REFLECTING
Letters Lisa FROM
Seems a bit early to reflect on 2024, but that seems to be the way of the world – always in a hurry to move on. It is hard to believe that the end of the year is so close. With that, I’ve found I’ve spent quite a bit of time reflecting on what this year has brought me, as well as the growth that I feel has taken place throughout my work journey. I think it’s important to find moments to be present and think about—well, all sorts of things. I thought I would use this Vision to prompt you to do the same, especially if you are like me and don’t find much time to reflect and celebrate.
Thinking About Opportunities: One thing I think about rather frequently is how much (or how little) BioZyme® takes advantage of opportunities presented to it, how often we seek opportunities, and whether we regret pursuing an opportunity or choosing not to pursue a specific one. We try not to get too wrapped up in decisions of the past, since, whether we may regret something or not, you can’t change the past. I also believe there is merit in looking back on those instances. It’s especially important to think about past opportunities just so you can be grateful for them.
Gratitude is infinitely valuable and can be quite the motivator when things are changing, or circumstances are tough. Reflecting on different opportunities you may or may not have had can also help you determine what you want to pursue in the future. At BioZyme, we have had many opportunities in 2024 to grow our knowledge of fermentation and all the feed technologies it can create and improve. While we have not capitalized on any of these financially yet, this education helped us look at possibilities differently and allowed us to create new AO-based products that we are very excited about.
Thinking About Growth: Even when my life isn’t particularly exciting, I find it beneficial to sit back occasionally and reflect on how BioZyme has grown. There are countless ways in which we’ve grown throughout the 2024 journey, some with products and some with experiences. These journeys have helped us figure out who we are relative to all the opportunities and how staying true to our beef roots is essential, while we also learn more about our values, strengths and weaknesses.
Consider spending some time thinking about the ways that you have grown. Doing so helps you retain gratitude for how far you’ve come. It also instills a sense of pride in who you are today and who you will be tomorrow. That’s something worth celebrating. BioZyme experienced its best growth in 5 years in 2024. All of this is thanks to an amazing team (of which you are a member) who made the choice to get up each morning, work hard and make it happen. Growth is not easy. The BioZyme family made it look that way.
Thinking About the Future: In the same way that I try not to dwell too much on the past, I try not to dwell too much on the future, since, very much to my remorse, I cannot predict it. However, in the same manner that I think reminiscing on the past is beneficial for the sake of gratitude, thinking about the future in some regard can be good solely for the sake of building excitement.
Even though change can be intimidating, it helps to think about all the good things that change will bring. The future of animal nutrition is difficult to predict. Some believe this will be the story: A cow lazily swishes its tail at a persistent buzzing, but the drone maintains its station hovering above the herd. The drone compiles that footage with data from the animals and an array of sensors around the farm. A few miles away, the farmer acts on the information and decides to move the herd. Virtual gates open in an invisible fence and the drone emits a signal that stirs the animals into movement.
Such futuristic cattle farming is not so far away. One of the most radical possibilities for meeting our future needs is cellular agriculture – growing animalbased protein products from cells instead of animals. Growing meat in factories resembling breweries (fermentation) would eliminate the need for feed, water and medicines while freeing up valuable agricultural land. While all signs point to the fact that the desire for meat growing is not going away one way or the other, you never know what can happen. The future awaits. And no matter what comes, BioZyme is excited.
THE UNEXAMINED
IS NOT WORTH LIVING. LIFE
- Socrates
FEED FACILITY OF THE YEAR HONOR BIOZYME ® EARNS AFIA
BioZyme’s Stockyards location has earned the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) and Feedstuffs 2024 Feed Facility of the Year honor. 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, who 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.
One of the items that Norton is most proud of is that the entire production team is PCQI (preventative control qualified individual) certified. Although
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 IF WE DIDN’T HAVE THIS TEAM, WE WOULDN’T BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE THIS AWARD!
THE APPLICATION WAS NO JOKE! AS A TEAM, WE REALLY HAD TO DIVE INTO COST OF GOODS MADE FROM AN ENERGY, WATER USAGE AND LABOR ANALYSIS. IN TURN, IT MADE US HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF OUR OPERATION ALONG WITH THE CAPACITY WE CAN GROW AND FURTHER OUR CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENTS. CARE THAT COMES FULL CIRCLE IS OFTEN NOT SEEN THROUGH THE WHOLE PROCESS BY ONE PERSON. FORTUNATELY, I AM LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE A CAREER HERE AND SEE THE END RESULTS IN MY LIVESTOCK . . . THE AMOUNT OF PASSION THE EMPLOYEES HERE AT BIOZYME HAVE IS IMPRESSIVE. THAT IS WHY NO MATTER WHAT THE NEED IS, FROM A CUSTOMER THEY CAN FEEL THE
‘CARE THAT COMES FULL CIRCLE.’
– CODY JENSEN, DIRECTOR OF BLENDING
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.
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 AOBiotics® Amaferm®, a prebiotic. The Stockyards plant produces 31,000 tons of supplements annually.
‘CARE THAT COMES FULL CIRCLE.’
– ROBERT CORTEZ, DIRECTOR OF QUALITY
“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.
PARTNERSHIP WITH FOUR SIXES RANCH™ LEADS TO
LEGENDARY NUTRITION™ PRODUCT LINE
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 WAS 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.
– Joe Leathers FOUR SIXES RANCH GENERAL MANAGER
The words above from Joe Leathers summarize BioZyme’s partnership with the Sixes. The legendary ranch has been feeding BioZyme products fueled by AO-Biotics® 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 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 realworld results on the ranch.
• Contains AO-Biotics Amaferm, a prebiotic researchproven 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 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 episode of The American Rancher on RFD-TV will feature The Four Sixes and this new ranch-tested, research-proven protein tub. On a beautiful fall day, our team and the Sixes Crew were
able to film a great episode for you to learn more about their ranch philosophy and why the convenient nutrition of a tub is important to them.
“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. 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.
View this episode of The American Rancher on Monday, December 16. It will replay at Noon, ET, on Sunday, December 21.
WHY PROTEIN MATTERS
Protein is an essential nutrient in cattle diets for several key reasons:
Growth & Development
Proteins are fundamental building blocks for muscle, skin, hair, and other tissues. They support young cattle’s overall growth and development, helping optimize their genetic potential.
Milk Production & Reproductive Health
Supplementing with extra protein during lactation helps to ensure your cows produce an adequate milk supply. Adequate protein levels also improve fertility rates, support healthy pregnancies and contribute to the overall reproductive efficiency of the herd.
Immune Function
Protein plays a critical role in maintaining and boosting the immune system. Sufficient protein intake helps cattle resist diseases and recover more quickly from illnesses.
Repair & Maintenance
READ THE BLOG ON PROTEIN!
Protein helps heal wounds and regenerate damaged tissues, ensuring cattle remain healthy and productive.
Enzyme & Hormone Production
Many enzymes and hormones that regulate physiological processes are proteins, or are derived from amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. These are necessary for digestion, metabolism and overall bodily functions.
Energy Source
While carbohydrates and fats are the primary energy sources, protein is also used for energy.
Feed Efficiency
Proper protein levels improve feed efficiency, which is economically beneficial for producers.
2024 BRINGS NEW PRODUCTS
EXCITING COLLABORATIONS
Abusiness 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 our 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.
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:
• VitaFerm® ONE CTC 3G
• VitaFerm® ONE HEAT®
• VitaFerm® ONE HEAT® CTC 3G with ClariFly®
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.
Better best
VitaFerm® Concept•Aid® promotes effective, easy breeding when fed at least 60 days pre-calving through 60 days post-breeding.
Good
VitaFerm® ReproMaxx™ provides maximum performance within intensive reproductive systems.
VitaFerm® ONE provides one solution to conveniently and consistently promote cattle performance in all seasons.
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 yearround.
This is 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 includes verified levels of Zinpro® organic zinc, copper and manganese.
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:
VitaFerm ReproMaxx CTC 3G
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.
Four Sixes™ x VitaFerm® Legendary Nutrition Protein Tub
If you read the VISION from front to back, you’ve likely already read about the Four Sixes x VitaFerm Legendary Nutrition Protein Tub. This 200-pound, 20% natural protein tub is ranch-tested, research-proven.
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.
Watch for other products in this legendary line.
New Names, Same Great Formulas
Although these products weren’t new to the BioZyme family of brands, they got a new name in 2024:
• Sure Champ® Cattle Drench
• Sure Champ® Liquid Boost®
• Sure Champ® Appetite Plus® Gel
• Sure Champ® Clench Gel
• Sure Champ® Climate Control Gel
• VitaFerm® Cattle Drench
• Vitalize® Equine Vitamin & Mineral Supplement
EXPERIENCES TO GROW BUSINESS TINA GRAHAM RELIES ON PAST “
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!
Don’t
Forget to Redeem Your Action Points
You work hard for your Action Awards Points, but if you don’t use ‘em, you lose ‘em! All Action Awards Points must be redeemed by January 31, 2025, or you will lose them. Redeem them any time of the year in the Online Dealer Center under the Rewards tab at the top of the page.
Does not include distribution partners.
Congratulations to these dealers who completed the Master Dealer Program throughout the summer! We are proud of you for taking your dealership and knowledge to the next level!
Chapter
Have You Heard About Master Dealer 5?
Four new areas of focus are now available to grow your knowledge in Master Dealer Chapter 5:
• Good, Better, Best Model
• Research Behind Organic Trace Minerals
• BioZyme’s Commitment to Quality
• What Customers Expect from You
Scan the QR Code to find Chapter 5 Master Dealer in the Dealer Center, earn points and a usable Master Dealer cooler!
Do you want to see your name on this page for growing your business or sales? You can! We know that action equals growth, and here are three key action steps from this issue of VISION:
1. 2. 3.
Take time for reflection. Reminiscing on the past is beneficial for the sake of gratitude. Planning for the future, at least in certain aspects, can help build excitement and help you plan for growth and opportunities.
Keep your sales and marketing strategy simple and focus on your customers’ needs. Remind them to transition their mineral program as the seasons and reproductive phases change, and to restock their mineral inventory. They are likely too busy to remember these important tasks, but they will be thankful the well-being of their operation is your priority!
Diversification is key! That is why BioZyme introduced multiple new products in 2024. We want to ensure that your customers have the ideal supplements for their management goals and budget.
St. Joseph, MO 64504
www.biozymeinc.com
Kansas Livestock Association Annual Meeting Manhattan, KS • November 20-22
Southern Partners in Performance Sale Union Grove, NC • November 23
Montana Stockgrowers Association Meeting & Trade Show
Billings, MT • December 4-6
National Finals Rodeo Las Vegas, NV • December 5-14
Wyoming Stock Growers Winter Conference Casper, WY • December 9-11
National Western Stock Show Denver, CO • January 11-26, 2025
