Summer heat takes its toll on your entire herd, with a decrease in performance, the potential for increased sickness and economic losses. But for stocker calves, in their prime growth period, the added stress from heat can magnify those challenges even more so. The degree of heat stress is typically measured by a temperature-humidity index […]
Category: Stocker/Backgrounding
How to Reduce Risk with a 3-Step Nutrition Program
Anytime a backgrounder gathers up mixed calves from different farms of origin and puts them together, they are taking a risk. But, with a high-quality nutrition program in place, the risk can be minimized. That is what Kerry Vogt, Newton, Kan., discovered, as he backgrounds nearly 3,000 stockers each year. Vogt, who was talking to […]
VitaFerm Gain Smart Stocker HEAT Helps Hinder Health Challenges on South Dakota Ranch
In the spring of 2017, Melynda Gress of Y-Cross Inc., was looking for a supplement alternative for her backgrounding operation. Located in the northwest corner of South Dakota where she and her family run 800 to 1,000 yearlings each spring and summer, she knew she needed a more natural mineral option for her calves. Two […]
Gain Smart Line Grows Calves Naturally and Efficiently
“Care that comes full circle” is more than just a company slogan for BioZyme® Inc. It is the principle that the company bases its product development and marketing decisions on daily. Will a new product provide the care that the animal needs? Will the animal stay healthy and continue to grow for the producer if […]
Gain Smart Program for Weaned Calves
It’s weaning time. Whether you are retaining your own stocker calves or getting them in from other producers, it is important to have a plan to grow those calves in a healthy, efficient manner. The Gain Smart® Stocker Program is one program dedicated to growing cattle in three easy steps. The Gain Smart Program is built around Amaferm®, is a natural […]
BioZyme Introduces HEAT into VitaFerm Gain Smart Line
BioZyme® Inc. is excited to introduce VitaFerm® Gain Smart® Stocker HEAT®, available April 1. The new product combines essential ingredients from the popular HEAT mineral with Gain Smart Stocker, providing a nutritional supplement for yearling stockers that will naturally help regulate internal temperature and combat flies. “We felt like this combination was a fairly logical […]
Gain Smart is Faster Way to Achieve Gain
Beef producers understand the need to maximize efficiency. That is why BioZyme Inc. developed the VitaFerm Gain Smart mineral line for stockers and backgrounders. Gain Smart mineral is designed to balance basic nutrient needs for maximum efficiency and contains Amaferm®, is a prebiotic designed to enhance digestibility by amplifying the nutrient supply for maximum performance. […]
It’s Shipping Time: Keep Calves Healthy During the Transition
Shipping cattle causes shrink, appetite loss and often sickness. Taking precautionary steps both prior to shipping and on arrival, can help keep shrink at a minimum while keeping calves healthier and gaining. Generally, cattle will shrink 1% of their body weight per hour for the first few hours they are off feed and water, and […]
Gain Smart Program is Smart Way to Receive & Grow Cattle
As backgrounders and feeders start getting in their stocker calves, it is important for them to have a plan in place to help grow those cattle in a healthy, efficient manner. The VitaFerm® Gain Smart® Stocker Program is one such program dedicated to growing cattle in three easy steps. The day those calves come off […]
Relationship Building is Key to Profitability
Cow-calf producers have a lot of decisions to make to ensure their herd turns a profit. One of the biggest decisions they might make is selecting a backgrounding operation or a feedlot to finish their calves. In addition to making sure their nutritional needs are met prior to weaning and shipping here are some tips […]
