Courtesy of Shelley Tidaback

Midwest Edition Electronic Newsletter

June 8, 2006
Volume 1, Number 2

FEED MARKETING RESOURCE LIBRARY

This Marketing Resource Library for Land O'Lakes Purina Feed is live and ready for use!  There are logos, bag images, ad slicks and radio scripts available for your use.  Just access Ag2Ag.com Home Page and look for the link across the top bar.  Many images have been uploaded and images will continue to be uploaded from the marketing groups.

Calendar

June 8-10   WORLD PORK EXPO

July 25-27     RETAIL SOLUTIONS EXPO -  Reno, NV

July 31-Aug. 1   EQUINE NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAM  (Longview Animal Nutrition Center - Gray Summit, MO)
                             (See details in Horse section)

July 31-Aug. 4   BROOD COW SYMPOSIUMS IN WESTERN & CENTRAL SD

Aug. 15-17   DAKOTAFEST AT MITCHELL

Aug. 22-24    RETAIL SOLUTIONS EXPO - Arlington, TX

Sept. 12-13   RETAIL SOLUTIONS EXPO - St. Paul, MN

Sept. 26-28   RETAIL SOLUTIONS EXPO - Savannah, GA
           
        Make plans to attend a Retail Solutions Expo this year!  Two events in one!  Buying Expo and Retail
        Experience Training Conference!  Over 100 exhibiting companies plus feed . . .
        Buying specials, training sessions, prices and more . . . Retail Solutions Expo -- The Total Retail Experience!
          Ask your Land O'Lakes Purina Feed Representative for details.  You can't afford to stay home!

Business-Building Tips

As the old saying goes . . . there are only three ways to grow your business.

    1. Get more Customers.
    2. Sell new things to your current customers.
    3. Get your customers into your store more often.

Opportunity: *67% of households own a pet

    • These pets are part of the family
    • People spend over $300/ year on pet food, treats and care products on each pet.
    • Assuming that 67% of your customers own one pet -- that’s a gross sales opportunity
      of $20,000 per 100 customers.

Think about this for a moment… statistics show that there are more people sharing a bed with a pet than sharing a bed with another person!

How to grow pet food:

    a. Samples- set pet food samples by the sales counter.
    b. Encourage your employees to ask people about their pets. (People love to talk about their animals) Give 'em a sample.
    c. Frequent purchase program- Buy 6 get 1 free programs- talk it up!
    d. Have a banner made . . . Free Pet Food) It will catch their attention- when they get inside give them a sample and tell them about the
        Frequent Buyer Program- Buy 6 get 1 Free!
    e. Build a pet food display- close to your counter.
    f. Visit with your Account Manager for ideas on a pet event!
    g. Treats and Toys- Add on impulse sales!
    h. Arm your livestock feed sales people with free samples and a coupon for $2.00 off to encourage you customers to try a bag.
    i. Asking questions will show your customers that you care about their pets!

Retail Solutions Expos

Attend a Retail Solutions Expo this year!  (Check the Calendar section of this newsletter for dates and places!)
 

Paul Homb
Retail Development, Land O'Lakes Purina Feed
(815) 541-3406
     E-Mail:  phomb@landolakes.com

Creep Feeding

In today’s cattle economics, extra pounds weaned on a cattleman’s calf crop mean big increases in revenue. But, the benefits of creep feeding go beyond extra pounds of calf weight. Saving body condition, more muscle and bone development in the calves, more efficient use of forage resources and quicker adaptation to the feedlot post-weaning are further reasons that producers are looking for creep feeding options this season. The Purina cattle website has a thorough discussion of the benefits and economics of creep feeding. This resource can be found by going to cattle.purinamills.com and clicking on the “Calves” tab in the “Lifestage Feeding” section (or Click Here).  Invite your customers to view this website as well. They will find the discussion and research data very interesting.

Brood Cow

The demands on a brood cow are huge. We expect her to breed promptly, milk efficiently, produce a big, healthy calf at weaning and calve the following year on time and unassisted, plus she needs to move through that cycle for 7-10 years without ever taking a break. Needless to say, you can’t meet these expectations without a strong nutrition program. Mineral supplementation is a cornerstone of nutrition in the brood cow. Supplying Calcium and Phosphorus is important, but appropriate trace mineral feeding is equally as essential. On top of all that the mineral fortification needs to be delivered to the cow in a feeding package that is palatable and predictable without over consumption.

Many cattlemen have started using Wind & Rain Mineral Tubs for those reasons. They enjoy consistent intakes plus the convenience of tub feeding plus the nutrient package is similar to the Wind & Rain “weatherized” products. Matching the cow’s mineral needs in a convenient cooked process tub makes Wind & Rain Mineral Tubs a feeding alternative that deserves consideration.

Top Performer's Win with Show Chow

The Show Chow® Rewards program is stronger than ever! Are you stocking and selling Show Chow?  Don't miss out on this opportunity!  
(Click here to view details on this program)

Colorful Companions

Colorful Companions begins a 60-Day Promotion!  First order:  May 1, 2006 -- Last ship:  August 31, 2006.  Three discount levels available!
To view Colorful Companions 60-Day Promotion flyer, click here.

Discount Offer on Fiber Nutrients

Our Zoo & Exotic marketing group is pleased to offer this special discount on Fiber Nutrients™ 50# -- a blend of vitamins and minerals designed to complement a feed supplement and forage to maximize fiber production.  For more information on this or any other products, contact 1-800-227-8941.  (Click here to view flyer and more information)   To learn more about this feed option, visit www.mazuri.com.



Horseman's Edge® Summer Promotion