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In August 2008 the United States Department of Agriculture released Sire Conception Rates (SCR) for the first time ever, replacing Estimated Relative Conception Rates (ERCR). The SCR evaluation has proven to be better than ERCR as it is a more accurate measure of a bull’s ability to actually get a cow in calf, as opposed to just measuring non-return rates. Repromax™, Semex’s lineup of high fertility sires, benefits from this new system, as the SCR evaluation is included, forming the world’s only international fertility information.



Semex sires rank well above average for SCR, adding to the confidence breeders can have in using our Repromax™ lineup. The Sire Conception Rate (SCR) rating is an important fertility figure, but should just be part of the decision making process when choosing a mating sire. Therefore, it’s important to keep in mind just what the SCR figure represents. With SCR, the average conception rate for the Holstein and Jersey breeds has been set at 0, therefore a bull that scores 1.0 SCR can be expected to have a 1% higher conception rate than the average bull. And, the opposite is true for a bull with a -1.0 SCR score.



Looking at the industry snapshot of numbers like 1.9… 2.0… 2.1… and 2.3… one wonders how much difference is there between these bulls?



There is a difference of less than half a percet separating the top four competitors in the Holstein breed, and an even smaller difference among the top four competitors in the Jersey breed. These small margins do not lend themselves for any one company to claim complete dominance in SCR rankings.



When is a Bull “Good” or “Bad”?

If only small differences separates so many bulls, technically it is difficult to label one bull better or worse than another for ... Read More...

Semex is pleased to announce that Kendra Bolen has been selected as Semex’s 2009 Summer Marketing Intern beginning May 18.  Kendra is a junior at Iowa State University majoring in dairy science with a minor in journalism and mass communications.  Kendra joins Semex with an extensive background in the dairy industry, being raised on her family’s Holstein dairy in northwest Illinois.  She has also been an active participant in her local 4-H and FFA clubs, as well as the Illinois Junior Holstein Association, Iowa State Dairy Judging Team and the Iowa State Dairy Science Club. While at Semex, Kendra will gain hands-on marketing experience and will assist with market research and database management, marketing collateral, supporting the execution of marketing campaigns and special projects.
... Read More...

Jersey breeders all over the US have demanded a high JPI Legion son with type, components and health traits and Semex delivered in the April 2009 proof round with new release 0200JE00944 Maackdary Region.  Coming in at +2.6 PTAT, +2.3 RUH and +1.5 RUW he is a bull Jersey breeders will consider in their mating programs.  Region shows balance with a +1.7 Strength and +1.6 Dairy Form.  Behind Legion is an EX-91% Lemvig followed by a Bluemarker that goes back to Bettydon Lester Ritzy.  Legion’s daughters are long-bodied, flat boned cows with depth of rib.  They are hard over the top line and very correct in the rear ends. The udder is well in attached in every facet, making him an ideal mating on Jace daughters, as well as the Duncan Belle and Maid bloodlines. 0200JE00943 Wilsonview Shurbondy is a Jace son out of a Bold Daniel with longevity and milk, breaking into the top 50 on the JPI list on his first proof.  From the heart of the “S” family of Wilsonview, located in Tillamook, Oregon, Shurbondy delivers high milk at over 1200 pounds, a combined fat and protein of just shy of 100 pounds and +1.4 PTAT.  What balance!  Shurbondy is an udder improver with great udder quality, walking on sound feet & legs that track straight.  His daughters are head-turning, trouble-free 2 year olds.  Shurbondy will cross well on Abe, Militia, Impuls, Perimiter and Jevon. Semex delivers a unique Jace son in 0200JE00015 Unique Belles Red Baron.  With so many Jace sons how can Red Baron sets himself apart, coming from Duncan Belle’s infamous maternal line.  His dam is Lencrest Par For Belle, a VG-85-2YR-CAN Paramount from the EX 94-CAN Piedmont Declo Belle.  Red Baron daughters are high component cows that average around 5% fat and 3.7% protein.  He already has daughters that are scoring in the high 80’s.  With four other Jace sons actively marketed in the Semex lineup, Red ... Read More...

The April 2009 proof release placed the stamp of approval on reliable second crop Semex sires such as 0200HO04779 R-E-W Buckeye and 0200HO03218 Gillette Brilea FBI, while ushering in sires designed to meet the needs of dairymen everywhere. Entering the Semex lineup are sires designed to positively impact bottom lines such as 0200HO09804 Crockett-Acres Eight, sires that meet the needs of Red & White clients, and newly proven sires for those looking for the best proven sons of Semex greats Talent and Titanic.



Buckeye daughters are known for their calving ease, high production, ideal feet & legs and exceptional rear udders, making him one of the most popular BW Marshall sons available today.  The April proof round echoed these same comments dairymen have been making since his release in 2005, and has solidified his place as a Second Crop Success.  Buckeye’s credentials put him in elite ranks for those looking to up their profitability, with +1914M, over 2.52 PTAT, +2.48 for both FLC and UDC, and +2.10 PL and a 6% Calving Ease.  Showing the Power of Balanced Breeding™ and the strength of Semex’s proving program in the USA, Buckeye’s proof has only increased since his initial release, gaining over 140 TPI points overall and adding over 2500 daughters since January 2009.   



Similar to Buckeye, FBI ticks all the boxes for most dairymen, with equivalent figures of +1908M, +2.67 PTAT, +2.05 UDC and +1.90 FLC with +463 NM$ and low 2.76 SCS.  FBI also answers the quest for high fertility, scoring above average on the Sire Conception Rating (SCR) rankings and is a Semex Repromax™ sire.  With over 4000 daughters in his production proof and over 2200 in his type proof, FBI can easily be considered a highly reliable sire. 



Semex’s 0200HO05049 Morningview Ashlar is still one of the breed’s ... Read More...

With each genetic evaluation Holstein Canada recognizes sires who reach elite standards in production, conformation and also genetic indexes through their Superior Production (SP), Superior Type (ST) and Class Extra (EXTRA) programs.



Superior Production

Nine Semex sires have been recognized in April 2009 as Superior Production sires having combined genetic indexes for Fat and Protein in the top 5% of the Canadian sire population. Sires must have a reliability of at least 85%.



USAM135556243

CROCKETT-ACRES EIGHT-ET (Oman x Mtoto)



CANM102437918

GEN-I-BEQ SAHARA (Champion x Durham)



CANM101431904

LA PRESENTATION DAMAFRO (Forbidden x Supersire)



CANM101432000

LA PRESENTATION DISCOUNT (Goodluck x Lantz)



USAM135218857

MARKWELL AARON-ET (Champion x Convincer)



USAM130588960

R-E-W BUCKEYE-ET (BW Marshall x Rudolph)



CANM9501468

STANTONS SPONSOR (Finley x Rudolph)



CANM8875264

VYECROFT VITTORIO (Champion x Durham)



CANM7419933

WILLSONA SILAS (Titanic x Convincer)



Superior Type

Six Semex sires have been recognized as Superior Type in April 2009. Sires winning this award are within the top 5% of the sire population for their type proof (Conformation, Mammary System, Feet & Legs, Dairy Strength, Rump) and with a reliability of at least 85%.



CANM8852019

FREUREHAVEN TALON (Talent x Aeroline)



CANM8798386

GLENHAVEN CHANT (Champion x Lee)



CANM101965634 ... Read More...

Madison, Wisconsin – With the dairy industry facing one of its most challenging periods in decades, Semex is introducing a series of services and solutions designed to help deal with tough economic times. Value pricing, new genetics for all environments and the ai24™ package are aimed at helping producers deal with the current dairy crisis and directly reduce semen and labor costs and increase breeding accuracy. Superior Genetics at Value Pricing Semex has been long recognized as a supplier of genetics based on longevity and profitability. “Starting in January 2009, we lowered prices on our conventional and sexed semen to address the producers’ challenges while continuing to offer a superior quality product. We understand the difficulties in today’s marketplace and will partner with producers to add value to their herds and secure their future,” says Paul Krueger, Semex Director, Sales & Business Development (USA). “We’ve continued to expand our product lineup to meet the needs of all dairy producers, proving yet again that Semex works everywhere,” states Krueger. “At Semex we are excited to launch a group of newly proven sires with exciting first-crop evaluations and intriguing pedigrees.” Crockett-Acres Eight is the new Semex health & fitness headliner debuting at 567 NM$, 2.55 Somatic Cell Score, 3.3 Productive Life and 5% Calving Ease. Recently proven red and red carrier sires are already gaining lots of interest. Morsan Frontrunner*RC and Westport Bookman-Red are two of Talent’s first sons to receive proofs and Gen-I-Beq Sahara*RC is an new outcross Red Carrier sire from September Storm’s family. Also, the addition of two early Titanic sons, Comestar Lauvy and Willsona Silas, bring high ranking evaluations that will meet the goals for a wide range of herds. ai24™ – The 24 hour heat detection system Producers can now partner with Semex for access to its 24-hour heat detection system, ai24™. Powered by the Heatime™ system, this new technology ... Read More...