Company News

At Semex we know Beef production must increase from 60 million to 130 million tons by 2050 to feed our growing world, and it’s estimated 70% of this production will come from subtropical and tropical regions of the world. Therefore, Semex is excited to announce the expansion of its Progenesis Product Development Program to include the valuable tropical breed Nelore.  

 

The Nelore breed is uniquely suited to tropical climates. It is extremely hardy, having both physical strength and an ability to thrive under harsher climates, it is heat and insect-resistant, easily converts poorer forages to beef, and has meat that is highly palatable being low calorie and lean with no compromise for taste. 

 

Brazil leads the world with its Nelore breeding program, having the highest quality and largest populations, making it a natural home for the Progenesis Tropical Breed Program.  

 

“Over 12 million doses of Nelore semen are sold in Brazil alone,” says Nelson Eduardo Ziehlsdorff, Semex Brazil General Manager. “With this new program, we will partner with local Nelore breeders to deliver the best bulls for Brazil and other tropical climates.”

 

“Semex continues to see unprecedented growth in our Nelore and Bos Indicus products in Brazil and around the world. This initiative will build on the great relationships Semex has with our genetic partners and drive future growth of genetic sales from this important market segment,” says Brad Sayles, Semex Chief Operating Officer.
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Semex is pleased to announce its 2024-2025 Board of Directors. Jean-François Morin (CIAQ) will serve as President of the Board, assisted by Curtis McNeil (EastGen) as Vice President, and Executive Member Jean Bissonnette (CIAQ).

We look forward to working closely with these individuals as we navigate the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

Semex is comprised of three Partner Owners: WestGen, CIAQ (Centre d'insémination artificielle du Québec) and EastGen. As a leading global genetic company, Semex is 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.

Photo Caption: L – R: Gerrit Wensink (EastGen), Jean Bissonnette (CIAQ) Executive Member of the Board, Tom Pasco (EastGen), Jim Ross (WestGen), Jean-François Morin (CIAQ) President, Amanda Jeffs (EastGen), Tony Van Garderen (WestGen), Curtis McNeil (EastGen) Vice-President, Richard Lagacé (CIAQ), Michel Frigon (CIAQ)
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At Semex, we’re focused on pursuing profitable growth and ensuring we’re structured properly in our most important markets. Brazil is one of the world’s fastest-growing markets. Therefore, we are pleased to announce the integration of Semex Brazil, its specialized A.I. center Tairana, and leading Brazilian embryo facility Cenatte into our global subsidiary network effective November 1, 2023. Additionally, we’re excited to announce that Semex Brazil’s General Manager, Nelson Ziehlsdorff, will join Semex’s Global Management Team.

“Nelson, his Brazilian Management Team, and each of these entities have always worked closely with the Semex Team and exemplify Semex’s Vision of ‘Demanding The Best,’’’ says Paul Larmer, Semex CEO. “We’re excited that Nelson will continue leading this outstanding team and will join our Global Management Team. This integration underscores our commitment to and the pursuit of establishing Semex Brazil, Tairana, and Cenatte as the industry’s leading companies in Brazil.”

Semex Brazil joins Semex Argentina, Semex Australia, Semex China, Semex Deutschland, Semex Mexico, Semex N.Z. Ltd, Semex Uruguay, Semex UK, Semex USA, and Genbank (Hungary), as Semex-owned subsidiary companies.

Semex is a leading global genetic company focused on providing its clients with solutions, innovations, and technologies that positively impact their lives and the lives of the animals on their operations and within our global community. This is Genetics for Life. For more information, please visit www.semex.com. For more information on Semex Brazil please visit www.semex.com.br
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Partnerships are very much a part of the Canadian dairy scene that supports dairy farmers and the industry at large. Lactanet Canada and Semex have a long-standing synergy working collaboratively and last night received a prestigious Dairy Innovation Award: “Innovation in Climate Action”, from the International Dairy Federation (IDF).

 

Nominated by Dairy Farmers of Canada, Lactanet and Semex were recognized during the IDF World Dairy Summit in Chicago, Illinois, for developing Canada’s Methane Efficiency genetic evaluation. This is the world's first official genetic evaluation that helps dairy producers genetically select animals that will contribute to reduced methane emissions from dairy cattle, without impacting production levels.  

 

“As the dairy sector works together towards net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, we know the important role research and innovation plays along our shared path,” says David Wiens, President of Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC). “The funding this initiative received from DFC in collaboration with other engaged partners, helped demonstrate the accuracy of predicting individual animal methane emissions. We are excited and honoured to be part of the future of dairy farming, and we thank the IDF Dairy Innovation Awards for recognizing the continuous efforts of dairy farmers in striving for a more sustainable future for everyone.” 


Lactanet’s Methane Efficiency genetic evaluation was launched in April 2023 after 10 years of research and development, led by the University of Guelph, using innovative technologies to evaluate and predict a cow’s methane production. This achievement is a cardinal piece of the dairy industry’s national strategy to reach net zero by 2050.

 

“Accelerating sustainable and innovative dairy management practices is important to our industry and we all have a role to play,” states Barbara ... Read More...

Semex and Milc Group are excited to announce a global partnership providing clients with cutting-edge technology that simplifies dairy management and drives unprecedented efficiencies.

"When we look for partners what we're looking for are folks that are passionate about solving our industry's real issues," says Matt McCready, Semex CCO. "Milc Group’s single goal is to build simple, affordable, and powerful technologies, and their substantive package of solutions is impressive."  

 

 

Milc Group’s powerful and user-friendly cloud-based software, Milc Group One™, provides a suite of software solutions such as feed and animal management, people training, and dairy facility monitoring. 

 

 

Feed™ and Animal™ were developed to drive efficiencies like never before with the goal of accuracy, efficiency, and accountability, all while spending less time managing herd health protocols and the feed process. Facility™ is a suite of tools that optimize barn efficiency by monitoring pulsation, tank and pipeline conditions, milk production, fluid levels, and motor performance. These features allow dairy producers to proactively detect and address issues, ensuring smooth operations and maximizing productivity. Train Trac™ is an e-learning management system that stores, delivers, and tracks training for each organization’s employees. 

 

 

“We share a goal of simplifying processes for producers, and we believe it shouldn't be complicated or expensive," says McCready. "We've already begun working together in Brazil and the US, and we're confident together we will give clients around the world the actionable data they need to be more efficient, sustainable, and profitable.

 

 

“We are excited to partner with Semex who shares our unwavering passion for the industry and is actively present on farms every day, contributing to our customers’ ongoing success," said Manuel Soares, CEO Milc Group.

 

 
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Semex, an industry leader in global genetic solutions, announced today that Paul Larmer will step down from his position as Chief Executive Officer as part of Semex's succession plan, effective December 31, 2023, continuing in an advisory role through May 31, 2024. Semex's Board of Directors has appointed Matt McCready, current Chief Commercial Officer, to succeed Larmer as Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2024.

"As difficult as it is to say goodbye to a career that I have loved, to a company that we have grown into a global leader, and especially to my Semex family, I know this is the right decision at the right time," says Larmer. "I am excited about what is next, spending more time with my family, and what the future holds for Semex and its people. I know that the best days for Semex are ahead!"

"For nearly 40 years and in every role, Paul has been a passionate advocate for the global genetics industry," said Semex Board of Directors President Phil MacLean. "As Semex's CEO for the past 17 years, Paul demonstrated his powerful ability to bring people together, build consensus, and accelerate change, while never losing sight of our people and clients. Since becoming our CEO Paul has significantly grown our global footprint, driven record revenues year after year, and provided substantial returns to our partner owners. While leading this growth, Paul has set the stage and capacity for Semex’s next phase of growth and profitability. On behalf of the Board and our partner owners, we are grateful to Paul and his family."

MacLean continued, "Knowing Paul’s intentions, our Board of Directors has been engaged in ongoing succession planning and today's announcement enables a smooth transition of the CEO role. Matt is an exceptional leader, and the Board and I believe he is the right person to guide Semex through its next chapter. Since joining Semex, Matt's strategic focus, ... Read More...

The North American industry has identified a new Holstein genetic defect, Calf Recumbency, where an otherwise healthy calf cannot stand and survive, either at birth or within its first few weeks of life. Though the origin animal has yet to be confirmed, the oldest known suspected carrier is the bull SOUTHWIND. The disorder has primarily been transmitted through the sires ROBUST and SUPERSIRE. An industry position paper has been released by the National Association of Animal Breeders (NAAB), Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) and the Holstein Association USA. Click here to read.     Semex worked diligently with industry researchers to help identify this genetic defect. Semex recognized the urgency of this matter and for corrective measures to be put in place quickly to reduce and eventually eliminate this mutation. In so doing, Semex has worked aggressively with our lab partner Neogen to test all our sires as listed below. This list will be updated as new bulls are tested or released to market.     This development demonstrates the industry’s ability to not only discover debilitating disorders but also activate world-leading genetic researchers that use a comprehensive genomic database to untangle a complex disorder and quickly develop a diagnostic tool that proficiently addresses the problem.     Genetic recessives such as BL, BY, CVM and HCD have been identified in the past. In all cases, the industry responded quickly by identifying carriers and providing breeders with the tools that effectively minimize these disorders in the population. Calf Recumbency will be no different.     The industry is working on coding/labeling and plans to develop a haplotype test that effectively identifies recumbency without needing the mutation test. Semex is currently making changes to its OptiMate™ mating program, enabling its clients to proficiently breed around recumbency and reduce its potential impact.     Semex’s genomic testing ... Read More...

Showbox Sires LLC will be available exclusively from Select Sires and Semex

ENOSBURG, Vermont and RUDOLPH, Wisconsin, April 28, 2023 – Showbox Sires LLC, a new genetic venture backed by trusted industry leaders, will be collaborating with Select Sires and Semex to bring a high-type, show-focused sire development program to dairy breeders. The team at Showbox Sires includes Tim and Sharyn Abbott and Mike and Julie Duckett. Both couples have had tremendous success in the industry and have combined their experiences and sheer passion for genetics to launch this new venture. Showbox Sires will leverage the industry’s many tools, including genomic evaluations as well as pedigrees that are proven winners on the tanbark. At this time, Showbox Sires will offer elite Holstein and Red & White genetics with tentative plans to release the first sire in late 2023.

“Whether you want to improve your herd, compete at the county fair or exhibit a winner at national shows, Showbox Sires is built from families that have done just that! Our vision is to acquire and develop bulls to meet the needs of any passionate dairy breeder,” said Tim Abbott, Showbox Sires LLC. “The team at Showbox Sires is thrilled to work with two companies that have set the pace for high-type cattle through industry-leading genetics over the past several decades: Select Sires and Semex. We believe our thought process and goals are closely aligned, and we look forward to working with their teams to bring our product to this sector of the global market.”

Cooperative collaboration

All bulls from Showbox Sires will be branded with a single, unique NAAB identifier. While Select Sires and Semex are the program’s exclusive marketing and distribution channels, no individual sire will be marketed by both companies. Select Sires and Semex will house the sires assigned to their lineup and carry out collection, ... Read More...

Guelph, Ontario, Canada – As social and political criticism increasingly focuses on agriculture, Semex is introducing a genetic solution that can reduce methane emissions 20-30% by 2050.

“Just like we did with Immunity+®, we've been working with industry scientists to find a genetic solution to reduce methane emissions,” says Dr Michael Lohuis, Semex Vice President Research & Innovation. “For over five years Canada's milk recording organizations, now under Lactanet, collected over 13 million milk mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy records. Over seven hundred thousand first lactation MIR records were analyzed by Lactanet geneticists in order to predict methane emissions for milk-recorded cows across Canada. The results showed that you can substantially reduce methane emissions with genetic selection.”

In April, Lactanet will publish Methane Efficiency breeding values producers can use to significantly reduce methane emissions in their herds. For genomic bulls, it is 70% reliable and genetic selection alone is estimated to reduce emissions 20-30% by 2050.

Semex’s global Elevate® users will automatically receive a methane index on all genomic tested females. Additionally, an index will be available on Semex Holstein sires beginning in April. This gives dairies a clear-cut genetic solution and a faster conversion to a lower methane herd.

"Methane is a global enemy," says Drew Sloan, Semex Vice President Corporate Development. "In fact, most developing nations are adopting laws targeting net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This new trait is a game changer. The time is now to genomically test your herd with Elevate, giving you the power to assess, monitor and reduce methane in your herd!"
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Ten years ago Semex released the best brand for health selection in dairy cattle genetics and now, we’re releasing the next generation of Immunity+ with August genetic evaluations!

 

“We’ve taken Immunity and brought it to a whole new level, with a full proof and a unique approach, that makes it hands down the most effective means to make gains in animal health,” says Jay Shannon, Vice President Semex Solutions and Marketing.

 

Over the past 10 years dairymen worldwide have seen the real advantages of using Immunity+ sires. It is highly heritable, has a huge economic impact, provides for higher quality colostrum and daughters are shown to have 29% less disease.

 

Now, all Semex sires will receive an index for Immunity and Calf Immunity, making it even easier to make health selection. The ‘next generation’ of Immunity+ optimally combines Immune Response (Antibody Mediated Immune Response, Cell Mediated Immune Response and Nitric Oxide), as well as a composite of publicly available disease traits sourced from CDCB, Lactanet and Zoetis. This ensures resulting animals can both mount a strong overall immune response, but also be able to recognize the specific pathogens that cause the costliest diseases on dairies.

 

The index has a mean of 100, and a standard deviation of 5, with proofs generally ranging from 85-115. Immunity+ bulls will be designated as being superior transmitters of high immune response if they have an Immunity Index >= 105 and a Calf Immunity Index >= 100. Additionally, dairymen taking advantage of Semex’s Elevate® genomic testing program will receive two indexes on all tested females, Immunity Index and Calf Immunity Index. These replace the former H(high)-A(average)-L(low) letter codes that were published on tested females.

 

For additional information on Immunity+ and Semex please visit www.semex.com
 

 



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