Company News

The discovery of high immune response (HIR) and Semex’s release of Immunity+™ sires was a game-changer for the bovine industry. With a 25% heritability, Immunity+ sires can help improve a herd’s overall health and longevity.  Regardless of herd size or management style, Immunity+ sires are a valuable tool for breeding a healthy herd of profitable and efficient cows.  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. It shows that HIR cows have 19-30% lower disease incidence compared to herd averages. These cows also 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. And, most importantly, Immunity+ works.  “We’ve been excited to hear from dairymen real life examples of Immunity+ sired daughters being healthier than their herdmates,” says Jay Shannon, Semex Global Dairy Solutions Manager. “For example, recently a dairyman using bulls from several studs reported that a bug hit his dairy’s calf pen. Unfortunately, he lost 11% of the daughters from other sires, but none of his Immunity+ sired calves were lost.”  Joining the proven Immunity+ lineup following the August 2014 genetic evaluation are: 0200HO03753    MARBRI FACEBOOK...    MAN-O-MAN x AIRRAID 0200HO02653    MISTY SPRINGS TRIBUTE...    MAN-O-MAN x GOLDWYN 0200HO07432    REGANCREST INTIMATE...    PLANET x SHOTTLE 0200HO02690    STANTONS EMPRESS...    MAN-O-MAN x OUTSIDE The following Genomax™ bulls are also designated Immunity+: 0200HO06631    MYSTIQUE ALSACE...    MCCUTCHEN x GERARD 0200HO03994   ... Read More...

With the August genetic evaluation, Semex once again reaffirmed our commitment to our clients and their drive for profitable genetics. We’re more confident than ever that our programs offer our clients everywhere what they’re looking for through our lineup of newly released daughter proven sires, high reliability sires and the very youngest and brightest genomic superstars.  Semex highlights include its Genomax™ program graduating 0200HO00402 Marbri Facebook (Man-O-Man x Airraid) who received his first official proof ranking him as the #1 TPI sire and #1 MACE LPI in the world! He joins Millionaire Sire 0200HO00402 Manistream Manifold, 0200HO0528 Sildahl Jett Air and another new graduate 0200HO02690 Stantons Empress (Man-O-Man x Outside) in the top 25 GTPI sires in the world.                  Genomax™: Led by household names including 0200HO07450 Amighetti Numero Uno and the program’s most famous graduate to date, Facebook, our rigorous selection standards ensure that Semex’s Genomax sires are the industry’s finest, most desirable and profitable young bulls available anywhere:  0200AY00784    KAMOURASKA BIGSTAR...    SITUATION x JUPITER 0200BS00123    LIME ROCK TOLEDO...    MOTOWN x DRIVER 0200HO06304    VAL-BISSON MORNING...    AFTERSHOCK x GOLDWYN 0200HO10072    CLAYNOOK DIECAST...    DAY x BEACON 0200HO10085    SANDY-VALLEY DIVO...    DAY x METEOR 0200HO06621    VELTHUIS B LUNDI...    DAY x PLANET 0200HO10121    SILVERRIDGE ENDURE...    DOORMAN x SNOWMAN 0200HO10157    CALBRETT BLUEPRINT PP *RC...    EARNHARDT P x COLT P-RED 0200HO10101    MORNINGVIEW MAINTOP...    LET IT SNOW x ... Read More...

Each genetic evaluation underscores our commitment to our customers worldwide and our dedication to their success and profitability, whether they’re seeking GLPI, GTPI, Type, Net Merit $, Calving Ease, Immunity+ or any of the other traits that drive profitability at the farm gate. We believe that this is Genetics for Life. Holstein Highlights: 0200HO03753 Marbi Facebook is World’s #1 TPI & #1 MACE LPI sire Semex’s #1 LPI bull 0200HO00528 Sildahl Jett Air Semex’s #1 new release LPI sire 0200HO06183 Comestar Lemust 0200HO10157 Calbrett Blueprint is World’s #1 Homozygous Polled Bull with semen availablea Jersey Highlights: Semex #1 new release GLPI bull 0200JE00470 Comestar JDF Beautifull #5 GLPI sire overall Only double digit Conf bull in the top 30  Two top 20 proven sires in the USA: 0200JE00073 Wilsonview Maxwell 0200JE00477 Lucky Hill Joker Two of the top five, four of the top 10, eight of the top 15, 10 of the top 20 among young sires in Canada for GLPI Two of the top 15 young sires in the world! To view daughter video footage of many of Semex’s sires visit our Youtube channel at www.youtube.com/semexalliance Additional information on these bulls including complete LPI and TPI data is available at www.semex.com 
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No matter your management preference, maintaining a healthy herd of profitable and efficient cows is challenging. Semex’s patented Immunity+™ sires have a naturally high immune response, and by using them you can improve your herd’s overall health and longevity. Immunity+ sires are those possessing an extremely high immune response rate, with only one in 10 bulls qualifying. Based on the extensive research of high immune females by Dr. Bonnie Mallard and her colleagues at the University of Guelph, and by applying genetic transmitting principles that go with a 25% heritable trait, we can estimate that Immunity+ sires’ daughters will have 4-8% less disease incidence. Recently released Genomax™ sire and the world’s #3 GTPI McCutchen son, 0200HO06639 Stantons Pulsar now adds Immunity+ status to his impressive resume. Already a HealthSmart™ and Robot Ready™ sire, Pulsar’s impressive statistics rank him as the #12 GTPI sire on Holstein USA’s Top 100 Genomic Young Bull listing! With a +2541 GTPI, 816 NM$, +2.3 DPR and +6.2 PL and solid +3.62 PTAT and +3.21 UDC, Pulsar is Semex’s #4 GTPI sire, our #3 GLPI sire (#10 GLPI overall) and the #3 Immunity+ sire in the world! Ask your Semex representative today about Pulsar or any of Semex’s sires in the Immunity+ lineup! For additional information on Semex, Genetics for Life, Immunity+, Genomax™ or any of Semex’s products or services visit www.semex.com
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Semex is pleased to announce that Brad Gilchrist will be joining Semex’s Beef team as a Beef Marketing & Product Specialist effective Monday, July 14.

In this role Brad will be responsible for the marketing and branding of the Beef program, as well as providing product support to all markets as Semex continues to grow globally.

“We’re extremely pleased to have Brad join our team,” says Myles Immerkar, Manager, Semex Global Beef Programs. “His experience both domestically and internationally working with beef clients makes him a perfect fit for our team. He understands our clients’ needs and brings real-world, hands-on experience to this position.”

Brad graduated from the University of Guelph with a B.Sc. Agriculture, Honors degree in 2008 and since then has worked as an AI Technician and Beef Representative at Eastgen. In this role he was responsible for creating beef marketing programs and sales strategies, while also consistently meeting and exceeding his own individual sales targets.

Additionally, Brad is the herd manager at his own Angus cow-calf herd specializing in show steers, Gilchrist Farms. Established in 2000, Brad has quickly built this herd into a well-recognized name in the seed stock industry handling all of the herd’s branding, marketing and development.

For additional information about Semex or Semex Beef please visit www.semex.com or www.semex.com/beef    
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Semex believes that Genetics for Life is about delivering the best possible product to our clients. We’re genomic testing over 5000 bulls each year, ensuring that only the very best call stud 200 home and are designated a Genomax™ sire. In April 2014, these rigorous testing standards paid off with 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.

Joining this elite Genomax group is the world’s #3 GTPI McCutchen son, 0200HO06639 Stantons Pulsar, a HealthSmart™ and Robot Ready™ sire. Pulsar has impressive statistics to back up his high ranking as the #12 GTPI sire on Holstein USA’s Top 100 Genomic Young Bulls! His statistics are impressive with a +2541 GTPI, 816 NM$, +2.3 DPR and +6.2 PL with solid +3.62 PTAT and +3.21 UDC, making him Semex’s #4 GTPI sire and our #3 GLPI sire (#10 GLPI overall).

Like all Genomax sires, Pulsar’s maternal line is second to none and laced with cows that have been impacting the breed for generations. His dam is a young GP-83 Superstition with one Superior Lactation Award to date from a 2-01 record of over 27,000 lb/12,300 kg and 4.0 Fat in 305 days. Next dam is Wabash-Way Evett VG-86 DOM 11*, dam of numerous bulls in stud and then the former #1 CTPI cow Crockett-Acres Elita VG-87 GMD DOM 11*. Following Elita is Mtot Elly EX-90 GMD DOM 9* x EX-90 Rudolph Elly Mae x EX-95-3E GMD DOM Lead Mae.

“We expect Pulsar to be an extremely popular flush sire,” says Brian Carscadden, Semex Sire Analyst. “He fits well with a lot of different individuals and bloodlines. His high ranking and pedigree make him a good fit and option for many breeders and dairymen.”

Pulsar will be available worldwide beginning July 1, 2014. For more information on Semex, Genetics for Life or the industry leading Genomax sires visit www.semex.com
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Semex is excited to release another top GTPI sire to its Immunity+™ lineup. By Numero Uno, 0200HO06551 Vieuxsaule Flame, joins his paternal brother 0200HO10049 Rockymountain Lottomax in the elite ranks of having both high GTPI and the coveted Immunity+ status.

Available worldwide beginning June 15, Flame has already been a popular sire of sons, including siring the breed’s unofficial #1 GTPI sire. Additionally, dairymen love the Flames in their heifer pens, not only because they’re great looking but 10% of those heifers genomic tested rank in the top 100 worldwide GTPI listing!

At +2549 GTPI, Flame’s daughters also receive the benefit of Immunity+, meaning they have less disease and help to build more profitable, longer-lasting herds. All this, with breed-leading +0.25% Fat, +0.09% Protein and a ranking as the #8 sire available on the April 2014 Holstein USA High Genomic List!

Like all Genomax™ sires, Flame has an exceptional maternal line. Flame’s dam is a VG-85 Freddie out of a VG-87 3* Bolton from Ferme Vieuxsaule’s famous EX-94-2E 16* Allen Dragonfly who has 25 VG or EX daughters!

Ask your Semex representative today about Flame 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 ... Read More...

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 required at ... Read More...