Company News

When it comes to calving do you play the "will she, won't she" game, with your cows keeping you guessing as to when they'll actually deliver? Wouldn't it be far better, instead, if you knew for certain which cows were going to calve, and when?   Well now you can - thanks to the introduction of new calving detection technology from Semex.   Called Calving24, and part of the company's ai24 range of products and services, the system monitors the temperature of the mothers-to-be, and uses the changes to predict the approach of calving. As calving becomes imminent the device sends an immediate alert - all this is done via text messages relayed to the farmer via a radio base unit.   The device consists of a temperature sensor, which is placed in the vagina of the cow about a week before the expected date of calving. This communicates the cow's temperature to the radio base unit which can be up to 200 metres away. From here on it will send temperature reports twice a day to three different mobile phone numbers. Some 48 hours before calving the animal's temperature will peak and then start to fall again and this change is relayed to those same numbers. At the start of calving, when the water bag expels the sensor, the temperature drops suddenly and the farmer is alerted immediately.   "The device is, like the heat detection technology ai24 Heatime, another innovative genetic management tool to help busy farmers take the uncertainty out of a key event in their animals' life says Willie Tait, Semex UK genetics manager.   "It has proven to be an extremely useful management tool by acting as an early warning system for imminent calvings and means there's less need to get up in the middle of the night to check cows that might be calving, which is a real bonus for the farmer or herdsmen. And, of course, the technology is also good for both mother and calf because it alerts the farmer to ... Read More...

First came Semexx sexed semen...then came Gemomax genomically-selected young sires...and now, in a first for the UK market, Semex UK has introduced the first sexed Genomax sire - the Goldwyn son R-E-W Seaver. He comes at the same time as four other new Genomax sires have been introduced, including sons of world-class proven bulls Goldwyn, Shottle, Baxter and Bolton.

R-E-W SEAVER is a Goldwyn son, out of VG-88-2yr-USA Durham who makes up five generations of VG and Excellents. Priced at £25/straw.

The other Genomax bulls introduced include:
HENDEL BIGSTONE - a Bolton son from an O Man. He currently ranks highly in the top genomically-tested LPI sires in Canada and is already being used as a sire of sons there. His genomic numbers indicate he breeds easily-managed cows with high milk and protein, and well-balanced type.

GEN-I-BEQ BRAWLER - a Baxter son out of the Shottle daughter Gen-I-Beq Shottle Barbi, whose granddam is Braedale Baler Twine, the dam of Goldwyn, Bolivia and host of other proven sires. He is also a sire of sons and high fertility Repromax sire.

DESLACS SHAQUILLE RC - a red carrier Shottle son out of Gen-I-Beq Durham Sherry, who is from the great Glen Drummond Splendour, currently one of the highest brood cows in Canada with 31 stars. Due to his attractive pedigree, Shaquille has already had extensive use in the UK as a young sire.

ALLYNDALE-I ATTIC - Goldwyn son out of the superb MD-Delight Durham Attlee EX-92-4yr-USA who was All-American Sr. 3-yr 2005 and 1st Sr. 3-yr at the World Dairy Expo 2005. His genomic figures show a tremendous combination of yields, fat and protein %, overall type and functional traits.

Bigstone, Brawler, Shaquille and Attic are all priced at £15/straw.

The new introductions mean that Semex now has 10 genomic bulls in its UK portfolio. Demand, says the ... Read More...

The 2010 Semex Conference - entitled 20/20 Vision - will be held from the 17th to 19th January 2010, at the usual Glasgow Hilton Grosvenor Hotel venue. The line-up of speakers includes Annie Graham, Sainbury's; Mark Taylor, Dairy Crest; John Allen and Edward Lott, Kite Consulting; Hayley Campbell-Gibbons, The NFU; Peter Darlington, The E-Co2 Project; Bryn Davies, Advanced Ruminant Nutrition; David Black, XL Vets; and dairy farmers James Tomlinson, Andrew Dennison, Rhys Lougher and Hywel Richards. Coming over from Canada is Paul Larmer, Semex Alliance and farmer Ken Proctor will chair the conference. The full 2-night conference package is priced at £295 plus vat and day delagate rates are also available. To reserve a conference place or request the full conference programme please call Helen Miller on 0800 86 88 90, or email her on helenm@semex.co.uk
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The winners of Semex UK's legendary annual 'Walk of Fame' competition are Rachel Richardson from Doncaster and Stuart Mycock from Buxton, Derbyshire. The pair will help look after some of the best of the best Holtsein cows at the renown Canadian Royal Winter Fair in November, and will take part in the famous Semex Walk of Fame progeny showcase. They will join other young winners from Germany, Japan and Australia in one of the most challenging, demanding but ultimately rewarding educational experiences for dairy motivated young people.

This unique 14-day experience, funded by Semex Alliance and Semex UK will take place between 5 and 15 November.

Stuart Mycock, 21, is currently at Harper Adams University College studying Agriculture and Animal Science, and in his spare time works for W J Nadin and Y Bradbury of the Sterndale and Peak herds, where he has helped prepare their cattle for shows like The National Holstein Show, The All Britain Calf Show and other local shows. "I'm delighted to be chosen to take part in this fantastic event, and to be given this opportunity," he said. "For anyone interested in showing cattle it has to be the ultimate competition to win."

Rachel Richardson, 22, has been involved in showing cattle for 14 years at all major UK shows, handling competitions and stock judging events and at some European venues through her membership of Holstein Young Breeders. This makes Rachel ideal to represent the UK. "I'm looking forward to this exciting opportunity and experiencing working with the top quality cattle at this massive event," she said. "My passion for cows makes me ideal for this role," she added - describing winning the competition as 'a dream'.

Peter Arthur, Semex Marketing Manager, said "Semex is keen to do all it can to encourage young people into the dairy industry, and The Walk of Fame competition is part of our commitment. It can be a life ... Read More...

Semex is introducing four new exciting genomically selected young bulls to be sold under the 'Genomax' banner. Semex has been at the forefront of genomic research to develop the very best options for dairymen. The main goal in using genomic tested young sires has been to increase both the number and diversity of elite bulls available in the Semex product line-up. The current four bulls includes two sires of sons.

Shottle son WABASH-WAY ARBOUR, a sire of sons, is out of Wabash-Way Mar Annileigh-ET EX-90-5YR-USA by BW Marshall and is currently one of the highest ranked Semex Genomic bulls for Lifetime Profitablity Index (LPI) with a score of 2937, and a Canadian Conformation score of +17. Arbor is predicted to breed daughters with extremely good type, high milk potential, easily managed cows with good temperament and milking speed.

The second Shottle son is REGANCREST BALTIMOR, out of the highly regarded Regancrest-PR Barbie EX-92-7YR-USA by Durham. He is also a sire of sons with an LPI of 2434, +18 Conformation and +16 Dairy Strength. Udders promise to be exceptional and very strongly attached. He also scores highly for all the functional traits.

Goldwyn has been the star of Canadian breeding in recent years, and Semex has high hopes for his son COMESTAR LAUTHORITY. Lauthority was orginally sold in the UK two years ago as a young bull due to his illustrious pedigree. Lauthority has been reintroduced as his pedigree is now enhanced by his high genomic figures. He is out of Comestar Lautelma Igniter VG-89-4YR-CAN, who is an Emerson, and has an LPI of 2428, and a Conformation score of +18.

Baxter son, RALMA-RH TRUMPET, out of the Durham-sired Ralma Goldwyn Clarinet VG-86-2-YR-USA makes up the quartet. He has an LPI of 2511, and a Conformation score of +16. His figures predict the daughters to have tremendous strength with great dairy quality and udders that are strongly attached ... Read More...

Semex has already stimulated the dairy genetics market into introducing better quality sexed bulls at lower prices...and now the firm's aggressive marketing stance is turning its attention to some of its top conventional bulls too, with a special promotion price on the globally renowned LADINO PARK TALENT RC.

Normally priced at £30/straw the "Talent+" package lowers the price of the bull to £25/straw, with another 20% straws free if at least two other sires are purchased in equal quantities. And the additional bulls are also priced at the same £25 offer price. Bulls available in the package offer include MAGOR BOLIVIA ALLEN, R-E-W BUCKEYE, GILLETTE FINAL CUT and KERNDTWAY HOWIE. Between them they have a UK type score averaging 2.70. A minimum of 10 straws per bull must be purchased to qualify for the deal, however.

Talent, Buckeye and Final Cut all have second crop proofs, with the daughters being widely acclaimed throughout the UK and across the world. Talent has nearly 10,000 daughters on the ground now in Canada in over 3700 herds, giving him a reliability of 99%. His daughters are renowned for excellent overall type, particularly their udders and rumps. Talent is also an exceptionally high fertility sire, resulting in him being classed as an elite Repromax (high fertility) sire.

The other bulls in the package are also designed to deliver profitable, easily managed and durable cows. All the bulls have great type, reliability and production potential and their daughters will truly stand the test of time.
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From the famous Gypsy Grand family RIETBEN TEE OFF makes his debut in the August proof run as Semmex's highest ranked type sire at 3.59 UKTM (+16 Conformation in Canada).

"Tee Off daughters are very consistent and uniform," according to Willie Tait, Semex Genetics Manager. This son of Titanic, out of a VG-88-4yr Gibson dam delivers big scores for Mammary (+16 CAN and +3.25UK), Feet & Legs (+13 CAN and +2.56UK). "With an extremely consistent breeding pattern, backed by one of the most prolific cow families Tee Off is a combination that will amke a big impact with UK dairymen," adds Mr Tait.

Tee Off specialises in both udders and feet and legs, siring shallow udders very similar of those from his maternal grandsire, Gibson. His daughters walk on exceptionally deep-heeled feet and have great mobility. Tee Off is priced at £24/straw.

Also making his debut proof is the latest true red son from the renowned Pursuit September Storm, LA PRESENTATION PICOLO RED.

Picolo Red enters the Semex line-up with an impressive +13 Conformation and +2.27 UKTM and double digit scores in his Canadian proof for Mammary, Feet & Legs and Dairy Strength.

"This is a sire that excels in dairy strength," says Willie Tait. "Picolo daughters track well on solid feet & legs. They are stylish with great balance siring tall, long-bodied cows with deep open ribs, strong toplines and udders that are silky and well-attached. Picolo Red is priced at £20/straw.

Continuing Semex's approach to introduce bulls that work across different systems, the Semex line-up is further strenghtened with a new high ranking Oman son ideal for the commercial dairyman, MAINSTREAM MANIFOLD.

With multiple Oman sons in the top rankings, Manifold will offer Semex customers an extremely balanced proof, backed by a deep pedigree.

"Manifold ... Read More...

Semex has already stirred up the sexed semen market this year by introducing the highest type sexed bulls on the market at below £30, and now it has raised the benchmark again by introducing one of the world's leading bulls - R-E-W Buckeye - in sexed format at just £39/straw.

Buckeye has consistently been one of the world's top selling bulls because of the milking ability, type and ease of management displayed by his daughters, and also his high reliability based on thousands of progeny in many different countries. Semex has introduced him in sexed format to further consolidate its position in offering sexed bulls that have the same high quality as its non-sexed range.

"Over the last year or so Semex has invested heavily in sexed semen technology, and we are using it on top quality bulls," says Willie Tait, Semex Genetics Manager. "Making Buckeye available in sexed form is proof of that, and comes almost immediately after we have brought other top bulls like Magor Baroque Allen, Magor Bonus Allen, Domicole Simms and Silky Powerplay into this market."

Launched into the UK market nearly 4 years ago, Buckeye is still one of Semex UK's most popular bulls and also one of the UK's most popular, with 92 out of 109 classified UK daughters scoring GP or VG to date.

"Buckeye daughters are ideally suited for a lot of of the UK's herds," says Michael Dennison, Semex UK Product Support Manager. "They are medium sized, practical heifers that are milking well. Their legs are mobile, with a steep foot angle, and udders are generally shallow and attached high and wide. Farmers are commenting positively on their exceptional production in differing environments, along with their ease of management."

In addition to dairy farmers showing an interest in Buckeye, bull studs around the world have sampled many Buckeye sons, with Semex alone assessing 70 or more for the next ... Read More...

Semex regrets to announce that the popular Red & White sire, Pursuit September Storm recently passed away.

As one of several Maughlin Storm sons proven at Semex, September Storm was unique not only in his RC status, but also because he was a son of the popular Shower family. His dam was a VG-85-2YR-CAN 4* Astre from the EX-CAN 13* Glen Drummond Shower herself. This pedigree made him the outcross sire of choice that many Red & White breeders had been looking for worldwide, making him popular before he even received an offical proof in 2002.

September Storm quickly gained recognition in the Red & White show circuit and sale ring. His daughters dominated heifer and milking classes, earning several Premier Sire banners including success in UK shows.

A bull with an unrivalled reputation, September Storm quickly became a top-seller in the UK and also in Canada, USA, Japan, Germany and Spain.

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Semex UK has once again teamed up with its parent company The Semex Alliance to offer two young dairy cow fanatics the opportunity of a lifetime via its annual "Walk of Fame" competition. The winners will help look after some of the best of the best Holstein cows at the Royal Agriculture Winter Fair in Toronto this November, and will take part in the famous Semex Walk of Fame progeny showcase. They will join other winners from Germany, Japan and Australia in one of the most challenging, demanding but ultimately rewarding and educational experience for dairy motivated young people.

"They will look after some of the world's best and most valuable dairy cows, worth many £thousands," says Peter Arthur, Semex Marketing Manager. "And the they will be sharing their experiences and knowledge with like-minded dairy people, and learning from some of the best breeders in the dairy industry. It is a fantastic opportunity, and a great experience to be able to put on a CV," he adds.

This unique 12-day experience will take place between 5 and 16 November. The competition is open to Holstein UK HYB members aged 18 and over and knowledgeable on how to handle and look after show cows.

"Semex is keen to encourage young people into the dairy industry, which is why we continue to offer this opportunity to Holstein Young Breeders," adds Mr Arthur. "Competition for the two places will be immense. It is a fantastic opportunity, and I urge all young people who love dairy cows, and know how to handle them, to enter."

Applicants can download entry forms and apply online at www.thehyb.co.uk or are available from their local club. The closing date is 21 August 2009.
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