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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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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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