Company News

Recently, Semex sire 0200HO05592 Crackholm Fever reached the pivotal Millionaire Sire mark at Semex, joining 12 other elite Semex sires that have each produced over one million doses of semen.

Semex is an industry leader in delivering the ‘best selling’ sires of their time, which is the truest testament to breeder satisfaction and approval. As Semex's thirteenth Millionaire Sire, Fever is joining an elite fraternity of Semex icons including: Mainstream Manifold; R-E-W Buckeye; Ladino Park Talent *RC; Hanoverhill Inspiration; Madawaska Aerostar; Startmore Rudolph; Comestar Lee, Leader, Outside and Lheros; Stouder Morty; and Oliveholme Aeroline.

Debuting as the #2 Conformation sire in August 2010 Fever quickly became a stand-out in a sea of Goldwyn sons, and was dubbed the ‘Longevity King,’ as his proof only seemed to grow stronger as he added daughters from proof round to proof round. In August 2013, he was named the #1 second crop conformation sire, and with his great health traits and exceptional fertility he quickly became an international sensation, garnering his own searchable hashtag on social media… the #feverfanclub.

"Fever is an exceptional individual,” says Brad Sayles Vice President Product Development & Genetic Solutions. “In August 2010 we graduated numerous Goldwyn sons. Fever stood out to our international client base as highly desirable, not just because of his great conformation, but because he has great health traits and is extremely fertile. His popularity has not waned, and only seems to grow globally. We’re extremely proud of the success dairymen are having with his daughters worldwide and we look forward to hearing more about them for years to come.”

For more information on Semex or of its suite of solutions visit www.semex.com
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Semex is pleased to announce Michael Hurst has been appointed US Senior Sales Manager effective September 6, 2016. In this role Michael will lead our national sales team, being responsible for achieving sales and profitability targets through the development and growth of our US sales and distribution channels.

Hurst has over 20 years of business-to-business experience in the agricultural industry. After graduating from The Ohio State University with a master of science degree in animal breeding and management, Hurst worked for the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA) as an Assistant Manager of Jersey Marketing Service and Director of Appraisal. In this role Hurst managed seven area representatives, two office staff and five appraisers who evaluated 50,000 Jersey cows annually. During his tenure at AJCA, Hurst grew total sales, helped launch an internet auction service, streamlined data and workflows, and grew Jersey member program participation. Additionally, he coordinated and enhanced the All-American Jersey Show, assisting with the implementation of the Premier Performance Class, as well as the new show ring Exhibition Code, and was a field representative to the Mid-Atlantic states.

Hurst was also a Financial Service Officer for Farmer Credit Services of Mid-America in Springfield, Ohio. While at Farm Credit Services, Hurst’s full time producer portfolio consisted of operating, IT and mortgage loans. Hurst’s accomplishments include being named Rookie of the Year in 2006, as well as ranking in the top 10 year to date sales for the entire Farm Credit Services organization for 2009, and top 10 sales in 2008 after closing $31 million in new business.

In 2009 Hurst joined Semex as our North East Regional Manager. In this role he worked closely with our team, strategically growing Semex’s business while developing our people and business-to-business relationships at the farm gate.

Most recently Michael was Director of Sales at River ... Read More...

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As General Manager of WestGen, Gordie Souter was integral in bringing together the four Canadian A.I. organizations (WestGen, CIAQ, Gencor and EBI now known as EastGen) to form The Semex Alliance in 1997.  At that time, the sire analyst group was brought under The Semex Alliance structure and Gordie provided leadership to the genetics team and was responsible for acquiring bulls in the Western Provinces until his retirement. Because he was a visionary leader, he was asked to work on special projects for The Semex Alliance including a review of housing, production and distribution nearly 20 years ago. Today, many of his recommendations have come into fruition. Known for his thriftiness, vision and passion for the A.I. business, Gordie provided leadership to Semex subsidiaries, liaised with the Board of Directors and traveled worldwide as a well-respected Semex ambassador. From Semex Partner-Owner WestGen: During his more than 40-year career in the genetics and AI field, Robert Gordon Souter – or as most people knew him, “Gordie” – made an impact on the Western Canadian industry that is simply unmatched. Born in Alberta and educated in British Columbia, Gordie joined what was then called the BCAI Centre (now WestGen) in 1961 as a technician, and worked his way up to becoming General Manager in 1977. His exceptional skills and vision in all aspects of genetic improvement enabled him to become a major innovator in the cattle breeding industry, and lead him to refine genetic evaluation methods, develop sire proving programs, introduce genetic mating programs, and improve cow identification and registration. Furthermore, no one has been responsible for the purchase of more millionaire sires than Gordie- Madawaska Aerostar, Oliveholme Aeroline, Stouder Morty and Mainstream Manifold are all credited to him.  In 2004, Gordie was inducted into the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame. He and his wife, Barbara, were also presented with the Ralph J. Barichello Memorial ... Read More...

Semex is excited to announce the enhancement of its Product Development Team. Comprised of the Genetic Development and Product Acquisition groups, this team’s focus is ensuring Semex remains an industry leader through its unique genetic strategies and acquisitions, as well as its own internal product development and promotion strategies.

Working alongside exclusive and preferred partners and breeders globally, this team will cultivate long-term and mutually beneficial relationships that will continue netting the world’s most sought after genetics.

“We’re extremely excited about this talented group of people,” says Brad Sayles, Semex Vice President Product Development & Client Solutions. “Each one brings excellent knowledge and the proven experience in today’s fast-paced genetics environment that will continue propelling both Semex’s and our partners’ genetic strategies forward. We look forward to their contributions to Semex and the genetics industry.”

Genetic Development Team:


Thierry Laberge: Thierry’s contributions to Semex’s genetics portfolio are significant and he will continue working closely with Canadian partner herds as he has since joining Semex in 1995
Mike West: Since 2007 Mike has been a part of the Semex Team. His dual role saw him providing excellent product support as well as sire acquisitions in the US, Canada and Europe
Carl Saucier: Carl has worked closely with Semex through partner-owner CIAQ since 1991, providing excellent product support as well as leading international tours
Jim Biggar: Like Carl, Jim has worked closely with Canadian herds through his role at Semex partner-owner EastGen since 1996, providing excellent product support and leading international tours
Carl Barclay: Carl has been with Semex partner-owner WestGen since 2007, most recently as a Reproductive Consultant, providing technical knowledge to sales persons and clients in ... Read More...

DP FRONTRUNNER was already our second highest used sire and his popularity is only going to continue to grow with the release of his first MACE proof. FRONTRUNNER is now the #1 MACE LPI (2072) and MACE Conformation sire (+14) in Canada! He is an outstanding source for high components (+.69% Fat, +.18% Protein) and his type breakdown is off the charts. Expect silky udders (+20 Texture), a deep crease (+18 Median Suspensory Ligament), great feet (+12 Heel Depth), and stylish, tall and angular frames (+12 Stature, +14 Angularity). The Robot Ready and HealthSmart designated FRONTRUNNER is a Premier son from the high profile DP Iatola Flower 16 EX. Guimo JOEL, by far our top used sire, saw improvements for GLPI (now 1829), Pro$ (up $266 to $1466) and gained in Milk (+358 kg), Fat (+27 kg, +.13%), Protein (+24 kg, +.16%) while holding for an amazing +15 Conformation (#1 in Canada for a second round). When you consider that JOEL is designated as a Repromax sire, carries the coveted A2A2 gene and is Immunity+, it is no wonder that breeders have gone to JOEL so heavily.
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Since the U.S. release of Sandy-Valley Saloon in December 2015, Saloon has continued to jump up the GTPI list until he hit the top of the list this round. Semex’s Sandy-Valley Saloon is now the #1 GTPI sire in the World. With close to 1,500 milking U.S. daughters, Saloon finds himself as the #1 Milk & #1 Protein sire in the U.S. Top 50 sire list and the #1 PTAT sire in the Top 20 sire list. This certainly makes Saloon the #1 A2A2 designated sire in the business as well.
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The only product offering 30% heritability to improve herd health, Semex’s Immunity+ continues to distinguish Semex as the worldwide genetic company of choice.

With over 20 years of research in immunogenetics and associated health benefits, immune response is highly effective and 30% heritable. Each generation bred to an Immunity+ sire is expected to reduce disease incidence by at least 5-10%. These offspring produce higher quality colostrum with more antibodies and have a greater response to commercial vaccines. 

“It’s our mission to offer our clients the very best solutions to improve herd health and profitability,” says Paul Krueger, Semex Immunity+ Global Brand Manager. “There’s no question that Immunity+ is their best option. It’s 30% heritable and is the only full-body solution for herd health that begins at birth.”

In its elite Genomax™ lineup, Semex now has:


72 Genomax Immunity+ bulls over +2400 GTPI
37 Genomax Immunity+ bulls over +2500 GTPI
10 Genomax Immunity+ bulls over +2600 GTPI
13 Genomax Jersey Immunity+ bulls
  6 Genomax Ayrshire Immunity+ bulls


This group is led by 0200HO10648 Endco Apprentice *RC (Kingboy x Supersire x Alchemy), who is the #2 Kingboy available in the breed at +2724 GTPI, +840 NM$, +125 CFP, +7.5 PL, 2.71 SCS, +2.1 DPR with solid +2.39 PTAT, +2.11 UDC. He’s also HealthSmart™, RobotReady™ and Red & White and his dam is a VG-85 Supersire x VG-85 Alchemy x EX-95-2E Altitude, the dam of the famous Apple!

For more information on Semex, Genetics for Life, Immunity+, Genomax sires or any of Semex’s brands visit: www.semex.com
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Semex’s Genomax program continues to be enviable worldwide, as 200HO is now home to the breed’s #1 and #5 GTPI sires in August 2016! These sires along with new releases and mainstays including Millionaire Sire, 0200HO00402 Mainstream Manifold who has ranked in the top 100 an impressive 22 consecutive times, spell success for Semex’s Genomax program. August highlights include:


December 2015 graduate, 0200HO02792 Sandy-Valley Saloon now ranks as Holstein USA's #1 High Ranking Sire at +2669 GTPI! This increase saw his figures rise to +2749 PTAM, +87 Pro, +96 Fat and +2.84 PTAT, making him the highest PTAT sire in the top 20 and the highest PTAM bull in the top 60. As an A2A2 sire, he's one of the most in-demand sires globally.
Ranking as the #5 GTPI sire, 0200HO03859 Sully Munition debuts with a full proof at an impressive +7.8 PL and +2557 GTPI. Also A2A2, Munition is a Repromax™, Calving Ease, Robot Ready™ and HealthSmart™ sire. Dairymen tell us they’re happy with their trouble-free Munitions.
The breed's leading *RC sire, 0200HO02828 Dymentholm S Sympatico *RC, increased to +2482 GTPI and +1854 PTAM with low 2.76 SCS, +4.7 PL, ranking as the #17 GTPI sire. Along with his high fertility Repromax status he’s also HealthSmart, Calving Ease, Robot Ready and Red & White, making him even more valuable.
Graduating in August are two Facebook sons, 0200HO02875 Teemar Alistair and 0200HO02870 Mr Lookout P Enforcer. Alistair is +2353 GTPI and Enforcer is +2348 GTPI. Alistair is a Calving Ease and Repromax™ sire. Enforcer is a Calving Ease and A2A2 sire.


Semex’s Genomax lineup has over 250 active Holstein sires including 60 over +2600 GTPI, 168 over +2500 GTPI and averages of +648 NM$, 2.79 SCS, +4.8 PL from 60 different sires!  

Topping this list:


0200HO10648 Endco Apprentice *RC (Kingboy x Supersire x Alchemy): #2 Kingboy available in the breed at +2724 GTPI, +840 NM$, ... Read More...

77 participants from Eastern Ontario started arriving at the Spencerville Fairgrounds on Monday, July 4th and despite the heat, got the calves settled in for the two-day event. This Showcase was the first youth show of four organized by EastGen across their service area. “As staff, one of the highlights of our year is to work with the next generation who are so enthusiastic, energetic and passionate about the dairy business,” said Brian O’Connor, EastGen general manager. “These participants are the future leaders in our communities and represent the future of agriculture, one which we are proud to be a part of.” The two-day event is highlighted by education and skill enhancement sessions as well as the fun and friendly show which is comprised of both a showmanship and conformation division. The educational session, held on the first day, included a presentation by keynote speaker Christina Crowley-Arklie, Press Secretary for the Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Jeff Leal.
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