A Letter from Agrarian Solutions
Chief Executive Officer
“Our RISE company focus is being Relational, acting with Integrity, being Strategic, and serving with Excellence. These core values truly drive us each day.”
At Agrarian Solutions, we are dedicated to innovating, creating, and adopting proven technologies to assist with the increasing demands on animal agriculture producers. Because change is constant, we believe in continuously challenging ourselves to find better ways as new information and research become available. What we consider to be facts are often challenged as management, environment, and other variables evolve. This doesn’t mean that something isn’t right if it’s been working, it just means that there may be a better approach as variables change.
Our team at Agrarian Solutions is committed to listening, learning, and adapting. This openness allows us to respond to feedback from our partners and customers, pushing us to always seek the best solutions for their demands and challenges. Sometimes this involves a new or modified solution, and other times it’s about how we consult on an application to best align our solutions for a client. We pride ourselves on being a partner and provider you can trust. Contact us, and we will respond. Ask us, and we will answer. Trust us, and you will not be disappointed.
Interest in our products and solutions around the globe has never been stronger. Our solutions for bovine, poultry, swine, and other ruminant species continue to help producers overcome challenges and allow for management and other investment to express themselves. Our ROI approach strives to show benefits through enhanced profitability for our clients and customers. Our RISE company focus is being Relational, acting with Integrity, being Strategic, and serving with Excellence. These core values truly drive us each day. We don’t just say it; we live it in every interaction.
We appreciate your continued trust and assure you that these principles guide our approach to providing innovative, research-backed livestock health and performance solutions. Agrarian Solutions remains a company that is easy to work with, backed by highly talented and committed people who have a passion for customer success. We are blessed to serve an industry responsible for creating the nutrient-rich protein to nourish the planet. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of it.
I invite you to read through and learn more about our industry and how Agrarian Solutions is making a difference for you.
Sincerely, Mark
Carpenter
Q&A with Agrarian Solutions
Q: When did you join the Agrarian Solutions team, and what changes have you seen since then?
A: I joined the Agrarian team in September 2021. There have been so many great changes – adding people to the team, an office move, and business growth, to name a few.
Q: How would you describe the work environment at Agrarian Solutions?
A: Goal-Oriented, Ambitious, both Customer- and Employee-forward
Q: What is your favorite place you’ve visited in the world?
A: Florence, Italy
Q: What are you passionate about outside of work?
A: Spending time with my husband & two daughters, planning my next Disney World trip, reading, being involved in my community & church, watching Survivor & running.
Q: What has been your favorite project to work on at Agrarian Solutions?
A: I really enjoy the year-end and new year projects: lots of reports, reorganization, and resets.
Q: What do you enjoy most about being Office Manager at Agrarian Solutions?
A: I like the variety of the job and problem-solving.
Nic Bradley, Director of Operations
Kelbi Veenstra Office Manager
RISE: The Values That Lift Us Higher
When we began our Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) journey in 2021, we set out to clearly define who we are as a company—and who we strive to be. What came out of that process were four simple but powerful words: Relational. Integrity. Strategic. Excellence.
Together, they formed the acronym RISE—and it just felt right. It captured the very essence of Agrarian Solutions. To rise means to move upward, to elevate—and that’s exactly what we aim to do every day: lift up our colleagues, partners, and customers.
Looking back, it’s clear these values weren’t new. They’ve been part of Agrarian’s DNA since the beginning in 1996. RISE has been the common thread through everything we do—the way we build relationships, make decisions, and pursue innovation.
Recently, on the Ruminate This podcast, host Scott Zehr and CEO Mark Carpenter discussed “Shaping the Future of Transition Cow Health.” As I listened, I couldn’t help but hear our values come through: being relational in how we connect with others, leading with integrity, staying strategic in our long-term vision, and pursuing excellence in everything we do.
At Agrarian, these words aren’t just on the wall—they’re how we work, serve, and grow together. Helping others succeed isn’t just what we do. It’s who we are.
Together, we RISE.
Agrarian Solutions Team
Rob Hamaker Vice President, General Manager
Mark Carpenter Chief Executive Officer
Chad Christensen Regional Business Development Manager - West
Dan Hoying National Farm Program Manager
Nic Bradley Director of Operations
Scott Zehr Regional Business Development Manager - East
Cody Cline International Account Manager
Mary Taylor Administrative Assistant
Caroline Knoblock, MSc Director of Nutrition
Kelbi Veenstra Office Manager
Kelly Bristle ALL IN Community Manager
Larry Roth, Ph.D., PAS Vice President of Nutrition
Upcoming Promotions
“One of the farms I work with switched to using CONVERT Gel for all newborn calves, and the difference has been amazing. We’re seeing fewer cases of scours and fewer issues during transition to the heifer and bull calf raisers. Unlike the product previously used, CONVERT is readily available and is a fraction of the cost. CONVERT has been a great solution for improving calf health while keeping costs down.”
Justin Williams A.I. Technician, Select Sires Member Cooperative
Rob Hamaker, Vice President, General Manager
Product Champions
This spring we went ALL IN on the CONVERT™ BIG Calf promo giving away a Pitboss XL Austin 1000 Smoker as the grand prize across all cooperatives! Jeff Benedict of Premier Select Sires earned the grand prize selling 21 jars and 8 pails, and introducing 12 new herds to BIG Calf.
Along with that, we awarded gift cards totaling $1,800 for qualifying sales! Top sales leaders by cooperative were:
Premier Select Sires
Jeff Benedict
Winner: Pitboss XL Austin 1000 Smoker
CentralStar Cooperative
Kevin McTaggert
Rex Reinholt
Dave Lindberg
Select Sires Member Cooperative
Rob Wattercutter
Most recently we completed the Ca3 BioFresh® Bolus SPIFF and awarded hats and $2,250 in gift cards for qualifying sales. Sales leaders by cooperative were:
Select Sires Member
Cooperative
Stuart Schooley
CentralStar Cooperative
Tyler Freund
Premier Select Sires
Mike Marchand
Our biggest SPIFF payout so far in 2025 was during the BioFresh Microbial Bolus Special in May and June! Many salespeople qualified, earning $3,650 in rewards for their exceptional sales efforts. The top sellers by cooperative were:
CentralStar Cooperative
Tyler Vande Wettering
Select Sires Member
Cooperative
Chad Walker
Premier Select Sires
Mason Hamlett
Eli Willard
A Strong Start to 2025 - Thanks to You!
We’ve seen an outstanding response from the field in 2025! Nearly every one of our point-of-sale products has experienced exceptional growth.
Convert™ Gel & Bolus products have shown impressive increases, ranging from 11% to 22%. With the rising value of beef, more producers are recognizing the importance of protecting their genetic investment.
BioFresh® Microbial Bolus has delivered remarkable results.
The 50-count jar sales are up 44%, while the 400-count pail has seen an extraordinary increase of over 123%. Much of this growth is tied to the success of the CowManager system, which helps identify cows showing early signs of health issues. By catching cows on the way down — rather than waiting until they hit bottom — BioFresh has proven to make a meaningful difference.
Convert™ BIG Calf Powder has also seen significant gains.
The 1,000-dose jar is up 60%, and the 5,700-dose pail has surged 86%. The combination of beneficial bacteria and avian antibodies in BIG Calf continues to support calf health and accelerated growth — exactly what your producers need.
We’re committed to supporting your efforts with SPIFFs, product specials, and producer discounts. Be sure to take advantage of these offers — Agrarian products deliver proven, powerful results for your customers.
Keep up the fantastic work! We believe 2025 is on track to become the largest sales year in our 28-year history. We sincerely appreciate your partnership, your dedication, and your continued trust in Agrarian.
Thank you for your business and your friendship.
Larry Roth, Ph.D., PAS, Vice President of Nutrition
MYCOTOXIN REPORT: APRIL 1 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2025
Mycotoxin Summary Results
The DON and Zearalenone Challenges Continue
The lingering effects of a challenging 2024 growing season were evident in the mycotoxin summaries across the US for corn silage and TMR samples from April 30, 2025 through September 30, 2025. While DON and zearalenone continue to be the primary mycotoxins in both sample types, Fumonisin is evident in the mid-Atlantic region. The mycotoxin summaries are presented in Table 1 and 2 and Figures 1 and 2 for the 248 corn silage and 354 TMR samples, respectively.
For the past several years, DON and zearalenone contamination have been consistently high for the northeast third of the US for corn silage, and now KS and WI are testing high for DON. North Carolina, Virginia, and Pennsylvania have similar DON concentrations as the last survey, medium to high risk, but fumonisin has increased significantly in corn silage and TMR to the high risk level.
As important as mycotoxin testing is for identifying potential challenges, the confirmation of cow performance and health is the definitive answer on the need for mycotoxin protection. The herd indicators of milk components, manure consistency, health events, and reproduction will indicate how well the cows are handling the mycotoxin load in the feed in addition to other challenge factors they are encountering. Using both the sample results and herd indicators will drive the decision determining the amount of DTX to feed. It is important to note that independent meta-analyses of Kihal et al (2022)¹ suggest that the traditional feed ingredients thought to provide mycotoxin protection are more deleterious at reducing the bioavailability of key nutrients.
Agrarian Solutions provides complimentary mycotoxin testing in feed ingredients and TMR to aid dairy producers and nutritionists in determining the correct amount of DTX is fed to support performance. Contact your Agrarian representative for assistance testing feeds and analyzing test results throughout the year.
Caroline Knoblock, MSc, Director of Nutrition
Collecting feed samples for testing
DON
T-2 Toxin
ppb (parts per billion)
Zearalenone
Fumonisins
T-2 Toxin
ppb (parts per billion)
Zearalenone
Fumonisins
Where Will Agrarian Be During the Next Few Months?
Decades of Dependability
When it comes to long-term results, consistency speaks louder than words. For decades, Agrarian Solutions® has been delivering solutions that defend and protect dairy herds and their bottom line by supporting health and performance. Many producers have been long-time users, and their experience is a clear reminder that the right solution doesn’t just solve problems in the moment, it builds lasting success year after year.
“All milking cow rations get DTX™ in the pre-mix all year round – it’s standard since 2016. Convoy Dairy is one of four dairies under one ownership and Convoy Dairy consistently has the highest reproductive performance and lowest cull rate among the group. I credit DTX for helping make our dairy nutrition program successful. I prefer the mode of action with DTX and the results are evident, especially when we have toxins in the feed. There may be similar products at comparable prices, but DTX does the best job.”
Scott VonGunten, Herd Manager Convoy Dairy | 2,500 cows Convoy, Ohio
Hearing directly from producers like Scott VonGunten reinforces the value Agrarian Solutions products deliver on farms. As you connect with your customers, keep this story in mind: it’s proof that what you’re offering isn’t just another product, it’s a proven tool that delivers results producers can count on.
Defend & Protect for a lifetime
Larry Roth, Ph.D.,
Vice President of Nutrition
Caroline Knoblock, MSc, Director of Nutrition
Transitioning Through the Most Challenging Day of the Year
Two short months after introduction, great health results are being reported for the Cow Start™ Complete transition bolus. The new product is filling a needed role by resolving inflammation in newly freshened cows and helping them recover from the most challenging day of their production year. The following is a brief compilation of on-farm results after dairy producers have added the Cow Start Complete to their management protocol.
Reduced transition health issues are among the most commonly cited benefits. A particular dairy producer indicates the use of rumen boluses has dramatically decreased after incorporating the Cow Start Complete boluses as a standard practice for all 2nd and greater lactation cows at calving. In addition, the number of cows requiring a calcium drench has also plummeted greatly. Providing two Cow Start Complete boluses simultaneously at freshening is a tremendous labor savings and simplifies management compared to past challenges of pulling cows due to low rumination, health issues, or the hassles of administering calcium drenches.
The Cow Start Complete bolus is uniquely formulated to support immune function and resolve inflammation with over 70 minerals from seaweed and the antioxidants Se-yeast and vitamin E. Research indicates that supplementing Cow Start Complete to cows at freshening increases daily rumination minutes, likely corresponding to greater TMR consumption and restoration of rumen function. While cows will attempt to metabolize calcium from their bodies by 24-48 hr post-calving, increasing feed intake and calcium consumption will fur ther assist in supplying needed calcium for milk production and normal physiology.
A farm that formerly struggled with a high incidence of chronic milk fever cases is now reporting less than 1% clinical milk fever events since giving each cow two Cow Start Complete boluses at calving. The reduced labor required for treating ill cows is an appreciated benefit cited by the farm management. The Cow Start Complete features calcium chloride for quickly providing calcium after administration, yet the sustained calcium release from the seaweed fills calcium requirements up to and beyond 48 hours after calving.
The previously discussed seaweed also supplies calcium in a long-term and sustained release pattern. The distinctive honeycomb physical structure of the seaweed’s calcium component provides greater surface area than other calcium sources with the same chemical composition. In addition, the Cow Start Complete is manufactured as a pressed bolus for a time-release effect for calcium availability.
As more Cow Start Complete-supplemented cows progress into lactation the milk production benefits will be noticed, followed by improved reproductive success as observed in the research studies. Agrarian Solutions will continue to provide similar Cow Start Complete success stories as more dairy operations incorporate this valuable management tool into their transition management programs.
Dan Hoying, National Farm Program Manager
CowManager® and BioFresh® Go Together Like Peanut Butter and Jelly
CowManager has made great strides for producers’ sustainability by improving cow health through detecting illness early. There are producers utilizing the CowManager system that struggle with protocols to treat health alert cows correctly. Finding sick cows early is paramount to any dairy’s sustainability. Using BioFresh Bolus to treat these health alerts has proven to be beneficial to not only cow health but also improving the producers’ bottom line.
In treatments done on farms, cows receiving BioFresh Bolus for health alerts have shown to have a quicker response than competing products and improved conception at first service. One customer saw a 20% increase in first service conception since using BioFresh to treat health alerts with his CowManager system. Quicker response means less cows in the treatment/hospital pens and less labor to retreat those cows that don’t respond well with the treatment the first time. Improving cow health and responding quickly to illness leads to better milk production, reduced culling, and enhanced reproduction during the lactation.
HPAI (Bird Flu) has affected cows across every part of the country. This disease has caused significant herd losses through treatment costs, reduced production, and mortality. Mike Parreira, an independent rep in California, has helped minimize HPAI-related losses on dairies using CowManager and BioFresh Bolus. Cows recover quickly and first service conception improvement provides additional savings to the producer.
Another valuable addition to transition health that producers have is using the CowManager system and giving two Cow Start Complete Boluses at freshening to ensure the cow transitions quickly after calving. Quick, healthy transitions ensure strong lactations and greater profitability for the producer.
Managing what you can control and tracking the results are key to any successful operation. Let Agrarian products, along with the CowManager system, help you achieve great results with your producers.
CowManager Health Alert Agrarian Product Usage
Low eating/ruminating
Digestive disorders
Retained placenta/metritis Ketosis
Respiratory/pneumonia
Heat stress
High SCC or mastitis
Subclinical milk fever
2 Cow Start™ Complete Boluses and 1-3 BIOFRESH Microbial Boluses/cow/d
Antibiotic administration 1 BIOFRESH Microbial Bolus for each/d of antibiotic administration
The effect of CowStart™ Complete on milk production and reproduction
Show your customers the proof: Cow Start™ Complete at calving boosts milk and reproduction, per the latest UK study.
Use this guide to position Cow Start Complete as the only transition bolus that tackles hidden inflammation on day one, improving milk, reproduction, and herd health, and to show prospects the real cost of waiting.
Product Usage with CowManager Youngstock Monitor Health-related Alerts
Help producers capitalize on CowManager® youngstock monitor alerts by incorporating CONVERT™.
Comparison of Cow Start Complete with Calcium
Products
Bolus
Use this chart to highlight Cow Start Complete’s research-backed advantages in calcium delivery and milk yield.
Agrarian Solutions Product Usage with CowManager Healthrelated Alerts
Help producers capitalize on CowManager alerts by incorporating the right product at the right time.
Innovation Looks Like Agrarian
In the 1950s, global shipping was broken. Cargo was loaded one piece at a time—slow, costly, and wasteful. Then a trucker named Malcolm McLean had a simple idea: standard steel boxes. Ordinary on the outside. Revolutionary in impact.
That’s how innovation usually works. It doesn’t look flashy. It looks practical—almost boring—until it changes everything.
39: How LivOx Boosts Gut Health, Liver Function, and Milk Production in Dairy Cows
00:00 | 32.52
In Episode 39, Dr. Larry Roth and I dug into LivOx, the plant-active enhancement to DTX™. Curcumin, naringin, and carnosic acid aren’t buzzwords, but they reduce inflammation, protect the liver, and strengthen the gut. The payoff? More milk, better fertility, faster recovery. Quiet innovation. Big results.
47: Invest in Yourself: The Power of YDLI 00:00 | 23:24
Not all innovation happens in the barn. Sometimes it happens in the people who lead it. In Episode 47, I sat down with Jodi Hoynoski from the Holstein Foundation to talk about the Young Dairy Leaders Institute (YDLI). YDLI develops the next generation of dairy leaders by focusing on communication, relationships, and personal growth. The real magic is networking—connections that last a lifetime and skills that carry through entire careers. Two of us at Agrarian, myself and Caroline Knoblock, are proud YDLI alumni, and the program reflects Agrarian’s RISE core values: relationships, integrity, strategic, and excellence. If you’re between 22 and 40, YDLI is one of the best investments you can make in yourself and in the future of dairy.
54: The next generation of transition cow care 00:00 | 52:37
In Episode 54, we explored Cow Start Complete. Calcium boluses have been the default for decades. They help with milk fever, but they don’t improve fertility or longterm health. The real enemy is inflammation. Cow Start Complete is the Next Generation of Transition boluses. With a sustained 48-hour calcium release and providing 74 micronutrients essential to fighting inflammation, the
result is healthier cows, better body condition, improved reproductive success, and more milk in the tank. Innovation “done once, done right” at calving.
56: Shaping the Future of Transition Cow Health
00:00 | 39:37
In Episode 56, CEO Mark Carpenter explained why Agrarian walked away from a popular calcium-only bolus. It was selling. It was easy. But it wasn’t right. Innovation with integrity means moving beyond “good enough” to deliver what cows actually need.
57: The True Cost of Staying the Same on Your Dairy 00:00 | 35.24
And in Episode 57, Jeff and I tackled the pain of change. Yes, it hurts—new protocols, retraining, up-front investment. But the pain of staying the same? That’s worse. Lost milk, poor reproduction, and higher culls. Every dairy operation pays for pain. The question is whether it’s a temporary investment in pain, or a longterm quiet draining of profits.
Innovation isn’t always wrapped in chrome. Sometimes it looks like a steel box. Sometimes it looks like a bolus. Sometimes it looks like a feed additive. Sometimes it looks like investing in the next generation of leaders.
It may not look flashy. but make no mistake: innovation looks like Agrarian.
New Episodes Every Other Monday!
Defend & Protect Goes Global
For more than 25 years, Agrarian Solutions has provided trusted mycotoxin mitigation technology to producers around the world. This foundation has laid the groundwork for a new milestone: the international expansion of our Defend & Protect Program.
The program, which brings together Agrarian’s strategicallydeveloped products to meet the most critical challenges in every stage of an animal’s life, has been highly successful in the U.S.— and now, demand is growing abroad. In addition to our flagship mycotoxin solutions, producers internationally are requesting companion products that give livestock the best start and support lifelong herd health. These include CONVERT™ Day-One Calf Gel, BIOFRESH ® Microbial Bolus / Gel, and CONVERT™ BIG Calf Powder. Together, these products create a comprehensive program that defends animals during their most vulnerable stages and protects long-term performance.
We are excited to share that the Defend & Protect Program is now in various stages of registration across more than six countries. From the Americas to Asia and the Middle East, producers are voicing the same need: not just stand-alone products, but science-based programs they can trust to holistically care for their herds.
This momentum is a testament to the dedication of our international distributor partners, who share our vision of providing livestock producers with practical, research-driven solutions.
At Agrarian Solutions, we exist to help other succeed, and with the expansion of Defend & Protect internationally, we are proud to carry that mission further than ever before.
Convert™ Day-One Calf Gel
BioFresh® Microbial Bolus
BioFresh® Microbial Gel
Convert™ BIG Calf Powder
CONVERT™ Calf Gel – Reviving a Proven Solution for Calf Health
After its initial success years ago, changes in regulatory status required us to cease sales. In the last few years, Canadian regulations have evolved, and we’ve partnered with Select Sires Canada to reintroduce the product to the market. Today, Convert Gel is once again available—and in high demand. This achievement underscores the value of persistence, partnership, and market readiness, serving as a model for international partners looking to replicate similar success. Here is Select Sires Canada’s story:
CONVERT Day-One Calf Gel
Select Sires Canada is excited to begin marketing Convert Day-One Calf Gel, following the successful registration of the product in Canada.
Calf health remains a challenge for dairy producers from both an economic and welfare perspective. Pre-weaned dairy calf mortality is estimated to be around 7% across Canada. Producers from coast to coast are eager to improve this figure in any way possible. With diarrhea-related illnesses contributing to more than 50% of calf mortalities, Convert Day-One Calf Gel has the potential to make a meaningful impact on calf health and welfare—reducing losses and suppor ting farm profitability.
Convert Day-One Calf Gel is designed to give newborn calves the best possible start, but it can also be used any time the digestive tract is stressed or compromised. It contains beneficial bacteria that help stabilize digestive pH, enhance antibody production and immune function, and improve intestinal villi health to better exclude harmful pathogens.
The addition of IgY egg-sourced, pathogen-focused proteins further supports the calf’s ability to absorb immunoglobulin (IgG) from colostrum, which is essential for developing passive immunity. These egg antibodies help protect against 10 pathogens—including E. coli, Salmonella, Cryptosporidium, and Rotavirus, four of the most common and severe causes of calf mortality.
“This is a product you can really believe in and trust,” comments Remo Wicki, SSC Sales Consultant in Eastern Ontario. “It works, and farmers are seeing for themselves what a difference it can make to their calves – Healthy calves mean healthy profits- it’s as simple as that.”
Convert Day-One Calf Gel represents an important step forward for Canadian producers, supporting healthier calves, improved animal welfare, and stronger long-term herd performance.
John Lawlor & Caroline Knoblock presenting Cow Start™ Complete
Caroline Knoblock, John Lawlor, & Rob Hamaker