Company News

Semex along with its owners, EastGen and CIAQ, are pleased to announce the donation of a combined $100,000 to the British Columbia Dairy Association adding to the $100,000 donation previously made by WestGen. Last month the BC Dairy Association worked quickly to set up an emergency recovery fund with all monies raised directed towards providing urgently needed services and supplies to dairy farms and their families.

"The entire country has been moved by the devastation seen by our clients, friends and partners in British Columbia following these catastrophic floods," says Paul Larmer, Semex CEO. "Our deepest concern has been and continues to be the health and safety of farmers, farm workers and livestock in these affected areas. With our partners at WestGen, we collectively worked immediately to protect supply chains and deliverables, and now together we're working to support the work needed to rebuild in these critical farming areas in what has already been a challenging year."

"British Columbia's farmers were there for us during the Great Ice Storm of 1998," says CIAQ President, Jean-François Morin. "Now it is our turn to be there for them. On behalf of our Board of Directors, employees and client-owners, we are making this gesture of solidarity to help them get through this terrible ordeal."

"As partners in Semex, we work together for producers across Canada," says EastGen President Gerrit Wensink. "Now, as the individuals and families in British Columbia deal with the devastation brought by the floods, producers in Eastern Canada are united in support of their colleagues and partners in BC."

"We're proud to be partners in a key part of Western Canada's dairy community and will continue to support and evaluate needs in this recovery effort," says Larmer. "Today we're proud to announce this collective commitment and we look forward to helping rebuild this critical part of the ... Read More...

Semex is pleased to announce that Dr Bonnie Mallard, University of Guelph Professor Ontario Veterinary College, has received the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Synergy Award and its highest prize of $200,000 towards continuing research. 

Launched in 1995 by NSERC the Synergy Award recognizes partnerships in natural sciences and engineering research and development between universities and Canadian industry. Since their inception, the Awards have honoured the most outstanding achievements of these collaborations in the natural sciences and engineering. 

“When I learned of this win, I was over the moon about this tremendous recognition of my lifetime work as a scientist and professor of immunogenetics,” said Dr. Mallard, adding that the award recognizes women scientists’ ability to translate science into innovation.

“The NSERC Synergy Award for Innovation is one of the highest awards this country offers for innovation, and I plan to use this platform to bring further expansion to the HIR/Immunity+® technology,” she said. “There is still much exciting work left to do.”

Licensed to Semex, the HIR technology has been available to clients worldwide under the Immunity+ lineup since 2012.

“The HIR technology and Immunity+ is a good example of the importance of long-term research collaborations,” says Paul Larmer, Semex CEO. “Nominations are judged on partnership, effective use of resources and tangible benefits, all of which are evident with Immunity+ and HIR testing. We congratulate Dr. Mallard and we’re excited to continue our work together to reduce cattle disease and its related costs through preventative genetic methods worldwide.” 
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We are pleased to announce that Jonathan Merriam will be joining Semex August 16, 2021, as Jersey Program Manager, reporting to Jay Shannon, Director, Genetic Programs & Solutions.  

“Jonathan is renowned in the Jersey breed for his extensive knowledge, experience and proven leadership in genetics,” says Jay Shannon. “He will utilize all of his acquired skills and extensive knowledge to lead Semex’s genetic programs, working with our elite genetic partner herds to keep raising the bar of our industry-leading Jersey program.” 

Jonathan most recently was the Genetics Manager at the 7000-cow Ahlem Farms in Hilmar, California. In this role he led the sire selection, mating and the marketing program for this globally famous Jersey farm and genetic resource. Under Jonathan’s management, Ahlem Farms put over 150 bulls into stud and sold high-value heifers annually in national sales. Previously Jonathan was an agricultural instructor at Utah State University, managing their dairy herd management vocational training program, and was the Dairy Extension Specialist for the University of California Cooperative Extension, advising producers regarding dairy nutrition, reproduction, management, employee relations and environmental regulations. 

Jonathan is the current President of the American Jersey Cattle Association, a position he has held for the last three years. He has a rich history of involvement in the dairy industry at local, state and national levels, working on national show and sale committees as well as providing tremendous leadership to youth programs.

Jonathan earned his master’s degree in Dairy Science, Dairy Genetics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his bachelor’s degree in Dairy Science from California Polytechnic State University.

Jonathan resides in Hickman, ... Read More...

Boviteq is extremely excited to announce the opening of Boviteq California in Hilmar, California. Open now, Boviteq California is a fully-operational, accredited Boviteq satellite center offering elite donor housing with OPU and ET services. This location is uniquely equipped to handle young genomic donors, lactating dairy show cows and has robust handling facilities for beef donors.  

“With the growth we’ve seen nationwide for our IVF services and the extreme service demand on the West Coast, California was a logical choice for expansion,” says Dr. Shantille Kruse, Boviteq Director Embryo Business, North America. “Boviteq, and our parent company Semex, have a long-standing relationship with the folks at Vierra Dairy, making them a natural partner for Boviteq California.”

“Our world-class, state-of-the-art IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) facility in Madison, Wisconsin, is ready to accept oocytes from California and for the first time, offer the industry’s best IVF service and results to the West Coast,” says Kruse. “We have seen first-hand the care and quality that Vierra puts into their dairy, and we’ve worked together every step of the way to ensure that this facility, its people and its services meet and exceed industry standards.”

“We’ve been hearing from dairymen for months, asking when we will be ready for them and we’re so excited to let them know that we’re open and ready for business!” says Peter Cipponeri, Vierra Dairy Manager & Boviteq California General Manager. “We really feel that we are offering the very best in donor housing, and coupled with the next level results from Boviteq, Boviteq California will be the most in-demand OPU service provider on the West Coast.”

For additional information on Boviteq please visit ... Read More...

Semex is pleased to announce its 2021-2022 Board of Directors with one new member, Normand Barriault, joining the Board, replacing outgoing director Jean Bissonnette, representing Centre d'insémination artificielle du Québec (CIAQ).   Phil MacLean will continue to serve as President of the Board (EastGen), assisted by Vice President Jean-François Morin (CIAQ) and Executive Member Curtis McNeil (EastGen). Other members of the Board of Directors include: Mariette Gagnon (CIAQ); Eric Iversen (WestGen); Richard Lagacé (CIAQ); Gerrit Wensink (EastGen); Tom Pasco (EastGen); and James Ross (WestGen).   Photo Caption: Top from L to R: Phil MacLean, Jean-François Morin, Curtis McNeil; Middle from L to R: Normand Barriault, Mariette Gagnon, Eric Iversen; Bottom from L to R: Richard Lagacé, Gerrit Wensink, Tom Pasco, James Ross                                                                          
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Semex is pleased to announce that Phil MacLean (EastGen) has been appointed as President & Chairman of the Board for 2020-2021, succeeding Gary Bowers (CIAQ). Assisting Semex’s new President is Jean-François Morin (CIAQ) as Vice President and Gerrit Wensink (EastGen) as Executive Member of the Board.

 

 

Semex President Phil MacLean first joined the Semex Board in 2017, serving on the Audit & Risk Committee from 2017-2020. Representing Semex Partner Owner EastGen, he joined their board in 2016, and was elected Vice President in 2019 and 2020. A native of Nova Scotia, Phil’s farm spans 1300 acres and is a robot operation, now focused on developing an A2A2 herd following the dispersal of his 300-head registered herd, Headline Holsteins. Active in the dairy industry, Phil has served on the boards of the Dairy Farmers of Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as Dairy Farmers of Canada. Phil and his wife Pauline Duivenvoorden also operate Barn Fine Eggs, a 7800-laying hen operation as well as Farm Fine Brood, a 25,000-bird broiler operation. Extremely successful, they were awarded the Outstanding Young Farmers Atlantic Canada Award in 1999.    

 

 

 

 

Also serving on the Semex Board of Directors are:

 

 

 

 

Jean Bissonnette (CIAQ)

Mariette Gagnon (CIAQ)

Eric Iversen (WestGen)

Richard Lagacé (CIAQ)

Curtis McNeil (EastGen)

Tom Pasco (EastGen)

James Ross ... Read More...

The Semex Board of Directors and Executive Management Team is excited to announce the creation of a new wholly-owned subsidiary, Semex Mexico, effective October 1, 2020.

“The Mexican dairy industry has seen consistent, steady growth. This is driven by their consumers turning to new healthier dairy products and a growing cheese market, the formation of the Semex Mexico subsidiary is a natural progression of our business,” says Horacio Larrea, Semex Director International Sales & Business Development, Latin America. “Mexico has always been a key market for Semex, with the Mexican dairyman demanding the product, solutions and services Semex is known for worldwide.”

Leading Semex Mexico is Ing Ernesto Padilla de Anda, with seven years of experience working shoulder-to-shoulder with dairymen across Mexico. Ernesto will work with our distribution network around the country, ensuring that Semex’s very best products and programs will be available to Mexican farmers.  

Semex Mexico joins Semex USA, Semex UK, Semex Australia, Semex Argentina, Semex Uruguay, Genbank (Hungary), Semex Deutschland, Semex N.Z. Ltd and Semex China within the Semex-owned subsidiary companies. Along with Ernesto and his distributor network, Semex is committed to Semex Mexico’s future growth and success.

Semex is a leading global genetic company focused on providing our clients with the solutions, innovations and technologies that positively impact their lives, as well as the lives of the animals on their operations and within our global community. This is Genetics for Life, our guiding compass. For more information please visit www.semex.com. For more information on Semex Mexico please visit www.semex.com/mexico
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Semex is saddened to announce the passing of one of the most globally popular sires of our time, Val-Bisson Doorman.
A one-of-a-kind bull, Doorman was one of the first bulls to greatly benefit from the advent of genomics. His non-genomic parent average gave him modest PTAT and GTPI figures, at breed average. But, with his genomic information, he was released as a proven sire in December 2015 at +4.59 PTAT with a +2439 GTPI, +4.2 PL and a low 2.51 SCS. This, with a pedigree virtually laced with Holstein royalty including Goldwyn, Prelude, Blackstar, Chief Mark, Shottle, Rudolph and Starbuck, it seemed Doorman was born to be the modern transmitter of elite type and show style.
"From the moment we introduced him as a Genomax® and Immunity+® sire, he was extremely popular - to the point that even though he was a good producer, he simply could not meet the extreme demand," says Brad Sayles, Semex Chief Operating Officer.
What truly lit the fire in Doorman sales, however, were his daughters. Initially breeders loved their calves and then came back wanting to use him again and again as his milking daughters arrived. With too many Grand Champions and Premier Sire awards to list, breeders everywhere appreciated his dominance regardless of venue or nation - Doorman was the modern Sire of Champions, a legacy to be felt for years upon years to come.
For more information on Semex please visit www.semex.com
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The world is grappling with an issue of enormous scale and human impact, and our hearts go out to all who have been affected by the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19).   At Semex, we believe it is our role and responsibility during this time to prioritize the health and well-being of our global staff and clients. We have advised all of our locations and the entire Semex Family to follow the recommendations provided by their local health officials and government leaders working to contain this virus.   Right now, we’re working as normally as possible to ensure there is little to no disruption of services to our clients and partners worldwide. We are closely monitoring any changes and will continue to make decisions with vigilance and courage, informed by the latest science-based information and guided by Our Mission and Values.   For more information about COVID19 visit World Health Organization.
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Gordon Miller, Sr. Vice President, Sales & Business Development, will retire after a storied career with Semex on April 2, 2020.

Gordon says, "Thirty years ago a very green city boy joined Semex UK as company accountant from the accountancy firm EY. I was this young man and I knew a bit about Semex as I had been involved in their audit for three years. It was the charismatic leadership of the Semex UK's owner Drew Sloan that attracted me to the company."

"When I joined I was not disappointed. Semex UK was a vibrant, forward-thinking company that was punching way above their weight with marketing ideas well ahead of their time. It was not a genetics company but a marketing company that just happened to sell genetics. The dairy industry was on a high, milk prices were strong and there was lots of margin in the semen business, not just in the UK but around the world."

"In September 2000 I left Semex for a good job in banking with RBS (Royal Bank of Scotland) and went on to manage the high-risk team for RBS dealing with distressed companies. It was a great experience and really taught me about what it took to run a successful business. Seven years later Paul Larmer asked me to rejoin Semex as Managing Director of Semex UK. It was a big decision to leave the bank, but I had unfinished business at Semex. I knew there were still great people at Semex UK and that Semex still had a great product. And, so it has proved! Under the leadership of Paul Larmer, Semex has changed dramatically."

"Six years ago I was asked by Paul to take on the leadership of our Global Sales Team first as VP, and then as Sr VP of Sales and Business Development. It has been an honour and a privilege to lead the Global Sales Team, seeing growth in each of these years. We have a great team of people who have responded to the changing market conditions we face and the ... Read More...