GET SOCIAL: YOUR NEW DEALER CENTER SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLBOX

Social media marketing plays a huge role in a business’s digital marketing efforts. Promoting products, key benefits, value-added testimonials and other related content can help a business or organization increase awareness, foot traffic and ultimately sales.

Along with several other updates and changes with the new year, BioZyme® has developed the new BioZyme Social Media Toolbox platform. Our team is excited to launch this new resource in Dealer Center.

We noticed Promoboxx wasn’t serving all our dealers the way we wanted it to. That’s why we decided to, when our subscription expired, not renew and instead focus our efforts on providing a seamless service that better met your needs while still providing the valuable, branded marketing and social media content you’ve come to count on.

You can find the new Social Media Toolbox in the Dealer Center, under the Marketing tab across the main header. From there, dealers can select which brand they want to retrieve content from and then choose what specific or general posts they want to post to their social media pages. By simply saving the image and copying the text of the caption, the post is ready to use on any social platform for your dealership.

Wondering if there are still rewards for utilizing social media content? Yes, there are! You will still earn Action Award Points for your engagement!

Look for the Dealer Center On Demand training to learn more about this new tool and how to use it!

Start engaging on social media for your business by using the Social Media Toolbox now.

LETTER FROM LISA

As we enter 2025, we’re thrilled to share a glimpse of what’s ahead. This year promises exciting advancements, innovations and experiences tailored to enhance your journey with us.

Here’s what you can expect:

  1. Expanded Offerings: We’re introducing new products and services to meet your evolving needs and preferences.
  2. Enhanced Technology: With cutting-edge upgrades, we aim to make your interactions and those of your customers smoother, faster and more personalized.
  3. Exclusive Experiences: Look forward to events, special promotions and rewards that celebrate your efforts and loyalty. We couldn’t do what we do without you.
  4. Stronger Connections: We’re committed to improving how we communicate and support you every step of the way.

Stay tuned for updates and announcements—we’re excited to make 2025 a remarkable year together!

Your journey is probably not much different than the one BioZyme® tries to go on. Growth is a huge part of how we travel. Following are some easy steps we should all focus on to take our growth to the next level.

1. Do Your Research: When you’re looking into how to grow your business, you need to do market research. This is true no matter what your goals are. Research not only lets you better understand your existing customers but also your potential customers. It’s important to gain insight into your target market and know its needs. That way, you can see how your business can grow and change to meet those needs.

Don’t forget to research your competitors, too. Knowing what their strengths and weaknesses are can help drive your decisions on how to appropriately scale your operations.

2. Build a Sales Funnel: Your sales funnel can help take business to the next level. Think of a sales funnel as a customer’s journey. When they enter your business or visit your website, they’re at the top of the funnel. When they buy something or sign up for a service, they’ve successfully gone through the funnel. You should try to find ways to move people through the funnel to make a sale. This can include offering a discount, getting their contact information or sending them updates on your business.

3. Increase Customer Retention: It’s not enough to just get new customers for your business. You also need to keep your existing customers coming back. When you increase customer retention, you’re building customer loyalty, which can increase sales.

Considering it costs five times as much to get a new customer than it does to keep a current one, focusing on retaining customers means your business won’t spend money on something that isn’t a guaranteed investment.

You can increase your customer retention by:

• Prioritizing customer service: If you don’t treat your customers right, they won’t want to support your business. Ensuring you address their concerns and give them the best experience possible shows you value them as customers.

• Using a customer relations management (CRM) system: CRM systems help your business manage relationships with existing and potential customers. They help you maintain customer information and identify sales opportunities. One of the biggest benefits is that the data gets stored in one place, so you and other employees who need it can access it.

• Creating a customer loyalty program: These programs reward existing customers for supporting your business. They can also help you attract new customers or get back those who left your business. Nobody wants to miss out on rewards.

• Launching an email campaign: Using an email campaign can help ensure your business stays on top of customers’ minds. It’s also a great way to move existing and potential customers through your sales funnel.

• Engaging with customers on social media: Your customers may reach out to your business on social media with a question or to share feedback, pain points or complaints. You should always try to respond positively, even if you don’t love what they’re saying. Taking the time to respond and engage with them shows you value their thoughts and take their concerns seriously.

4. Diversify Your Product or Service Offerings: It can be hard to change. Harder still to follow through on change once you start. This is especially true in business. You’ve had success selling your main product or service to customers. After all, it’s what gotten you to this point. But no business grows bigger or sells more by only selling the same thing to the same people. One of the easiest ways to grow and grow your customer base is offering new products or services. You can do this by:

• Identifying opportunities for new products or services: Do market research to see if there’s something new you can offer your customers to buy.

• Finding different ways to offer your existing products – this includes subscriptions or bundles.

If you’re looking for practical examples of growth from diversification, look no further than Moment. The company’s initial products included lenses for smartphones to improve photography. Now, the company has expanded its offerings to include apps and accessories to use with its lenses.

5. Measure What Works and Refine as You Go: While there are a variety of strategies you can use to grow a small business, it’s important you measure what’s working. For example, if you create a customer loyalty program and find it’s not improving customer retention, you may need to change your strategy.

Growing a business means you’ll have to take calculated risks. Regularly monitoring your progress and making updates are key to having success.

Thank you for being an essential part of our journey to get there.

How to Help the Stocker Grower Increase Profitability  

The stocker grower and backgrounder are smart but tough. They obviously love the challenge of raising freshly weaned calves to their next and final production stage, yet several significant challenges are associated with the stocker business.  

As with most in the livestock business, the stocker growers look to their peers and other trusted individuals in the industry for advice and counsel. As a BioZyme® dealer, we want to arm you with the information you need to help these producers grow their stocker cattle. 

Strategies to Help Your Stocker Grower Customer 

Every challenge a stocker grower faces is an opportunity for you to help them while growing your own business. Let’s explore some key strategies to overcome the biggest challenges the stocker grower faces in the cattle business 

  1. Managing Market Volatility 

While we are not market advisors, we can suggest that your stocker growers manage their operations wisely. Tools like futures contracts, options or Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) insurance to protect against price drops. Furthermore, your customers might consider running multiple enterprises, such as combining stocker operations with cow-calf or row crops to spread financial risk. 

Finally, stocker growers sometimes sell cattle at different weights or times of the year to take advantage of favorable market conditions. 

2. Adapting to Weather & Environmental Challenges  

Most stocker growers will use rotational grazing to optimize pasture utilization and maintain forage availability when they have available resources. Since it seems there is a drought every year in some parts of the country, it is key to have a backup plan. Stockpile forage, use cover crops or source alternative feedstuffs. 

Finally, be sure your customers provide windbreaks, shade and adequate water sources to protect cattle from extreme weather. 

3. Improving Health & Nutrition Management 

While we might not be market advisors, we do know a few things about animal health and nutrition. Be sure to recommend to your customers to use the Gain Smart® program featuring Gain Smart and VitaFerm® products.  

Furthermore, stocker growers can purchase preconditioned cattle. Calves vaccinated, weaned and properly managed before arrival are less prone to stress and sickness. Minimize disease introduction by quarantining new arrivals, maintaining clean water sources, and limiting exposure to outside cattle. 

The Gain Smart Difference 

Gain Smart® is a line of free-choice vitamin and mineral supplements for stocker cattle that promotes healthy, economical pounds. With four different formulas based on your management scenarios, this mineral is designed to maximize efficient gain.    

Gain Smart contains AO-Biotics® Amaferm®, organic copper, iodine and zinc for maximum bioavailability and hoof health. It also provides nutritional support for a healthy immune system. It can be fed as a loose mineral or mixed into a ration.    

The stocker grower strives for his or her stocker cattle to achieve moderate weight gain while maintaining lean muscle growth. Average daily gain (ADG) for stocker cattle typically ranges from 1.5 to 2.5 pounds per day, depending on forage quality, nutrition and management practices. Producers aim for an efficient cost-per-pound gain by utilizing high-quality forages and optimizing feeding strategies. 

One advantage of feeding the Gain Smart mineral is that it is research-proven to add at least .25 pound of gain per day to stocker cattle. Not only does Amaferm increase the immune response, but it also increases growth and performance. 

Gain Smart Provides Options  

Currently, Gain Smart is available in 4 formulas for various management scenarios. All of which can help your customers stay profitable, regardless of the cost of cattle. The 4 different free-choice vitamin and mineral supplement formulas for stocker cattle include:     

1. Gain Smart Stocker   

Gain Smart Stocker helps your herd maximize efficient gain.        

It is designed for those feeding a medium to high forage diet and works well for both cool- and warm-season grasses. It is the most versatile and can be fed in multiple places under multiple conditions.    

2. Gain Smart Stocker Wheat   

Gain Smart Stocker Wheat maximizes efficient gain on wheat or small grain pasture.        

This product supports a higher-quality forage diet rich in protein and nitrogen, such as wheat, small grains and legumes.   

3. Gain Smart Stocker HEAT®  

Gain Smart Stocker HEAT maximizes efficient gain when temperatures are above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. It contains HEAT technology, a combination of essential oils and garlic, to support animals when heat and insects are a challenge.        

Gain Smart Stocker HEAT is ideally suited for backgrounding and yearling cattle on grass. It contains plant extracts to help maintain circulation and support animal performance and gain in heat and fescue situations. The plant extracts are research-proven to support animals’ ability to maintain normal body temperature. This mineral is ideal in the hot summer months or any time when grazing fescue. It also includes garlic to deter insects.     

4. Gain Smart Stocker Balancer   

Gain Smart Stocker Balancer RU 1600 maximizes efficient gain and balance high-grain diets when mixing TMR rations. It includes rumensin for improved feed efficiency.        

Gain Smart Balancer RU 1600 is designed for calves being backgrounded or fed in a dry lot situation on a mixed grain ration. It complements the co-products, such as distiller’s grain and cereal byproducts, and works well with fermented feed like silage. It contains no phosphorus but does have rumensin. Gain Smart Balancer can be fed to heavier weights, and it is a good selection when trying to improve feed efficiency.     

Get Gain Smart in your Warehouse Today 

If you know you have stocker cattle operators in your area, make sure they know about Gain Smart mineral. Sometimes, our customers know BioZyme as the VitaFerm® or Sure Champ® brands. However, ensuring that your customers know all brands is vitally important.  

For more information, visit the Gain Smart blog or contact your Area Sales Manager today!  

An Overview of the Stocker Cattle Phase 

The stocker cattle phase is a key segment in the beef production cycle, bridging the gap between the cow-calf operation and the feedlot. This phase is characterized by the growth and development of weaned calves before they enter the feedlot for finishing.  

Stocker cattle programs emphasize forage-based growth, focusing on skeletal and muscle development rather than fat deposition. This period allows producers to add weight to the cattle cost-effectively while optimizing their health and conditioning before the final finishing stage. 

Some might consider stocker cattle the “middle child” of beef production. Stocker cattle don’t offer the glam and glitz of cow-calf production. Furthermore, they don’t hold the title of “feeding the world,” either. Stocker cattle are typically a higher-stressed group of calves. They have been weaned from their mamas, transported many miles and if not managed proactively, require more treatments than most cattle. 

Perhaps this phase can benefit from the BioZyme family of brands more so than other groups of animals. We know that 70% immune response for cattle starts in gut. As BioZyme dealers, if you reach out to your stocker cattle operators, with products that feature AO-Biotics® Amaferm®, those calves are more likely to stay healthy and grow faster. That seems like a win-win! But first, let’s explore more about the stocker cattle phase. 
  

Stocker Cattle Selection 

Selecting the right stocker cattle involves evaluating various factors, including breed, weight, frame size, health and genetic potential for growth. Generally, cattle with medium to large frames that exhibit good growth potential and skeletal development are preferred. 

According to John Jeffrey, BioZyme Director of National Sales, knowing the information on the calves you are about to buy is one of the most important management tools you can employ. Discovering their breed and genetic make-up and what kind of management they have had in the past will give you a better sense of how to care for them. Other history you might want to find out includes any vaccination or health protocol that was used and how long they have been weaned.  

“Knowing if you’re getting in high risk or low risk calves, and the overall history of a source of cattle can help a backgrounder out. This basic information helps you determine how you can best handle the cattle moving forward,” Jeffrey said.  

Stocker cattle are often sourced from cow-calf operations and purchased at livestock auctions or directly from producers. Healthy calves with minimal stress and low instances of disease are ideal for stocker programs. High-risk calves, such as those transported long distances or exposed to multiple stressors, may require additional management and health interventions. 

Nutrition & Grazing Management 

Nutrition plays a vital role in the stocker phase, with most programs relying heavily on pasture and forage-based diets. Common forages used include native grasses, improved pastures, wheat, rye, oats and other small grains. Depending on the geographic location and season, stocker cattle may graze on different types of forage to maximize growth rates. 

Supplemental feeding may be necessary in certain situations, particularly when forage quality is low. Protein and energy supplements, along with mineral and vitamin supplementation, help ensure optimal growth. Water availability and quality are also fundamental, as proper hydration supports digestion and overall health. 

Stocker operations may utilize rotational grazing systems to enhance pasture utilization and maintain forage productivity. Rotational grazing allows pastures to rest and recover, reducing overgrazing and improving long-term sustainability. 

Facilities are Key  

Having a facility that is calf-friendly is vitally important. We often think of stocker cattle out grazing on lush, wide, open pastures. While that is true most of the time, there are still some things to consider when preparing facilities for stockers.  

Stocker operators need to have a receiving pen with a loadout chute, where calves can unload from the semi and load up when it is time to go to the feed yard. The receiving pen should be large enough to hold calves for an adjustment period to get them used to their new environment. It should have a fresh water source and provide a quality vitamin and mineral supplement.  

Additionally, ensure that there is a fresh water source big enough to service the cattle in the pen. Access to clean, fresh water at this stage of their life is vitally important to their overall health and performance.  

Furthermore, the facilities should have a working chute, where you can process cattle upon receiving or if you need to treat a sick one. Jeffrey said one really nice processing perk is having a scale underneath your processing chute, which allows you to more accurately dose your antibiotics and vaccinations to weight.  

“When every penny counts, being able to provide dosage to the animal’s weight, and manage your medicine inventory are ways to provide yourself more income,” he said.  

Finally, make sure the fence line should be secure, and adequate bunk space is available if you are feeding your calves grain.  

Animal Health, Nutrition  

Animal health and nutrition work synergistically. They are a critical component to any producer’s cattle production and management resources. Jeffrey encourages every stocker operator to have animal health and animal nutrition protocols. Those start with building trusted relationships with livestock nutritionists and veterinarians who understand your production goals. Maintain records of every treatment and vaccination you give your animals and find a record-keeping system that works best for you.  

Perhaps the most important way to ensure that your animals stay healthy is to get them started right with the 3-step approach from Gain Smart.  

“If we can get Amaferm into their diet and keep it in their diet early on, it will help those calves maintain a healthy stomach. They will feel better, grow better, have overall better water intake and go to the feedlot growing and gaining more efficiently,” Jeffrey said.  

Promote Gain Smart Program as a Cattle Management Tool   

Step 1: VitaFerm® Cattle Drench    

VitaFerm® Cattle Drench is the first step to successfully receiving calves. This drench for cattle is designed to support digestive health before, during and after challenges. It contains AO-Biotics® Amaferm®, a prebiotic research-proven to enhance digestibility. Cattle Drench also contains MOS (mannan oligosaccharides) to help normalize the gut microflora and supports the immune system and enzymes to generate a more rapid digestive response.    

Using this drench as you process the calves at receiving helps keep their gut healthy and functioning. We know that 70% of the immune response starts within the digestive system, so a healthy gut will lead to a healthy animal.    

Step 2: VitaFerm® Stress Tubs   

VitaFerm Stress Tubs help eliminate stress of being in a new environment when offered to calves the first 14 to 21 days post-receiving. This tub for cattle is designed to support digestive health and intake and contains Vita Charge Technology including Amaferm and MOS. It also contains a probiotic to help restore the gut microbiome. The Stress Tubs are not minerals but can work along with your mineral program.  

The Vita Charge Technology, found in the Cattle Drench and Stress Tubs, is comprised of a unique blend of ingredients. These ingredients help support animal health before, during or after the stress. 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    

Step 3: Gain Smart    

Gain Smart® is a line of free-choice vitamin and mineral supplements for stocker cattle that promotes healthy, economical pounds. With four different formulas based on your management scenarios, this mineral is designed to maximize efficient gain.    

Gain Smart contains Amaferm, organic copper, iodine and zinc for maximum bioavailability and hoof health. It also provides nutritional support for a healthy immune system. It can be fed as a loose mineral or mixed into a ration.    

Growth Performance & Weight Gain 

The stocker operator strives for his or her stocker cattle to achieve moderate weight gain while maintaining lean muscle growth. Average daily gain (ADG) for stocker cattle typically ranges from 1.5 to 2.5 pounds per day, depending on forage quality, nutrition and management practices. Producers aim for an efficient cost-per-pound gain by utilizing high-quality forages and optimizing feeding strategies. 

One advantage of feeding the Gain Smart mineral is that it is research proven to add at least .25 pound of gain per day to stocker cattle. Not only does the Amaferm increase the immune response, but it increase the growth and performance. 

Cowboy Math to Help your Customers 

Here’s something you should walk through with your customers to help them see the value of Amaferm. 

With last fall, 5-weights were selling in the $3s, and even 7- and 8-weights brought in the mid $2 range -not an ideal time to buy stocker cattle. However, it was time to buy, and fall moisture meant pastures were ready. 

“The cost of cattle is always going to fluctuate. However, the price of Amaferm hasn’t changed in the 10 years I have worked for the company,” Jeffrey said. “At just 4 cents per head per day, Amaferm can magnify the value of your forages and feedstuffs. It will help your calves gain faster and more efficiently, adding at least an additional quarter of a pound of gain per day to your calves.”   

Let’s look at one example of cowboy math that Jeffrey likes to explain.   

If your calves gain .25 pounds per day extra, that is an extra 25 pounds after just 100 days. With Amaferm at just 4 cents per head per day, you just spent $4 for additional gain you wouldn’t have had before. That potentially leads to fewer total days on feed, for just $4. You can’t even get a soda and a candy bar for $4. Furthermore, the added pay weight of improved gain further amplifies the profitability  

.25 pounds x 100 days = 25 pounds of gain 

100 days x .04 = $4 for additional gain, saving days on feed/feed 

More Cowboy Math  

A backgrounder runs 2,000 calves in the Southern Plains while feeding a mineral from the local feedstore that costs $20/bag delivered. The average death loss is 2% or 40 calves.    

The local BioZyme dealer – YOU – convinces this backgrounder to feed Gain Smart at an investment of $32*/bag delivered, a difference of $12, with $4 of that the Amaferm advantage. Each bag has 200 servings, and the feeder plans to graze for about 110 days, so he or she will need 1,100 bags. Thus, he or she will spend about $13,200 more on the mineral program this year than in the past.    

Healthy, Efficient Pounds   

But wait. Calves are healthier, and the death loss is cut to 1% or 20 calves feeding Gain Smart mineral. Now, let’s look at where the feeder is financially. (*suggested retail price may vary due to freight)    

Initial investment: 1,100 bags x $12 more than previous mineral = $13,200 

Saved 20 calves due to increased health: $1600 each x 20 head = $32,000 

$32,000 – $13,200 = $18,800 profit in live calves 

Another way to look at it is if you save one live calf at $1600, at $32 per bag, that one calf pays for 50 bags of Gain Smart. With 200 servings per bag, that one more calf paid for 100 calves’ minerals over a 100-day backgrounding period—healthy, efficient pounds.    

Your customer’s initial investment has more than paid for itself, plus the Amaferm advantage helps calves gain potentially fewer days on grass. Calves should stay healthier, meaning fewer dollars spent on treatments. It’s an investment that will continue to offset the cost of gain in challenging times.     

“Gain Smart improves feed efficiency and health, which is more money in your customer’s pocket,” Jeffrey said.   

Gain Smart Provides Options  

Currently, Gain Smart is available in 4 formulas for a variety of management scenarios. All of which can help your customers stay profitable, regardless of the cost of cattle. The 4 different free-choice vitamin and mineral supplement formulas for stocker cattle include:     

1. Gain Smart Stocker   

Gain Smart Stocker helps your herd maximize efficient gain.        

It is designed for those feeding a medium to high forage diet and works well for both cool- and warm-season grasses. It is the most versatile and can be fed in multiple places under multiple conditions.    

2. Gain Smart Stocker Wheat   

Gain Smart Stocker Wheat maximizes efficient gain on wheat or small grain pasture.        

This product is formulated for a higher-quality forage diet rich in protein and nitrogen, such as wheat, small grains and legumes.   

3. Gain Smart Stocker HEAT®  

Gain Smart Stocker HEAT maximizes efficient gain when temperatures are above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. It contains HEAT technology, a combination of essential oils and garlic, to support animals when heat and insects are a challenge.        

Gain Smart Stocker HEAT is ideally suited for backgrounding and yearling cattle on grass. It contains plant extracts to help maintain circulation. That supports animal performance and gain in both heat and fescue situations. The plant extracts are research-proven to support animals’ ability to maintain normal body temperature. This mineral is ideal in the hot summer months or any time fescue is grazed. It also includes garlic to deter insects.     

4. Gain Smart Stocker Balancer   

Gain Smart Stocker Balancer RU 1600 maximizes efficient gain and balance high-grain diets when mixing TMR rations. It includes rumensin for improved feed efficiency.        

Gain Smart Balancer RU 1600 is designed for calves being backgrounded or fed in a dry lot situation on a mixed grain ration. It complements the co-products, such as distiller’s grain and cereal byproducts, and works well with fermented feed like silage. It contains no phosphorus but does have rumensin. Gain Smart Balancer can be fed to heavier weights, and it is a good selection when trying to improve feed efficiency.     

Get Gain Smart in your Warehouse Today 

If you know you have stocker cattle operators in your area, make sure they know about Gain Smart mineral. Sometimes, our customers know BioZyme as the VitaFerm® or Sure Champ® brands. However, it’s vitally important to ensure that your customers know all brands.  

For more information, visit the Gain Smart blog or contact your Area Sales Manager today!  

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. 

CHANGES COMING IN FEBRUARY

BIOZYME® LAUNCHES VITAFERM® SURE START GEL

VitaFerm® Sure Start Gel launches this month. This neonatal gel supports calves’ immune function and overall health during the critical post-birth period.

Sure Start Gel contains AO-Biotics® Amaferm®, a prebiotic research proven to support digestibility by stimulating beneficial microbes. It delivers IgY antibodies derived from Salmonella, E. coli, bovine rotavirus, bovine coronavirus, and Clostridium. It also includes MOS for broad support of the immune system.

HYDRABOOST RTU DISCONTINUED

Due to decreased demand, HydraBoost RTU has been discontinued. HydraBoost Concentrate will still be available via special order.

VITALIZE® PELLET & MINERAL FLAVORING ENHANCED

Under our commitment to continuous improvement, we recently implemented flavor enhancements to the Vitalize Equine Protein Pellet, Vitalize Equine High Performance, Vitalize Equine Digest More Plus and Vitalize Equine Vitamin and Mineral Supplement. You may notice an increased flavor profile in these products.

LABEL UPDATES MADE IN VITAFERM® LINE

To comply with all state and federal regulations, all VitaFerm labels that contain CTC or medication have been updated from Feeding Directions to include “Mixing and Feeding Directions.” These new labels will be implemented as soon as new products are produced. We also added a caution statement to the Gain Smart® Balancer RU1600.

CHANGES COMING IN JANUARY

VITALIZE® PELLET & MINERAL FLAVORING ENHANCED

Under our commitment to continuous improvement, we recently considered flavor enhancements to the Vitalize Equine Protein Pellet, Vitalize Equine High Performance, Vitalize Equine Digest More Plus and Vitalize Equine Vitamin and Mineral Supplement. After thorough palatability testing of each formula, enhancements were implemented for the above products. You may notice an increased flavor profile in these products beginning in January.

SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM UPDATE IN 2025

In December, we ceased using Promoboxx as our social media platform provider. Our team has been working diligently and will roll out our own Social Media Toolbox in the Dealer Center this month, providing you the collateral you need to share social media posts that align with BioZyme’s national campaigns. Watch the Dealer Center and the BioZyme Dealers Facebook Group for more information and updates.

LABEL UPDATES MADE IN VITAFERM® LINE

To comply with all state and federal regulations, all VitaFerm labels that contain CTC or medication have been updated from Feeding Directions to include “Mixing and Feeding Directions.” These new labels will be implemented as soon as new products are produced. We also added a caution statement to the Gain Smart® Balancer RU1600.

VITAFERM® HEAT® TRANSITIONS TO TECHNOLOGY

To streamline the VitaFerm brands, we will shift HEAT into a technology and away from its own product line. This will make it more efficient for dealers to market the Good, Better, Best model with three primary lines: VitaFerm ONE, VitaFerm Concept•Aid® and VitaFerm ReproMaxx™.

Don’t worry! Products with the HEAT technology will still be in our lineup. Much like we did with Vita Charge in early 2024, we are simply moving HEAT to a technology. For example, VitaFerm HEAT customers can make an easy transition to VitaFerm ONE HEAT. We will also be adding some new products with HEAT technology to our offering during Q1 of 2025. Watch for more dealer communications as we make these transitions.  

IT’S TIME TO REDEEM DEALER REWARD POINTS

Now is the time to redeem your Dealer Reward Points. You can redeem those in the Online Dealer Center for caps, shirts, jackets, gloves and more! These items make great employee or customer appreciation gifts, just in time for the holidays. All Dealer Reward Points for 2024 must be redeemed by January 31, 2025.

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!  

CHANGES COMING IN DECEMBER

VITAFERM® HEAT® TRANSITIONS TO TECHNOLOGY

To streamline the VitaFerm brands, we will shift HEAT into a technology and away from its own product line. This will make it more efficient for dealers to market the Good, Better, Best model with three primary lines: VitaFerm ONE, VitaFerm Concept•Aid® and VitaFerm ReproMaxx™.

Don’t worry! Products with the HEAT technology will still be in our lineup. Much like we did with Vita Charge in early 2024, we are simply moving HEAT to a technology. For example, VitaFerm HEAT customers can make an easy transition to VitaFerm ONE HEAT. We will also be adding some new products with HEAT technology to our offering during Q1 of 2025. Watch for more dealer communications as we make these transitions.  

SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM UPDATE IN 2025

On December 4, 2024, we will start the transition from Promoboxx to our own Social Media Toolbox in the Dealer Center. You will no longer have access to BioZyme-branded social media content or have access to login to Promoboxx after that date.

Watch the Dealer Center and the BioZyme Dealers Facebook Group for more information and updates for the new BioZyme Social Media Toolbox to launch January 2025.

DON’T FORGET TO SUBMIT YOUR ACTION AWARD POINTS

Now is the time to submit your 2024 Action Award Points. Any actions taken this year can be turned in to receive redeemable awards points. Submit your actionable items to earn those points by December 31, 2024 to Jen Miller. Points can be earned for hosting trainings and meetings, making displays and more.

You can redeem your points in the Online Dealer Center for caps, shirts, jackets, gloves and several more items! These items make great employee or customer appreciation gifts, just in time for the holidays. All Dealer Reward Points for 2024 must be redeemed by January 31, 2025.

HOLIDAY CLOSINGS

The BioZyme plant and its offices will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 24-25 in observance of Christmas, and on Wednesday, January 1. We wish you and your family a safe and healthy holiday! Watch the BioZyme Dealers Facebook Group for any updates on shipping or picking up due to holidays or adverse weather.

DEALER SPOTLIGHT: TINA GRAHAM

TINA GRAHAM RELIES ON PAST EXPERIENCES TO GROW BUSINESS

“My goal was to grow my business 10%. Right now, I’m about three times that amount from where I started with just my barn for storage. That’s with no storefront,” said Tina Graham, BioZyme® dealer from Rozet, Wyoming. 

Tina was named the first-ever Rookie Dealer of the Year at this year’s BioZyme Dealer Retreat. She was also one of the elite recipients of the inaugural Live It, Love It, Lead It awards. These 13 dealers exemplified leadership and passion within their businesses by making gains in four key focus areas – action, engagement, growth and sales. 

Getting Started

Tina has an extensive background in ranching and horsemanship. About five years ago, during yet another drought in eastern Wyoming, she sought a cattle mineral to help with the heat. That’s when she discovered the VitaFerm® HEAT® mineral. 

A former schoolmate of hers, Cheri Irvin, was her “closest” dealer – a mere 80 miles away. Although she was discouraged from becoming a dealer herself due to the proximity of her ranch to Cheri and the big country in between, Tina loved the products. Toward the end of 2022, Cheri no longer wanted to sell supplements, and she offered Tina the chance to take over her dealership. 

Today, Tina covers about a 100-mile radius in northeast Wyoming into the southern portion of Montana to get her customers the BioZyme products they love. She sells primarily VitaFerm and Vitalize®, with some DuraFerm® and Sure Champ® added to the mix. One customer shared this on Tina’s Facebook page, tagging both Tina and VitaFerm: “Making a change to our mineral program looks to be a good thing. Our mommas are keeping up with milk production letting calves respectively grow and gain where they should be or more, and the coats on the whole herd look like black silk! I’m looking forward to seeing how our breed ups go this fall! Tina has went over the top keeping us supplied with mineral and the right kind of mineral for every changing season, wavering grazing grasses and weather conditions.” 

Tina uses her ranching and equine experiences to suggest a mineral program to her customers. She contacts them as the seasons and production cycles change to make sure they have what they need readily accessible. 

“I help them transition to the next season, and they seem to appreciate getting those text messages. We have mineral available at several price levels so we can fit in at all budget levels,” Tina said. 

Jenette Masarie, ASM for Colorado, Utah and Wyoming, describes Tina as hardworking and determined. 

“She wants the best for all of her customers and knows truly how our program can positively impact your operation, as she uses a variety of products on her family ranch. I’m excited to see her future growth,” Jenette said. 

Tina is the primary salesperson, marketer and bookkeeper of the BioZyme business. However, she appreciates everyone in her family for their support. Her son helps unload orders. Her dad offers to make deliveries, and her daughter assists with social marketing. 

“I’m very blessed with a family who supports what I do.” 

Selling the cattle and horse products came easy for Tina, who uses Promoboxx and makes her own posts on Facebook using pictures she takes when making deliveries or putting out products. She said social media is one way to keep her overhead costs down and has a large reach amongst her customer base. 

Final Advice

She might be a new BioZyme dealer, but Tina has embraced care that comes full circle. 

“Keep it simple. Listen to your customers’ needs,” she advises others. 

We like that advice, Tina, and we appreciate your efforts to share the care that comes full circle!