Take the challenge. See the gains.

Tip the Scales Quiz and Sweepstakes

Test your calf management knowledge through the quiz series and see how you can gain a potential 50-pound advantage. Then, each time you take a quiz, enter our Tip the Scales Sweepstakes. Two questions will be released each month from April 1, 2024 – July 31, 2024, for eight total chances to test your knowledge and enter for your chance to win big.

Grand Prize:

Plus, be entered for eight bimonthly drawings for $500 cash!

  • Quiz #1 winner – Justin S. from Summer, MI
  • Quiz #2 winner – Amy S. from New England, ND
  • Quiz #3 winner – Brandon S. from Holly, CO
  • Quiz #4 winner – Joslyn H. from Toppenish, WA
  • Quiz #5 winner – Grace E. from Romney, WV
  • Quiz #6 winner – R. Dean Fish from Nogales, AZ
  • Quiz #7 winner – Aaron R. from Beaverton, OR
  • Quiz #8 winner – Stuart W. from Tallahassee, FL

Congratulations to our 2024 Grand Prize Winner

Susan Reimer of Redfield, South Dakota.

See full sweepstakes terms and conditions and follow along on social for quiz announcements!

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Spring Turnout Cattle Health Protocol

Practices to gain a 50-pound advantage

Spring turnout is a prime opportunity to set a healthy foundation for the long-term success of your calves. Two highly impactful practices to consider before turning calves out on pasture are implanting and deworming.

John Hutcheson, Ph.D., director of beef cattle technical services for Merck Animal Health shares how removing parasite pressure while increasing average daily gain with implants can result in as much as a 50-pound advantage per calf.

Ready for the challenge? Learn more about how these technologies can help you capitalize on extra pounds.

Focus on spring parasite management

Springtime is a critical period to make sure you’re reducing internal parasite challenges. Grant Crawford, Ph.D., associate director, cattle technical services for Merck Animal Health, explains the impact internal parasites can have on performance efficiencies.

Learn more about how choosing the right dewormer like SAFE-GUARD® (fenbendazole) can help you get the most from your herd.

Protect calves early with intranasal vaccination  

From birth to about 3 months of age, young calves are especially susceptible to pneumonia caused by bovine respiratory disease (BRD), making early protection critical. Tim Parks, D.V.M., technical services veterinarian for Merck Animal Health, shares how intranasal vaccination can help stimulate the immune system without maternal antibody interference — giving calves the strong start they need to stay healthy and keep gaining.

Learn more about BOVILIS® NASALGEN® 3-PMH, the first and only BRD vaccine offering 5-way protection as early as 1 week of age.

Increase calf weaning weights

Using the right implant at the right time can result in continued performance and continued gain, starting with suckling calves. Hear from Brandon Nuttelman, Ph.D., cattle technical services manager for Merck Animal Health, how a strategically timed calf implant can result in as much as 23 pounds of pure added gains at weaning and beyond.

Learn more about RALGRO® (zeranol implants), the gold standard in calf implants.

Summer Cattle Health Protocol

Keep pastures and cattle clean with a summer dewormer

Keeping parasites off grass and out of animals should be the cornerstone of cattle producers’ summer health protocols. Brandon Nuttelman, Ph.D., cattle technical services manager for Merck Animal Health, explains how feed and mineral-based dewormers can save producers a trip through the chute while reducing parasite pressure.

Learn more about SAFE-GUARD® (fenbendazole) and its many formulations so you can deworm the way that’s best for you.

Get the most of your grazing with cattle implants

One of the best ways to increase weight gain during the preconditioning phase is with a cattle implant. Lee-Anne Walter, Ph.D., cattle technical services manager for Merck Animal Health, shares why an implant can help build on calf performance, resulting in better average daily gains and the potential of 10-12 pounds per head at the end of preconditioning.

Learn more about REVALOR®-G (trenbolone acetate and estradiol), an implant worth its weight in real-world grazing periods.

Precondition for healthier, higher-value calves

Producers need to consider how to build on good practices and protocols used early in the spring to keep getting the most out of their animals. Tim Parks, D.V.M., technical services veterinarian for Merck Animal Health, talks about key components of preconditioning programs — like longer weaning periods and robust vaccination protocols – that can give producers a marketing edge and help make the most of their investment.

Learn more about Merck Animal Health’s PrimeVAC Preconditioning Program.

50-Pound Challenge Featured Products  

RALGRO® (zeranol implants)

For more than 50 years, RALGRO has been known for heavier weaning weights that deliver greater revenue in calf crops. Trials show an average 23-pound weaning weight advantage in calves implanted with RALGRO over non-implanted controls.1

REVALOR®-G (trenbolone acetate and estradiol implants)

REVALOR-G is designed specifically for stocker cattle and is used more than any other brand in this phase of production. Cattle implanted with REVALOR-G gain an extra 23 pounds on average, and they maintain the added weight during the finishing period.2

SAFE-GUARD® (fenbendazole)

Powered by fenbendazole, SAFE-GUARD dewormer features broad-spectrum protection against the most concerning parasites. It’s available in a variety of options, so you can deworm when and how you want — at the chute, with feed or in the pasture. Cattle successfully dewormed with SAFE-GUARD demonstrate an average weaning weight increase of 29 pounds per head.3

BOVILIS® NASALGEN® 3-PMH

BOVILIS NASALGEN 3-PMH is the first and only intranasal vaccine proven effective against both viral and bacterial pneumonia. It can be used in calves 1 week of age or older for a strong, healthy foundation, and a unique BluShadow® diluent means there’s no second-guessing which animals have been vaccinated.

Terms & Conditions

Tip the Scales Sweepstakes Official Rules

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.

1. OVERVIEW: The Merck Animal Health Tip the Scales Sweepstakes (the “Sweepstakes”) consists of eight (8) separate First Prize entry periods (each an “Entry Period”), and one (1) Grand Prize drawing. Entry into one First Prize Entry Period is not entry into any other First Prize Entry Period. However, entry into any of the First Prize entry periods also grants entry into the Grand Prize drawing.

2. ELIGIBILITY: THE SWEEPSTAKES IS OPEN TO LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 48 CONTIGUOUS UNITED STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA WHO ARE 21 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER OR THE AGE OF MAJORITY IN THEIR STATE OF RESIDENCE, AT THE TIME OF ENTRY, WHO ARE PHYSICALLY LOCATED IN THE 48 CONTIGUOUS UNITED STATES OR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. EMPLOYEES OF SPONSOR, ADMINISTRATOR AND EACH OF THEIR RESPECTIVE PARENT COMPANIES, AFFILIATES AND SUBSIDIARIES, AND ANY ADVERTISING OR PROMOTION AGENCIES INVOLVED IN ANY WAY WITH THIS SWEEPSTAKES (AND MEMBERS OF THEIR IMMEDIATE FAMILY AND/OR THOSE LIVING IN THE SAME HOUSEHOLD OF EACH SUCH EMPLOYEE) ARE NOT ELIGIBLE. ADDITIONALLY, INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE UNDER ENDORSEMENT AGREEMENTS, SPONSORSHIP AGREEMENTS, OR OTHER SIMILAR RELATIONSHIPS WITH SPONSOR AS DETERMINED BY SPONSOR IN SPONSOR’S SOLE DISCRETION, ARE NOT ELIGIBLE. SUBJECT TO ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS.  BY PARTICIPATING IN THIS SWEEPSTAKES, ENTRANTS AGREE FULLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY TO THESE OFFICIAL RULES AND JUDGE’S DECISIONS, WHICH ARE FINAL AND BINDING IN ALL MATTERS RELATED TO THE SWEEPSTAKES.  WINNING A PRIZE IS CONTINGENT ON FULFILLING ALL REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH HEREIN. VOID IN ALASKA AND HAWAII AND WHERE OTHERWISE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

3. SWEEPSTAKES PERIOD:  The Sweepstakes begins April 1, 2024, at 12:00:01 a.m. Eastern Time (“ET”) and ends July 31, 2024, at 11:59:59 p.m. ET (“Sweepstakes Period”).

4. HOW TO ENTER: To enter, visit tip-the-scales-challenge.com, take the quiz and complete the entry form. All fields must be completed. You may submit one (1) entry per entry period. Each entry is valid only for that entry period’s drawing (and the Grand Prize drawing), per the chart in Rule 6 below. All fields must be complete. Incomplete entries are void. No responsibility is assumed for lost, late, damaged, misdirected, illegible, incomplete, incorrect, entries or other sweepstakes materials, all of which are void, or for errors due to computer malfunctions, software errors, transmission problems or interruptions in operations. Sponsor’s database computer is the official timekeeping device for the Sweepstakes. Proof of transmission is not proof of receipt. In the event of a dispute over the identity of an online entrant, entry will be deemed submitted by the authorized account holder of the e-mail address submitted at time of entry. “Authorized account holder” is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, on-line service provider, or other organization (e.g., business, educational institution, etc.) that is responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address. All entries become the property of Sponsor and will not be acknowledged or returned. 

5. ODDS OF WINNING: For all Entry Periods the odds depend on the number of eligible entries received for that Entry Period. For the Grand Prize drawing the odds depend on the number of eligible entries received during the Sweepstakes Period.

6. WINNER SELECTION/NOTIFICATION:  A series of eight (8) bi-monthly Entry Periods and one (1) Grand Prize drawing will be held per the chart below. At the end of each Entry Period, one (1) First Prize Winner will be randomly selected from among all eligible entries received during the relevant Entry Period. Entry into each First Prize Entry Period is separate. Entry into any of the First Prize Entry Periods also provides entry into the Grand Prize drawing.  Each entry period begins at 12:00:01 a.m. ET and ends at 11:59:59 p.m. ET on the dates stated in the chart below.

Prize LevelNumber of WinnersEntry PeriodApproximate
Drawing Date
Approximate Date Winner Notified
Grand PrizeOne (1)April 1 – July 31, 2024August 9, 2024August 12, 2024
 
First Prizes    
Entry Period 1One (1)April 1 – April 15, 2024April 17, 2024April 19, 2024
Entry Period 2One (1)April 16 – April 30, 2024May 2, 2024May 6, 2024
Entry Period 3One (1)May 1 – May 15, 2024May 17, 2024May 20, 2024
Entry Period 4One (1)May 16 – June 2, 2024June 4, 2024June 6, 2024
Entry Period 5One (1)June 3 – June 17, 2024June 19, 2024June 21, 2024
Entry Period 6One (1)June 18 – June 30, 2024July 2, 2024July 8, 2024
Entry Period 7One (1)July 1 – July 15, 2024July 17, 2024July 19, 2024
Entry Period 8One (1)July 16 – July 31, 2024August 2, 2024August 5, 2024

Potential winners will be notified using the contact information provided at the time of entry. No liability is assumed for any winner notification that is lost, intercepted, returned as undeliverable, or not received by a potential winner for any reason. Failure to respond to any winner notification within ten (10) days may result in disqualification and selection of an alternate winner. Failure to comply may result in disqualification and selection of an alternate winner. In the event that a potential winner is found ineligible, or if he or she has not complied with these Official Rules or declines the prize for any reason prior to award, such potential winner will be disqualified, and an alternate winner may be selected. Winners may be required to sign and return an Affidavit of Eligibility, a Liability Release, and, where legally permissible, a Publicity Release (collectively, “Prize Claim Documents”).

7. PRIZES:
Grand Prize – One (1) Grand Prize is available consisting of:

  • One (1) Arrowquip Arrowlock 88 Series Cattle Squeeze Chute. (ARV: $14,000)
  • One (1) Gallagher 11,000 lbs Heavy Duty Wireless Load Bars scale, model:  GO6335. (ARV: $2,499)
  • One (1) Allflex AWR300 Handheld Stick Reader. (ARV: $2,197)
  • One (1) Allflex 50MR2 Repeater Syringe. (ARV: $132)      
  • Two hundred (200) Allflex EID Matched Set (HDXOTP982/GTXF-B-SET1). (ARV: $1,110)

Total Approximate Retail Value (ARV) of Grand Prize:  $19,938.00.

First Prizes – There is one (1) First Prize available for each of the eight (8) entry periods. There are a total of eight (8) First Prizes available. Each First Prize is $500.00 to be paid out in the form of a check. Approximate Retail Value (ARV) of all First Prizes: $4,000.00.

Total ARV of all prizes:  $23,938.00

Each person may only win a maximum of one (1) First Prize. First Prize Winners remain eligible for the Grand Prize. Acceptance of a prize constitutes winner’s permission for Sponsor to use winner’s name, photograph, likeness, voice, biographical information, statements, and address (city and state) for advertising and/or publicity purposes worldwide and in all forms of media now known or hereafter developed, in perpetuity, without further compensation except where prohibited by law.

Only the type and quantity of prizes described in these Official Rules will be awarded.  If, for any reason, more bona fide winners come forward seeking to claim prizes in excess of the number of each type of prize set forth in these Official Rules, the winners, or remaining winners, as the case may be, of the advertised number of prizes available in the prize category in question may be selected in a random drawing from among all persons making purportedly valid claims for such prize(s). Inclusion in such drawing shall be your sole and exclusive remedy in such circumstances.

No transferring of prize, prize substitution, or cash equivalent of prize permitted. The Sponsor reserves the right to substitute the prize with a prize of equal or greater value in the event an advertised prize becomes unavailable. Any difference between the actual value of any prize and the ARV set forth in these official rules may not be claimed and will not be awarded. Allow 8-12 weeks after winner verification for prize delivery. Any images depicted on the website or in any advertisements for the Sweepstakes are for illustration only. Company and product names for prize components are trademarks of the respective manufacturers, none of which is a sponsor of or affiliated in any way with this Sweepstakes.

8. CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION: Entrants agree to be bound by the terms of these Official Rules. Decisions of Administrator are final and binding on all matters pertaining to this Sweepstakes. By participating in the Sweepstakes, each entrant agrees to release, discharge, indemnify, and hold harmless Sponsor and those involved in the development, production, implementation, and distribution of this Sweepstakes, including each of their respective parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, service providers, and agencies, and each of their respective directors, officers, agents, employees, attorneys, and any other person or entity associated with such entities and/or the Sweepstakes (collectively, “Released Parties”), from any and all liability for any and all claims, damages, losses or injuries of any kind whatsoever, including without limitation, death, and bodily injury, damages, losses or injuries, or any injury, loss or damages of any kind to persons, including death, or property, arising from or relating to, in whole or in part, directly, or indirectly, from the awarding, delivery, acceptance, use, misuse, possession, loss or misdirection of any prize, including entry and participation in this Sweepstakes or any Sweepstakes or prize or prize related activity, including, but not limited to acceptance, possession, use or misuse of any prize. Any potential winner of a prize valued at $600 or more will be required to provide his or her social security number to the Sponsor and an IRS Form 1099 will be issued in the potential winner’s name for the retail value of the prize. Return of any prize/prize notification as undeliverable may result in disqualification and selection of an alternate winner. No responsibility is assumed for any printing, typographical, mechanical or other error in these Official Rules, any online or other advertisements for the Sweepstakes, the announcement of any prize, or otherwise in any materials.

9. GENERAL: No responsibility is assumed for electronic transmission errors resulting in omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operations or transmission, communication line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to or alterations of entry materials, or for technical, network, server, provider, mobile device, electronic, computer, hardware or software malfunctions or limitations of any kind including any injury or damage to entrant’s or any other person’s computer or mobile device related to the Sweepstakes, or inaccurate transmissions of or failure to receive entry information on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet, at any Web site, on any app, or any combination thereof. If for any reason the Sweepstakes is not capable of running as planned, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, human error, or any other causes which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of this Sweepstakes, Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend the Sweepstakes and to select winners from among the eligible entries received that are unaffected by the problem. Sponsor further reserves the right to disqualify any individual who tampers with the entry process, violates these Official Rules, or undermines the integrity of the Sweepstakes.  Sponsor may prohibit an entrant from participating in the Sweepstakes if it determines that said entrant is attempting to undermine the legitimate operation of the Sweepstakes by cheating, hacking, deception, or other unfair playing practices or intending to abuse, threaten or harass other entrants.

Caution: Any attempt by an entrant to deliberately damage any website or undermine the legitimate operation of the Sweepstakes is a violation of criminal and civil laws and should such an attempt be made, Sponsor reserve the right to seek damages from any such entrant to the fullest extent of the law.

10. DISPUTES: Except where prohibited, each entrant agrees that: (1) any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or in connection with this Sweepstakes or any prize awarded shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by state or federal courts, (2) any and all claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred with entering into the Sweepstakes; and (3) no punitive, incidental, indirect, special, consequential or other damages, including without limitation lost profits or attorneys’ fees, may be awarded, whether foreseeable or not and whether based on negligence or otherwise (collectively, “Special Damages”), and (4) entrant hereby waives all rights to claim Special Damages and all rights to have such damages multiplied or increased. For New Jersey residents, the limitations set forth above are inapplicable where attorneys’ fees, court costs, or other damages are mandated by statute.

11. Governing Law: This Sweepstakes shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New Jersey, regardless of conflicts of law principles. Any action or litigation concerning this Sweepstakes shall take place exclusively in the federal or state courts sitting in New Jersey, and each entrant expressly consents to the jurisdiction of and venue in such courts and waives all defenses of lack of jurisdiction and inconvenient forum with respect to such courts. Each entrant agrees to service of process by mail or other method acceptable under the laws of the State of New Jersey.

12. PRIVACY: By entering the Sweepstakes, each entrant agrees to the Sponsor’s use of his/her personal information as described in the Sponsor’s Privacy Policy located at https://www.msdprivacy.com/us/en/ which is incorporated by reference herein and made a part of these Official Rules, except in those limited cases where these Official Rules expressly expand, modify, or contradict the Privacy Policy. In those circumstances, these Official Rules will govern the privacy relationship between Sponsor and the entrants. If entrants have elected to receive (opt-in) email communications from Sponsor’s future promotions or other offers, entrants may choose to opt-out and unsubscribe from such email communications at any time by accessing the link in the footer of the emails. If you are selected as a winner, your information may also be included in a publicly available winners list.

13. WINNER LIST: For list of the Winners, send a stamped, self-addressed envelope by September 30, 2024, to “Tip the Scales Sweepstakes” Winners List, P.O. Box 1843, Montague, NJ 07827.

14. SPONSOR: Merck & Co. Inc., 26 E Lincoln Ave, Rahway, NJ 07065.

15. ADMINISTRATOR: The A Team LLC, 1 Blue Hill Plaza, Lobby Level #1509, Pearl River, NY 10965.

All trademarks property of their respective owners. Gallagher Group Limited is not affiliated with this promotion.

Important Safety Information

Ralgro: Not for use in humans. Keep out of reach of children. No withdrawal period is required when used according to labeling. Do not use in beef calves less than 2 months of age, dairy calves, and veal calves. A withdrawal period has not been established for this product in pre-ruminating calves. Do not use in replacement beef heifers after weaning or in dairy cows or replacement dairy heifers. Use in these cattle may cause drug residues in milk and/or calves born to these cows. Implant pellets subcutaneously in ear only. Any other location is a violation of Federal law. Do not attempt salvage of implanted site for human or animal food. Not approved for repeated implantation (reimplantation) with this or any other cattle ear implant within a single production phase as safety and effectiveness have not been evaluated. For complete safety information, refer to the product label.

Revalor-G: Not to be used in animals intended for breeding, dairy animals, or veal calves. Implant in ear only. Any other location is in violation of Federal Law. Not approved for repeated implantation (re-implantation) with this or any other cattle ear implant in growing beef steers and heifers on pasture (stocker, feeder, and slaughter). Safety and effectiveness following re-implantation have not been evaluated. Do not salvage implanted site for human or animal food. A withdrawal period has not been established for this product in pre-ruminating calves. Not for use in humans. For complete safety information, refer to the product label.

Safe-Guard: Do not use in beef calves less than 2 months old, dairy calves and veal calves. A withdrawal period has not been established for this product in pre-ruminating calves. Additionally, the following meat withdrawal and milk discard times apply:
Safe-Guard Paste: Cattle must not be slaughtered for 8 days. For dairy cattle, the milk discard time is 96 hours.
Safe-Guard Suspension: Cattle must not be slaughtered for 8 days. For dairy cattle, the milk discard time is 48 hours.
Safe-Guard EnProAl Type C Medicated Block: Cattle must not be slaughtered for 11 days. For use in beef cattle only.
Safe-Guard 20% Protein Type C Medicated Block: Cattle must not be slaughtered for 16 days. For use in beef cattle only.
Safe-Guard Type A and other medicated feed products (pellets, cubes, free-choice mineral, or free-choice liquid): Cattle must not be slaughtered for 13 days. For dairy cattle, the milk discard time is 60 hours.

References

1. Data on file, Merck Animal Health.
2. Data on file, Merck Animal Health.
3. Data on file, Merck Animal Health.