Company News

Semex is pleased to announce the promotion of two Semex employees to key management positions.�

Chris Sheahan has been promoted to the position of ai24� Program Manager.� Chris joined Semex five years ago as a District Sales Representative in east central Wisconsin.� In this role Chris has grown his two sales territories by effectively adding value to each client visit and promoting Semex�s product, programs and services.

As the ai24� Program Manager, Chris will work closely with Semex customers interested in improving their reproductive performance, Semex sales staff and Regional Sales Managers promoting the ai24� program. Chris� technical knowledge, approach to account management and understanding of the reproductive challenges facing today�s dairymen make him an ideal match for this newly created position.� To reach Chris and find out more about Semex�s ai24� program call 1-877-545-ai24 or email csheahan@semex.com

Jeremy Higgins has been promoted to the role of Regional Sales Manager, Central Region.� In this position Jeremy will oversee the development and management of the Central United States in Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.� As a District Sales Representative in Michigan since 2004, Jeremy has continuously grown market share and utilized key account management while providing solutions to his dairymen.�

Working as the Regional Sales Manager for the Central Region, Jeremy will work closely with the District Sales Representatives in these states to strategically grow Semex�s business by capitalizing on the unique suite of products, programs and services Semex offers that are profitable solutions for today�s dairyman.� To contact Jeremy please call 616-292-3064 or email jhiggins@semex.com




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Brenda Lee-Turner, Semex Alliance Marketing Communications Specialist



With temperatures topping +90˚F in many parts of the North America, dairymen are struggling to get their cows bred back on time.  Heat and its partner in crime, humidity, wreak havoc on dairies, pushing milk production and pregnancy rates down and herd health problems up.  Incidences of stress on cows can occur at temperatures as low as 72˚F when combined with higher humidity, dramatically reducing profitability on the dairy.   



Looking for solutions to keep the window of breeding opportunity open a little longer and combat these issues, Semex has designed its Repromix™ product to help get those problem, repeat breeders back into calf, reducing days open and into their next lactation and the milking line.



The theory behind Semex’s Repromix product is related to a phenomenon called capacitation.  Capacitation is a series of changes all sperm from mammals must undergo while in the female reproductive tract in order to fertilize an egg.  This process includes the modification of proteins on the outside of the sperm cell by the cow’s reproductive tract.  Without this process, sperm cannot fertilize an egg.  As timing with all reproduction is key, the time needed for the capacitation process to occur varies from species to species and in our case, bull to bull. 



“Based on our theory, bulls can have different capacitation profiles,” says Tom Kroetsch, Semex Alliance Director Production & Quality Control.  “But (all sires) will still have very good fertility when used in normal fertility cows in most herds with good reproductive management.” 



In general the timeline for capacitation in bull semen is generally 4 to 12 hours, but ... Read More...

Aaron Henderson, Semex US Jersey Specialist/Corporate Accounts Manager The Jersey breed is the fastest-growing dairy breed on the planet and as we accelerate into the next decade, Semex�s Jersey program is truly in the driver�s seat!� While many of our competitors have focused on individual traits such as inbreeding, JPI, JUI and show type, Semex�s Balanced Breeding philosophy and global sampling program have worked to provide a diversified lineup that meets the needs of dairymen everywhere.� The Semex Jersey lineup is well suited to meet the needs of dairymen everywhere, whether they milk 50, 500 or 5,000 cows.� Our genetics are poised to reach individual requirements and to help dairymen reach their profitability needs, efficiency goals and durability requirements.� Reducing Inbreeding: Outcross ability is measured by EFI (Expected Inbreeding Coefficient) and bulls that have a 6.0 and lower EFI are widely considered to be genetically diversified.� Semex has four bulls in its active line up under 6.0 EFI: 0200JE0103 Valleystream Julian; 0200JE0420 Pine Haven Senior; 0200JE0129 Bridon Jamaica; and 0200JE01310 Bridon Remake Comerica.� These sires are all outcross sires to imported Danish and New Zealand bloodlines.� JPI (Jersey Performance Index):� Many dairymen select on JPI and try to focus on the breed�s top 25 sires.� A list dominated by Jace sons, Semex has three bulls ranked in the top 25, none of which are Jace sons: 0200JE00990 Sunset Canyon RP Militia (Perimiter x Haug); 0200JE00944 Maackdairy Region (Legion x Lemvig); and 0200JE00992 Jenks Paramount Summit (Paramount x Bold). JUI (Jersey Udder Index): Semex is home to four of the top 20 ranked JUI sires, as much as anyone in the industry, with three ranking in the top six.� Following the April 2009 proofs the breed average for JUI was 3.33, 18 Semex sires are above 3.33 JUI with our active lineup averaging 5.00 JUI.�� Show Type: In 2008 Semex was honored to be the home of the World ... Read More...

Michelle Nelson, Semex USA West Coast Premier Consultant



Hilltop Holsteins in Oakdale, California is owned and operated by partners Michael and Carrie Dotinga and John and Susan Vander Schaaf. Michael takes care of the daily operations of the dairy and some of the farming.



Michael grew up and worked on his family dairy. In 1998, Hilltop Holsteins began. The Dotinga’s and Vander Scaaf’s purchased the current facility along with the dairy’s 800 cows. In addition, Hilltop Holsteins also purchased 600 bred heifers to help grow the herd to the current size of milking 1,350 Holsteins with a rolling herd average of 22,983 milk 3.7% 847 fat 3.3% 719 protein.



In 2003, the facility was completely remodeled; new freestall barns were built along with a brand new double 20 parallel milk barn. To help relieve heat stress in the summertime, fans are provided for the fresh cow pen, close-up dry cow pen, and far-off dry cow pen. Fans, misters, and soakers also were installed in the milk barn.



Hilltop Holsteins farms 220 acres of corn and oats. In addition, 220 acres are currently used for pasture. There are 8 employees working on the dairy: 5 milkers, 1 feeder, and 2 herdsmen who work closely with Michael. All heifer calves are sent to a nearby calf ranch at 1 day old; the calves return to the dairy at 5 months old. At a year old heifers are sent to another nearby heifer raising facility to be bred; heifers return to the dairy when they are approximately 5 months pregnant.



Hilltop Holsteins has been using Semex sires and participated in the Premier Young Sire Program since 1998. Recently, they have partnered with the Semex Premier™ Club Young Sire Program. Currently, the herd is using 70% Semex sires and is very pleased with their results.



“I am using ... Read More...

In a recent survey conducted by Holstein International, Semex sires were proven to be extremely popular worldwide.



Dairymen everywhere list Semex sires as tops in their choices as most used in the last 6 months, which sires they would like to use more heavily in retrospect and which sires make their best 2 Yr Olds. 



Semex sires showed their strength and popularity with dairymen when asked which proven bulls have Holstein International readers used in the past 6 months…  Dairymen answered that they’ve preferred a Semex sire 29% of the time.  Semex sires identified as those preferred by dairymen worldwide were Goldwyn (#3), Dolman (#8), Bolivia (#15), Talent *RC (#17), Ashlar (#18), Samuelo (#20), Jasper (#28) and #Spirte (#30).  Most interestingly it is only Semex that can claim to be truly international superstars with its 29% containing sires that are proven on three separate continents!  … Semex Works Everywhere in its truest sense!







Not surprisingly, breeders also chose Semex sires more than any other when answering which bulls they would have liked to have used more heavily in retrospect.  Four of the eight sires listed as most common responses are Semex sires.  Semex’s superstar Goldwyn ranked #2, with Semex greats Outside, Allen and Rudolph also listed.   This shows dairymen’s desire for reliable, well-proven sires.  These sires were all popular for multiple reasons, but certainly none more important than their high reliability.  Each of these bulls remain superstars of our industry, siring high producers, beautiful cows, sires of sons and most importantly the kind of real cows dairymen want more of in their herds.



Looking towards the future of the breed, dairymen also commented on which sires were making ... Read More...

The April 2009 proof release placed the stamp of approval on reliable second crop Semex sires, while ushering in new release sires that expand Semex’s line-up. This expanded product offering meets the needs of dairymen everywhere, with sires designed to positively impact the bottom line.



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 a 5% CE, 2.55 SCS Oman son, high milk sons and sons by Semex greats Talent and Titanic. For more information on all new April releases click here or view each bull below.


Holstein:

0200HO01937 West Port Bookman Red GP-CAN ST (Talent x Rubens)
0200HO05239 La Presentation Denzel VG-CAN Extra (Champion x Emerson)
0200HO09804 Crockett-Acres Eight EX-91-CAN SP (Oman x Mtoto)
0200HO00379 Morsan Frontrunner *RC GP-CAN ST (Talent x James)
0200HO09711 Regancrest Kingsley GP-CAN ST (Ramses x Convincer)
0200HO05340 Sicy Knowledge VG-CAN (Freelance x James)
0200HO05300 Comestar Lauvy VG-CAN (Titanic x Igniter)
0200HO05322 Gen-I-Beq Sahara *RC GP-CAN SP (Champion x Durham)
0200HO03404 Willsona Silas VG-CAN SP (Titanic x Convincer)


Jersey:



0200JE00944 Maackdairy Region (Legion x Lemvig)
0200JE00943 Wilsonview Shurbondy (Jace x Bold)
0200JE00015 Unique Belle’s Red Baron (Jace x Paramount)





Contact your Semex representative to put Semex to work in your herd today!
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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.
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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...