Company News

Semex is saddened to announce the passing of Robert Chicoine, Semex Alliance's architect and its first general manager. Like no other, Robert Chicoine is foundational to Semex, and on his passing, Semex, its partners, global staff, and breeders worldwide are indebted to his dedication to dairy cattle improvement and Canadian genetics.   As a young boy growing up in Saint-Pie-de-Bagot, Quebec, Robert studied the Holstein Journal, memorized names, and dreamed of working with cows. As a student at Université Laval he spent a summer working at Centre d’insémination artificielle du Québec (CIAQ) and described his time there as being in “heaven.” In 1966, he joined CIAQ and established its young-sire-proving program; he became CIAQ’s General Manager in 1981; he was a Boviteq visionary and Chairman of the Board from 1991-1996; and in 1997, he was among the visionaries who established the Semex Alliance, serving as its first general manager. Uniquely qualified, Robert helped design Semex’s cooperative structure, the Canadian genetic evaluation model, and the research infrastructure Boviteq is built on. Robert’s leadership and vision laid the groundwork for Semex and Boviteq to continually expand globally and deliver the genetics and technology Semex is synonymous with: profitability, genetic improvement, reliability, and breeder satisfaction. With a career studded with milestones, awards, and recognition, Robert is the 2026 World Dairy Expo International Person of the Year. Recently, he reminisced on the UpLevel Dairy Podcast about one of his favorite memories: “As a sire analyst, I selected several bulls that had influence in the breed. And one of them was Hanoverhill Starbuck, who was quite a significant bull in the history of the breed. But as a global impact, probably having a leadership role in putting together the partners to form the Semex Alliance in the 1990s was probably what I would ... Read More...

𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗛𝗨𝗠𝗔𝗡 𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗧 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗣 𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗗 𝘐𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘋𝘳. 𝘛𝘪𝘮 𝘏𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘸 𝗡𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻! Do you know a leader or mentor who inspires agricultural youth, gives generously to their community, and embodies the spirit of Dr. Tim Henshaw? EastGen invites nominations from 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗢𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗔𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 for the 2026 Feeding the Human Spirit Leadership Award. 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 Established by EastGen in memory of the late 𝗗𝗿. 𝗧𝗶𝗺 𝗛𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗮𝘄, this award celebrates individuals who reflect Tim’s legacy as a skilled veterinarian, educator, communicator, leader and mentor. Tim was known for his integrity, generosity of spirit, commitment to his community, and his ability to inspire young people to challenge themselves and reach their potential. The Feeding the Human Spirit Leadership Award recognizes those who carry those same qualities forward and aligns with EastGen’s ongoing commitment to 𝘼𝙜 𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙 – 𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙂𝙤𝙤𝙙. The winner will receive: A cash award provided by EastGen, and a keepsake memento. 𝗡𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲: 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 Previous nominees are welcome to be resubmitted for consideration. A selection committee, including previous recipients, will review all nominations. The 2026 award will be presented Tuesday, November 10, during the final day of showing at the TD Canadian 4-H Dairy Classic at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair ... Read More...

NEW — A Semex-exclusive index for robotic dairy success launched with the August 2026 Proof Release. Robot+™ helps producers identify genetics built for automation, making it easier to increase robot utilization, milk production, labour efficiency, and profitability.
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NOUVEAU — Un indice exclusif à Semex dédié à la réussite de la traite robotisée lancé lors de la publication des épreuves d’août 2026. Robot+mc aide les producteurs à identifier la génétique conçue pour l’automatisation, facilitant l’augmentation de l’utilisation des robots, de la production de lait, de
l’efficacité de la main-d’oeuvre et de la rentabilité.
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Despite contending with a Health Canada smoke advisory, summer heat waves, and the need to relocate events to two different facilities, the 2026 EastGen Showcase and EastGen Challenge youth shows welcomed an outstanding group
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Malgré l’avis de fumée de Santé Canada, les vagues de chaleur estivales et la
nécessité de déplacer les événements vers deux sites différents, l’exposition
EastGen et le Défi EastGen 2026 ont accueilli
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Semex is deeply saddened to announce the sudden passing of Julien Chabot

Julien Chabot joined the Semex Family in 1995 as a Sire Analyst with Eastern Breeders Inc. When the Semex Alliance was formed in 1997, he joined its newly formed Sire Analyst Team and, in August 2016, transitioned to Product Acquisition Specialist. 

His 31-year career with Semex is one marked by success. Most notably, he purchased Braedale Goldwyn, the ‘Type Sire of the Century,’ who shattered records and won multiple consecutive Premier Sire Awards at both the World Dairy Expo and the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. Julien was Goldwyn’s biggest champion and was known for proudly wearing his custom Goldwyn belt buckle nearly everywhere he went.   

From 2005 to 2008, Julien was instrumental in the Semex Sale of Stars at the Royal, reviving the sale series to international prominence and taking it to new heights with record-breaking averages for Holsteins, component breeds, and its embryo auction.

His understanding of genetics, along with being one of the industry’s best pedigree experts, made him invaluable to Semex. He loved working with his herds and clients, equally comfortable discussing net merit dollars and the show ring. His long line of success includes names dairymen worldwide love: Windbrook, Dropbox, and Havenofear. Many more proven sires and young bulls from North American top herds are a part of Semex because of his careful matings and strategy.

Julien’s eye for cattle was unmatched. He and his family were synonymous with Champions, helping make names such as Twix, Caught A Vibe, Lasenza, Lovestruck, and the Million Dollar Lila Z household names.

Above all, those who knew Julien knew he loved Semex; he loved Goldwyn, but most of all he loved his wife, Marianne, and his daughter, Alex. 

“Julien loved life, people, and competition,” said Paul Trapp, Semex Genetic Acquisition Team Lead. “He ... Read More...

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