Company News

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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86 youth from all four Atlantic Provinces participated in the 27th EastGen 4-H Showcase held the weekend of July 15-17th at the Nova Scotia provincial Exhibition grounds in Bible Hill, NS. The Showcase is one of the most highly anticipated 4-H youth events every year and is one of four that EastGen hosts across their service area. Despite the very warm weather over the weekend, the show boasted the largest participation numbers in recent years. The participants with their competition calves helped make this event one of the most successful in the history of the show. Special thanks to judges Paula Cornish, Ontario (Beef) and Luke McLellan, Nova Scotia (Dairy). The 2.5 day event is a combination of education and skill enhancement sessions that are put into practice the final day when the youth compete for top prizes. Educational, handson sessions lead by qualified instructors include proper clipping techniques, showing and cattle evaluation. Youth also had the opportunity to participate in classroom sessions on �Understanding Beef EPD�s� by Scott Cornish, EastGen; Holstein Canada Services with Kelly Velthuis, Holstein Canada and a very special presentation on Cow Signals provided by Dan Mosley, Perennia. The group were also treated to a tour and team building exercise at Dalhousie University-Faculty of Agriculture. �The Showcase is a great event and one we at EastGen look forward to hosting each year. The youth of tomorrow are very enthusiastic, energetic and positive about the beef and dairy industry. With this kind of optimism the future of both industries looks to be in good hands.� said Dale MacPhee, EastGen Atlantic Regional Sales Manager.
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Excitement was in the air when the 2016 EastGen Challenge East event attracted 104 keen competitors to the fairgrounds in Markham, Ont., on July 14th and 15th for two days of fun, learning opportunities and friendly competition tailored specifically for dairy youth. This was the third of four similar events organized by EastGen and held across their service area this summer.
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STRATFORD, ONTARIO � 155 participants arrived at the Stratford Fairgrounds July 8, 2016, for a two-day event incorporating education, skill development, teamwork and an opportunity for friendly competition. The EastGen Challenge was the second youth show of four organized by EastGen across their service area.
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Semex is pleased to announce that Gerrit Wensink (EastGen) has been appointed as President & Chairman of the Board for 2016-2017, succeeding Norm McNaughton (EastGen). Norm will continue as Executive Member of the Board. Also assisting Gerrit is Gary Bowers (CIAQ), who has been re-elected for a second term serving as Vice President. Other members of the Board of Directors include: Robert Wright (EastGen); Warren MacIntosh (EastGen); and Art Pruim (WestGen).
 
Semex is also pleased to welcome four new members who will serve on its Board of Directors:


Jean Bissonnette (CIAQ)
Ben Brandsema (WestGen)
Jean-François Morin (CIAQ)
Jean-François Simard (CIAQ)


Semex consists of three Partner Owners: WestGen, CIAQ (Centre d'insémination artificielle du Québec) and EastGen. For more information on Semex please visit www.semex.com
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It is with profound sadness that Semex announces the passing of a prominent supporter of Semex and Canadian agriculture.  Dr. Clare Rennie passed away peacefully on June 23, 2016 at 90 years of age. A long-time friend of Semex, Dr. Rennie was influential in developing relations between Semex and the Chinese dairy industry while advancing dairy technology in China. He served the agriculture industry in senior administration roles, including head of the Department of Animal Husbandry, acting dean of OAC in 1972, and later as an assistant deputy minister at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food for 17 years. Following his official retirement, Dr. Rennie began an exciting opportunity with Semex and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) as Project Director of the Canada-China Integrated Dairy Cattle Breeding Project to help China expand and improve their dairy industry. As a result of the 12-year project, animal health and production improved tremendously in China, and milk consumption grew. Dr. Rennie was honoured with the prestigious “Friend of China” Award in 2006 from the People’s Republic of China, which recognizes significant contributions by foreigners to economic and social progress in China. Among his many achievements, Dr.  Rennie was also inducted into the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame in 1991.
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The Guelph & District Human Resource Professional Association (GDHRPA) recognized EastGen as 2016 Employer of Distinction in the under 200 employee category at a formal ceremony held at the Delta Hotel, Guelph, on June 16, 2016.
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Semex believes that people are the cornerstone of its success and is pleased to announce the hiring of Drew Sloan as Director, International Sales & Business Development. Based in the UK and effective August 24, 2016, Drew will manage European and other key markets. 

Very familiar with all facets of the dairy industry, Drew began his work as a Sire Analyst for Genus. While at Genus he had an extremely successful career and was instrumental in the planning, execution and implementing the purchase of ABS Global. His roles included product development, semen production and finally in sales and marketing as Director for Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.

In 2009, Drew joined the Scottish Government as Chief Agricultural Officer. In this prestigious position, he led a staff of 600, providing business and agriculture industry advice to the Cabinet Secretary. Most recently, Drew held the position of Chief Executive Officer for Silent Herdsman Ltd. Through his leadership skills he worked with their board to develop the company’s strategy, ultimately leading to the business’ sale in February 2016.

“Drew wished to join Semex,” says Gordon Miller, Semex’s Vice President, Sales & Business Development. “He saw us as the fastest growing, most innovative company in the industry and wanted to be a part of that! We’re excited to welcome him to our team and to work closely together as Semex expands its global footprint.”
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