Tag: Business

Signs of Heat Stress in Cattle 

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

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

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

What is Heat Stress?   

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

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

Heat Stress Cases Vary  

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

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

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

Signs of Heat Stress in Cattle 

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

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

Increased Respiration Rate  

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

Seeking Shade, Shelter & Water  

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

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

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

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

Decreased Feed Intake  

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

Other Signs & Symptoms  

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

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

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

Effects of Heat Stress   

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

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

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

Hot Cows Make Bad Mamas 

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

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

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

What’s in the HEAT Technology? 

HEAT Technology is comprised of: 

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

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

More Choices with HEAT Technology 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Stock up on HEAT Products Today 

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

Dealer Support Available 

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

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

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

Is All Calf Gel Created Equally? 

Cow-calf producers want the best start for their newborn calves. That’s why BioZyme® Inc., recently introduced VitaFerm® Sure Start Gel, specifically formulated for calves to support immune function and overall health during the critical post-birth period. Yes, there are other calf gels on the market. But, as leaders in animal health and nutrition, our goal is to provide animals with an undeniable impact from birth forward. 

As you know, VitaFerm has foundationally produced nutrition for beef cattle that maximizes energy and forage utilization for successful production. However, successful production doesn’t happen if your calf doesn’t get started on the right foot. Yes, we hope that your customers are feeding a VitaFerm mineral to their cows in late gestation and early lactation to give their calves pass-through immunity and nutrients. However, VitaFerm Sure Start Gel is another resource to ensure that calves receive the best nutrients possible, as early as possible. 

“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 newborns a sure start. Like all VitaFerm products, it contains AO-Biotics® Amaferm®, a research-proven prebiotic that supports 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, we recommend giving it within the first 24 hours of birth. Repeat daily as needed. The bright orange color allows for a distinct recognition of administration.  

What Differentiates Sure Start? 

If you are a producer and Google search “calf gel,” endless options present themselves. However, not all calf gel is created the same. Many recommend immediately after the calf is born.  At BioZyme, our scientists know the importance of colostrum. That is why we have suggested using the Sure Start Gel after that calf gets its mother’s first milk.  

Furthermore, all BioZyme products are research-proven, meaning we have trialed them and know they do what we say they do. BioZyme has more than 150 research papers and presentations across all products for all species. We want our dealers and our customers to know that we have all animals’ best interests at heart. That’s why research has been at our company’s foundation for more than 60 years. 

Another way that the VitaFerm Sure Start Gel distinguishes itself from the competition in value. Yes, one tube is one dose, which makes it easy to administer – no guessing if you over- or under-applied. Calves are getting some of the best technology on the market, all for under $13 a dose, at the suggested retail price. Some other calf gels are priced at $18 or more per dose, and they do not contain Amaferm. 

Finally, our team is not just scientists in white lab coats making products for producers and animal lovers. The BioZyme team is comprised of producers – cattle producers – just like your customers. They know the value of calf gel that contains Amaferm and other key antibodies to protect the immune system.  

Stock up on VitaFerm Sure Start Today! 

No, calf gels are not created equally. Yes, some of the ingredients appear the same. The dosing instructions might seem similar. However, there is one brand that your customers can rely on. It’s research-proven and contains Amaferm, IgY antibodies, MOS and broad-shield technology. 

Get your VitaFerm Sure Start Gel today. Do you need sell sheets or other marketing materials? Request those in the SAMM Center, or view the digital file in Dealer Center for the VitaFerm Sure Start Gel. 

Help your customers give their calves the Sure Start they deserve and watch your business grow. 

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!  

Six Tips How to Grow Your Business, Drive Customer Engagement 

In today’s competitive business environment, sales growth and customer engagement are more intertwined than ever. A successful strategy on how to grow your business focuses on converting leads into sales and building long-term relationships with customers.  

There are numerous livestock and animal vitamin and mineral supplements on the market. How do you distinguish yourself from the competition? Is it value for the product offered? Customer service? You want to remain competitive and still grow your business, regardless of whether you are selling BioZyme® products or hedge posts. 

We know that action equals growth. If you complete certain actions, you will grow sales, and increased sales typically lead to increased profitability. 

Our team has created this blog with 6 actionable pieces of advice to help your business increase sales and foster meaningful engagement with your audience.  

1. Prioritize Personalized Customer Experiences 

In the age of big data, customers expect businesses to offer personalized experiences. Tailoring product recommendations, promotions and communication to individual customer preferences can significantly boost sales.  

Use data from past purchases, browsing behavior and demographics to craft offers that resonate on a personal level. Personalization makes customers feel valued, which increases the likelihood of conversion and long-term loyalty. 

Business Tip 

Implement a customer relationship management (CRM) to manage your interactions with customers and potential customers. The goal of CRM is to improve relationships with customers to grow the business.  

CRM systems can:  

  • Unify data: Combine customer and company data from various sources  
  • Track interactions: Record interactions with customers, such as sales calls, customer service interactions, and marketing emails  
  • Improve efficiency: Streamline processes and help teams align their efforts  
  • Improve profitability: Help businesses stay connected to customers and improve profitability  
  • Improve customer retention: Help businesses identify upsell and cross-sell opportunities and address issues promptly  

BioZyme Tip 

One way to personalize your customers’ experience through the BioZyme Marketing Team is to participate in the quarterly mailers. For instance, this quarter we focused on the Four Sixes™ x VitaFerm® Legendary Nutrition Protein Tub. If you have beef-producing customers who need extra year-round protein supplementation, this would have been a great mailing to opt in for. All postcards are addressed directly to your customers and look like they come directly from you, not BioZyme! 

2. Leverage Social Proof to Build Trust 

Customers are more likely to engage with and purchase from businesses they trust. Social proof, in the form of reviews, testimonials and case studies, plays a critical role in building that trust. Showcasing how other customers have benefited from your products or services helps potential buyers feel more confident in making a purchase. 

Business Tip 

Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews and share testimonials. You can also collaborate with influencers or brand advocates to expand reach and credibility. 

BioZyme Tip 

Ask some well-known and respected customers to share their experiences with your products at a producer meeting. People buy from people. If one potential customer hears a testimonial that his/her neighbor has had exceptional conception rates using a product you sell, perhaps that will be just the encouragement to move that person from “potential” to “customer.” That is just one way how to grow your business!  

3. Optimize for Mobile Commerce 

With the majority of internet traffic now coming from mobile devices, businesses that fail to optimize for mobile are missing out on significant opportunities. Ensuring your website and online store are mobile-friendly isn’t just about aesthetics; it impacts sales and engagement directly. A seamless mobile experience is crucial for converting casual browsers into buyers. 

Some may argue that it isn’t necessary to have a mobile-friendly website for farmers and ranchers. However, studies report that 94% of agricultural producers use smartphones regularly. 

Business Tip  

Simplify the mobile shopping experience by improving page loading speed, offering easy navigation and integrating mobile payment solutions like Apple Pay or Google Wallet.  

BioZyme Tip 

Perhaps you don’t sell your products online. That’s okay. However, it is still important to have a website so your customers can find you! Include your contact information, address and hours of operation.  

Even if you don’t sell products online, it is still a great idea to list the products you do offer on your website. If your customer is in a rural area looking for a particular product, it will make the decision easier for them to come buy from you, if they see the product they desire on your website. 

4. Implement a Multi-Channel Marketing Strategy 

Your customers are everywhere—on social media, checking emails, browsing websites, listening to the radio and reading publications. To maximize your sales potential, you need to meet them where they are. A multi-channel marketing strategy ensures you’re present on all relevant platforms, giving you multiple touchpoints to engage and convert customers. 

You have likely heard of the Marketing Rule of 7. This strategy is over 100 years old. It says that a person must be exposed to a message at least 7 times before they engage or make a purchase. But think about it – in the 1930s, the marketing channels were print and radio. Today, with so many mediums, a customer or potential customer needs to be exposed many more times. Most modern marketing research suggests it takes over 21 touches to have that same effect! That is why it is so vital to implement a multi-channel marketing plan as you determine how to grow your business.  

Business Tip 

Use email, social media, and SMS campaigns to nurture leads and promote special offers. Ensure consistent messaging across all channels to reinforce brand identity and trust. 

BioZyme Tip 

Rely on our Marketing Team to create ads—print, social, radio—that align with our national campaigns for each brand. If you are planning to promote DuraFerm® just before breeding season, we likely have some branded collateral ready. The same is true for every brand during each quarter. Reach out to your Area Sales Manager to find out how to use our marketing expertise to your advantage.  You can also submit a marketing request for customized social content by submitting a marketing request through the Online Dealer Center. 

5. Harness the Power of Data Analytics 

Businesses that understand their data can make informed decisions that drive growth. By tracking customer behavior, sales trends and engagement metrics, you can identify what works and where improvements are needed. Data analytics allows you to refine your sales funnel, improve conversion rates and enhance the overall customer experience.  

This is why we suggested the CRM software in our first bullet above.  

Business Tip 

When you invest in CRM software and other analytics tools, you can see just how powerful your marketing strategy truly is. You can use these tools to monitor your sales pipeline, customer interactions and marketing effectiveness. Additionally, your data analytics can help you determine which marketing spend leads to the most sales conversions and is a great way to plan for future marketing plans and budgets. 

BioZyme Tip 

Let our team at BioZyme help walk you through the analytics you’ve collected. Sometimes, a fresh perspective through a different set of eyes is what you need to fully appreciate where you’ve come and where you’re going. Lean into your ASM or call on the Marketing Team to help you analyze your data and plan the next steps of your marketing strategy. 

6. Engage Customers with Value-Driven Content 

Content is still king when it comes to engagement. By offering value-driven content, such as how-to guides, industry insights or interactive tools, you can position your brand as a trusted authority in your field. This not only increases customer engagement but also fosters loyalty. Valuable content keeps customers coming back, even when they’re not actively shopping. 

Business Tip 

Regularly publish blog posts, create engaging social media content or offer free webinars that educate and inform your audience. This not only boosts engagement but can also lead to more qualified leads. You don’t need every social media platform, but one expert suggests focusing on 1 or 2 that your audience uses regularly and using them well.   

The following numbers might seem like a lot, especially when running your full-time business is your true priority. If you can post this frequently, that’s great, if not, whatever you can do will be plenty. A few posts when you’re able is always going to be better than no posts at all.  

Here is a suggested frequency for posting to social media:  

  • Facebook: 1–2 posts per day, or 5 times per week  
  • Instagram: 1–2 posts per day for in-feed posts, and 2 posts per day for stories  
  • Twitter: 3–4 tweets per day  
  • LinkedIn: 1–2 posts per day  
  • TikTok: 1–4 posts per day  
  • Pinterest: 15–25 pins per day  
  • YouTube: 1 video per week, or 1–3 videos per week for shorts  

Posting too frequently can annoy followers, and users want to see what their friends and family are doing in addition to interacting with their favorite brands. Some suggest that the best times to post are between 9 -10 a.m. or 7 p.m. in your target audience’s respective time zone. 

BioZyme Tip 

BioZyme creates content you can use, so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel! You are invited and welcome to share the blogs that we post on any of our brand websites. Each quarter, we also create social media posts that you can share on your own social media platforms for each brand. These posts are currently found on Promoboxx and are easy to share on your own platforms as pre-created posts that align with our current campaigns. 

By applying these 6 strategies, your businesses can enhance customer engagement and ultimately drive more sales. Focusing on personalized experiences, building trust, optimizing for mobile, leveraging multiple marketing channels, using data analytics, and providing value-driven content will give any company a competitive edge in today’s market. 

BioZyme Offers Marketing Assistance 

BioZyme is built on great products and even great dealers. We want our dealers to succeed with the BioZyme products and in business in general. That is why we provide these educational resources on how to grow your business and guide you to take action for your business. As we know, action equals growth, and growth equals success. If you don’t succeed, we don’t either. 

When you are in the Online Dealer Center, check out the Marketing Tools tab in the upper right side of the screen. Here, you will find our brand logos, a link to Promoboxx, the SAMM Center and the online form to submit marketing requests. The SAMM Center is where you can request literature, wearables and more to help promote your business. If you are looking for personalized signage, a specific print or radio ad or want to host a producer meeting, you will need to submit a marketing request. 

We hope these 6 strategies have helped you determine how to grow your business. We want you to drive customer engagement and we want you to succeed!  

How Digital Marketing Helps to Grow Your Business 

how digital marketing helps to grow your business

In today’s fast-paced world, digital marketing has become a fundamental tool for businesses of all sizes. With the rise of the internet, smartphones and social media, traditional advertising methods are no longer sufficient to capture the attention of potential customers. By leveraging the power of digital platforms, businesses can grow their reach, engage more effectively with their target audience and ultimately boost revenue.  

Don’t get us wrong. At BioZyme®, we still believe in traditional marketing methods. Print advertising, invoice stuffers and radio are still viable marketing methods – especially in rural areas, where many of our dealers operate.  

We want to offer advice on how to grow your business. We’ve compiled our best advice on how digital marketing helps to grow your business. 

 1. Expanding Your Reach Through Targeted Advertising 

One of the most significant advantages of digital marketing is its ability to expand your business’s reach far beyond local borders. Using platforms like Google Ads, Facebook Ads or Instagram, businesses can reach millions of potential customers with precision targeting. Unlike traditional advertising, which might cast a wide net with no guarantee of reaching your ideal audience, digital marketing tools allow you to target specific demographics, interests and behaviors. 

This ensures that your advertising efforts are seen by more people and by the right people. With real-time analytics, you can track your campaign’s performance and adjust as needed to maximize its effectiveness. 

 2. Improving Engagement with Content Marketing 

Content marketing is an essential aspect of digital marketing that focuses on creating valuable and relevant content for your audience. Whether it’s blog posts, videos, or social media updates, high-quality content helps you build trust with your target audience and keep them engaged. Regularly publishing helpful content also positions your business as a thought leader in your industry, making you the go-to source for information. 

When consumers trust your brand and find value in what you offer, they are more likely to become loyal customers and recommend your business to others. Digital platforms empower businesses to share and amplify content, ensuring it reaches a wide audience. 

Watch for upcoming news in the Dealer Center about how you can accelerate your business’s social media marketing. 

3. Boosting Sales with Search Engine Optimization (SEO) 

A well-executed SEO strategy ensures your website ranks higher on search engines like Google. This means that when potential customers search for products or services related to your business, they are more likely to find you. 

SEO involves optimizing your website’s content, structure and design to ensure it is easily discoverable by search engines. The better your website performs in search results, the more organic traffic it will receive. Furthermore, higher traffic means more opportunities to convert visitors into paying customers. As a long-term strategy, SEO is cost-effective and provides continuous benefits as your website’s visibility improves over time. 

At BioZyme, we are fortunate to have an SEO expert on our Marketing Team. If you have specific questions about SEO, reach out to John Sprong. 

The Final Word 

Now that we’ve reviewed how digital marketing helps to grow your business, we hope you feel empowered to increase your online presence. Digital marketing is a powerful tool that can significantly accelerate business growth.

By leveraging targeted advertising, content marketing and SEO, businesses can expand their reach, engage effectively with their audience and drive sales. In a digital-first world, embracing these strategies is critical to staying competitive and achieving sustainable success.  

We hope you appreciate and use these three essential tips on how digital marketing can help you grow your business. Put them into practice, and watch your business grow.