Company News

Semex is pleased to announce its 2022-2023 Board of Directors with one new member, Jean Bissonnette, joining the Board, replacing outgoing director Mariette Gagnon, representing Centre d'insémination artificielle du Québec (CIAQ).   Phil MacLean will continue to serve as President of the Board (EastGen), assisted by Vice President Jean-François Morin (CIAQ) and Executive Member Curtis McNeil (EastGen). Other members of the Board of Directors include: Normand Barriault (CIAQ); Richard Lagacé (CIAQ); Gerrit Wensink (EastGen); Jean Bissonnette (CIAQ); Tom Pasco (EastGen); and James Ross (WestGen); Tony Van Garderen (WestGen).     Semex is comprised of three Owners: WestGen, CIAQ (Centre d'insémination artificielle du Québec) and EastGen. As a leading global genetics company, Semex is focused on providing our clients with the solutions, innovations and technologies that positively impact their lives, as well as the lives of the animals on their operations and within our global community. This is Genetics for Life, our guiding compass.     Photo Caption: Top from L to R: Phil MacLean, Jean-François Morin, Curtis McNeil; Middle from L to R: Normand Barriault, Jean Bissonnette, Tony Van Garderen; Bottom from L to R: Richard Lagacé, Gerrit Wensink, Tom Pasco, James Ross.  
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Guelph, Ontario - Gerrit Wensink, Hoenhorst Farms Inc., Innerkip, Ont., was re-elected EastGen president for 2022 at an EastGen Board of Directors Meeting held immediately following the EastGen Annual General Meeting on March 31, 2022 at
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Semex and Boviteq, are excited to announce a partnership started in the Fall of 2021 with world-renown breeders Ferme Jacobs of Cap-Santé, Quebec.   Ferme Jacobs is shifting much of their milk production herd to a state-of-the-art robotic facility for 300+ cows. Being focused on genetic improvement, Semex and Boviteq are pleased to team up with them, utilizing Semex solutions such as Elevate® genomic testing and IVF services from Boviteq. Together, we’re developing a genetic strategy that maximizes genetic gain, producing elite male and female calves, as well as overall herd genetic improvement to meet their future growth strategies.   “We are so pleased to be working more closely with Ferme Jacobs,” said Brad Sayles, Semex Chief Operating Officer. “They’re working hard to invest in their breeding program to not only develop their famous show herd, but also to develop productive, healthy cows that work well in modern management environments. They’re extremely passionate breeders, and excellent ambassadors for the dairy industry, so assisting them in their genetic strategy to reach these goals is certainly an opportunity we’re excited about. Thierry Laberge, Product Development Specialist as well as Semex’s entire genetic team and Pier-Olivier Lehoux, Ciaq Consulting Representative who will work with them to establish objectives, utilizing Semex sires to produce bulls for Semex and elite females for themselves.”   “Additionally, they will be utilizing Boviteq’s world-leading embryo production platform and IVF technologies to maximize embryo production and reproductive performance,” says Sayles.
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That semen tank that sits in the corner of the barn office or vet room generally goes unnoticed except for the times that you are pulling out a dose of semen from
one of your favourite sires. The following will describe how to obtain the best longevity from your semen storage vessel, while ensuring that the dose you are about to put in the cow or heifer is as fertile
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Continuously improve, and grow. That’s a simple description of the business objectives of Hoenhorst Farms Ltd., a family-owned dairy near Innerkip, Ont.
But this management approach, driven by owner and manager Cox Wensink, is anything but simple. She’s a fourth generation dairy farmer who draws on her engineering and management consultant experience to build protocols and performance benchmarks. From herd health, genetics and calf raising strategies to labour efficiency and
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Semex and Nedap have strengthened and expanded their successful partnership. The Semex ai24® program with Nedap technology is now available in more countries, enabling dairy farmers to significantly improve their herd performance and profitability.

Semex ai24, which monitors the reproduction, health and location of cows, has been offered with Nedap technology in a growing amount of key dairy regions since 2008. The successful results that dairy farmers experience from Semex ai24 technology within the program and the related high level of customer satisfaction has led to this expansion.

"Striving for efficiency and precision management for its clients, Semex is excited to offer Nedap technology to even more markets through its Semex ai24 program. Nedap has already been a trusted partner in many countries around the globe for more than 10 years, with an excellent track record when it comes to improving dairy herd management and performance. Semex clients can take advantage of all the benefits this reliable and innovative technology offers," says Drew Sloan, Semex Sr. Vice President, Sales & Business Development.

Bas Driessen, Sales Manager at Nedap adds, "Nedap is proud of the many years of collaboration with Semex. The value that Semex adds for dairy farmers through the ai24 program with Nedap technology is a crowning achievement. Their improved results and enthusiasm are the main proof of our successful partnership. We are therefore thrilled to expand the collaboration partnership with Semex." 

Semex is comprised of three Partner Owners: WestGen, CIAQ (Centre d'insémination artificielle du Québec) and EastGen. As a leading global genetics company, Semex is focused on providing our clients with the solutions, innovations and technologies that positively impact their lives, as well as the lives of the animals on their operations and within our global community. This is Genetics for Life, our guiding ... Read More...

Similar to your farm operation, our future is quite often built on targeted decisions made years ago. This is no more true than with EastGen’s response to the increased demand for sexed semen. Our Semex partners and board agreed to make substantial investments which have resulted in a close to doubling of our sexed semen sorting
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Semex along with its owners, EastGen and CIAQ, are pleased to announce the donation of a combined $100,000 to the British Columbia Dairy Association adding to the $100,000 donation previously made by WestGen. Last month the BC Dairy Association worked quickly to set up an emergency recovery fund with all monies raised directed towards providing urgently needed services and supplies to dairy farms and their families.

"The entire country has been moved by the devastation seen by our clients, friends and partners in British Columbia following these catastrophic floods," says Paul Larmer, Semex CEO. "Our deepest concern has been and continues to be the health and safety of farmers, farm workers and livestock in these affected areas. With our partners at WestGen, we collectively worked immediately to protect supply chains and deliverables, and now together we're working to support the work needed to rebuild in these critical farming areas in what has already been a challenging year."

"British Columbia's farmers were there for us during the Great Ice Storm of 1998," says CIAQ President, Jean-François Morin. "Now it is our turn to be there for them. On behalf of our Board of Directors, employees and client-owners, we are making this gesture of solidarity to help them get through this terrible ordeal."

"As partners in Semex, we work together for producers across Canada," says EastGen President Gerrit Wensink. "Now, as the individuals and families in British Columbia deal with the devastation brought by the floods, producers in Eastern Canada are united in support of their colleagues and partners in BC."

"We're proud to be partners in a key part of Western Canada's dairy community and will continue to support and evaluate needs in this recovery effort," says Larmer. "Today we're proud to announce this collective commitment and we look forward to helping rebuild this critical part of the ... Read More...