Company News

At Semex, we know you're facing surmounting pressure economically to reduce costs, and socially to reduce antibiotic use. And, we now are offering the best solution to help you 'Crush Disease' once and for all!
"Despite all of the improvements made with dairy animal husbandry there continues to be worse health performance. When all else is equal, the thing that's going to differ between two cows on your dairy is, 'How strong is their immune system? How able are they going to be to respond to that challenge?' Because no matter how well-managed a dairy is, every cow is going to encounter both bacterial and viral pathogens almost every day," says Dr. Steven Larmer, Semex Geneticist & Business Analyst.
In 2012 we launched Immunity+® bulls, an industry first, dramatically changing the way dairymen developed breeding strategies and managed herd health. Easy to use, Immunity is highly heritable, with Immune Response being 30%, well above other individual health traits. And the results confirmed this new breeding strategy, and a study of Semex sired animals from 35 commercial dairies in 2017 showed improvements in a number of areas on about 30,000 cows and 75,000 heifers tested. The reductions were seen in eight health incidences, with the most significant being a 20% reduction in mortality and 17% reduction in persistent mastitis. The improvements in immune response would have resulted in $72,330 savings for herds milking 1,000 cows during one lactation period. But, we didn't stop there!
We put genomics to work, fighting herd health, and with the advent of genomic evaluations for Immune Response, we are now able to identify cows in the herd that resist disease through our Elevate® female genomic testing platform. By looking at genomically tested cows, instead of simply using the sire status, we can see that those cows with a stronger immune system resist disease even better.
In fact, these ... Read More...

Semex is pleased to announce two key additions to its global team in March 2019. Charlie Perotti has accepted the role of Director, Corporate Account Programs effective Monday, March 18 and Mark Carson has accepted the position of Genetic Solutions Manager, effective Monday, March 25.
Reporting to Paul Krueger, Vice President, Global Key Account & Solutions Strategies, Charlie will play a key role in furthering Semex's global corporate account strategies and sales growth within key markets including: Mexico; Russia; China; and South East Asia.
Charlie has a lifetime of experience in the global dairy industry, focusing on progressive dairy herd genetic development and management. Most recently he was the Production Director at Fonterra in Beijing, China, managing their 32,000 milking cows. Charlie's vast experience touches all facets of the dairy industry including management, sales, sales management, employee sourcing, training and development. A third-generation dairy farmer, Charlie is also a general partner in his family's century farm.
Mark will lead the support and development of new and existing genetic solutions as part of the Semex Solutions Team, reporting to Jay Shannon, Director, Genetic Programs & Solutions.
Mark has been employed with EastGen over the past 10 years, most recently in the role of Solutions Manager, leading a team of field specialists supporting Semex ai24® and Semex Solutions on key dairies throughout Ontario and Atlantic Canada. Mark has a BSc in Animal Science and an MSc in Epidemiology from the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph.
Semex is pleased to have these two well-known dairy industry persons join our global team, delivering the best client services, support and product globally.

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Semex is excited to announce the launch of FastStart sires, genomic sires delivered at the fastest pace possible!   “Genomics and the new release high genomic young sires are driving the genetics business,” comments Brad Sayles, Semex Chief Operating Officer. “At Semex, we want clients to have access to our highest-ranking sires just as fast as possible. FastStart helps them do that. By signing up for this program, clients everywhere can have the hottest young sires available, and be the first to do it!”   FastStart represents the best, high-ranking Holstein and Jersey sires from diverse pedigrees. Released monthly, FastStart sires will be high ranking GTPI, PTAT, JPI, JUI and excel in health traits.   “Signing up for FastStart is easy,” says Sayles. “Clients will see that we’re offering the most elite genetics to them first at extremely competitive pricing, and with the option for Semex to have access to the resulting genetics there is no financial risk. Once you’re on board you will be the first to get the very best 200 code sires!”   For more information on Semex, FastStart sires or our solutions portfolio please visit www.semex.com      
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This week, the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Canada's Minister of Science and Sport, announced $56 million in funding to support 37 research projects. This includes Semex's new joint project with the University of Guelph's Dr. Bonnie Mallard, the Angus Genetics Inc and Canadian Angus Association dedicated to fighting Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) in Angus Beef cattle. This project received over $500,000 in funding from Genome Canada's Genomic Application Partnership Program. 



 

"We've already done this for dairy cattle with our partner Semex," says Dr. Mallard. "It will provide three major benefits. The first is to the animal, because healthier animals are better off all the way around. The second is to the producer. They save time and money because they don't have to spend time treating sick animals with antibiotics or other therapeutics as much as they would under normal circumstances. And the third benefit is to the consumer, of course, because you (the consumer) can sit with confidence when you eat that steak, knowing that it came from naturally healthy animals, that were produced in a healthy and sustained environment."

 

BRD is the most common and costly disease affecting feedlot cattle in North America, with estimates to be as high as $1 billion annually. Unfortunately, pharmaceuticals are temporary solutions, with antimicrobial resistance growing and antibiotics are becoming less effective over time. Additionally, the meat industry is facing mounting pressure to phase out antibiotic use, with supply chains responding to consumer demand.

 

"Semex is taking our Immunity+® technology to the beef industry," says Dr. Michael Lohuis, Semex Vice President Research & Innovation. "With Dr. Mallard, the Angus Genetics Inc and Canadian Angus Association, we're developing a High Immune Response test for Angus cattle. BRD is a costly disease, and we think we ... Read More...

Semex is saddened to announce that its 12th Millionaire Sire, 0200HO00402 Mainstream Manifold, has passed away.

Manifold was from a strong cow family known for production and was backed by eight generations of VG or EX dams. He combined this strong maternal line at Mainstream Holsteins in Washington, with type strength and desirable health and fertility traits to be one of the most predictable sires in Semex’s lineup for nearly a decade.

A truly unfaltering sire, Manifold debuted as the #20 TPI sire in August 2009. As time  passed, he only gained strength as he added daughters reaching the coveted Millionaire Status in April 2014 when he was also the breed’s #12 TPI and #6 LPI sire.

With over 73,000 daughters in his production proof in December 2018, Manifold continued to be one of the most popular O Man sons of our time, offering solid production, great components and a breed leading 3.9% Sire Calving Ease.

"Manifold was a truly exceptional bull and was a great example of our commitment to providing healthy, long-lasting cows to our clients,” says Brad Sayles, Chief Operating Officer. “And, he was a stand-out among O Man sons. He really did it all, being a Millionaire and selling to all corners of the world. We’re fortunate to have a limited quantity of Manifold semen still available, allowing dairymen to continue using this profitable and popular Millionaire Sire.”

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The Top-10 New Product Award Competition is conducted annually by the International Agri-Center®, in conjunction with World Ag Expo® (WAE). Nominations are submitted by WAE exhibitors and judged by farmers, ranchers and industry professionals. This year, Semex’s Elevate™ Female Immunity Test is one of the Top-10 winners and will be recognized at the show held February 12-14 in Tulare, California!

Launched on December 4, 2012, Immunity+ was billed as an industry first – an exclusive product that would dramatically change the way dairymen developed their own breeding strategies and managed herd health. With Elevate, its female genomic testing program, Semex offers a genomic test that ranks and selects cows for both their Immunity+ genomic results and their genetic merit!

With Elevate and the Immunity+ genomic test, there’s no more guess work as to which cows will better resist disease. Armed with both genomic information and Immunity+ results, producers are able to make faster genetic progress towards a stronger, more disease resistant herd, reducing losses and drug use. Immunity+ heritability is 30%, similar to that of milk production. Semex is excited to be the only AI company to deliver uncompromised herd health gains that can be made by identifying both female immune response and utilizing Immunity+ sires.

"With Elevate and its Immunity+ genomic test, producers no longer have to guess which cows are their healthiest," says Gordon Miller, Semex Sr. Vice President, Sales & Business Development. "Instead, they're able to tailor their breeding program with both genomic information as well as Immunity+ results categorized as high, average or low health. They make faster genetic progress towards a stronger, more disease resistant herd, reducing losses and drug use. Immunity+ heritability is 30%, similar to that of milk production. We're ... Read More...

Immunity+ disease-resistant genetics now represents 37% of Semex dairy sales. What started as a research project more than 20 years ago, before Semex was established, has indeed changed the game.
Semex Geneticist and Business Analyst Dr. Steven Larmer believes there are many reasons for the growth of Immunity+, but the ultimate measure of the genetic program's success is the confidence dairy producers have in its ability to improve the health of their herd.
Recently, research work with the University of Guelph has put a dollar value on the return producers can expect from their Immunity+ investment. These studies show Immunity+ sired daughters show less disease, saving dairymen $72 per cow, from birth to the end of first lactation.
BENEFITTING FROM HIGH IMMUNITY Larmer says measuring financial payback is important but when he talks to producers it's obvious that Immunity+ has an event greater impact. High immune response means cows get sick less often, they are more productive and more profitable. Ultimately, no farmer wants to deal with sick cows. You can spend your time on the farm doing other things that are much more productive and satisfying.
Many producers point to fewer cases of mastitis and less lameness when describing Immunity+ benefits, but Larmer believes it's the total package that gives this technology an edge. "Overall, we try to not focus too much on the individual health event. The big difference with Immunity+ is we're selecting cows that are going to be resistant to any disease that comes their way," explains Larmer. "We really focus on how the whole immune system works, and making sure an animal's entire immune system is robust, and effective."
When animals have strong immune systems, farmers will see a positive impact on every disease present on a dairy operation, not only the most common ones like mastitis and lameness, notes Larmer. It's also important to understand that health ... Read More...

In December, Semex is proud to announce it now has 264 reasons to use Immunity+! “We’re excited about our Immunity+ lineup,” says Semex’s Paul Krueger, VP, Global Key Account & Solutions Strategy. “We now have 264 sires that have been tested to be Immunity+. This is your fastest, best option to breed a healthier herd. And, with this many choices, we know Semex has the Holstein, Jersey or Ayrshire bull that will meet your genetic criteria.”   Dr. Steven Larmer, Semex Geneticist & Business Analyst concurs, “Despite all of the improvements made with dairy animal husbandry there continues to be worse health performance. When all else is equal, the thing that's going to differ between two cows on your dairy is, 'how strong is their immune system? How able are they going to be to respond to that challenge?' Because no matter how well-managed a dairy is, every cow is going to encounter both bacterial and viral pathogens almost every day," Larmer says. Launched on December 4, 2012, Immunity+ was billed as an industry first – an exclusive product that would dramatically change the way dairymen developed their own breeding strategies and managed herd health. Six years later, dairymen worldwide are seeing the results. A study of Semex sired animals from 35 commercial dairies in 2017 showed improvements in a number of areas on about 30,000 cows and 75,000 heifers tested. The reductions were seen in eight health incidences, with the most significant being a 20% reduction in mortality and 17% reduction in persistent mastitis. The improvements in immune response would have resulted in $72,330 savings for herds milking 1,000 cows during one lactation period. In December, Semex is proud to offer 264 Immunity+ sires including: 41 Holstein sires over +2600 GTPI 14 Holstein sires over +800 NM$ 46 Jersey Immunity+ sires 11 Ayrshire Immunity+ sires As Semex’s lineups grow, 200 code Genomax™ sires remain a global brand of choice. Highlights in December ... Read More...

BY: WYATT BECHTEL www.milkbusiness.com
Despite all of the improvements made with dairy animal husbandry there continues to be worse health performance, says Steven Larmer, geneticist and business analyst for Semex.
:Unfortunately, we do have a significant genetic and phenotypic negative correlation between milk production and health of animals. The more stress we continue to put on animals to produce more milk, the more disease we see," Larmer adds. Larmer discussed a genetic solution that Semex has been working on with Immunity+ during the MILK Business Conference in Las Vegas.
Semex made Immunity+ available to producers in 2012 after Bonnie Mallard from the University of Guelph in Canada researched and developed the technology.
Larmer says Mallard and other researchers at Guelph published more than 100 peer-reviewed research papers during that time, and research on the link between genetics and immunity is ongoing.
"When all else is equal, the thing that's going to differ between two cows on your dairy is, how strong is their immune system? How able are they going to be to respond to that challenge? Because no matter how well managed a dairy is, every cow is going to encounter both bacterial and viral pathogens almost every day on a dairy farm," Larmer says.
Having cows with naturally strong immune systems should increase longevity and reduce time that cows are out of the milking herd because of withdrawal times.
Genetics have helped push a large portion of milk production increases in the past few decades because it is 30% heritable. Immune response is similarly heritable at 30%, creating a massive potential to positively impact disease incidences simply through genetic selection.
High immune response cows account for the top 20% of cows with strong immunity through various research. Those cows have been shown to have more antibodies in their colostrum, respond better ... Read More...

Semex is now offering female genomic testing for all commercial traits. Along with every genomic test, clients will also receive Immune genomics estimates for every tested female. Tested females will be classified as having High, Average or Low Immune genomic status. Those animals classified as High will receive the official Semex Immunity Female designation. Female Immune Genomics have been validated in commercial herds in the United States.
How are genomic values calculated? Single-step methodology (Misztal et al., 2009) is used to combine genotypes and phenotypes of thousands of animals to estimate genomic values for Anti-Body Mediated and Cell-Mediated Immune Response. Applying all animals tested for Immune Response using the University of Guelph's patented High Immune Response test as a reference population, genomic values for any genotyped Holstein animal can be calculated. Immune Response is highly heritable, and so genomic selection with a moderate size reference population is highly accurate. Animals that exceed 1 standard deviation above population mean are classified as High. Animals less than 1 standard deviation beow the population mean are classified as Low.
What is the impact of Immunity Female on farm?  Fifteen large commercial herds in the United States were analyzed to assess the impact of Female Immune Genomics on disease incidence. Mastitis, lameness and total disease frequency in heifers and cows (any case of routinely recorded disease) were analyzed as the most prevalent and consistently well-recorded traits. Disease frequencies reflect the current population average, including some animals in early lactation. A model was fit to determine the effect of High Immune Genomic females compared to herdmates, after fixed effects for herd, age, and parity. All traits investigated were found to be significant (p

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