Making your land work for you can be a balancing act. If you are a modern farmer, you want to get the most from your crops. But at the same time, you want to keep the cost of your inputs low. If you are involved in the care of turfgrass and other plants in the landscape, you want them to be healthy throughout the season. Conklin`s nationally-recognized products and technologies are designed to help balance the equation so you know you are using the very best products for successful results.
Proven Technologies
All products have either been developed within the company's own Research and Development Department or have been developed at other institutions. Conklin's exclusive AgroVantage System has been constantly proven through years of field trials and through independent research agencies nationwide.
Conklin's Online Soil System
Meeting soil needs translates to healthier plants. Conklin's AgroVantage Online Soil System is an economic and environmental product recommendation program offering you an opportunity to reduce applied chemicals and fertilizers, lower input costs and obtain optimum results.
Conklin's AgroVantage System is rapidly becoming recognized as the premier recommendation program in the United States available to today' s professional grower, ag chemical and fertilizer dealer, independent consultant, or commercial lawn applicator. Besides featuring state-of-the-art products for plant growth and management, the AgroVantage System utilizes the latest in technology and soil test recommendations through the nation's leading independent laboratory. Once the soil analysis is complete, all data is available at your fingertips via the World Wide Web.
VEHICLE PRODUCTS
High Quality Lubrication Products
Conklin independent business owners deliver a full line of high quality Lubrication & Vehicle Products to consumers throughout the country. Conklin has been known for over 30 years for high quality lubrication and vehicle products that provide greater reliability and efficiency for all types of vehicles and equipment.
Buddy Myers has been exclusively using Conklin lubricants in his 1970 John Deere 4020 since 1974. Today, the 32-year-old tractor has over 24,000 hours, has never been overhauled and runs on original parts – a great testament to Conklin’s high-quality lubrication and vehicle products.
Conklin motor oils are certified by the American Petroleum Institute as high-quality oils for gasoline and diesel engines. Click here to see verification of Conklin's Engine Oil Licensing and Certification System (EOLCS) licenses.
CLEANING PRODUCTS
Cleaning product information will coming soon!
LAWN CARE PRODUCTS
The Missing Piece to your lawn care business
AgroVantage® Lawn and Plant Care System Fast acting fertilizer formulations for quick green up and excellent slow release. Conklin's agronomics products have been helping farmers grow award-winning crops for years. Now the nationally recognized product line is available to do the same for your turf. We bring you the AgroVantage System - the easier, quicker way to attain that picture perfect lawn you’ve been waiting for.
Fertilizer Adds to the Total Package
Fertilization is an important part of the total lawn care package for both grass establishment and maintenance. It includes the right amount of nutrients at the right time - nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. Nitrogen promotes growth and healthy, green color. Potassium helps disease resistance. Phosphorus aids root development.
Satisfied property owners who utilize the AgroVantage System notice:
Fast green-up and quick response
Fewer applications are required
Healthier turf, trees and shrubs
Friendly, customer-oriented service
Well maintained lawn and plant care helps to control weeds, reflects positively on the property
owner and increases real estate market value.
These top-of-the-line fertilizers not only provide a greener, healthier lawn, but provide tree and shrub deep root feeding.
Start Your Own Lawn and Plant Care Business Today
Looking for a competitive edge? Not happy with your current fertilizer program? With a low initial investment, you too can start your own business and provide homeowners, golf courses, parks, athletic fields, cemeteries and commercial owners with high quality products and services.
Become a Conklin lawn care applicator today.
ROOFING PRODUCTS
Tested. Proven. Trusted.
As Conklin Independent Business Owners, we offer you a choice of some of the most durable roofing systems in the world coupled with the benefits of working with a family owned and operated business. As owners, we are actively involved in the installation of our clients’ roofs, from initial bid to final inspection. And our professionally trained team has applied a variety of Conklin Roofing Systems to commercial and residential buildings of all sizes with flat or low-slope roofs.
Conklin roofing products are known for their exceptional quality. In fact, over two billion square feet of Conklin Roofing Systems have been applied throughout the United States since 1977 with many still on the job. An industry leader, Conklin invented white acrylic roof coatings 30 years ago. Today, these roofs are popular because they can provide enough energy savings to pay for themselves in a few short years. They may also qualify for federal tax credits and rebates. (Find out more at DSIRE*).
We invite you to examine profiles of our quality work on this site. Then feel free to call or email us with any questions.
*Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency
HEALTH AND PERSONAL CARE
Good Health Made Easy
Your health dictates your outlook on life. When you feel good, you're able to enjoy an active life style. However, factors such as processed foods, mineral-depleted soil and hectic schedules, make it difficult for you to obtain the nutrition needed for good health.
Nutritional Supplements
For many, the solution is taking nutritional supplements. But separating nutrition truths from myths is not easy. And knowing what, and how much, to take can be very confusing.
LifeTrack™ Program
The easy to follow LifeTrack™ Program overcomes the confusion surrounding supplements. The Life Track Program was designed so you could customize a plan for yourself.
ANIMAL SUPPLEMENTS
The Challenge
The performance and health of your livestock is dependent upon the proper balance of digestive tract bacteria. Newborn animals and newly-hatched birds enter the world with a sterile digestive tract, which is quickly populated with health-promoting bacteria and the much quicker growing, pathogenic bacteria and viruses. Unfortunately, feed and environmental changes, birthing/laying, weaning, medication and transporting, among other common management practices alter the intestinal environment in ways that favor the disease-causing organisms of animals and birds of any age.
The Answer: Fastrack® Direct-fed Microbials — The Natural Way
The unique combination of natural, live lactic acid-producing bacteria, FOS, yeast, enzymes, vitamins and specialized proteins in the Fastrack® products helps to ensure a healthy digestive tract; enhancing the immune system and defending against pathogenic agents in the digestive tract. Specifically the health-promoting Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium in the animals ‘and birds’ small and large intestines utilize FOS.
Reduce Colic
Colic. The five-letter word that all horse owners fear. Many horses experience colic of various degrees at some point in their lives. Understanding colic and your horse’s susceptibility can lead to a management program to reduce the incidence or severity of colic. However, colic may occur due to many reasons and no horse should be considered “safe” from colic.
Research studies are attempting to determine the exact causes of colic; however, the answers seem to be evasive. . All breeds of horses are susceptible to colic, and gender does not influence the likelihood of colic. Parasite infection, soil consumption, dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, strenuous exercise, or shifts from heavy exercise to no exercise are among the many situations pre-disposing a horse to colic. Changes in a horse’s day-to-day activities or schedule alter the body’s metabolism and digestive tract function. A steady, constant environment and schedule is the healthiest for your horse.
Over-feeding of grain, or even high-concentrate consumption, is cited as the most frequent cause of colic. A confounding factor is that horses fed large amounts of grain are generally undergoing intense training or performance events. However, the greater the grain content of the diet, the greater the risk of colic. Starch from grain and any dietary fat needs to be digested and absorbed in the small intestine. Enzymes breakdown starch into its building block units of glucose, which in turn are absorbed by the horse. Unfortunately, the limited amount of starch-digesting enzymes secreted by horses may be overwhelmed when high levels of concentrates are fed. Undigested starch flow from the small intestine to the forage fermentation vat, known as the large intestine. Starch fermentation changes the microbial balance and pH of the large intestine. Many researchers and horse people cite excessive digestion of starch in the large intestine as the greatest cause of colic.
The equine digestive tract features a large intestine design to ferment and utilize grazed forages and hay. Enhancing the microbial population and environment of the large intestine would increase the extraction of energy from forages consumed by the horse. Horses with high-energy requirements should be fed prime-quality hay and then fed a concentrate to fill the energy deficit.
Research studies suggest that beneficial bacteria, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus and Enterococcus faecium, could aid in starch digestion and absorption in the small intestine. Increasing starch utilization in the small intestine would reduce the starch flowing to the large intestine, thereby lowering the potential for digestive upset. Yeast culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is noted for increasing the populations of fiber-digesting and pH-stabilizing bacteria for a more efficient utilization of forages. Supplementing a direct-fed microbial product featuring beneficial bacteria and yeast culture could theoretically increase energy utilization of forages, improve the efficiency of starch utilization and reduce the level of concentrates needed by a horse.
An excellent-quality hay or forage is the basis of a sound horse nutrition program. Some horse owners and trainers supplementing the Fastrack® direct-fed microbial products to their horses report the ability to maintain excellent performance and condition in their horses while lowering the concentrate proportion of the diet. Horses vary greatly in their metabolism and digestive efficiencies, and should be monitored individually for their response to the Fastrack products and need for concentrates to obtain optimal results. The Fastrack products do not prevent or treat colic. However, many horse owners and trainers utilize the Fastrack products as management tools in their nutrition and performance programs.
Lactic Acid and Tying Up in Horses
Horse owners frequently report reduced tying-up or muscle stiffness with Fastrack supplemented horses after strenuous exercise. Several scientific reasons and research studies support these observations. First, a review of lactic acid metabolism in the digestive tract is in order, and then a discussion of lactic acid production in the body itself.
Microorganisms produce two forms of lactic acid, depending upon how the lactic acid molecule is arranged. A horse can metabolize L-lactate and to a lesser degree the Dform. Fortunately, the beneficial bacteria in the Fastrack products, Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus acidophilus and lactis produce L-lactate, which the horse can easily metabolize. Harmful bacteria, such as Streptococcus bovis, secrete D-lactate. High levels of D-lactate often follow excessive grain consumption with the consequential population explosion of the undesirable bacteria.
Continuous production of low levels of L-lactate in the digestive tract should encourage the growth of lactate-utilizing bacteria. Supplementing a horse with Fastrack would provide the beneficial bacteria to supply low amounts of L-lactate to maintain a base population of lactate utilizers. The lactate-utilizing population would then be ready to expand when lactate levels elevate, such as excessive grain consumption. In addition, the Fastrack products seem to enhance the proper numbers of starch-digesting bacteria for controlled lactate production. Briefly, the Fastrack cultures produce a "safer" form of lactate and seem to encourage lactate- utilizing bacteria that increase in number during lactate challenges.
Let's move on to lactate production in the horse's body. Muscles secrete D-lactate as a by- product of energy production during anaerobic exercise or times of nutrient depletion. Supplying proper levels of nutrients in the blood system will reduce intramuscular lactate production during exercise. The microbial cultures in the Fastrack products enhance nutrient absorption in the small intestine and improve large intestine fermentation to extract energy from the diet. Consequently, blood nutrient levels are higher in animals fed probiotic cultures.
A study by Glade and Campbell-Taylor, indicated horses fed yeast culture had lower blood lactate levels before and during exercise, and faster clearance from the blood after exercise. Fastrack's combination of yeast culture and beneficial bacteria would enhance nutrient supply to the muscles above simple yeast culture supplementation. Performance and race trainers are observing less muscle stiffness or tying up of exercised horses and quicker recoveries.
The Fastrack products provide beneficial bacteria and yeast culture to establish the correct balance of fermentative bacteria and lactate-utilizing organisms in the digestive tract. In addition, the Fastrack bacteria yield a lactate form that the horse can metabolize. Improved nutrient absorption supplies proper nutrition to the muscles, resulting in lower lactate production during exercise. Owners and trainers recognize that Fastrack supplementation improves their horses' performance and recovery times.
Use of Microbials in the Horse Industry
A healthy and beautiful horse is the pride of every horse owner. Feeding selected cultures of lactic acid-producing bacteria and yeast boosts horse health and performance, according to many owners. Understanding the benefits of direct-fed microbial cultures can help you decide when to use these products during your horse’s life cycle.
In 1908, the Russian biologist Eli Metchnikoff credited the long lives of certain Bulgarian and Russian citizens to the consumption of large amounts of fermented milk products (4). The key organism in these foods was later identified as Lactobacillus acidophilus, a lactic acid-producing bacteria (10). The lactic acid-producing bacteria are so named for their ability to produce lactate. However, lactate production is only one of many benefits derived from this collection of bacteria. The lactic acid-producing bacteria most frequently featured in direct-fed microbial products include Lactobacillus acidophilus, Enterococcus (or Streptococcus) faecium and Lactobacillus lactis.
For many centuries, people have observed that their animals were healthier when fed feedstuffs resulting from yeast fermentation. Yeast are fungi, or one-cell organisms that reproduce by budding, or producing daughter cells. The yeast species most utilized by the direct-fed microbial industry are Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Aspergillus oryzae.
Based on the work of Metchnikoff and others, the idea was developed to directly feed live, lactic acid-producing bacteria and yeast to animals for improving their health and performance. The observed benefits may result from: 1) competition for attachment sites in the digestive tract, 2) competition for essential nutrients, 3) production of antimicrobial substances, 4) increasing the growth of beneficial bacteria and 5) stimulating the immune system (8).
Competition For Attachment Sites In The Digestive Tract
Some disease-causing bacteria reduce an animal’s ability to absorb nutrients by disrupting the small intestine (8). Lactic acid-producing bacteria attach to the lining of the small intestine and produce a substance to prevent disease-causing organisms from binding to the intestinal wall (7). The attachment of the beneficial bacteria may increase the absorptive surface area of the small intestine and enhance enzyme activity for greater nutrient absorption by the animal (8, 11).
Competition for Essential Nutrients
Lactic acid-producing and disease-causing bacteria require certain nutrients for growth. The beneficial bacteria could utilize vitamins, amino acids or other nutrients that might otherwise support the growth of harmful bacteria (5).
Production Of Antimicrobial Substances
The ability of direct-fed microbial cultures to inhibit disease-causing organisms is of considerable interest. Lactic acid lowers the intestinal pH to create an environment unsuitable for harmful organisms (8). Lactic acid-producing bacteria secrete hydrogen peroxide, resulting in conditions unfavorable for oxygen-requiring microorganisms (2). Bacteria produce bacteriocins that restrict the growth of other microorganisms, often genetically related species (8). The lactic acid-producing bacteria have demonstrated the ability to inhibit E. coli, Salmonella typhirium, Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridium perfringens (5). The reduction of scour-causing organisms is especially important in new-born and young animals.
Increasing The Growth Of Beneficial Bacteria
Enhancing the growth of beneficial bacteria boosts the performance of healthy animals. The B-vitamins, enzymes and other factors secreted by lactic acid-producing bacteria and yeast stimulate starch- and fiber-digesting bacteria (3, 5). The ability of yeast to enhance fiber digestion could allow dietary changes (12). The ability of yeast to increase feed intake has been recognized for centuries.
Stimulating The Immune System
Recent advances in animal health indicate the importance of proper immune function. Research indicates that lactic acid-producing bacteria heighten immune function at the digestive tract and whole-system levels (6). Experiments with bacteria-free extracts from lactic acid-producing cultures demonstrate improved macrophage activity against E. coli (9) and Salmonella typhirium (1). The role of direct-fed microbial cultures in stimulating the immune system warrants further research.
The Use Of Direct-fed Microbial Products With Foals
Although foals are born with bacteria-free digestive tracts, the tract is quickly populated by disease-causing and health-promoting bacteria. The question becomes, “Which type of bacteria will dominate?” Providing direct-fed microbial cultures shortly after birth can favor the beneficial bacteria. Studies suggest that lactic acid-producing bacteria inhibit scour-causing microorganisms, and can aid in the absorption of nutrients. Microbial gels and pastes are available for oral delivery to foals, or dry cultures can be mixed with milk replacers.
The Use Of Direct-fed Microbial Products With Growing And Mature Horses
Diet changes and other challenges at weaning can alter a foal’s nutrient intake and health status. Controlling harmful bacteria in the digestive tract during variable feed intake is very important. The microbial gel and paste products can be placed directly in the foal’s mouth, and the owner can confidently know that an animal with low or no feed consumption received the intended microbial dose. Dry products can be mixed with the feed for daily maintenance. Yeast cultures aid in stabilizing the microbial balance in the digestive tract, which may reduce the problems resulting from grain over-consumption and colic. In addition, yeast stimulates fiber-digesting bacteria to increase the energy a horse derives from forages. Consequently, the ration composition could shift in favor of forages over grains, increasing the safety of the horse’s diet. Always consult your veterinarian or nutritionist before making dietary changes.
Breeding, foaling, showing and heavy training can alter feed intake and increase a horse’s susceptibility to disease-causing organisms. Restoring nutrient intake, stabilizing the balance of digestive tract bacteria and proper immune function become critical during these challenging periods. Many horse owners suggest that direct-fed microbial cultures can play a major role during these critical periods. In addition, improving the nutritional status of the horse enhances the hair coat and durability of the hooves. The oral and feed products used for younger horses work equally well with mature horses, although the amount of lactic acid-producing bacteria and yeast should be increased.
Direct-fed Microbial Products And Storage
Direct-fed microbial products are available that feature only lactic acid-bacteria or yeast, and others include bacteria and yeast combinations. Microbial gels and pastes are placed between the lower teeth and cheek of the horse. Certain dry powders are dispersible in milk replacers and liquid feeds. Other dry products are readily mixed in the feed. However, always be sure to purchase reputable products handled properly by the manufacturer and seller. The direct-fed microbial products should be stored in cool, dry locations to maintain their microbial viability.
Feedstuffs resulting from microbial fermentation have benefited animals and their owners for many centuries. Continuing research projects document the need to include direct-fed microbial products in horse management programs. Many horse owners have experienced the benefits of directly feeding live bacteria and yeast to their animals.
References Cited
(1) Hatcher, G.E. and R.S. Lambrecht. 1993. Augmentation of macrophage phagocytic activity by cell-free extracts of selected lactic acid-producing bacteria. J. Dairy Sci. 76:2485.
(2) Klaenhammer, T.R. 1982. Microbiological considerations in selection and preparation of Lactobacillus strains for use as dietary adjuncts. J. Dairy Sci. 65:1339.
(3) Martin, S.A. and D.J. Nisbet. 1992. Effect of direct-fed microbials on rumen microbial fermentation. J. Dairy Sci. 75:1736.
(4) Metchnikoff, E. 1908. Prolongation of Life. G.P. Putnam’s Sons. New York.
(5) Montes, A.J. and D.G. Pugh. 1993. The use of probiotics in food-animal practice. Vet. Med. March 1993:282.
(6) Perdigon, G. et al. 1988. Systemic augmentation of the immune response in mice by feeding fermented milks with Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus acidophilus. Immunology 63:17.
(7) Savage, D.C. 1985. Effects on Host Animals of Bacteria Adhering to Epithelial Surfaces. In: Bacterial Adhesion, D.C. Savage and M. Fletcher (eds.); Plenum, NY; pp. 437-463.
(8) Savage, D.C. 1991. Gastrointestinal Microbial Ecology; Possible Modes of Action of Direct-fed Microbials in Animal Production. In: Direct-fed Microbials in Animal Production; National Feed Ingredients Assoc.; Des Moines, IA; pp. 11-81.
(9) Schiffrin, E.J. et al. 1995. Immunomodulation of human blood cells following the ingestion of lactic acid bacteria. J. Dairy Sci. 78:491.
(10) Shahani, K.M. and A.D. Ayebo. 1980. Role of dietary lactobacilli in gastrointestinal microecology. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 33: 2448.
(11) Whitt, D.D. and D.C. Savage. 1981. Influence of indigenous microbiota on amount of protein and activities of alkaline phosphatase and disaccharidases in extracts of intestinal mucosa in mice. Appl. Environ. Micro. 42:513.
(12) Williams, P.E.V. et al. 1991. Effects of the inclusion of yeast culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae plus growth medium) in the diets of dairy cows on milk yield and forage degradation and fermentation patterns in the rumen of sheep and steers. J. Anim. Sci. 69:3016.
The Missing Piece to your lawn care business
AgroVantage® Lawn and Plant Care System Fast acting fertilizer formulations for quick green up and excellent slow release. Conklin's agronomics products have been helping farmers grow award-winning crops for years. Now the nationally recognized product line is available to do the same for your turf. We bring you the AgroVantage System - the easier, quicker way to attain that picture perfect lawn you’ve been waiting for.
Fertilizer Adds to the Total Package
Fertilization is an important part of the total lawn care package for both grass establishment and maintenance. It includes the right amount of nutrients at the right time - nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. Nitrogen promotes growth and healthy, green color. Potassium helps disease resistance. Phosphorus aids root development.
Satisfied property owners who utilize the AgroVantage System notice:
Fast green-up and quick response
Fewer applications are required
Healthier turf, trees and shrubs
Friendly, customer-oriented service
Well maintained lawn and plant care helps to control weeds, reflects positively on the property
owner and increases real estate market value.
These top-of-the-line fertilizers not only provide a greener, healthier lawn, but provide tree and shrub deep root feeding.
Start Your Own Lawn and Plant Care Business Today
Looking for a competitive edge? Not happy with your current fertilizer program? With a low initial investment, you too can start your own business and provide homeowners, golf courses, parks, athletic fields, cemeteries and commercial owners with high quality products and services.
Become a Conklin lawn care applicator today.
Testimonial
My mother-in-law used to wash down her ceilings and walls each spring because she heats her home with coal. After painting with interior Show Kote, she waited three years to wash them and she could hardly see where she was going because the walls stayed so clean. Plus it was much easier to wash and it still looks like new. Thanks to Wall Kote, she can have many more years of dust-resistant, durable, beautiful walls and ceilings in her house.
All products have either been developed within the company's own Research and Development Department or have been developed at other institutions. Conklin's exclusive AgroVantage System has been constantly proven through years of field trials and through independent research agencies nationwide.
Conklin's AgroVantage System is rapidly becoming recognized as the premier recommendation program in the United States available to today' s professional grower, ag chemical and fertilizer dealer, independent consultant, or commercial lawn applicator. Besides featuring state-of-the-art products for plant growth and management, the AgroVantage System utilizes the latest in technology and soil test recommendations through the nation's leading independent laboratory. Once the soil analysis is complete, all data is available at your fingertips via the World Wide Web.
Conklin independent business owners deliver a full line of high quality Lubrication & Vehicle Products to consumers throughout the country. Conklin has been known for over 30 years for high quality lubrication and vehicle products that provide greater reliability and efficiency for all types of vehicles and equipment.
Buddy Myers has been exclusively using Conklin lubricants in his 1970 John Deere 4020 since 1974. Today, the 32-year-old tractor has over 24,000 hours, has never been overhauled and runs on original parts – a great testament to Conklin’s high-quality lubrication and vehicle products.
Looking for a competitive edge? Not happy with your current fertilizer program? With a low initial investment, you too can start your own business and provide homeowners, golf courses, parks, athletic fields, cemeteries and commercial owners with high quality products and services.
Become a Conklin lawn care applicator today.
As Conklin Independent Business Owners, we offer you a choice of some of the most durable roofing systems in the world coupled with the benefits of working with a family owned and operated business. As owners, we are actively involved in the installation of our clients’ roofs, from initial bid to final inspection. And our professionally trained team has applied a variety of Conklin Roofing Systems to commercial and residential buildings of all sizes with flat or low-slope roofs.
We invite you to examine profiles of our quality work on this site. Then feel free to call or email us with any questions.
Your health dictates your outlook on life. When you feel good, you're able to enjoy an active life style. However, factors such as processed foods, mineral-depleted soil and hectic schedules, make it difficult for you to obtain the nutrition needed for good health.
For many, the solution is taking nutritional supplements. But separating nutrition truths from myths is not easy. And knowing what, and how much, to take can be very confusing.
The easy to follow LifeTrack™ Program overcomes the confusion surrounding supplements. The Life Track Program was designed so you could customize a plan for yourself.
The performance and health of your livestock is dependent upon the proper balance of digestive tract bacteria. Newborn animals and newly-hatched birds enter the world with a sterile digestive tract, which is quickly populated with health-promoting bacteria and the much quicker growing, pathogenic bacteria and viruses. Unfortunately, feed and environmental changes, birthing/laying, weaning, medication and transporting, among other common management practices alter the intestinal environment in ways that favor the disease-causing organisms of animals and birds of any age.
