Cartridges For Cash nears $150,000 in donations

It began as a way to show commitment and support to upcoming generations of cattle producers. That purpose has continued for more than two decades, says Lynn Godbersen, associate marketing director, Merck Animal Health.

“We know implants are a positive way for cattle producers to improve the weight gain and feed efficiency of their cattle,” he says. “So, we decided to turn those gains into something for the cattle industry and developed the Cartridges for Cash program.”

It’s a simple concept, he explains. Producers and veterinarians keep the empty implant cartridges from Merck Animal Health RALGRO^® (zeranol implants), REVALOR^® (trenbolone acetate and estradiol implants), or REVALOR^®-XH and REVALOR^®-XS (trenbolone acetate and estradiol extended-release implants), turn them into their state cattle association, and Merck Animal Health will pay $.25 per cartridge up to an annual total of $10,000 per participating state association.

It’s a partnership with state associations and the funds are put toward youth and educational initiatives that better prepare the next generation of cattle producers. Since 2020, nearly $150,000 has been donated to this effort and the program is currently working in 10 states, including Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas.

States determine the best use of funds

Godbersen explains that one of the positives of Cartridges for Cash is that state associations determine which youth and education initiatives will benefit most from the financial donation and they establish parameters for the spending that make the most sense.

“Some states use the funds to support student scholarships, others provide money to attend leadership events at the state or national level, still others help to put on events or team competitions that help youth learn about the many facets of beef production,” he says. “The possibilities are endless, and we’ve found that cattle producers like to support their state programs in this way.”

The Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association sets aside funds from Cartridges for Cash to send a couple of winners to the annual NCBA conference and trade show or the NCBA Young Cattlemen’s Conference in Washington, DC. The goal is to get grassroots members to experience the industry on a national level and to bring back that knowledge to local members. It’s been a successful way to grow leaders within the organization.

Texas Cattle Raisers organization uses the funds to support their young rancher program. The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association holds a rigorous youth scholarship event involving a day of team activities and knowledge competitions and interviews with winners receiving educational scholarships. The opportunities in each state are constantly evolving. To learn more about the program in your state, contact your Merck Animal Health representative or state cattlemen’s association.

Merck Animal Health continues to be a leader in bringing a full line of implants to cattle producers and in researching implant technology to move the industry forward. The Cartridges for Cash program is just one example of how the company is able to give back to the industry and support the next generation of cattle producers.

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-200: 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 fed in confinement for slaughter. Safety and effectiveness following reimplantation 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..

REVALOR-H: 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 heifers fed in confinement for slaughter. Safety and effectiveness following reimplantation 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.

REVALOR-IH: 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 heifers fed in confinement for slaughter. Safety and effectiveness following reimplantation 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.

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.

REVALOR-S: 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 fed in confinement for slaughter. Safety and effectiveness following reimplantation 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.

REVALOR-IS: 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 fed in confinement for slaughter. Safety and effectiveness following reimplantation 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.

REVALOR-XH: Not approved for repeated implantation (re-implantation) with this or any other cattle ear implant in growing beef heifers fed in confinement for slaughter. Safety and effectiveness following re-implantation have not been evaluated. 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 dairy cows or in animals intended for subsequent breeding. Use in these cattle may cause drug residues in milk and/or in 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 for use in humans. Keep out of reach of children. For complete safety information, refer to the product label.

REVALOR-XS: Not approved for repeated implantation (re-implantation) with this or any other cattle ear implant in growing beef steers fed in confinement for slaughter. Safety and effectiveness following re-implantation have not been evaluated. 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 dairy cows or in animals intended for subsequent breeding. Use in these cattle may cause drug residues in milk and/or in 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 for use in humans. Keep out of reach of children. For complete safety information, refer to the product label.