Company News

The August proof release ushered in Semex sires designed to deliver what real dairymen on real dairies are looking for... Durability, Productive Life, Calving Ease, high fat, speciality red sires and more, all with the added bonus of reliability.

Semex is positioned to deliver the best sires available through our growing suite of product lines including our high fertility Repromax� sires, high-tested genomic young sires with Genomax� sires and now our Healthsmart� sires, being those identified as siring the most valuable and profitable cows on the dairy.

For more information on Semex's new release sires in PDF click here or view each bull below.

Holstein:

0200HO00402 Mainstream Manifold (Oman x BW Marshall)
0200HO05378 Klover-Hill Java (Reggie x Aaron)
0200HO05379 Kerndt Stallion (September Storm x Mtoto)
0200HO05337 La Presentation Picolo Red (September Storm x Lentini)
0200HO05398 Langs-Twin-B Finley (Reggie x Aaron)
0200HO09812 Moon-Line Cranky (Champion x Storm)
0200HO05428 My-John Karik (Boliver x BW Marshall)
0200HOO3427 Springway Cleveland (Titanic x Addison)
0200HO09448 Monument Keneth (Morty x Durham)

Jersey:

0200JE00430 Lencrest On Time (Sultan x Declo Belle)
0200JE00018 BW Bombardier (WF Brook Bomber x Montana Nicole)
0200JE00946 Sunset Canyon Dice (Jace x Lemvig Tonopah)

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In the August 2009 Holstein International Semex's Repromax™ product was featured as a reproductive solution for dairymen around the world.

Magazine editor Stephan Schneider writes, "The fact that the basic concept behind the product Repromax™, developed by Semex, differs from those of many other suppliers results from its international alignment and the mix of information sources."

"In total, fertility information on over 3,000 bulls (including Jersey bulls) is hidden behind the Repromax values calculated by Semex scientists. Repromax is a fertility index combining the non-return rates (NRR) from Canada, Agri-Tech analyses (ATA) from 12 western US states, and the SCR proofs (sire conception rate) calculated by the US data center within one value from August 2008 on."

Click here to download the entire article.

At Semex, Repromax™ if offered to our clients as a reproductive solution, reducing days open and increasing profitability. Semex scientists have gathered SCR, ATA and Non-Return data to develop the world's first international fertility evaluation. Known as Repromax sires,these sires are Semex's highest-ranked fertility sires. Listed below, Repromax sires are highly reliable bulls proven to be high fertility sires, with no genetic sacrifices. These bulls improve the fertility performance of cows and increase your profitability, representing the best of the best, with no genetic sacrifices.

To learn more about Repromax™ click here.
... Read More...

Mark E. Carson BSc. (Agr). MSc., Gencor Herd Reproduction Analyst



Achieving excellent reproductive performance is hard work. Here is a quick reminder about the benefits of working hard and delivering excellent reproductive performance in your herd.



1) Higher reproductive performance equals more milk. The average cow in your herd will spend a great portion of lactation near peak performance. Remember, every day open past 100 days in milk cost you approximately $4.50 US per day per cow.



2) Reduce reproductive culls of profitable cows. With more pregnancies occurring, you will have less forced culls due to reproductive failure, giving your herd more culling options. More culling options provides you the opportunity to cull less profitable cows, such as ones with low milk production.



3) Increase the number calves being born each year. With an increase in the number of pregnancies, your herd will have more heifers. These extra heifers can replace less profitable cows, be sold for more revenue or expand your herd from within.



4) More calves being born equals faster genetic improvement. Top daughters will enter your herd sooner, giving your herd a genetic edge.



5) Decrease transition cow problems. Cows that have long lactations and dry periods are at higher risk of developing health problems during their next transition period. Strong reproductive performances can reduce the number of cows that have extended lactations, providing you with less future transition problems.



... Read More...

The August 2009 proof release has confirmed Semex's Balanced Breeding philosophy as one that delivers the reliability, value and diversity that dairymen from coast to coast appreciate. As dairymen look to AI to deliver functional type, Productive Life, Calving Ease, high fat, speciality red sires and more with unquestioned reliability, Semex is positioned to deliver through its time tested Balanced Breeding philosophy. Now it's even easier for dairymen to choose Semex sires. We've worked with dairymen from coast to coast, and devloped a growing suite of product lines that assist in dairying decisions. For high fertility sires, Semex's Repromax� sires are an industry leading choice and now in August, we've worked with our geneticists to identify Health$mart� sires. These sires are those that sire the most valuable and profitable cows on the dairy, excelling for qualities that can easily be quantified in the ledgers.

Semex has added sires that are well-positioned to make a positive impact to the dairy�s bottom line and add value to your herd, including one of the hottest new Oman sons, debuting at #20 TPI, 0200HO00402 Mainstream Manifold. Built to deliver results to Semex customers at +1431 PTAM, Manifold offers over 100 lbs combined fat and protein, +628 NM$ and desirable production. All this with pleasing, functional type that�s built to last at +1.74 PTAT, +1.80 UDC and +1.18 FLC with low 2.84 SCS, +3.70 PL and easy calving at 5% CE make Manifold a bull for dairymen everywhere.

With multiple Oman sons peppering the Top TPI listings, Manifold offers Semex customers an extremely balanced proof, backed by a deep pedigree and solid field approval. Manifold�s dam is VG-88-3YR-USA BW Marshall with over 141,000 lbs lifetime, then an EX-90-USA GMD with over 240,000 lbs lifetime and six more VG and EX dams.

�The Manifold daughters are really good commercial cows,� says Michelle Nelson, Semex West ... Read More...

Jersey breeders talk a lot about outcross in the Jersey breed, and have incorporated bloodlines from around the world including the Danish bloodlines that now dominate the top of the JPI listing. Considering the impact of Jace, one is left wondering where to find the new outcross sires.

Semex is thrilled to release two bulls that will outcross on most of the top 100 JPI bulls available today. The first is a bull that is now ranked #1 LPI by quite a distance, 0200JE00430 Lencrest On Time and second is 0200JE00018 BW Bombardier.

On Time is a Sultan son out of the well-known Declo Belle, and elite brood cow that has already given us the impact sire 0200JE00423 Lencrest Blackstone. With On Time you will be using a sire that not only will produce the show winners, but he will also make you money at home with 815 pounds of milk after the MACE conversion, plus for both component percentages and Productive Life, proving that these cows will last.

On Time is not only the perfect mating for Jace and Danish bloodlines, but will work on the Action daughters without taking away what you love about them. Semex has been using On Time extensively as a mating sire, showing confidence and belief that he just may be the most balanced bull on the market today.

BW Bombardier is a WF Brook Bomber x BW Montana Nicole x BW Berretta Prize, the same cow family that has brought to the Jersey breed high profile, impact sires such as Country, Blaise and Carrier. Bombardier could arguably be the best JUI bull the Jersey breed has ever had coming in at an amazing 10.47 for JUI. He sires udders that are snug in the fore udder at +2.9, wide +2.4, and high +3.3 in the rear. He also sires the deep bodies and the dairy strength that the Berretta Prize family is known to deliver. With almost 600 for milk, coupled with great health and fertility traits, Bombardier will cross well on many of the bloodlines ... Read More...

Working with dairymen around the world, Semex knows that today’s tight dairy economy has left dairymen searching for answers to reduce their expenditures and increase profitability. Looking at herd expenses one can quickly determine that health issues have a detrimental effect on a dairy’s ledgers. 



Removal of animals from the herd, whether voluntary or involuntary, is an expense most dairymen are looking to reduce. Replacing that animal and filling her stall is a costly venture. In 2008 De Vries and Olson obtained DHIA lactation records from 38 states from Dairy Records Management Systems and estimated that the national average cull rate was approximately 33%. Meaning, roughly 1/3 of all cows on these farms studied left the herd each year.



Increasing the herd’s survivability and decreasing the involuntary cull rate, therefore, is key to increasing profitability.



“At Semex, we’re working to help the dairyman increase his profitability,” says Nicolas Caron, Semex Alliance Geneticist. “One of the quickest ways to reduce costs and drive up profits is by reducing cows leaving the herd.  In today’s economic market, losing heifers in their first lactation before they’ve returned on your investment is not an option.  We’re working to deliver the very best genetic solutions, and Health$mart sires are selected to give dairymen an excellent option to help reduce costs at the ground level.  Simply put, healthy cows cost less.”



Semex has identified Health$mart™ sires as those that sire the most valuable and profitable cows on the dairy. These sires excel for qualities that dairies can easily quantify in their ledgers.  Dairymen can trust that a Semex Health$mart™ sire will have a positive financial impact, saving on vet bills, ... Read More...

SEMEN CARE: PROPER SEMEN HANDLING = MORE PGS

Don’t let semen handling be a “forgotten link” in your herd. Below are 12 steps herd owners and managers, herdsmen, inseminators and professional AI technicians can put in to practice to help get more cows pregnant.







Locate all items necessary to thaw semen and perform AI, including tweezers, water bath and thermometer, AI gun, sheaths, scissors, paper towels, plastic sleeves, and lubricant. Work close to the liquid nitrogen tank, preferably in a clean and dry location.



Check the water bath temperature using a thermometer. Most semen packaged in .5-mL or .25-mL straws should be thawed in water 95˚F/35˚C.



Keep an accurate semen inventory including storage location.



Work at or below the frost line in the neck of the tank to minimize the possibility of premature thawing of semen straws. After locating and grasping the desired cane, remove the straw with tweezers. Quickly transfer the straw to the water bath, while gently lowering the cane back into the canister, and the canister back into storage position. When thawing more than 1 straw simultaneously, do not allow straws to touch in the water bath.



Semen should be thawed for a minimum of 45 seconds. Use a watch or clock to monitor the time.



Remove the straw from the water bath and dry thoroughly with a paper towel. Water will kill sperm. Cut the crimped end of the straw at a right angle, keeping the straw covered by paper towels during the process.



As you load the straw into the gun, very quickly check to make sure you have selected the right bull.



Pull the sheath over the gun and secure it with an o-ring or by twisting the sheath on the raised spiral. Be certain the straw is seated ... Read More...

Mark E. Carson BSc. (Agr). MSc., Gencor Herd Reproduction Analyst



Often when a herd is having reproductive problems focus is given to what is currently happening to the cows in the herd.  Sometimes, however, looking back on our historical data we can find the root causes of many fertility issues.



The transition period, for example, is the most critical time in a cow’s lactation.  It’s during this time that cows are at a higher risk of developing disease; and, disease during the transition time can lead to reduced production and fertility throughout the entire lactation.



During a herd visit last winter, we visited a dairy with excellent disease recording and calving information.  Unfortunately, though, this herd was battling reduced conception, especially at first service.  Luckily, part of their disease recording protocol included documenting all diseases that occurred to their transition cows.  To detect problems in the herd, an accurate starting point needs to be determined.  Having recorded all disease information using a herd management program such as Dairy Comp 305, an owner, herdsman or herd advisor can more efficiently pinpoint reproduction problems and their causes. 



With this information available, we began to see that a significant percentage of the cows experiencing conception problems were the same cows that had problems at calving.  We identified that a group of cows that had Metritis during the summer months were now the same group of cows battling conception.



Metritis is a costly disease, reducing cow’s production and conception rates.  Research published by Overton and Fetrow (2008) showed that cows with Metritis were on average open for 33 days longer than cows that did not have the disease.  A 2006 University of ... Read More...

Semex’s iconic Maughlin Storm continues to make headlines more than 13 years after his initial proof as his 800th daughter scored EX this week.  Keriday Storm Sasha, like the 799 Storm daughters before her, has shown exceptional development, durability and strength netting her a score of EX-91-CAN in her fourth lactation. 



An original Semex Master Series™ sire, this most recent accomplishment sets Storm well above all other sires in Canada, as the sire with the most EX daughters ever.  By comparison, his sire Madawaska Aerostar has 53 EX daughters from 22,856 classified and his grandsire, the breed patriarch Hanoverhill Starbuck, has 418 EX daughters from his 37,960 classified. 



Storm’s statistics speak for themselves with 800 EX daughters of his 42,899 daughters classified, giving him an incredible 69% Good Plus or better ranking still today.  Among these daughters are some of the most tremendous and high impact cows of our time.  These cows have been and still are bull mothers, record milk producers, index toppers, brood cows, barn favorites and show winners.  Real cows working around the world.



As a sire of sons, Storm has proven himself again and again, siring nine Semex sires including modern day Master Series™ sires 0200HO07030 Ladino Park Talent *RC, 0200HO03067 Pursuit September Storm *RC, 0200HO04624 Brigeen Givenchy and former #1 LPI sire Hartline Titanic among many others.  On the bottom side of the pedigree, Storm’s genetics may make an even greater impact, being the maternal grandsire for 21 Semex sires, with superstar Braedale Goldwyn and his brothers included in the rankings. 



As the careers of many of these sires are just beginning at Semex, Storm’s genetics and the value that he brings to dairymen worldwide is certain to continue for many ... Read More...

As a Semex Master Series™ sire 0200HO04779 R-E-W Buckeye has proven himself time and again.  With his second crop behind him, backing up his proof, we know that Buckeye has stood the test of time, exceeded breeders’ expectations and is poised to make an impact on dairies seeking bulls with durability, reliability, efficiency and profitability assured in their proof.  Buckeye daughters are the real cows on real dairies that dairymen love to work with. 

Sylvain Landry’s Lansi Farms in Saint-Albert, Quebec has 958 head with his 370 cows milked by six robotic milkers.  Sylvain’s Buckeyes are low-maintenance cows that work hard and breed back easily, contributing positively to the herd’s bottom line.  Experience has shown Sylvain that that his Buckeye daughters are positive contributors that increase his profitability.    

"We have 83 registered Buckeyes,” says Sylvain Landry Lansi Farms owner.  “Right from birth, we were immediately impressed by Buckeye’s calving ease.  These calves weren’t very big, but they showed lots of vigor and will to live.  We’re now milking 22 Buckeyes.  They are very consistent and we love working with these young animals. They are very lively and are aggressive eaters who have adapted very well to our environment.  On average, they go to the robotic milker 2.6 times a day.”

“They walk on excellent feet and legs with good heel depth,” Sylvain continues.  “Their rear udders are high, wide and well-attached, with a nice texture, a strong ligament with teats that the robot easily finds.  Not only do they produce well, but they also reproduce easily.  Seven out of 10 became pregnant within 69 days or less.”

“In a large herd like ours, a cow that we ... Read More...