Category: What’s New

BioZyme® dealer Mitch Field at Field Farms shares his own personal success stories with the products to gain the trust and business of potential customers. He and his family had positive experiences with the VitaFerm® products on their Angus operation in Erhard, Minn., but the closest dealer to him was 100 miles away, so Field decided to become a dealer. He started sharing his success stories, has conducted producer meetings and has taken his message to social media, all while watching his business grow during the past two years.

“The biggest challenge for me has been getting people on a strict mineral program. But I’m working to get them feeding it all year, so it is better for their cows too, and some of them are starting to come around,” Field said.

In an area where farming is the dominant profession and most producers have less than 50 head, Field said getting them on a year-round program has been a battle. However, when they see the benefits of the Amaferm advantage, they are starting to realize the importance of providing excellent nutrition to their herd all year.

Field said he promotes the mineral program by seasons and production cycle. When he and his family only had to treat one sick calf out of 150 at weaning after using Vita Charge® Drench and Stress Tubs, that definitely grew his customer base. He has his producer meetings in the fall just prior to weaning to sell the benefits of the Vita Charge program. He also notes with the humidity and the number of lakes they have in their area, the VitaFerm HEAT® mineral has been easy to sell.

“With where we live in Minnesota, we run into a lot of fly issues in the summer, so I tell people about the HEAT mineral. Once they try it, they really like it, and they don’t have to worry about pinkeye issues either,” Field said.

Though his own experiences have helped him educate producers in his area about the benefits of a high-quality mineral program, he’s also gone a step further, and shares some of his experiences on social media. He shares his personal experiences on Twitter and said that he’s had a few other cattle producers reach out to him about mineral programs. He was able to refer them to BioZyme dealers in their area, and at least one purchased product.

“I always have people ask certain things. Since I’ve had good luck with the product, I share personal experiences with my followers,” Field said.

Educating others on the value of the mineral program is key; however, the biggest benefit to becoming a dealer is the personal network that Field has made. He said he has made connections with people in his own area he didn’t even know raised livestock and made valuable friendships with other BioZyme dealers and staff that he looks forward to talking with on a regular basis.

“I’ve made some good friends along the way. I talk to Keith Micke (Dealer in Wyoming) about once a month and Rowdy Pope (ASM in Florida) about once a week.”

For Field, it’s more than a mineral program. Being a dealer has allowed him to share his experiences, help others help their herds and cultivate friendships and connections along the way. That’s care that comes full circle.

Associated Feed Develops Next Generation of Livestock Enthusiasts

Imagine taking one day away from your dealership or store front to teach upwards of 1,000 people the basics about feeding and showing livestock. You’ve just enriched 1,000 lives with information and potentially created an interest to continue pursuing a career in the livestock field, but you’ve also come into contact with a lot of potential customers.

Associated Feed & Supply, Turlock, Calif., has hosted at least 12 all-day, totally-free Associated Feed Junior Livestock Camps each October for young livestock exhibitors, the parents, 4-H leaders and FFA advisors in Central California. The day-long camp that focuses on evaluation and selection, nutrition and feeding, fitting and showing of beef, sheep, goats and hogs, is conducted at Modesto Junior College.

“Livestock and agriculture are dying industries, and we feel it is our job to help these kids learn more about their projects to where we not only we can help educate them to have a successful project, but also spark their interest in ag to continue their involvement in agriculture,” said Nick Warntjes, Associated Feed’s Northern California Sales Rep who manages the Camp. “We want to make sure the kids, parents, 4-H leaders and FFA advisors have the tools and resources they need for a successful livestock project. Selling feed is a secondary bonus.”

Warntjes said they invite highly reputable industry leaders from all parts of the United States to teach about each species, one of the things he believes is such a big draw for the attendees each year. He said in the last Camp, between 500-600 people were pre-registered, but 800-1,000 people actually showed up. The reason they ask for preregistration is to ensure every youth leaves Camp with a unique t-shirt.

“Every kid gets a free Camp t-shirt. It is pretty amazing how much that t-shirt means to the kids. I see those t-shirts at county fairs and worn all over the place the next year,” Warntjes said.

And because the California Camp has been so successful, typically drawing youth from California, Nevada, Idaho and Washington, Associated Feeds expanded its efforts and offered a similar Camp in Oregon this past February. Warntjes said that first-time event drew 300 participants from Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Northern California, stating one family even drove 10 hours to attend.

“I truly appreciate the support of Chris Benevedes, my boss at Associated Feeds. He approves and supports these camps. He’s been very generous in continuing to allow us to expand this event and allow us to put it on,” Warntjes said.

Finding high-quality speakers that are respected within the industry are what draws so many people to the Camps. Warntjes asks each year how many young people have previously attended and estimates 30-40% are repeat attendees.

“It’s about bringing knowledgeable people in front of the kids where they can learn something and ask any questions they have.”

Associated Feeds knows the importance of developing the future generations and they give back one day each October to do just that. They get involved, provide the resources and create a spark of excitement in livestock enthusiasts.