Beaver Dam, Wis. – ANIMART, Inc. announces the recent addition of Shelly Bohn as a client services representative of the large animal dairy and livestock division which provides animal health products and supplies to producers. Bohn graduated in May 2009 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with bachelor’s degrees in dairy science and life sciences communications.

In her new position, Bohn will be responsible for building and maintaining client relationships, sharing product knowledge for on-farm solutions and educating clients about new products through inbound calls.

“ANIMART is very excited to have Shelly join our team,” says Tom Klas, sales manager of ANIMART. “Her industry knowledge, vast communication skills, and education will enhance our client services team.”

Growing up on her family’s 85-cow Holstein and Dutch Belted dairy farm, Bohn broadened her knowledge of production agriculture through internships at Blue Star Dairy in Middleton, Wis., where she served as a calf care assistant. Most recently, she assisted Rosylane Holsteins, LLC as a calf barn manager.

On the UW-Madison campus, she was active in the National Agri-Marketing Association, Badger Dairy Club and Sigma Alpha Sorority. In addition, Bohn served as the 2007 Wisconsin Holstein Princess. Currently, she stays active serving as the Dodge County 4-H Dairy Judging coach.

Established in 1982 and headquartered in Beaver Dam, Wis., ANIMART, Inc. provides animal health products, veterinary supplies and show equipment to dairy and livestock producers. ANIMART is committed to offering a full-line of products supported by outstanding service. For more information, visit www.animart.com. 

Beaver Dam, Wis. – ANIMART, Inc. announces the recent addition of Nick Hemling as Director of Finance and Logistics of the large animal dairy and livestock division which provides animal health products, supplies and services to producers. Hemling graduated most recently from the University of Tennessee with a MBA; the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural and applied economics and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Farm & Industry Short Course.

In his new position, Hemling will be responsible for overseeing all company financial and logistics functions.

“ANIMART is very excited to have Nick join our team,” says Ruth Metz, co-owner of ANIMART with her husband, Dr. James Metz. “His knowledge of producers’ needs coupled with his understanding of production agriculture, financial analysis and logistics makes Nick a perfect fit for ANIMART.”

Growing up on his family’s hog and crop farm near Beaver Dam, Hemling broadened his knowledge of production agriculture with an internship at BASF, the world’s leading chemical company within the Agricultural Products Division.

Most recently, he was employed at Schneider National, Inc where he was responsible for driver recruitment and training, international and domestic transportation pricing and logistics optimization.

On the UW-Madison campus, he was active in the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity and served as president of the Agricultural Business Club. In addition, Hemling served as an ambassador for the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and a member of the Collegiate FFA Chapter.  

He also promoted agricultural education and FFA as the 1997-1998 Wisconsin State FFA Sentinel and served on the Wisconsin Agricultural Life Sciences Alumni Association (WALSAA) Board of Directors.

Established in 1982 and headquartered in Beaver Dam, Wis., ANIMART, Inc. provides animal health products, veterinary supplies and show equipment to dairy and livestock producers. ANIMART is committed to offering a full-line of products supported by outstanding service. For more information, visit www.animart.com. 

Beaver Dam, Wis. – ANIMART, Inc. has released its annual, uniquely-themed customer appreciation calendar. This year, the ANIMART calendar features photos with dairy cattle and adorable kids. These images serve as a reminder of the family connection within the dairy business by displaying colorful photos of customer’s children conducting farm chores from milking cows to feeding animals or showing cattle. And, as a tool for busy producers, each day on the calendar has return and due dates to help with dairy cattle heat detection, management and pregnancy planning. In addition, dairy industry conferences are listed on the calendar keeping producers up-to-date on upcoming 2009 dairy events.

For each of the past eight years, ANIMART has developed a unique theme to feature in their annual calendars and product catalogs – affectionately named “Cowlendars” and “Cowtalogs” by ANIMART staff and customers. The calendars are created as a special token of appreciation to dairy customers.  For the 2009 year, each page of the 13-month calendar (starting with December 2008) features cows and adorable kids.

“This year’s theme focuses on our customers and their children’s involvement in helping to make a dairy business successful,” says Ruth Metz, co-owner of ANIMART with her husband, Dr. James Metz. “This year’s Cowlendar honors our customer’s commitment in producing safe, high quality milk and meat products 365 days a year.”

The cover of the new 2009 product catalog features the same theme as the calendar. The “Cowtalog” is now available and ready for customers to put to use in making convenient telephone, fax or internet orders for all their animal health needs.

Established in 1982 and headquartered in Beaver Dam, Wis., ANIMART, Inc. provides animal health products and veterinary supplies, and show equipment and supplies to dairy and livestock producers. ANIMART is committed to offering a full-line of products supported by outstanding service. For more information, visit www.animart.com.

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1.    To receive a high-resolution photos, contact Christine Lepple of Animart at christinel@animart.com.

Beaver Dam, Wis. – ANIMART, Inc. has been named official distributor for Trim-Tec, a Utah based manufacturer of hoof care products including trimming discs for hoof care professionals.

“ANIMART is pleased to now serve the needs of Trim-Tec customers and looks forward to providing outstanding service and convenient shipping of Trim-Tec products to hoof care professionals,” says Tom Klas, sales manager of ANIMART. “This transition will enable ANIMART to grow stronger relationships with hoof care professionals.”

Effective, October 1, 2008, ANIMART is responsible for all customer sales and service functions for Trim-Tec. Customers previously ordering through Trim-Tec can contact ANIMART toll-free at 1.800.634.9055 or 1.800.255.1181; via fax 920.885.2812 or email us, to place their Trim-Tec trimming discs and other hoof care product orders.

Trim-Tec cutting discs are ultra-light and cut on both sides of the wheel making trimming between toes easy with aluminum or titanium options. Inserts are also available for Trim-Tec discs.

Established in 1982 and headquartered in Beaver Dam, Wis., ANIMART, Inc. provides animal health products and veterinary supplies, and show equipment and supplies to dairy and livestock producers. ANIMART is committed to offering a full-line of products supported by outstanding service. For more information, visit www.animart.com.

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Beaver Dam, Wis. – ANIMART, Inc. will celebrate June Dairy Month with a customer appreciation on Thursday evening June 12, 2008 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the ANIMART Headquarters in Beaver Dam, Wis. All ANIMART large animal customers are invited to this appreciation to celebrate National Dairy Month with a complimentary meal and one-day specials on products from over 25 animal health manufacturers on-hand.

“June is a special time to celebrate the hard work of our customers’ commitment in producing safe, high quality milk and meat products 365 days a year," says Ruth Metz, co-owner and founder of ANIMART. “The customer appreciation is one way we can show our gratitude for over 25 years of serving the needs of dairy, livestock, calf and hoof trimmer customers. We encourage all ANIMART customers and their families to attend.”

Beginning at 5 p.m., customers can enjoy barbeque pork roast, potato salad, fruit salad, baked beans, cheese, ice cream and milk.

While at the appreciation attendees can speak with animal health manufacturer representatives and ANIMART staff to answer product questions, take advantage of promotions and learn about new products available.

Attendees can sign up to win prizes including a new Calf-Tel Deluxe Calf Hutch at the appreciation event and much more. In addition, kids can participate in a coloring contest and win prizes.

Animal health manufacturers and organizations who will be on-hand and offering one-day specials include: Allflex, AgriLabs, APC, Andis, Andover, Bayer Animal Health, BioSafe Systems, Boehringer Ingelheim, Calf-Tel, Dairy Business Association, Fort Dodge Animal Health, Hoof-It, Idexx Laboratories, Merial Animal Health, Merricks, Milk Products, Neogen Corporation, NPS Corporation, Novartis Animal Health, Pfizer Animal Health, Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin, Schering-Plough Animal Health, TechMix, Trouw Nutrition, Y-Tex and Bomac Vets Plus Animal Health and Nutrition. ANIMART will also be featuring Super Brand Products, WW Livestock Systems and Pressure Washers by Alkota on display.

The ANIMART customer appreciation will be held at the ANIMART Headquarters, located at 900 Green Valley Road in Beaver Dam, Wis. For additional information on the customer appreciation, contact ANIMART at 1.800.255.1181.

Established in 1982 and headquartered in Beaver Dam, Wis., ANIMART, Inc. provides animal health products and veterinary supplies, and show equipment and supplies to dairy and livestock producers. ANIMART is committed to offering a full-line of products supported by outstanding service. For more information, visit www.animart.com.

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ANIMART, Inc. will host a beef and dairy cattle fitting and showmanship demonstration for area 4-H and FFA youth at ANIMART in Beaver Dam, Wis., on Thursday, May 1st from 6 to 9 p.m. All youth are invited to this complimentary hands-on workshop intended to help learn more about the art and techniques that will help them achieve high placings of their 4-H and FFA livestock at summer shows.

New this year the demonstration will feature a hands-on small group component for youth to get up close with cattle in picking up a clippers and learning the techniques of grooming animals in preparation for the show ring.

Beginning at 6 p.m., Wayne Keil of the ANIMART sales staff will be conducting a beef cattle fitting and showmanship demonstration.

At 7:30 p.m., a dairy cattle fitting and showmanship demonstration will be led by successful local Holstein breeders and exhibitors including, Al White. Both demonstrations will be given on-site, using live animals.

In addition, ANIMART will feature specials on show equipment and a full line of grooming supplies. Complimentary refreshments and snacks will be served for all attendees as well as prizes will be given away. The ANIMART cattle fitting demonstration is also an authorized event for youth to earn points toward their educational component to be eligible to show or sell their animals at county fairs.

"This workshop is planned to help our customers and their junior exhibitors be more competitive for blue ribbon awards," says Ruth Metz, co-owner and founder of ANIMART. "We are proud to be a strong partner with Wisconsin's dairy and livestock industries and we feel this hands-on workshop can be both educational and fun. We encourage all interested students and parents to attend."

The workshops will be held at the ANIMART warehouse and large animal retail store, located at 900 Green Valley Road in Beaver Dam, Wis. For additional information on the demonstration, contact ANIMART staff at 1.800.255.1181. For beef-specific questions, contact staff member Wayne Keil at extension 2235 and for dairy questions, contact Stephany White at extension 2241.

Established in 1982 and headquartered in Beaver Dam, Wis., ANIMART, Inc. provides animal health products and veterinary supplies, and show equipment and supplies to dairy and livestock producers. ANIMART is committed to offering a full-line of products supported by outstanding service. For more information, visit www.animart.com.

BEAVER DAM, Wis. – In September in a swampy region along the Atlantic coastline in northern Nicaragua, Hurricane Felix, a Category 5 storm producing 160 mile per hour winds, destroyed farms and flooded low-lying areas causing thousands to flee for their safety. What had been a self-sufficient region with bountiful crops of pineapple, cocoa beans and animal agriculture has ceased to exist, leaving thousands of farm families in villages without food, homes or places to worship. 

ANIMART Veterinarian Dr. Burton Wiersema recently returned from a two-week trip to Nicaragua where he provided disaster relief to these agriculture-dependent families and their animals. For many, the hurricane wiped out their entire food supply, cropland and cattle.

“My goal was to gather as much animal medicine as possible to treat the animals and train farmers how to use the medication and carry on the treatments when I left,” said Wiersema, of Brandon, Wis., a practicing veterinarian for 37 years who led a team of 30 to help re-establish animal agriculture in the area.

With his interpreter and university students from Bluefield Indian Caribbean University, Wiersema treated more than 265 cattle, horses and pigs for parasites, and administered antibiotic treatments and vitamins A, B, and D to disease-stricken animals.

“I was not prepared for the devastation that I encountered when I visited the villages that were literally destroyed by the hurricane,” Wiersema said. “We gave as many people as possible the hope that there are people who care for them and that they are not facing this disaster alone.”

ANIMART, along with animal health manufacturers Fort Dodge, Merial, Pfizer and Schering-Plough donated all the products and supplies for the infected cattle within the region.

Since 2000, Wiersema has helped with several mission trips providing his veterinary services in Nicaragua to train local farmers on animal health, prevention and treatment with products.

“I made 10 previous trips to Nicaragua along the Atlantic coast to train farmers and technicians for MAGFOR in the many villages how to properly care and treat their animals because they have no veterinarians to call,” said Wiersema who’s first mission trip with his local church was a result of Hurricane Mitch. “The interpreter that I worked with on my previous trips to Nicaragua called and asked if I could come to Nicaragua and help the Miskito people with their animals, many were sick and many had already died.” 

Between October 22 and November 2, Wiersema treated cattle, distributed much needed food packages and human medicines to 566 people and 102 families in six villages along the Atlantic coastline in northern Nicaragua.

“Another goal of the relief trip was to provide as many bibles in the Miskito language as we could afford to purchase,” Wiersema said. “We also brought along as much human medicine as possible and distributed it to the people and clinics that would make the best use of the medicine.”

The support for the relief effort has been overwhelming from church and animal health manufacturers who donated all of the products and supplies.

“If it wasn't for ANIMART’s attitude to want to help these people and offering my services to the people of the Rio Coco region in Nicaragua the trip probably would not have been possible.”  Wiersema said. “Besides treating animals, giving food, and promising to provide as many Bibles the main thing we gave the Miskito people was hope.”

Established in 1982 and headquartered in Beaver Dam, Wis., ANIMART, Inc. provides animal health products and veterinary supplies, and show equipment and supplies to dairy and livestock producers. ANIMART is committed to offering a full-line of products supported by outstanding service. For more information, visit www.animart.com.

Beaver Dam, Wis. – ANIMART, Inc. will donate a portion of July and August sales to the Dairy Business Association (DBA), a producer-driven organization working to assure that dairy producers, large and small, remain an active, thriving part of Wisconsin’s economy and communities by fostering a positive business and political environment.

“We are proud to offer a promotion for large animal customers and producers to support the efforts of DBA through purchases of animal health products and supplies from ANIMART from July 15 thru August 15,” says Ruth Metz, co-owner of ANIMART with her husband, Dr. James Metz. “ANIMART is pleased to help DBA and reward customers for their support by offering producers a chance to golf free in the ANIMART Open.”

For every $500 of product purchased at ANIMART from July 15 thru August 15, 2007 participants will earn one entry slip in the drawing to golf free in the 2007 ANIMART Open, while supporting DBA. Winners will be announced mid August and invited to golf free in the ANIMART Open on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2007 at Fox Hills Resort in Mishicot, Wis.

“We are honored ANIMART has chosen to donate a portion of sales to DBA efforts,” says Laurie Fischer, who serves as executive director of the Dairy Business Association, which is dedicated to being proactive in helping to create and protect consistent water, environmental and waste management regulations.

“DBA is planning to use the ANIMART donation to support our more than 15 initiatives that we are currently working on from the 2007 Farm Bill and Federal Order System to State Siting Legislation and Soil and Water Resource Management Rules, which will help producers and grow our state’s dairy industry,” says Fischer.

The initiatives addressed through DBA helps identify business and environmental challenges facing the dairy industry and works to put practices in place that benefit all Wisconsin farms.

“We are proud to be a strong partner with Wisconsin’s dairy industry and we feel supporting the efforts of DBA will benefit all farms for profitable agriculture,” Ruth Metz says. “We encourage all customers and producers to participate in the promotion with a chance to golf free in the ANIMART Open, while supporting DBA.”

For additional information on the promotion or how you can participate in the ANIMART Open golf outing, contact ANIMART at 1.800.255.1181.

Established in 1982, ANIMART, Inc. provides animal health products and veterinary supplies, in addition to show equipment and supplies, to dairy and livestock producers. ANIMART is committed to offering a full-line of products supported by outstanding service. For more information, visit www.animart.com.

The Dairy Business Association of Wisconsin is a statewide organization, of dairy producers, vendors, allied industry partners, and professionals actively working to assure that dairy producers, large and small, remain an active, thriving part of Wisconsin’s economy, communities, and food chain. DBA is dedicated to being proactive in helping to create and protect consistent water, environmental and waste management regulation. For more information on DBA, visit www.widba.com.

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Beaver Dam, Wis. – Animart, Inc. will celebrate June Dairy Month with a customer appreciation on Wednesday, evening, June 20th, 2007 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Animart Headquarters in Beaver Dam, Wis. All Animart large animal customers are invited to this appreciation to celebrate National Dairy Month with a complimentary meal and one-day specials on products from over 15 animal health manufacturers on hand.

“June is a special time to celebrate the hard work of our customers’ commitment in producing safe, high quality milk and meat products 365 days a year," says Ruth Metz, co-owner and founder of Animart. “The customer appreciation is one way we can show our gratitude for the past 25 years of serving the needs of dairy, livestock, calf and equine customers. We encourage all Animart customers and their families to attend.”

Beginning at 6 p.m., customers can enjoy brats and hamburgers grilled by the Animart staff, potato chips, baked beans, coleslaw, cheese, ice cream and milk.

While at the appreciation attendees can speak with animal health manufacturer representatives and Animart staff to answer product questions, take advantage of promotions and learn about new products available.

Attendees can sign up to win prizes including a new Calf-Tel Pen System at the appreciation event. In addition, kids can participate in a coloring contest and win prizes.

Animal health manufacturers and organizations who will be on hand and offering one day specials include: Alpharma Animal Health, Bayer Animal Health, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bovamine, Calf-Tel, Dairy Business Association, Hoof-It, Intervet, Fort Dodge Animal Health, Merial Animal Health, Merricks, Novartis Animal Health, Pfizer Animal Health, PolyDome, Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin, Schering-Plough Animal Health, Schwartz Filters and TechMix. Animart will also be featuring Super Brand Products, WW Livestock Systems and Legend Pressure Washers on display.

The Animart Customer Appreciation will be held at the Animart Headquarters, located at 900 Green Valley Road in Beaver Dam, Wis. For additional information on the customer appreciation, contact Animart at 1.800.255.1181.

Established in 1982, Animart, Inc. provides animal health products and veterinary supplies, in addition to show equipment and supplies, to dairy and livestock producers. Animart is committed to offering a full-line of products supported by outstanding service. For more information, visit www.animart.com.

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Beaver Dam, Wis. – Animart, Inc. will host a beef and dairy cattle fitting and showmanship demonstration for area 4-H and FFA youth at the Dodge County Fairgrounds Farm Progress Arena, Beaver Dam, Wis., on Saturday, June 16th, 2007 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. All area youth are invited to this complimentary workshop intended to help learn more about the art and techniques that will help them achieve high placings of their 4-H and FFA livestock at summer shows.

New this year to the demonstration is a nutritional and animal health as well as biosecurity educational component.

Beginning at 10 a.m., Wayne Keil of the Animart sales staff will be conducting a beef cattle fitting demonstration. In addition, Jeff Lehmkuhler, Ph. D., UW-Extension Beef Specialist will lead the nutritional component of the demonstration and Dr. Burton Wiersma with Animart will highlight animal health and biosecurity.

At 1:00 p.m., a dairy cattle fitting and showmanship demonstration will be led by Jon Powers and Al White, both successful local Holstein breeders and exhibitors. Meanwhile, Bob Kaiser, UW-Extension Dairy Agent, will lead the nutritional component of the demonstration and Dr. Burton Wiersma of Animart will highlight animal health and biosecurity. Both demonstrations will be given on-site, using live animals.

Trenton Highlights 4-H Club will be fundraising with a food stand at the demonstration. In addition, Animart will feature specials on show equipment and a full line of grooming supplies. Show cattle vendors will also be on hand and prizes will be given away to attendees.

"This workshop is planned to help our customers and their junior exhibiters be more competitive for blue ribbon awards," says Ruth Metz, co-owner and founder of Animart. "We are proud to be a strong partner with Wisconsin's dairy and livestock industries and we feel this workshop can be both educational and fun. We encourage all interested students and parents to attend."

The workshops will be held at the Dodge County Fairgrounds Farm Progress Area, located three miles east of Beaver Dam, Wis., on Hwy 33. For additional information on the demonstration, contact Animart staff at 1.800.255.1181. For beef-specific questions, contact staff member Wayne Keil at extension 2235 and for dairy questions, contact Stephany White at extension 2241.

Established in 1982, Animart, Inc. provides animal health products and veterinary supplies, in addition to show equipment and supplies, to dairy and livestock producers. Animart is committed to offering a full-line of products supported by outstanding service. For more information, visit www.animart.com.

For more information, contact:
Christine Lepple
Marketing Manager
920.885.2800 ext. 2253
christinel@animart.com

Beaver Dam, Wis. – Animart, Inc. announces the recent addition of Christine Lepple as marketing manager of the large animal dairy and livestock division which provides animal health products and supplies to producers.

Lepple graduated in May 2006 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural journalism.

In her new position, Lepple will be responsible for dairy and livestock marketing, communications and developing public relations activities for Animart. She will serve as a marketing liaison with the product sales and manufacturer representatives to introduce new products to the Animart sales and customer service teams and Animart customer base.

“Animart is very excited to have Christine join our team,” says Ruth Metz, co-owner of Animart with her husband, Dr. James Metz. “Her knowledge of producers’ needs coupled with her understanding of production-based agriculture and marketing communications make her a perfect fit for Animart.”

Growing up on her family’s 70-cow dairy farm near Beaver Dam, Lepple broadened her knowledge of production agriculture with marketing, communications and sales internships at Agri-View, Alto Dairy Cooperative and Fort Dodge Animal Health.

Most recently, she assisted with marketing communications for an agricultural client at Bader Rutter & Associates in Brookfield, Wis.

On the UW-Madison campus, she was active in the Association of Women in Agriculture and served as president of the National Agri-Marketing Association. In addition, Lepple served as an ambassador for the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and a member of the Collegiate FFA.

She also promoted agricultural education and FFA as the 2003-2004 Wisconsin State FFA Reporter and is currently education co-chair of the Cows on the Concourse committee.

Established in 1982, Animart, Inc. provides animal health products and veterinary supplies, in addition to show equipment and supplies, to dairy and livestock producers.  Animart is committed to offering a full-line of products supported by outstanding service.

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Editor Notes:

1. To receive a high-resolution photo, Editors can contact Christine Lepple of Animart at christinel@animart.com.

For more information, contact:
Christine Lepple
Marketing Manager
920.885.2800 ext. 2253
christinel@animart.com