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The South Eastern Australia section of the Semex-Holstein Australia On-Farm Competition had something for everyone when the champions were unveiled at the picturesque Witchmount winery at Melton on December 4.

One of the country’s most successful Jersey studs, Bushlea Jerseys, signalled its intent in the Holstein arena, winning its first championship in only its second year competing, while a 77-year-old Leitchville breeder collected his first title, and the competition’s first Red and White Holstein qualified for the finals.

The 90 finalists from nine sub-branches were distilled by judge Daniel Holmes, of Arabella Holsteins at Brookstead, in Queensland.

Holstein Australia’s federal president Adrian Dee was sweeping in his praise of the contest which included 1335 animals – a lion share of overall state numbers. Entries peaked at 253 at the sub branch level (with more than 60 entries in some classes) – put forward by 189 breeders.

“We thank Semex for co-sponsoring this event, because everyone really looks forward to it,” Adrian said. “To be honest, it’s so big now it’s almost a logistical nightmare and a big commitment for the judges that give up their time. It has been a huge effort to get to today.”

Judge Daniel Holmes kept his head by focussing on the job at hand.

“I’ve done a few On-Farm Competitions now and the thing I’ve found works for me is that I keep a clear image of my ideal cow (for age) in my mind’s eye as I work through the animals,” he said.

“It was an honour to be involved and I was humbled to be asked. I just hoped that I did the job with as much professionalism as Semex display in their business and with as much enthusiasm and dedication as the farmers have for their cows.”

His two-year-old champion was a Semex-sired Braedale Goldwyn daughter owned by one of ... Read More...

Thank you for your interest in the Victorian state champions of the Semex-Holstein Australia On-Farm competition which was announced at Witchmount Winery at Rockbank today. The champions are listed below. Photos of the cows and additional commentary will be loaded shortly.

Other stories to come out of the day include the competition’s first Red and White Holstein to finish in the top five; a state champion from one of the country’s most celebrated Jersey herds; Jim Conroy’s state of the nation address on Semex’s new direction and the value-adding that registered Holsteins continue to command; and an imported embryo turns into a finalist for a young couple from the Western Districts.

Please check back...

2009 Semex-Holstein Australia Victorian On-Farm Competition champions -

Two years in-milk - 1st: Bushlea Gold Crinkle-ET, Bushlea farms (Koonwarra, South Gippsland region) – 2nd: Brindabella Buckeye Fran, S and J Sieben (Torrumbarry, North-West region) – 3rd: Edenburg Toystory Lovely-ET, W and J Thompson (Mount Gambier, South East Australia region) – 4th: Gowerville Hope Marlene, N Goodfellow (Kyabram, Northern region) - 5th: Starcrest Ladino Marty, H and D Dodd (Westbury, West Gippsland region).

Three years in-milk – 1st: Zella-Ville Minda 3735, K and L Allez (Leitchville, North-West region) - 2nd: Krishlaye Goldwyn Madilyn-ET, A and J Harrison (Leongatha, South Gippsland region) – 3rd: Elmar Goldwyn Jessica 7, S and D Hore (Leitchville, North-West region) – 4th: Creswick Kendall Peace, G and M Male (Caldermeade, West Gippsland region) - 5th: Woodlawn Gold J Coconut, L and V Flanagan (Finley, South-West Riverina region).

Four years in-milk – 1st: Orchard Vale Informer Tiffany-ET, R and J Gordon (Cohuna, North-West region) – 2nd: Haverdale Jocko Dekol, S and J Mills (Rochester, North-West region) – 3rd: Corra Lea Ladino Faith, ... Read More...

Back at the start of this month Semex Field Representative David Ninness took a group of dairy farmers to inspect daughter groups of some of Semex's current sire line up. Here is what he found.

Kendtway HOWIE

This sire was my surprise package. They are upstanding cows with ideal feet and legs and the milking daughters showed great capacity, height and width of rear udder with loads of texture. The daughters certainly had better rumps than his proof reads. They are big milk cows and we saw quite a lot of heifers that were sired by this bull in the breeder barns.



Crocket Acres EIGHT
The milking daughters by EIGHT were beautifully shaped cows. They were cleaner in the bone then I expected. They had nice square rumps and good udder attachments. The owners said they were very aggressive competitors for feed in the herd and they displayed consistently outstanding temperament in the dairy.



La Presentation DENZEL
I liked both of the DENZELS that we saw because of their capacity, their strength their depth of rib and their beautifully attached udders that were high and wide at the rear with nice texture to them. While, I would protect him on foot angle, this bull was being talked up significantly in the Eastern Breeders and Gencor area.



Regencrest DOLMAN
We saw 20 DOLMANS and once again they were very consistent. They excelled in strength, body depth, feet and legs and a will to milk. They have nice rear udders with good fore attachments. They were a little above average in size with a nice width of rump and chest, which gives them the capacity to give large volumes of milk. Farmer feedback included that they had exceptional temperament and that they planned to continue to use this sire in their breeding ... Read More...

The power of genomics* lies behind Semex’s decision to change its Australian-based Young Sire Program from January 1, 2010.

Historically one of the greatest costs for the industry has been progeny testing young sires (approximately $50,000 per bull) and with a percentage naturally failing to graduate as proven sires, the industry has been absorbing significant costs for many years.

Semex’s general manager Jim Conroy says in the current tough financial climate any chance to soften that cost is welcome. Semex is one of the first to move.

Semex’s decision is not expected to impact on the number of Australian sons proven – rather, it is hoped that it will increase Australia’s chances of having an Australian-born sire make a global impact.

Semex will continue to market a selection of 10 to 15 elite genomic-tested young sires from the 400 that are offered by breeders for its international program every year. The point of difference is that while they will be available for use by Australian producers, they will be officially progeny tested in Canada or the US only.

“There is a greater acceptability of North American proofs world-wide and the trend for other countries is that they convert all available sires into a US or Canadian base,” Jim Conroy said. “In this scenario sires that achieve only an Australian proof find it difficult to gain acceptance on the international playing field.”

Jim believes that Australia has the bloodlines to impress other countries and that Canada and the US are the countries to get Australia across the line.

“There have been no bulls, to me, come out of any country other than Canada or the US, that have made a significant impact to the world cattle population in the last 12 years,” he said.

“That being said, I have no doubt that there are cattle in the ... Read More...

Submitted by Harley Nicholson, Semex Jersey Program Manager The Canadian National Jersey Show held in conjunction with the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, Ontario on November 13 & 14 featured 244 head exhibited by breeders from several Canadian provinces and a handful of US states. Semex top proven sire for conformation 0200JE00427 Select Scott Minister (+11Conf 8/09) showed why he has continued to be a popular sire among show enthusiasts since his sampling period in 2005. A total of eight of his daughters placed among the top 10 of their classes in Toronto, including PM Minister Lea, 2nd Junior Heifer Calf, Cadrijo Minister Raquel, 2nd Summer Yearling, Charlyn Minister Blossom, 2nd Intermediate Yearling, and Peninsula Minister Carisma, 2nd Sr. 2 Year Old. Perennial favourite 0200JE00303 SHF Centurion Sultan had many offspring exhibited in both the junior and milking classes. A total of seven of his daughters ranked among the top 10 of their classes, including the 2nd Jr. 2 Year Old, Swissbell Sultan Freska. Now with many second crop daughters calving across Canada and the USA, 0200JE00131 Bridon Remake Comerica proved why he continues to be in heavy demand as a sire of high type and test. A total of six Comerica daughters placed in the top of their classes, including Lookout Comerica Nestea, 3rd Summer Yearling. The following present and former Semex sires also had daughters which placed among the top 10 in their classes: Bridon Excitation, Pine Haven Senior, RJF Big Show, Unique VS Habit, Bridon Jamaica, Molly Brook Fusion and Glenholme Counciller.
... Read More...

Developing cows that are built to last is key to reducing expenses and increasing profitability on dairies worldwide. These long-lasting, trouble-free cows are the real cows on real dairies that deliver real profitability day after day. They are the favourites on any operation and at the Royal Winter Fair on November 13, they were among the favourites at the entire show.
The Holstein Mature Cow Class was an impressive display of dairy strength and longevity for the thousands of visitors who watched as the 100% Semex-sired class proudly entered the ring. These veterans were sired by seven different Semex sires, known to deliver profitable daughters including: Shoremar James, TCET Lyster, Silky Cousteau, Comestar Lheros, Innwood Terrason, Markim Thunder and Comestar Stormatic.
Led by the 2009 Grand Champion cow, EX-97-2E Thrulane James Rose, who has nearly 64,000 kgs of 4.6F and 3.8P lifetime, each of these cows showed the qualities that spell durability and endurance. They each possess tremendous dairy strength, strong mammary systems and great feet & legs, and an average final score of 94 points, showing that they exemplify long-lasting, functional conformation.
Production drives profitability and these impressive individuals average 43,477 kgs of 4.1F and 3.4P lifetime to date, showing that Semex sires not only deliver long-lasting cows, but also deliver the real cows that deliver real results and real profitability.
Providing the genetics to breed those real cows on real dairies that are profitable and long-lasting is Semex's #1 goal. With the past being the best predictor of the future, dairymen worldwide can trust that Semex has the breeding knowledge, history and understanding to continue to deliver the most valuable daughters on any operation worldwide.
... Read More...

At the 2009 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair Semex was pleased to award Nosawa & Co LTD with a 25 year service award as Semex's distributor in Japan.
"It is people and relationships which truly define Semex," says Sam Mitra, Semex Alliance Director, Sales & Business Development. "We celebrate longevity not only in the cows we breed but also the longevity of our relationships around the world."

"One of the foremost examples of a long-lived, mutually beneficial relationship is Semex's relationship with Nosawa. This year we celebrated Nosawa's 140th year in business, and also their 25th year with us. Semex looks forward to the next 25 years knowing that we have only just begun exploring what business we can do together."

... Read More...

Semex’s David Mayo will distribute AUD$32,050 in Scotland next week when he judges all breeds at its prestigious AgriScot dairy show.

AgriScot is the premier event in the dairy cattle show circuit in the United Kingdom and there will be significant pressure and kudos for David when he places 126 entries in four breeds (54 Holstein, 29 Ayrshire, 27 Jersey and 16 Red and White Holsteins), in addition to the overall all breeds championships.



The dairy classes are managed by the Scottish Dairy Cattle Association, which alternate between a single judge (two years ago it was Canadian Steve Borland, of Rapid Bay Jerseys) and a single three-breed and championship judge to keep the format fresh. This year David, who lives in Gerringong, New South Wales, will follow Steve efforts as the man in sole charge.

“AgriScot is the premier dairy competition in the UK,” AgriScot organiser Martin Dare confirmed from the UK. “Numbers aren't necessarily that much greater than some other events although this year I'm advised that AgriScot will have the highest number of entries. With the current prizes it offers, we are a long way ahead of any other UK event and in terms of quality. AgriScot is generally accepted to attract the best animals.”

Commenting on the responsibility he will carry at the Ingliston event, on November 18, David said he was looking forward to it.

"You have some of the top dairy cattle in the world in the United Kingdom and I am honoured to have been asked to judge them," he said.

David was brought up on his family’s dairy farm where he was herd manager of the noted Parkvale herd. He is also an integral part of Australia’s Semex presence in both Australia and New Zealand as its Market Development Manager.

David and his wife, Sharon, started Regal Park Ayrshires in 1990 and they have ... Read More...

The 2009 Semex Walk of Fame as always was the place to be at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. Hundreds of international guests visited the display, as well as Canadian country music stars Michelle Wright and Doc Walker, who both took their turns milking a cow. Additionally, Prince Charles, who made a brief stop on his busy tour through the fair to see Semex’s Walk of Fame cows, paid a Royal visit. Most importantly, dairymen from around the world visited Semex's display and reviewed the outstanding display of Semex sired daughters. Selected for their ability to sire healthy, long-lasting daughters, this year’s display featured 10 different Semex Holstein sires with daughters from very different environments. These 10 sires represent the best from Semex and their daughters showcased Semex sires’ ability to work everywhere: Anchoring the row was a daughter of 0200HO04608 Regancrest-MR Samuelo, Extondale Samuelo Fiona VG-88-2YR-CAN. Fiona was 2nd Milking Yearling at the 2009 World Dairy Expo and was able to display Samuelo’s proven ability to sire balance while maintaining excellent mammary systems and foot structure. As a Repromax™, Master Series™ and Health$mart™ sire, Samuelo demonstrated why he is the complete package, ready to work everywhere. 0200HO09804 Crockett-Acres Eight had an exceptional uddered daughter in the display in Buttermoor Apricot Eight VG-86-3YR-CAN. Apricot easily showed how this Oman son is able to sire fantastic udders with great shape and strength. One of the easiest cows in the display to work with, this Eight daughter had an aggressive appetite and showed how much production potential this bull has and why he can easily be considered a Health$mart™ sire. Dessaults Tatou Bonair VG-85-4YR-CAN, represented the very popular sire 0200HO05139 Karona Bonair. From a 1000 cow freestall barn, Tatou demonstrated her sire’s ability to breed for excellent production, backed by great strength and development. Her well-attached udder easily held large ... Read More...

The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair traditionally marks the end of the North American show season and is the culmination of 364 days of hard work by both breeders and exhibitors. The 2009 Canadian National Holstein Show was no exception as Judge Barclay Phoenix assisted by Judge Roger Turner placed 321 of North America’s finest Holsteins.
Semex sires out shown all others with extremely impressive results. Virtually dominating the show, 95 of the 157 individuals in the top 10 in their respective classes were Semex sired. These 95 individuals included 13 class winners and seven of the nine champions, representing 25 different Semex sires, showing not only our strength but also Semex’s influence and the respect our bulls have earned throughout North America.
In the heifer classes, Semex sires were predominant, with six of the seven classes going to Semex sires. Braedale Goldwyn quickly showed why he is still the world’s most highly demanded sire and the most hotly anticipated sire of sons as he began his early path to the Premier Sire Award.
His daughter T-Triple-T Gold Prize once again won the Intermediate Yearling Class and defended her Junior Champion title earned last month at World Dairy Expo. Honourable Mention Jr Champion was awarded to Philmardo Watch Out Im Here, the 1st place Jr Yearling sired by Semex’s Gillette Watch Out.
The milking classes were heavily influenced by Semex sires, with Goldwyn leading the way in the young cow classes, siring all the winners in the Intermediate Champion lineup.
Fine details separated many placings, with the judges choosing the winning Jr 3 Yr Old, Salem Goldwyn Theresa, as the Intermediate Champion, the winning Sr 2 Yr Old, Sherona-Hill-JH Rachel, as Res. Intermediate Champion and the second place Jr 3 Yr Old, ABF September Cheese, as the Hon. Mention Intermediate Champion.
“These cows send chills up my spine,” said Judge Barclay Phoenix. “They are the epitome of what dairy cows are supposed to be. They’ve got ... Read More...