Company News

Using Genetics to Create Better Collostrum: Semex’s partnership with University of Guelph plays a key role in identifying dairy cattle genetics that can produce naturally healthier animals. It’s a collaboration that continues to help
optimize milk production by reducing the time and money producers spend
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The Semex lineup is truly designed to 'Crush Disease' with the addition of four Jersey and 29 Holstein Immunity+® sires in the December 2019 genetic evaluation. These additions have driven the active Immunity+ lineup to 245 sires! Exclusive to Semex, Immunity+ is the only proven genetic solution that improves herd health with the first generation, compounding with each subsequent generation. "Dairymen everywhere are serious about herd health," says Drew Sloan, Semex Vice President, International Sales. "Financial and social pressures are driving clients everywhere to look for a genetic solution. And, they're making health a primary selection goal. Our Immunity+ lineup is the only proven way to improve the strength of an animals' immune system and reduce disease and antibiotic usage. We're literally helping clients everywhere 'Crush Disease'."
"We've found that the environment doesn't really matter too much," says Dr Steven Larmer, Semex Senior Manager, Genomics Program. "When it comes to Immunity+, we see the same kind of results in dairies all around the world. We consistently see less mastitis, less mortality and less lameness. And, those are important economic drivers."
Leading the Immunity+ Holstein lineup in December is the new #19 GTPI sire, 0200HO10693 Siemers Bloomfield, at +2698 GTPI. He is the only bull in Holstein Association USA's Top 100 International Bulls' Top 20 listing, offering disease resistant genetics! A Delta x Numero Uno x Bombi, Bloomfield delivers +878 NM$, +1021 DWP$, +106 PTAF, +5.9 PL, +2.40 DPR with solid +2.24 PTAT.
Impressively, many of our top 10 LPI proven sires are also Immunity+® sires. The newest to the list is #9 LPI 0200HO10661 Stantons Adagio-P, making him the #1 New LPI Immunity+ sire! A Powerball-P x McCutchen x the Elly Mae family is +3381 GLPI and delivers impressive mammary systems, that are shallow with excellent quality and strong attachments. With over 200 ... Read More...

We are breaking new ground this proof round with the addition of a myriad of exciting new bulls including a long-awaited proven polled superstar in Stantons Adagio-P.

Superstar is not an overstatement when you talk about the newly launched Stantons Adagio-P. He debuts as Canada’s #1 proven polled sire for GLPI (3381), for Pro$ ($2184), and for Combined Fat & Protein (+133 kg). Adagio-P, however, is far more than an exciting new proven polled sire. He ranks with
the very best of the best and is in fact the #2 ranked proven Immunity+® designated sire for both GLPI and Pro$
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Bred to be great, our first Genomax addition Unique WEBCAM does not disappoint. WEBCAM, who is available sexed on a Pre-Order basis, will give a huge kick for production (+1166 Milk) and with an impressive +14 for type, he is second only to our St-Lo VIDEO for Conformation who held at +15. When guarded for deviations, WEBCAM is going to tick a lot of boxes. WEBCAM is our first Wildcat son (Texas x Legal) and his dam is a VG-87 Matt who is the #7 Conformation cow in Canada and full sister to the #1 cow for type. They both stem from an EX-92-3E 6* Governor from the 2016 Jersey Cow of the Year Avonlea Mischief’s Magnolia SUP-EX-92-4E 12*. Magnolia’s dam is also the granddam of one of the true great of the breed Musqie Iatola Martha EX-97 three time Supreme Champion at the RWF, Supreme
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Following today’s announcement of Gay Lea’s acquisition of Thornloe Cheese, it is humbling for our team to reflect on the true pride we hold for a cheese plant that has earned your respect for quality products for over 75 years. Customers have called Thornloe Cheese the “Pride of the North” and we are confident that under Gay Lea’s ownership, the product line will reach new levels and will continue to “wow” cheese connoisseurs for years to come.

“The EastGen Board of Directors are very pleased that Thornloe will continue to operate under a farmer-owned cooperative. We are confident that Gay Lea Foods will support and contribute to the legacy of making award-winning innovative products from milk produced by Northern Ontario farms,” says David Larmer, EastGen President. “Being a part of Gay Lea Foods will allow Thornloe to continue to expand their markets going forward.”

In January of 2007, EastGen’s predecessor, Gencor, purchased Thornloe Cheese, who was destined to be closed by Parmalat. Over the next 12 years, Thornloe Cheese stabilized its financial situation, developed specialty cheeses, grew its quota holdings and launched a successful line of Grass Fed Cheese and Butter all while supporting local dairy producers in Northeastern Ontario. The goal of the original producer Board members was to develop a dairy business that would create specialty cheeses and niche value-added dairy products in the remarkable Temiskaming agricultural valley. This goal was achieved by the brilliant hard work of the dedicated staff at Thornloe Cheese under the leadership of Rhonda Wood, Yves Gauthier, and Martin Melendez.

Through the tremendous efforts of the staff team, Thornloe has become a well-respected Canadian brand and won numerous National awards for its products, highlighted by the back-to-back Grand Champion Butter Awards (Grass Fed Butter) at the 2018 & 2019 Royal Winter Fairs.

Over the ... Read More...

We congratulate Katrina Earle on her grand prize entry in our 2019 Christmas card contest. About the Illustrator Katrina Earle is 11 years old and attends
grade 6 at Eramosa Public School. As a member of Wellington County 4-H, Katrina
has participated in many clubs including the Eramosa Dairy Club. In 2019, Katrina won the Outstanding Novice Member for Wellington County. In her spare
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Wanting to breed a healthy herd is just the first step. Developing and executing a plan to do so are the next critical steps. We’re working with our clients to identify their disease resistant cows with Immunity+ sires, netting the benefits
of disease resistant genetics in the next generation. This is developing and executing a genetic strategy that truly puts
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EastGen members in Zones 2, 5, 8 and 11 are invited to submit nominations for a Director in their respective Zone for a three year term.

Any member seeking election as a director or any current director seeking re-election must file a signed, written nomination (early nomination form attached), co-signed by another member within the same zone. The nomination may be forwarded by mail, facsimile, or email to the Secretary of the Board (Brian O’Connor) and must be received by 5:00 p.m. on the last Friday in October (October 25, 2019). Fax number is 519-821-1268 and email address is brian.oconnor@eastgen.ca.

For more information on the Nomination Procedure, Qualifications for a Director, Role of a Director and Expected Time Commitment, Election of Directors, Election of Delegates, and Information on Being a Delegate, CLICK HERE.  
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Best Practices for Profitability: Consider the importance of restraints when it comes to breeding time.

Cows that have been stressed at the time of insemination:
Exhibit spikes in adrenalin that suppress the normal hormonal interactions during estrus
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The best giveaway at World Dairy Expo now comes in brown! This year Semex is pleased to be giving away two Immunity+® sired heifers …. One Holstein, and for the first time ever, one Jersey!

“We’re extremely excited to be giving away both a Holstein and a Jersey calf this year,” says Michael Hurst, Semex Director, US Sales & Business Development. “They’re both by in-demand Immunity+ sires and are ready to go home and literally help you build a healthier herd from day one! We’re also giving away 10 Elevate® genomic tests each day and entry is simple… Just come to the Semex Tent!”

Launched in December 2012, Semex’s Immunity+ sire lineup has proven itself to be the only way to effectively crush disease with genetics. At 30% heritability and proven to reduce disease from 5-10% in just one generation with no genetic sacrifices, Immunity+ sires are improving herd health worldwide.

“Studies analyzing health data from over 30,000 cows and 75,000 heifers on 35 herds have shown reductions in every major disease ranging from 5-20% compared to other sires. We’re hearing from herds around the world every day about how healthy these animals are,” says Hurst. “And, with the 2018 launch of our female genomic testing program, Elevate, we can now access female Immunity genomics, providing us with the best way to crush disease and help our clients make more money every day.”

Semex invites all World Dairy Expo attendees to visit the Semex Tent, have fun in our photo booth with special props and prizes, and enter to win one of these calves and 10 free Elevate tests to be announced daily. Known as the ‘place to meet’ at World Dairy Expo Semex will once again be hosting hospitality hours from 5:00-7:00 pm on Thursday and Friday nights, with a live calf draw at 6:00 pm both nights. ... Read More...