Company News

Launched in January 2014 in the US, SemexWorks is proving to be one of the most innovative, user-friendly technologies ever taken on to the dairy.

Utilizing a simple, touch, step-by-step process, dairymen work with their Semex Genetic Consultant to define their own breeding strategy based on individual goals and economics. Offering instant results and return on investment, Semex clients from coast to coast have been impressed with ease of use and the genetic selections that accurately meet their needs.    

“A client of mine from Iowa has a family run operation that he operates with his two sons. One of his boys just graduated from Iowa State and self-admittedly doesn’t know a lot about genetics but is eager to learn,” says Scott Hodgson, Semex Genetic Consultant. “We had shown the father a demo version of SemexWorks last fall and he wanted his sons to see it. When we went back and went through the program, his son commented that ‘SemexWorks is awesome and it sure beats fumbling through a book!’ And, I couldn’t say it any better.”

“We are extremely excited to be offering our clients SemexWorks,” says Paul Krueger, Semex Director, Sales and Business Development, USA. “We know dairymen are always looking for new ways to make their lives easier, while saving time and money. Now, they have access to another exclusive tool designed to do just that. SemexWorks makes defining your breeding strategies easy, and who wouldn’t appreciate customized economics! That’s Genetics for Life!”  

“Our year over year, double-digit growth is directly attributed to Semex being the industry’s only fully integrated AI company,” says Krueger. “We’re delivering solutions that have real meaning and value at the farm gate. This includes Immunity+™, Semex ai24™, a powerful genetic lineup and now SemexWorks. We’re looking forward to another ... Read More...

Five years ago, Semex launched Semex ai24™ in the United States, and it quickly became synonymous with leading reproductive and herd monitoring solutions.

Working closely with their clients, Semex was quickly realizing that as producers’ herds were growing, their need to have another set of eyes seeing on the farm was also growing. Looking for a solution, Semex chose to offer clients both reliability and peace of mind with the Semex ai24 system. As the first genetic supplier to fill this need, Semex initiated conversations with dairymen about saving both time and money. Five years later, the same profit-minded discussions are still happening coast to coast.

What has changed and evolved in five years, however, is the actual technology behind the Semex ai24 heat detection and herd monitoring program. Semex has been excited to be part of the many breakthroughs that made this product one of the industry’s most exciting technologies.

First, with their partner SCR, Semex offered an extremely accurate heat detection option that had already been proven worldwide, the SCR H-Tag™. Shortly thereafter in 2011, the system was awarded the Dairy Herd Management Top 10 Innovative Product Award for the next generation of the H-Tag that included rumination monitoring, with the SCR HR-Tag™. This tag was so popular it also received a Top 10 New Product of the Year Award at World Ag Expo in 2012. And, most recently customers saw the next generation of technology released with the SCR H-LD™ and HR-LD™ tags, offering long-range, wireless connectivity. Once again, this product was recognized as a leader in its field, being named a 2013 Dairy Herd Management Top 10 Innovative Product.

“Our clients have been pleased with sooner than expected return on investment while enjoying Semex’s excellent customer service and knowledge,” says Chris Sheahan Semex ai24 Program Manager. “By working with Semex, our clients are ... Read More...

Semex is pleased to release top PTAT sire, 0200HO10036 OH-River-SYC Byway, a Meridian from a VG-87 Atwood from the Barbies to its Genomax™ lineup! Available May 15, Byway posts an amazing +4.45 PTAT with +4.15 UDC and +1.9 PL, giving him the title of #1 PTAT sire at Semex and the #4 PTAT active young genomic sire of the breed!

Sired by the popular Semex Genomax Plus™ sire, 0200HO02770 Sully Hart Meridian (Domain x Planet), Byway’s maternal line is one of the most popular anywhere. His dam is a VG-87 Atwood full sister to the EX-92, show-winning Sandy-Valley Atwood Blacky. Their dam is an EX-91 GMD 2* Shottle from the EX-92 GMD Dom 6* Regancrest-PR Barbie herself, followed by five more VG or EX dams.

“Byway is the product of generations of thoughtful breeding decisions,” says Semex Sire Analyst Brian Carscadden. “His VG Atwood dam is one of five high-scoring full sisters out of a 92 point Shottle daughter from Barbie herself. One of these full sisters was recently named 1st 4 Year Old at the Midwest Spring Show. Byway is sired by Meridian and is a tremendous individual that should transmit fancy, correct offspring. He will work well on many different bloodlines including Goldwyn daughters.”

Ask your Semex representative today about Byway or any of Semex’s leading genomic young sires in the Genomax lineup today! For additional information on Semex, Genetics for Life, Genomax or any of Semex’s products or services visit www.semex.com
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Paul Larmer, CEO of Semex, has been elected to a two-year term as President and Chair of the Board of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. Larmer succeeds outgoing president John M. Dunlap, Jr. Since 1922, The Royal has been Canada’s leader in showcasing Canadian agriculture, food and equine excellence. 

Born and raised on an Ontario dairy farm, Paul Larmer has a lifetime of experience in the bovine genetics industry. He is a strong promoter of Canadian agriculture and youth in agriculture, having served as former chair of the OAC Alumni Association, the Ontario 4-H Foundation and as a past member of the Board of Trustees of the Ontario Dairy Youth Trust Fund. Paul is also an accomplished international dairy cattle judge who has adjudicated major competitions in Japan, Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada. More recently, Paul has been instrumental in leading Semex’s growth globally.

“I’m extremely proud to be stepping into this role as President and Chairman, especially given the stature and impact of those who have served before me in the promotion of Canadian agriculture and equine sport,” says Larmer. “I look forward to working with other Directors and Royal volunteers, as together we build on the strong momentum generated in 2013.”

“The Royal is in the midst of a three-year strategic initiative and we look forward to the leadership and energy Paul will bring to our plans to make The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair an even bigger success,” says Sandra Banks, Chief Executive Officer of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.

The Royal is coming off a banner year in 2013 with attendance rising to 312,000 and strong growth in livestock and equestrian competitions.   The 92nd edition of The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair runs November 7-16, 2014 at Exhibition Place in Toronto.

To learn more about The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair visit www.royalfair.org 
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Semex is pleased to announce Lindsey Hellenbrand will join its genetics department as the 2014 Genetics Intern in the USA.  A sophomore at UW-Madison, Lindsey is working towards her bachelor’s degree in dairy science and life sciences communication. She is currently involved in Collegiate Farm Bureau and Badger Dairy Club and serves as the Service Coordinator for the Association of Women in Agriculture.  Her passion for genetics began at a young age through her participation in 4-H. Since then she has joined organizations that support her interests, and has participated in dairy cattle judging as part of the Dane County 4-H team. Now, she is a member of the UW-Madison Dairy Cattle Judging Team. In her role at Semex Lindsey will work with the Semex genetics team primarily in the Midwest, but also on the East and West coasts. Her responsibilities will include working to continue growing and expanding Premier™, the Semex young sire proving program. This work will include assisting the genetics and sales teams in those accounts, as well as aiding in the evaluation, selection, preparation and picturing of young sire daughters for promotional materials. “We truly believe people are our most important asset,” says Paul Krueger, Semex Director, Sales and Business Development, USA. “Providing practical work experience is key to helping young people prepare for careers in our industry. Offering this kind of internship is directly beneficial to us through their work, but more importantly it offers participants real-life experience in agriculture. And, in the end, that’s Genetics for Life.” For more information on Semex, Genetics for Life of any of Semex’s programs or services please visit www.semex.com
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Recently, Semex sire 0200HO00402 Mainstream Manifold reached the pivotal Millionaire Sire mark at Semex, joining 11 other elite Semex sires that have each produced over one million doses of semen. Semex is an industry leader in delivering the ‘best selling’ sires of their time, which is the truest testament to breeder satisfaction and approval. As Semex's twelfth Millionaire Sire, Manifold is joining an elite fraternity of Semex icons including: R-E-W Buckeye; Ladino Park Talent *RC; Hanoverhill Inspiration; Madawaska Aerostar; Startmore Rudolph; Comestar Lee, Leader, Outside and Lheros; Stouder Morty; and Oliveholme Aeroline. Debuting as the #20 TPI sire in August 2009 from the US Premier™ Young Sire Sampling Program, Manifold has only gained strength as time has passed and he’s added daughters. Following the April 2014 genetic evaluations he now ranks as the #12 TPI and #6 LPI sire, with over 12,400 daughters in his MACE TPI proof. “Manifold comes from a strong cow family that was well-known for their production potential and is backed by eight generations of VG or EX,” says Mike West, Semex Sire Analyst. “He combines his maternal line’s production and type strength with the desirable health and fertility attributes of his sire O Man. Today, Manifold is still one of the top ranked O Man sons, and it’s this combination of the best traits from his sire and maternal line that have gave us the breeding pattern so many dairymen worldwide appreciate and benefit from.” "Manifold is a great example of Semex’s commitment to our customers and their needs,” says Brad Sayles, Semex Vice President, Global Marketing. “He continues to deliver exactly what dairymen are looking for and we’re extremely proud of the success dairymen around the world are having with him. He’s a symbol of our successful proving programs, and our belief in Genetics for Life through healthy, long-lasting and profitable cows.”  
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Semex is excited to announce the release of the World’s #1 Immunity+™ sire, the international genomic superstar 0200HO10049 Rockymountain Lottomax. Semex’s rigorous genomic selection program has resulted in some of the most sought after young sires worldwide including Lottomax’s sire, the genomic giant himself, 0200HO07450 Amighetti Numero Uno.

Available worldwide May 1, Lottomax delivers on Semex’s promise of Genetics for Life to our partners, clients and genetic suppliers. Topping GTPI rankings at +2565, he is the World’s #1 Immunity+ sire and joins his own sire in this coveted lineup, siring daughters with less disease building more profitable, longer-lasting herds. All this, along with an impressive +926 NM$ and 0.13% F and breed-leading combined PL and PTAT of +7.8 and +3.52 respectively, make Lottomax one of the hottest young sires in the world.  

Having an exceptional maternal line is a common thread in each of thousands of young sires Semex genomic tests each year, and Lottomax’s maternal line is without question exceptional. His dam is a VG-85 Superstition x VG-88 1* Baxter x EX-91 11* Shottle x the famous EX-94 18* Lila Z herself.

“At the time of the mating, Super Leita (Lottomax’s dam), was a high-ranking heifer and already on an IVF program,” says Sire Analyst Mike West. “The granddam was a very impressive cow at 87 points in her first lactation, and she’s a descendant of the one and only Lila Z, making the pedigree attractive. When Numero Uno became available as a mating sire, the match up with Super Leita for genomics and phenotype was great!”

“Lottomax is a bull that fits well in the marketplace, offering health, fertility, production, type and the stability of a great cow family,” says West. “As an Immunity+ and HealthSmart™ sire, he offers dairymen a decided advantage, and not just on his genetic profile, but with his ability to sire healthy and profitable cows.”

As part of Lottomax’s release, a minimum purchase of five doses is ... Read More...

Semex is pleased to announce the opening of its newly expanded Semex-Génbank Hungary facilities in Mezőhegyes, Hungary, meeting Semex’s increased sire housing, semen collection, processing and distribution needs.

Semex’s belief that the best genetics are where you find them has netted impressive results, including the world’s genomic superstar and the Hungarian facility’s most famous resident, 0200HO07450 Amighetti Numero Uno. The new facility increases housing and collection capacity from 140 to 200 bulls, while also ensuring all European bulls are cared for in facilities that are governed by Semex’s stringent Gold Standard™ requirements for housing, collection, processing and distribution.

“The expanded Hungarian facility solidifies Semex’s position worldwide,” says Robert McRae, Semex Chief Operating Officer. “These bulls are all European Union eligible and offer us an enviable biosecurity advantage. And, as we’re genomic testing more and more European young sires and growing our Genomax™ lineup, this new, state-of-the-art facility is increasingly important.”

Held in conjunction with Génbank-Semex Hungary Ltd’s twenty-fifth anniversary, this grand opening was truly a remarkable celebration with over 400 people attending. In operation since December 1989, Génbank-Semex Hungary Ltd is the largest semen distributor in Hungary, and received the award as Hungary’s #1 Cattle Breeding Company on the 2014 Golden List.

“We’re extremely proud of our people in Hungary,” says Paul Larmer, Semex Chief Executive Officer. “They are committed and dedicated to growing Semex’s global footprint and are truly living our corporate vision to ‘Demand the best… Of ourselves, our company and what we do for our customers.’” 

For more information on Semex, Genetics for Life or any of Semex’s programs or services visit www.semex.com  
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Regardless of herd size or management style, dairymen want a healthy herd of profitable and efficient cows. The path to breeding and developing this kind of herd got easier when Semex launched its patented Immunity+™ sires. These sires have a naturally high immune response (HIR) and with a 25% heritability, they can help improve the overall herd health and longevity. Based on the HIR technology developed by Dr. Bonnie Mallard and her colleagues at the University of Guelph, the research surrounding this technology spans decades. The research also shows that HIR cows have 19-30% lower disease incidence compared to herd averages. Also, these cows respond better to commercial vaccines and produce higher quality colostrum. As a result, they are more profitable by bringing in more revenue, lowering costs and wasting less of the dairyman’s time. “The discovery of HIR was a game changer,” says Jay Shannon, Semex Global Dairy Solutions Manager. “It revealed that high immunity is passed on from parent to progeny at rates much like production and some conformation traits. Compared to most health traits with low heritabilities of Joining the proven Immunity+ lineup following the April 2014 genetic evaluation are: 0200HO03730            FLY-HIGHER MANCHILD  (JEEVES x BOLTON) 0200HO06198            GEN-I-BEQ HALAK  (PLANET x GOLDWYN) The following Genomax™ bulls are also designated Immunity+: 0200HO03931            HAMMER-CREEK KARTOON  (NUMERO UNO x GOLDWYN) 0200HO02961            MR CHACHING CENTRIC  (NUMERO UNO x PLANET) 0200HO10007            NO-FLA RAINBOW  (NUMERO UNO x RUSSELL) 0200HO10024            STE ODILE PURE  (MOGUL x MAN-O-MAN) 0200HO03944            VELTHUIS B ATHLETE  (SUPERSONIC x MAN-O-MAN)   0200JE01001              AHLEM BURGUNDY  (VALENTINO x LEGAL) For more information on Semex, Genetics for Life, Immunity+ sires or any of Semex’s brands visit: www.semex.com
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With the April genetic evaluation, Semex reaffirmed our commitment to our clients and their drive for profitable genetics. Working with our clients worldwide, we’re confident our lineup offers dairymen what they are looking for through newly released daughter proven sires, high reliability sires and the youngest and brightest genomic superstars. Second to none, these genomic sires are known as Genomax™ sires at Semex. Once again in April, our Genomax lineup dominated the industry, having three of the top 10, six of the top 20 and nine of the top 30 from Holstein USA's Top 100 TPI Genomic Young Bull list. This is Genetics for Life!  Genomax™: Led by household names including 0200HO07450 Amighetti Numero Uno, our rigorous selection standards ensure that these bulls are the industry’s finest genomic stars. New to this line-up in April are:  are:   0200HO02980       BENNER BRIGHTLITE  (MOGUL x BAXTER) 0200HO02875       TEEMAR ALISTAIR  (FACEBOOK x JOSE) 0200HO03975       GREGORI ONE DIRECTION  (EPIC x GARRETT) 0200HO03931       HAMMER-CREEK KARTOON  (NUMERO UNO x GOLDWYN) 0200HO06420       HAMMER-CREEK K O  (IOTA x GOLDWYN) 0200HO03910       COMESTAR LAUTRUST  (SUDAN x MAN-O-MAN) 0200HO06576       LEOTHE DAUPHIN  (EPIC x MAN-O-MAN|) 0200HO02961       MR CHACHING CENTRIC  (NUMERO UNO x PLANET) 0200HO10007       NO-FLA RAINBOW  (NUMERO UNO x RUSSELL) 0200HO10024       STE ODILE PURE  (MOGUL x MAN-O-MAN) 0200HO03944       VELTHUIS B ATHLETE  (SUPERSONIC x ... Read More...