Company News

SEMEX’S JULIEN CHABOT PASSES AWAY

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...

From Holstein International: Semex Beef on Dairy: Maximizing Beef Profits from Your Dairy Herd

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EASTGEN UPDATE - JULY 2026

The current EastGen Board of Directors recently gathered at our Head Office in Guelph, ON, for their official Board photo. Following the EastGen Annual
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EASTGEN UPDATE - JUILLET 2026 (FR)

Les membres du conseil d’administration actuel d’EastGen se sont récemment réunis à notre siège social de Guelph, en Ontario, pour la prise de leur photo officielle. À la suite de l’assemblée
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EASTGEN UPDATE - JUNE 2026

It’s Official - NSAB Joins EastGen - June 1st marked an exciting milestone as we
officially welcomed Nova Scotia to EastGen. Earlier this year, members of Nova Scotia Animal Breeders (NSAB) voted to join EastGen and officially become a part of the Semex Alliance. NSAB is the twenty-first farmer-owned organization to come
together under the EastGen banner, continuing a long history of collaboration in support of Canadian producers.
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EASTGEN UPDATE - JUIN 2026 (FR)

C’est officiel - NSAB se joint à EastGen - Le 1er juin a marqué une étape importante puisque nous avons officiellement accueilli la Nouvelle-Écosse au sein d’EastGen. Plus tôt cette année, les membres de Nova Scotia Animal Breeders (NSAB) ont voté pour se joindre à EastGen et faire officiellement partie de l’Alliance Semex. NSAB est la 21e entreprise appartenant à des agriculteurs à se regrouper sous la bannière d’EastGen, poursuivant une longue tradition de collaboration en appui aux producteurs canadiens.
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SHERRARD APPOINTED TO SEMEX BOARD OF DIRECTORS AS EXTERNAL ADVISOR

Semex is pleased to announce that Justin Sherrard has been appointed as an External Advisor to its Board of Directors.
In his role as External Advisor, Sherrard will provide the board with independent strategic insight, drawing on his expertise in international markets, global supply chains, investment strategy, value-based go-to-market approaches, innovation, automation, ag-tech, governance, and long-term sustainability. 
"Justin brings extensive global experience across animal protein supply chains, sustainability, innovation, and strategic growth," says Semex CEO Matt McCready. "Throughout his career, he has worked with agri-food organizations, including input providers, producers, retailers, and foodservice companies, across major international markets. We're excited to have him join us at Semex."
Most recently, Sherrard served as Global Strategist, Animal Protein, at Rabobank, advising clients on emerging opportunities and risks in global animal protein markets, supporting strategic investment decisions, and helping shape long-term strategy.
Currently, he serves as President of the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, leading international collaboration to achieve sustainability outcomes across the beef value chain. In addition, Sherrard is a director and advisor to several ag-tech and innovation-focused companies, with expertise in supply chain innovation, AI, automation, and productivity in the livestock sector.



 

 

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EASTGEN UPDATE - MAY 2026

Progress where it counts the most - The April proof round delivered meaningful genetic progress across our dairy sire lineup. With a balanced mix of high-impact
new releases and dependable proven sires, EastGen’s lineup continues to make progress where it counts most for profit and herd performance. No matter your
breeding strategy, you’ll find sires that bring dependability
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EASTGEN UPDATE - MAY 2026 (FR)

La ronde d’épreuves d’avril a démontré des progrès génétiques concrets dans notre groupe de taureaux laitiers. Avec un mélange équilibré de nouveaux venus à for t potentiel et de taureaux éprouvés fiables, le groupe d’EastGen continue de réaliser des progrès là où ça compte le plus en matière de profit et de per formance du troupeau. Quelle que soit votre stratégie d’élevage, vous trouverez des taureaux
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APRIL 2026 HOLSTEIN HIGHLIGHTS

This proof round kicks off the year, delivering meaningful genetic progress across our Holstein lineup. With a balanced mix of high-impact new releases and dependable proven sires, our lineup continues to make progress where it counts most for profit and herd performance. No matter your breeding strategy, you’ll find sires that bring dependability, consistent outcomes, and reliable results to your operation...
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