Our History
The Story Of BioZyme
The BioZyme Legacy
With over 70 years of experience, BioZyme has grown from humble beginnings into a global leader in animal nutrition and care. Throughout our journey, we’ve focused on supporting not just animals, but the people who care for them.
Our products have helped farmers, ranchers, and pet owners achieve better outcomes, whether it’s improving livestock performance, enhancing pet health, or supporting the success of show animals.
Our legacy is about more than just our past achievements; it’s about the future we’re building together with our partners and customers. Every step we take reflects our dedication to improving animal health, supporting producers, and shaping a more sustainable and innovative future for agriculture.
BioZyme was founded in 1951 by a former feed salesman, Larry Ehlert, when he borrowed $2,500 to buy a feed store across from the booming St. Joseph, Missouri, Stockyards.
In 1958, Ehlert founded the “Vita Ferm System” as a logical and economical way to benefit farm and ranch families involved in the livestock industry.
This "system" would go on to evolve into the world-famous VitaFerm® brand, a leading line of nutritional supplements for cattle that the industry still relies on today.
Using the VitaFerm System, Larry worked diligently to expand the business, and in 1965, began selling direct-fed nutritional supplements.
The key component of the Vita Ferm System: Amaferm®, an unheard-of direct-fed microbial derived from the fungus Aspergillus oryzae. In 1968, he purchased the patent and marketing rights to Amaferm.
BioZyme introduces the Sure Champ® brand to provide supplements and support for youth involved in showing livestock, with a focus on giving back to our community and helping forge the next generation of agricultural leaders.
BioZyme introduces Vitalize®, a science-backed line of supplements designed to support gut health, mobility, and overall wellness in companion animals.
Taking that dedication to companion animals and passion for research, it now offers proven nutritional solutions for horses, dogs, and cats across a variety of lifestyles and needs.
BioZyme launched Gain Smart®, its first-ever line of stocker minerals—built around Amaferm® to improve calf health, appetite, and forage efficiency through a three-step supplement system. Within a month, Superior Livestock Auction named BioZyme its exclusive nutrition partner, recognizing the program’s impact on performance and value-added sales. It has since partnered with Live Ag to provide similar groundbreaking nutritional solutions to ranchers nationwide.
Recognizing the importance of supporting livestock communities, large and small, BioZyme developed a nutritional supplements for sheep and goats. These products would be sold under the new brand, DuraFerm®.
To expand Biozyme's presence in animal health and welfare, and to develop new product offerings for people, it acquired Cogent Solutions Group, LLC (CSG), headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky.
BioZyme introduces Backyard Boost® to provide backyard birds and poultry with top-notch nutrition necessary to keep them happy, healthy, and laying.
BioZyme introduced AO-Biotics®, a dedicated brand for its growing portfolio of fermentation-based additives. Built on decades of microbial expertise, AO-Biotics delivers innovative, research-proven solutions that enhance animal health and performance through the power of precision fermentation.
Later that same year, BioZyme Inc. introduced AO-Biotics® EQE, the first and only AO postbiotic developed specifically for layers, using pioneering fermentation technology.
Today, BioZyme uses the same strain of A. oryzae to develop new pre- and post-biotics under the brand AO-Biotics. In addition, BioZyme offers supplements and animal health products for a variety of animals including cattle, swine, poultry, sheep, goats, horses and dogs.
The BioZyme Family of Brands include AO-Biotics®, VitaFerm®, Gain Smart®, Vita Charge®, Sure Champ®, Vitalize®, DuraFerm® and Backyard Boost®. Headquartered in St. Joseph, Missouri, BioZyme reaches a global market of customers throughout the U.S., Canada, South America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Expanding The Vision
As BioZyme evolved, so did our vision for serving the agricultural community.
We introduced transformative product lines like Sure Champ®, Vitalize®, Gain Smart®, DuraFerm®, and Backyard Boost® to address the diverse needs of livestock producers, show animal exhibitors, and pet owners.
With each expansion into new markets—both domestic and international—we solidified our role as a global leader. Investments in research and development continued to fuel our ability to innovate and meet the industry's ever-changing needs.
Adapting and Innovating
Modern agriculture demands constant evolution, and BioZyme has risen to the challenge. We’ve enhanced our product formulations to keep pace with the latest nutritional science, introduced sustainability initiatives to minimize environmental impact, and leveraged technology to empower producers with actionable insights. By staying ahead of the curve, we ensure that our solutions meet the needs of today’s producers while paving the way for tomorrow’s advancements.
Building Relationships
At the heart of BioZyme’s success is our dedication to partnerships. For decades, we’ve worked hand in hand with farmers, ranchers, and distributors, earning their trust through genuine care and tailored solutions.
By listening to the challenges animal owners and producers face, we’ve become more than a supplier—we’ve become a partner in their success. These enduring relationships remain the cornerstone of our mission to serve the agricultural community.
Looking to the Future
With decades of expertise to build on, we’re focused on driving innovation, championing sustainability, and expanding our global reach. Our vision is clear: to connect fermentation and knowledge and deliver passionate solutions for all species of animals. That way, we can equip producers with the tools they need to thrive in the next generation of agriculture, ensuring success for years to come.
