Company News

Semex regrets to announce the passing of former Semex Canada General Manager, Dr. Morris Freeman.

Dr. Morris ‘Moe’ Freeman passed away peacefully on July 15 in Guelph, Ontario with his beloved wife of 57 years, Ruth, and loving family at his side. Born 80 years ago in Markdale, Ontario he was the loving son of Thomas & Annie (Graham) Freeman, cherished brother of June Falls (Ormond), Keith (Joan) and Doug (Eleanor); proud father of David (Laura), Michael (Odette) and Paul (Karen); and joyful and doting Grampa to Erin, Monica, Thomas, Danielle and John.

Moe was one-of-a-kind: a talented athlete, dedicated scholar and professor, successful businessman but, above all, a caring, kind and wonderful gentleman, who never forgot the lessons of humility, hard work, and compassion learned in a happy boyhood on the family dairy farm.

He was the first of his family to attend university when he started first year at the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC), now the University of Guelph. He often joked that his parents, although supportive, were convinced homesickness would bring him home in a couple of weeks. Happily, they were wrong and Moe went on to distinguish himself athletically and academically as a proud graduate of OAC 1955, including an athletic letter and playing on the collegiate hockey team, the last two years as captain. Moe also met the love of his life, Ruth Cooke, on a blind date in first year. They married in 1956 and shared an incredible, loving relationship that stood the test of time.

Moe's undergraduate courses and early work experience convinced him that his future lay in the study of genetics. And so, in September 1966, Moe and Ruth and their family of three boys moved to Ithaca, New York so that he could earn his PhD at Cornell University. Moe returned to his alma mater in 1969 as an Assistant Professor in Animal Science. He continued to be a consummate advocate, fundraiser and benefactor of the University of Guelph for the ... Read More...

Semex and EastGen are extremely proud to announce that Lowell D. Lindsay will be inducted into the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame.

“It was with great and unreserved pleasure that Semex and EastGen, submitted the nomination of Lowell Lindsay for induction into the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame. Lowell achieved a great deal in his career, however, Canadian agriculture and specifically the dairy cattle industry has been the true benefactor,” says Paul Larmer, Semex Chief Executive Officer. “It is impossible to measure the economic impact that Lowell has had, however his career spanned 53 years, and when one looks at the genetic progress made in Canada over that time period it is immense. Working for a ‘Producer Owned’ company for his complete tenure, Lowell always knew who he worked for… The dairy producers of Canada.”

EastGen General Manager Brian O’Connor comments, “Lowell was influential in turning artificial insemination, sire selection and young sire testing programs into the most impactful breed improvement tools to date within the dairy industry. Furthermore he was a driving force in establishing Canada as the world leader in Holstein genetics, and became an international industry icon for sire selection, cattle evaluation, judging and exhibiting cattle while also inspiring young people to drive the industry further in these areas.”

This year four Canadians will be inducted into the prestigious Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame. Lowell, along with John Oliver, the late John Wise and Donald Ziraldo will be formally inducted on Sunday, November 3, 2013 at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Semex is pleased to announce its Annual Photo Contest. Semex is looking for new, exciting photos featuring Semex-sired progeny to use in Semex promotions such as calendars, posters, brochures, website and much more. Preference will be given to photographs that include Semex cows and attire and will be judged on composition, quality and character of image, suitability and/or creativity in relation to a category theme and overall impression of the photo. All competition finalists will be posted to Semex’s Facebook page to be voted on by our fans, making it a true ‘People’s Choice’ competition. Prizes will be credits to be used on www.semexshop.com and awarded as follows: 1st Prize: $150; 2nd Prize: $100; 3rd Prize: $75 (Canadian dollars). All entries must be received via the Semex website by September 1, 2013. Click here to enter and to access full contest rules, terms and conditions.
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Semex is pleased to announce Benjamin Versteeg will be joining Semex as a Sales & Product Specialist effective June 24, 2013.
In this role, Benjamin will report to Jay Shannon, Global Dairy Solutions Manager, and will be providing business design support for the Semex genetic herd management tools, as well as supplying valuable sales and product support for our global semen and embryo business.
“As Semex develops and delivers more innovative solutions to dairies worldwide, our team supporting those tools is also growing,” says Shannon. “We believe it is essential to have a client-focused team, developing custom-fit solutions that serve our customers’ vast needs. Ben brings youth, energy and creativity to this role, and his open-minded approach will be instrumental to ensure our tools are designed with the end user, the dairyman, in mind.”
Benjamin attends the University of Guelph and will graduate in December 2013 with a bachelor of arts (honours) in food, agriculture and resource economics. While at university Benjamin has been President of his OAC (Ontario Agricultural College) Class, was a member of the Canadian Agri-Marketing Association Student Team and has participated at an executive level with both the residence council and the OAC Leadership Conference.
Additionally, Benjamin has a lifetime of experience in the dairy industry, growing up on his family’s Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island freestall dairy under the Red Oak prefix. On the dairy, Benjamin is actively involved in genetic and livestock marketing, as well as farm financing and planning.
Benjamin is conversational in French, and has been actively involved in the Prince Edward Island 4-H program, serving as a summer assistant and camp counselor, as well as his local Rotary Youth Parliament and the National Student Commonwealth Forum.
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Recently the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair Association held its 91st Annual General Meeting in Toronto, Ontario. At this meeting, it was announced that the Board of Directors had elected Paul Larmer to the role of Vice President of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair for 2013.
Since 2009, Paul has been a valued member of the Fair’s Board of Directors, bringing decades of experience in the agriculture and food sector. Throughout his career, Paul has demonstrated strong leadership, management and strategic planning expertise. Paul has vast knowledge and expertise of the bovine genetics industry at a national and international level.
He has been an instrumental force in building the dairy industry in Canada. As a past General Manager of United Breeders, Paul worked closely with the Boards of Directors of United Breeders and Western Ontario Breeders to facilitate the merger and formation of Gencor in 1995 (known as EastGen today). Paul was also key in the formation of the Semex Alliance in 1997, where he currently holds the position of Chief Executive Officer, championing their growth as a global leader.
Paul is also a strong promoter of youth and has served on the Board of Trustees of the Ontario Youth Trust Fund, is a past chair of the Ontario 4-H Foundation and the OAC Alumni Association.
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair Association is honoured that Paul Larmer has accepted this role of Vice President.
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Semex congratulates its owner Centre d’insémination artificielle du Québec (CIAQ) as they celebrate their 65th anniversary of service to dairy and beef producers. 
After a modest start in 1948, CIAQ pursued its own path over the years to become the largest enterprise of its kind in Canada with 300 employees and approximately 700 sires. In 1998, CIAQ became the property of three Quebec producer groups: the Fédération des producteurs de lait du Quebec (FPLQ), the Conseil québécois des races laitières inc. (CQRL) and the Conseil provincial des cercles d'amélioration du bétail inc. (CP CAB). 
It is therefore appropriate to celebrate this anniversary by highlighting the cattle breeders of Quebec who have supported the enterprise in its growth, in the improvement of its products and in the innovative of its services to be able to continually go farther in the genetic development of cattle herds and ensuring the profitability and sustainability for all dairy and beef producers in Quebec. Promotions and prizes for cattle breeders and young farmers will take place throughout the year as a great way to underline the event. CIAQ publications will provide all the details in order that everybody can participate. 
Our know how, the commitment of our employees and the loyalty of our clients represent just one of the pillars of CIAQ’s success, a rendez-vous with success that has been 65 years in the making. 
The 2013 year promises to be an excellent one for CIAQ and its clients. Since our first day 65 years ago, we have been motivated by the passion to serve our clients and to play a leading role in all projects which we have taken on. This is the reason why we will celebrate this anniversary year with the theme “As Passionate As Ever!”, a fitting slogan to inspire us to continue to pursue benefits for our producer clientele in the same fashion as in the past.
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Semex and Holstein Canada are proud to once again sponsor a young adult exchange program along with their Australian counterparts, Semex Pty. Ltd and the Victorian Branch of the Holstein-Friesian Association of Australia. This program offers a young Canadian the opportunity to experience the Australian dairy industry first-hand, and an Australian or New Zealand youth to travel to Canada and gain insight into our Canadian dairy industry. 
The 2014 exchange program to Australia involves exciting travel and educational opportunities for a young Canadian dairy enthusiast between the ages of 18 and 25. The successful candidate will spend approximately three months working on leading Holstein farms and artificial breeding centers in Australia beginning in January 2014 at Australia's International Dairy Week, and continuing through March 2014. 
Applications are available at www.semex.com and www.holstein.ca or by clicking here for a Canadian youth with a firm application deadline of August 1, 2013. The successful candidate will be contacted in August and publicly announced at the 2013 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. 
For additional information please contact Brenda Lee-Turner at Semex or Janet Walker at Holstein Canada. 
Brenda Lee-Turner, Semex Marketing Communications Specialist 608-237-3883 • Fax: 608-223-9492 www.semex.com • bturner@semex.com 
-or- 
Janet Walker, Holstein Canada Market Development & Young Adult Coordinator 519-756-8300 ext 267 • Fax: 519-756-5878 www.holstein.ca • jwalker@holstein.ca 
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Semex regrets to announce that its popular sire 0200HO03501 Gillette Windbrook has passed away following an injury sustained in his pen.� Since his release in December 2010, this FBI son has been in high demand worldwide. Evidence of this popularity is the unprecedented demand for his sons that are already being used extensively worldwide.� "We're certainly saddened to lose Windbrook early in his career," comments Brad Sayles, Semex Vice President Global Marketing. "He is testament to the power and diversity of the Semex lineup, being a ShowTime� sire by FBI and from one of Canada's most popular and prolific cow families." "Semex is fortunate to have nearly a dozen Windbrook sons in our Genomax� lineup with additional young sires in proving programs and in waiting," says Sayles. "There is no doubt that the Windbrook story is just beginning."
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All dairy producers want more healthy cows. The challenge has been that until today, health traits have been very difficult to improve genetically. For over a decade, Semex has been supporting immune response research at the University of Guelph in Canada under the direction of Dr. Bonnie Mallard, BSc (Agr), MSc, PhD, Professor Immunogenetics, Department of Pathobiology. This research has resulted in a new product at Semex known as Immunity+™ sires. With heritability comparable to productivity traits, Semex’s Immunity+ sires will produce cattle with a broad based resistance to the bacterial and viral based pathogens that cattle are exposed to on a daily basis. Additionally, their daughters will produce colostrum that passes on more antibodies and they will respond better to vaccination protocols. “This is an industry first. And, Semex is proud to exclusively offer a product that will dramatically change the way our clients look at developing their own operation’s genetic strategies,” says Brad Sayles, Semex Vice President Global Marketing. “Producers know that some cows just go unnoticed…. They don’t get sick, they don’t cause problems and they don’t cost producers extra money. We’re excited to be the exclusive genetic company globally to offer this product, and to deliver a new solution for disease control to the marketplace.” For more information on Semex, Genetics for Life, Immunity+ sires or any of Semex’s brands visit: www.semex.com
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All dairy producers want more healthy cows. The challenge has been that until today, health traits have been very difficult to improve genetically. For over a decade, Semex has been supporting immune response research at the University of Guelph in Canada under the direction of Dr. Bonnie Mallard, BSc (Agr), MSc, PhD, Professor Immunogenetics, Department of Pathobiology. This research has resulted in a new product at Semex known as Immunity+™ sires. With heritability comparable to productivity traits, Semex’s Immunity+ sires will produce cattle with a broad based resistance to the bacterial and viral based pathogens that cattle are exposed to on a daily basis. Additionally, their daughters will produce colostrum that passes on more antibodies and they will respond better to vaccination protocols. “This is an industry first. And, Semex is proud to exclusively offer a product that will dramatically change the way our clients look at developing their own operation’s genetic strategies,” says Brad Sayles, Semex Vice President Global Marketing. “Producers know that some cows just go unnoticed…. They don’t get sick, they don’t cause problems and they don’t cost producers extra money. We’re excited to be the exclusive genetic company globally to offer this product, and to deliver a new solution for disease control to the marketplace.” For more information on Semex, Genetics for Life, Immunity+ sires or any of Semex’s brands visit: www.semex.com
... Read More...