CRYSTALYX^® is a supplement in the market that we often refer to as value added.  There are a lot of different definitions to value added.  A text book definition from Feeds and Feeding 101 may read something like this:  “taking commodity ingredients and changing the makeup to be something much better where the sum is greater in value than the parts.”  Another simpler definition and one a customer using CRYSTALYX^® would expect is “give me something I can use that’s valuable and makes my operation just a little (or a lot) better. “

In past blogs, myself and my fellow colleagues have written about value in terms of performance, cost per head per day, optimal mineral and vitamin supplementation, animal health, etc.  These topics will continue because those are the benefits of supplementation.  The key is why CRYSTALYX^® is a better choice to achieve all of the above. 

Price is what’s paid, value is what’s received

CRYSTALYX^®, in some cases is a higher cost per ton supplement versus other supplement options and other competing low moisture blocks.  Many competitors will reduce their sales efforts to the lowest common denominator which is in fact price.  If you have nothing much to sell or offer, than I guess that’s what you do? After all isn’t no. 2 yellow corn, No. 2 yellow corn and 48% Soybean meal, 48% soybean meal?  Tubs are tubs right?   I think most people in sales and marketing know that there are differences in all that seems to look the same at the surface.  Are black 5 weight calves, black 5 weight calves?  Try telling the fans of two high school basketball teams playing on the same court that the game will end in a tie – it won’t.

Again, there are some low moisture blocks that are priced lower that may look like a perfectly suitable substitute to CRYSTALYX^®.  I’ve had many ranchers tell me that they have indeed fed the other brands and have normally come back to CRYSTALYX^® at some point.  The reasons vary from intake, product performance and formulation/application, customer service from dealers, innovation, and product selection.  Not everyone buys CRYSTALYX^® for only one reason as they might a commodity; the use, benefits, and values are numerous.  Below lists several items where CRYSTALYX^® truly rises above the competition and does a better job for end users (both livestock and the producer).

• The number one selling low moisture block supplement for over 35 years.
• The most experienced sales people in the feed business in selling self-fed supplement blocks.
• The vast majority of research and development efforts – most others are simply “me too’s.” The research efforts are conducted to make our supplements perform better for the end user.
• Wide array of products and applications.
• The only low moisture block to provide a self-fed ionophore (CRYSTALYX^® Iono-lyx with Bovatec^®).
• The best and most practical choice of product containers such as the BioBarrel^® single-trip degradable container.
• Represented and proven in nearly all 50 states of the U.S. and in Canada.

 CRYSTALYX^® is much more than a price and a tub

The nutrition in any supplement is what benefits the cow.  The design of that supplement and the proper sales and use is what not only benefits the animal but also the livestock operation, local livestock businesses (the local feed retailer), and the community.  Sounds like value added doesn’t it?  Those of you that feed CRYSTALYX^® can be confident you’ve made a good choice in a quality supplement that’s backed up by the best in the industry.  Those of you who don’t feed it, give it another look, there’s usually an application in any operation for CRYSTALYX^® and more likely a benefit that’s still to be discovered.  And, to those of you who sell CRYSTALYX^®, be proud and confident to know you're working with and serving the best customers in Agribusiness with the brand that fits the best and offers the most.  Our industry is an honorable profession.

With calving season either in full swing or nearly upon us, be thinking about all the things that are done to add value to a calf – the right genetic selection, health protocols, marketing programs, etc...  Don’t let nutrition take a back seat and don’t shortcut nutrition programs at critical times like calving and breeding.  In fact, it’s not too early to be thinking about your spring and summer programs now and how we can add value.   Look to CRYSTALYX^® to help do that.  I’ll write more about CRYSTALYX^® mineral programs in my next blog this spring.