acting, multi-specie livestock products for support before, during and after stressful times. Both weaning and changing environments are stressful for young calves. Therefore, BioZyme® Inc., makers of Vita Charge, recommend Vita Charge products at weaning, when receiving calves or anytime stress occurs.

Vita Charge comes in various forms, including liquid, gels and tubs for multiple applications. And most products, with the exception of the Cattle Drench and Stress Tubs, can be used across all livestock species. The one commonality across Vita Charge – all products contain the research-proven prebiotic AO-Biotics® Amaferm® designed to enhance digestibility.

Research Proves Vita Charge Works

When BioZyme says it’s products work, we mean it. We take the time to research, test and verify the products we promote to consumers.

In a 2016 University of Tennessee – Martin research trial, 48 calves were purchased at a sale barn. After hauling them for about 2 hours, they were fed hay and water overnight before processing. All calves were stressed from hauling, being in a new environment and heat.

The calves were divided into two groups. A control group and the trial group that was given 1 ounce of Vita Charge Cattle Drench during processing.

In addition to Amaferm, Vita Charge Cattle Drench contains MOS (mannan oligosaccharide) to help normalize the gut microflora and supports the immune system. Drench also includes enzymes to generate a more rapid digestive response.

The trial group of calves were also turned out to pens that included Vita Charge Stress Tubs for three weeks. Stress Tubs are designed to support digestive health and intake. They also contain Amaferm and MOS. Additionally, they contain a probiotic to help restore the gut microbiome.

Cattle provided with Vita Charge Cattle Drench upon arrival recovered more quickly. This is shown with a significant increase in average daily gain (ADG) during week one. The control group actually lost weight during the first week.

The cattle that received Amaferm gained 1.54 pounds/head/day. Conversely, the control group lost .52 pounds/head/day during that first week.

How to Put Weight on Calves? Start Them Off Right

Although most calves will start gaining once they transition, this Tennessee study demonstrated that Amaferm offers an advantage in gain. Yes, the control group did start gaining after week 1. However, even after the Stress Tubs were removed after 21 days (week 3), the calves that had Amaferm in their diet kept outperforming.

Calves in the control group, in weeks 4-7 posted an ADG of 1.45 pounds. In the Amaferm group, the calves had an ADG of 2.33 pounds, more than a 3/4-pound advantage per head. When you are selling pounds, raising cattle to gain efficiently, Amaferm seems like an investment worth making.

What our Customers Have to Say

To put weight on calves means healthy, efficient gain. Matthew Cox runs an Angus cow herd in Nebraska. He also buys calves to background from a sale barn, so he has a combination of cattle to turn out to grass.

He is a big fan of the Vita Charge products, not only for the performance, but also for the increased health.

“I swear by the Vita Charge® Cattle Drench. In our yearling operation, we have noticeably less sickness and better appetites, both on calves we get in from the sale barn and on home-raised calves. We couple the Cattle Drench with Stress Tubs and within two weeks our calves are off to the races. Consumption gets to 2% per 100lbs of body weight within 5 days instead of 10,” he explained.

He went on to say, “the quicker I can stimulate appetite and get that young calf to get enough energy intake with the stressful weaning event the better off I am. Our troubles aren’t as prevalent, and we don’t have to treat calves. That’s a savings of $25-$40 per head with the current price of antibiotics. I am a firm believer in the Amaferm in these Vita Charge products.”

Bubba Rutherford from Texas is another cow-calf producer who believes in the benefits of the Drench.

“I give the Vita Charge Drench to every animal – calf, yearling or cow – that comes onto my place as soon as they unload and go through the chute. Even the cows that are heading to the packing house get the Drench. It seems like it just gives them an extra boost, and the cattle go to feed a lot faster. When we doctor yearlings in the pasture, they get a dose of Vita Charge Drench too, and they go right back to feed,” Rutherford said.

Are you Looking for Vita Charge?

Well, we can help you find it. Vita Charge and all BioZyme products are sold through our dealer network and online. Locate your nearest dealer with our dealer locator.

Not seeing a dealer near you? You can refer a dealer on our website, today.

Want more information about our products? Sign up for our regular newsletter.

Featured BioZyme Team – Domestic Sales

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

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

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

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

Product Knowledge

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

Expert in the Field to Answer Questions

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

Access to Nutritional Support

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

Business Development

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

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

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

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