Company News

"Our hearts are heavy with the news of Bert Stewart's passing," says Paul Larmer, Semex Chief Executive Officer. "Bert was an international icon, promoting Canadian genetics everywhere dairy cattle could be found. To Canada, he was beloved by generations of dairy cattle enthusiasts. He was a consummate promoter of youth, being a coach and mentor to anyone that wanted to wear white pants or judge a show! At Semex, he was an influential mentor to many, many current and past employees, myself included. We were proud to have him be our representative on the Canadian 4-H Council and serve as their President. To say he will be missed is an understatement. Instead, we will honour him through our corporate and personal commitments to youth, in Canada and worldwide. Godspeed Bert, you have taught us well.”

Pictured above is Bert Stewart (right) with Semex legend Lowell Lindsay (left) at the 1989 Royal Winter Fair. 

 

Please find the obituary for Bertram Graham Hunter Stewart Below: 

Peacefully, at the Groves Memorial Hospital In Fergus, Ontario at the age of 85, surrounded by family, Bertram G. H. Stewart, beloved husband of the late of Hazel Stewart(201 I) of Elora, formerly of Hornby, Ontario and loving father of their four children, Paul, Lynne (Jim Moore), Donna (Tom Dotson), and Kelly French & Jason French. Proud grandfather, of Kristen (Scott Greenhill) & Adam (Erin) Dotson; Brian (Kim), Brent (Laura) & David (Alex) Moore, and Connor & Blaire French. He was blessed with great-grandchildren, Caden Greenhill, Evelyn Moore, Porter Moore and Andrew Dotson. 

 

Bertram was the seventh child of Ernie and Jennie Stewart of Better. Mourning his loss are his brothers Henry (Jean), Murray (Marnie), and his sister Dorothy (Lorne Paisley-deceased) He was predeceased by his brothers Andrew (Adele), R.J. (Betty-June), Hillard (Marguerite) and his sister lsobel (Elmer Russell). He was a loved ... Read More...

Semex is pleased to announce that Dr. Mehdi Sargolzaei was promoted to the position of Senior Geneticist at Semex, effective January 1, 2018.   Reporting to Dr. Michael Lohuis, Semex Vice President, Research & Innovation, Dr. Sargolzaei continues working with Semex's Genetics Research Team, expanding his responsibilities to include genomics project management and platform development.     Dr. Sargolzaei is extremely familiar to the Semex family, having first joined Semex's Research & Development Team at Boviteq in June 2009 as a Research Genomicist. In January 2014, he joined Semex's Genetic Team as Research Genomicist.   "We are excited to have Dr. Sargolzaei take a leadership role in Semex's genetic and genomic programs," says Lohuis. "Mehdi brings a wealth of experience in genomic evaluations, imputation and software development that will enable Semex to provide an even greater array of products and services to the global cattle breeding industry."   An accomplished geneticist with a Ph.D. in Animal Breeding & Genetics from Niigata University in Japan, an M.Sc. in Animal Breeding & Genetics from Isfahan University of Technology, Iran, and a B.Sc. in Animal Science from Sistan & Baluchestan University, Iran, Sargolzaei's extensive career began as a Research Assistant, National Animal Science Research Institute, Karaj, Iran. He later joined the University of Guelph, Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock in 2006 as a Research Associate. In this position, he developed several statistical methods and software tools, including 'FImpute' and 'snp1101', aiming at analyzing large scale genomic data encountered in livestock populations. The driving force behind his software developments has been a keen interest in applying newer statistical methods and advanced programming techniques for analyzing big genomic data.   He has authored/coauthored 65 peer ... Read More...

By Dr Steven Larmer, Semex Dairy Solutions Coordinator  In 2012 Semex launched the Immunity+® sire line, a group of sires selected to create cows that will be more resistant and resilient to disease challenges faced every day by commercial cows. The question is, how does Immunity+ work and what does having better immunity really mean? Answering this question is not simple. It can be a lack of clear information. Here lies an important role for vets, feed advisors and hoof trimmers. Also, there seems to be a tunnel vision among farmers and advisors that stops them from seeing the shortcomings of the barns. Thirdly, fear of investing money and time will be involved, even though good management doesn't have to cost more than bad management. Here also lies a task for advisors: ideally they can not only provide the right information, but they can also help clients change.   The immune system of all animals is complex, and there are many factors that impact how an animal is able to respond to different disease challenges. There are several branches to the immune system. The two branches of the immune system most important for resistance and resilience to disease are the innate and adaptive immune systems.    The innate immune system is responsible for detecting any threat to the individual and initiating an immune response. The adaptive immune system is then responsible for determining the best response depending on the specific pathogen that has invaded the cow. Going a little deeper there are two separate components of the adaptive immune system. The antibody mediated adaptive immune response, or AMIR, is responsible for responding primarily to bacteria. Bacteria generally cause the more common on farm diseases, usually the ones that can be more easily treated. These include diseases such as mastitis, metritis, and digital dermatitis. Cell mediated adaptive immune response, or CMIR, on the other hand is primarily responsible for ... Read More...

EastGen has added close to 20 exciting new bucks to our extensive line-up this past fall which included our first La Mancha and Nubian bucks. Check out our new 43 page buck line-up catalogue for
... Read More...

EastGen's annual 4-H Challenge and Showcase dates are set. EastGen is dedicated to the future of the dairy industry through our unparalleled
commitment to youth through programs like our immensely respected 4-H EastGen Challenges and EastGen Showcases. Mark your calendars and don't miss out!

For 4-H youth ages 14-21.
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Five years ago Semex answered the call of dairymen everywhere who wanted to breed more healthy cows with the launch of Immunity+, offering a genetic solution to health traits. Since then dairymen worldwide have seen firsthand the results of breeding healthier herds through the Immunity+ lineup. Five years later, real world data backs up the decades of research Semex supported at the University of Guelph in Canada under the direction of Dr. Bonnie Mallard, BSc (Agr), MSc, PhD, Professor Immunogenetics, Department of Pathobiology. �We have taken data from over 35 large commercial herds, and analyzed data from over 30,000 cows and 75,000 heifers,� says Dr. Steven Larmer, Semex Dairy Solutions Coordinator. �The results have been astonishing. Reductions in every major disease have been seen, and range anywhere from 5-20% reduction in animals sired by Immunity+ sires compared to all others. Mastitis, lameness and mortality saw especially large decreases in frequency.� �We hear from dairymen worldwide on a daily basis that their Immunity+ sired calves out-perform their herdmates,� says Paul Krueger, Semex Vice President, US Sales & Global Marketing. �We�re actively selecting sires that offer both Immunity+ and the genetic package needed. And in December, this lineup is stronger than ever.� 13 Holstein sires over +2700 GTPI 24 Holstein sires over +2600 GTPI 14 Holstein sires over +800 NM$ 10 sires over 1000 DWP$ 10 sires over +3.00 PTAT 41 sires under 7% SCE 32 Jersey Immunity+ sires 12 Ayrshire Immunity+ sires Semex�s lineups are growing with both proven and Genomax� sires reigning popular and valuable worldwide: 70 over +800 NM$ 54 over +2700 GTPI 45 over 1000 DWP$ 45 over +2000 PTAM 45 over +3.00 PTAT #1 PTAT Sire 0200HO10036 OH-River-SYC Byway #3 PTAT Sire 0200HO06480 Val-Bisson Doorman 10 of the Top 50 UK Type Merit Sires 0200HO10659 Stantons Applicable #1 UK Type Merit 0200HO10757 Westcoast Lighthouse #2 UK Type Merit 0200HO06267 ... Read More...

An early and very nice holiday gift for our Jersey breeders with a NEW #1 GLPI and #1 Pro$ Jersey sire - 0200JE07756 Golden GDK VIVALDI! Born in Denmark and sired by the Danish bull Lix, VIVALDI will represent a total outcross with unreal components (+95 kg Fat, +1.07 % and +52 kg Protein, +.53%). VIVALDI also offers rocksolid Conformation with
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Nine amazing additions to our already stellar Holstein line-up this round ncluding one new hotly anticipated proven addition and it happens to be the maternal brother to Comestar Lautrust, 0200HO10000 Comestar Lineman - Canada�s highest newlyproven Holstein sire! The Immunity+� and
... Read More...

We are pleased to congratulate Mary Brander of Rockwood, Ontario, on her grand prize entry for our 2017 Christmas card. Mary is 12 years old and attends
grade 7 at Rockwood Centennial Public School. She�s from a dairy farm milking
Jerseys and Holsteins and is an active 4-H member completing 18
... Read More...

The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair’s Canadian National Holstein Show showed 200HO sires continuing dominance in the show ring as global superstar 0200HO06480 Val-Bisson Doorman impressively sired 32 animals that placed in the top 10 in their respective classes.   These top placing individuals included three first places, 18 in the top five as well as the Res Junior Champion and 1st Jr Yrlg, JM Valley Doorman Lexi and Hon. Mention Intermediate Champion and 2nd Jr 3 Yr Old, Trefle Chassep Doorman. Known the world over as a fantastic sire of show winners and the #2 PTAT sire at +3.67   “Doorman has proven, that he is seriously taking over the reins as the Premier Sire at major shows,” says Julien Chabot, Semex Product Acquisition Specialist. “His domination was clear at the Royal, impressing with their harmonious balance of length and dairyness, combined with strength and the perfect width of frame. You add to this, their shallow, well-attached and veinatious udders with great feet & legs, and you get the complete package legends are made of. He makes the outstanding heifers that grow into special young cows that can win in the big league!”   Popular Genomax™ sire and Doorman son, 0200HO10146 Walnutlawn Solomon impressively sired six in the top 10 including the Junior Champion and 1st Summer Yearling, Kingsway Soloman Gorgeous.   Brian Carscadden, Semex Product Acquisition Specialist comments on Solomon, “Solomon’s family originates from Glen Drummond and was developed by Gen-I-Beq and Misty Springs. A Doorman from a tremendous Lavanguard, he’s definitely created a buzz as they begin to freshen, with shallow, well-attached udders and deep, open frames. They are very mobile and have a very correct slope from hooks to pins. There’s exciting days ahead for Solomon and I would not expect his popularity to wane anytime soon!”   Adding to the excitement surrounding this family, Semex is releasing 0200HO10992 Walnutlawn Sidekick, an ... Read More...