Semex Timeline
Frozen Semen Commercialized
Prior to frozen semen, fresh semen was delivered daily to technicians to use within a limited territory. The discovery of the freezing process opened many possibilities as frozen semen will last indefinitely with proper storage; therefore, it could be shipped around world.
1953
First Canadian semen export
The first Canadian frozen semen was exported to Germany.
1958
Semex Canada Formed
Records show that eight years after the first Canadian frozen semen export was made, 17,016 doses were shipped to nine countries under the guidance of Roy G. Snyder, Secretary-Manager of Ontario Association of Animal Breeders. Every year, sales doubled and due to the increasing international demand for Canadian genetics, Roy G. Snyder's vision was to create an export company. He convinced A.I. organizations across Canada to sign an agreement to form Semen Exports Canada in 1974. The name was later shortened to Semex Canada. Its first fiscal year reports sales totaling 209,354 doses to 31 countries.
1974
Boviteq Established Specializing in Embryo Transfer and R&D
Located in St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, Boviteq became world renowned for its embryology laboratory focusing on in vitro fertilization, embryo freezing and genomics and its research on semen quality, sperm fertility and cryopreservation. Boviteq is a division of Semex.
1986
Formation of Semex Alliance
Joining forces in leadership and partnership, four Canadian A.I. organizations formed one genetics and marketing organization, Semex Alliance.
1997
Sexed Semen Commercialized
Commercialization of sexed semen in the United States was initiated with a 2003 license granted to Sexing Technologies (ST). ST provides the technology to Semex.
2003
First Official Genomic Evaluations
The publication of the August 2009 dairy genetic evaluations marked a new era in Canada for bull "proofs," when the majority included genomic information. It has brought about revolutionary change in dairy cattle selection and breeding decisions with a rapid increase of genetic improvement.
2009
Immunity+® Launched
After 20 years of research Dr. Bonnie Mallard of the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph, devised a patented test system to identify cattle as a high, average or low immune responder. Semex partnered exclusively with Dr. Mallard and the U of G to introduce the High Immune Responder (HIR) technology to producers as Immunity+ sires.
2012
New Global Headquarters
Semex moved its administration staff to its new Global Headquarters at 5653 Hwy 6 North, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
2015
Discovering Tomorrow Together
What we hear, see and learn drives us. It's about our clients and we're discovering tomorrow together.
Today
