#66 Sep 17, 26

The Gut Health Secret Behind Healthier Calves with Dr. Chris Cassady

Nutrition might be the one variable in a cattle operation a producer can actually control — and according to Dr. Chris Cassady, it's also one of the most overlooked drivers of value on sale day.

In this episode of We Live It, Ty deCordova and Casey Mabry sit down with Dr. Chris Cassady, Director of Technical Services at BioZyme, to break down exactly how the company's nutrition programs translate into healthier, more marketable cattle. Chris shares his path from growing up on a diversified Illinois grain and cattle farm through Texas A&M, a master's and PhD at the University of Illinois, and a faculty position at Iowa State before joining BioZyme's technical team.

From there, the guys dig into the VitaFerm Raised badge — a value-added program for calves fed VitaFerm in utero or for at least 45 days leading up to sale — and why buyers increasingly view a documented nutrition program as a signal of overall management quality. Chris explains the science behind the gut-immunity connection (roughly 70% of the immune system lives in the gut) and how that ties directly into vaccine response and long-term health.

They also walk step-by-step through the Gain Smart program: the drench that jump-starts appetite in freshly received, stressed calves; the stress tubs that keep gut health in check through the first two to three weeks; and the fortified mineral and vitamin line that carries cattle the rest of the way to delivery. Ty shares a real-world example of nearly a pound-a-day gain difference between two adjacent wheat pastures where mineral was the only variable — plus their own experience running Liquid Boost through the water tank. Chris closes out with a look at Sure Start, BioZyme's day-old calving drench built to support passive immunity right at tagging.

Whether you're a commercial cow-calf producer, a stocker or backgrounder, or a cattle rep helping clients tell their nutrition story on sale day, this conversation is packed with practical takeaways on turning a feeding program into real value.

Topics Covered:
• Dr. Chris Cassady's background — Illinois farm roots, Texas A&M, Iowa State faculty, BioZyme technical services
• What the VitaFerm Raise badge program is and how calves qualify
• The 45-day feeding window that applies to both VitaFerm and Gain Smart badges
• Why 70% of the immune system lives in the gut — and what that means for vaccine response
• The three-step Gain Smart program: drench, stress tubs, and mineral/vitamin supplementation
• Real-world gain data: nearly a pound-a-day difference on matched wheat pastures
• What's actually in the mineral — Amaferm, organic trace minerals, and why the combination matters
• How buyers and feedyards read a nutrition badge on sale day
• Sure Start: BioZyme's new day-old calf drench for tagging season
• How producers can connect with their local BioZyme rep and get the badge on their listing

🧬 Powered by BioZyme® The We Live It podcast is proudly powered by BioZyme, the makers of VitaFerm® and Gain Smart®. Proper cattle nutrition is the foundation of livestock health. Through LiveAg's nationwide video auction platform, cattle fed BioZyme minerals gain exposure to a national buyer base, often resulting in premium returns. 🔗 Learn more: https://biozymeinc.com/blog/biozyme-partners-with-liveag/

(00:00) - Introduction: Meet Dr. Chris Cassady: Illinois Farm Roots to BioZyme
(02:23) - What Is the VitaFerm Raise Badge Program?
(03:15) - How Calves Qualify: In-Utero Nutrition Through Sale Day
(04:42) - Why Nutrition Awareness Has Grown Across the Industry
(05:40) - The Gut-Immunity Connection: 70% of Immunity Starts in the Gut
(07:06) - Breaking Down Gain Smart: A Three-Step Program
(07:45) - Step 1 — The Drench: Jump-Starting a Stressed Calf's Appetite
(09:24) - Step 2 — Stress Tubs: The "Trickle Charger" for Weaning
(10:15) - Step 3 — Gain Smart Minerals: Stocker, Wheat & Balancer Options
(11:47) - Real-World Results: Nearly a Pound-a-Day Gain Difference
(12:40) - Ty's Experience: Running Gain Smart Through the Water Tank
(14:04) - The "Secret Sauce" — Amaferm and Why the Combination Matters
(16:23) - How Buyers and Feedyards Read a Nutrition Badge
(18:38) - Getting Started: Talking to Your Local BioZyme Rep
(20:58) - Tell Your Rep — How to Actually Get the Badge on Sale Day
(21:45) - Introducing Sure Start: A New Tool for Tagging Season
(23:21) - Closing Thoughts & Where to Learn More

Episode Video

Creators and Guests

Host

Ty deCordova

Ty DeCordova is a seasoned professional with more than 25 years of experience in cattle marketing. He spent 20 years at Superior Livestock Auction, including his final years managing the Country Page as well as the block during video auctions. This allowed Ty to develop a deep understanding of the cattle industry's operations and build relationships with cattle buyers on a national level. Ty now oversees all operational aspects of the business, ensuring efficiency and excellence across all areas. Ty comes from a family with a long-standing history in the cattle industry. Growing up in Groesbeck, Texas, he and his brother started their own cattle business during their teenage years, purchasing and selling loads of steers. By the age of 17, Ty was actively involved in buying cattle at sale barns for his father, gaining hands-on experience. This early exposure to the sale-barn environment shaped his lifelong passion and expertise in cattle marketing. Ty continues to run cattle today and is committed to serving the agriculture industry.

Guest

Casey Mabry

Casey comes to Blue Reef following over a decade-long career with Cargill. Casey’s career in the industry started as a cattle buyer in Western Nebraska and Wyoming for six years. Casey then moved to Wichita, KS where he worked in boxed beef pricing with a focus on understanding out front prices and position optimization. Casey then took to cattle procurement as a Strategic Supply Manager where he focused on cattle formula and grid marketing arrangements working with Cargill’s largest suppliers. Casey’s experience in cash and value based marketing of cattle can be a valuable asset to your operation. He has a Bachelor’s Degree from Texas Tech University where he served on the Meats Judging team, and a Masters from Tarleton State University where he coached the Meats Judging team. Casey resides in Brock, TX with his wife Deidrea and daughters Reyse, Avery, and Brooklyn.

Producer

Katy Holdener

Katy Holdener's journey in agricultural communications began on her family's row crop farm in California's Central Valley, where she developed a deep appreciation for the industry. After earning a degree in Agricultural Communications and Economics from Oklahoma State University, Katy has been fortunate to work with respected organizations such as the American Hereford Association, American Angus Association, Superior Livestock Auction and BioZyme, Inc. These experiences have provided her with valuable insights into seedstock and commercial livestock marketing. Katy strives to create effective marketing strategies that support the company and its consignors.