In this issue...BOLIVIA & BAROQUE pg. 3 < SEMEX WORKS EVERYWHERE:USA, SOUTH AFRICA, GERMANY & FIJI < GENOMICS:FICTION TO REALITY pg. 6 < JERSEYS: POSITIVE RETURN ONINVESTMENT pg. 8 < SOLVING FERTILITY ISSUES IN UK pg. 14

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Page 3When Cow Families MatterSemex’s Bolivia & Baroque

Page 4-5Semex Works At Hilltop DairySemex Sires Rank High Per Conception

Page 6-7GenomicsScience Fiction To Reality

Page 8Semex JerseysPositive Return On Investment

Page 9Jersey ProfileCrosswind Jerseys

Page 12-13Longevity Is KingSemex At Work In Germany

Page 14Semex Solving Fertility IssuesUK Leads The Way With ai24

Page 15Semex Works In Fiji

Page 16-17You Can’t Correct Genetics OvernightSouth African Dairyman Trusts Semex

Page 18RistournSemex Ayshires At Work

Page 19Bits We’ve Collected Along The Way

Balance is a magazine designed to promote Canadian dairy genetics,technology and management. The magazine is published by the Semex Alliance.The Semex Alliance is focused on global leadership in the genetics marketplace.

Comments or submissions to the editor should be forwarded to Brenda Lee-Turner, Semex Alliance, 130 Stone Road West, Guelph, Ontario,Canada N1G 3Z2. tel: 519-821-5060, fax: 519-821-7225; email: bturner@semex.com

C E N T E R S P R E A D

Semex Alliance Canadian Partnerships:

Semex WorksEverywhere

O a t l a n d s H o l s t e i n s , D a r l i n g , W e s t e r n C a p e , S o u t h A f r i c a2 7 0 0 H e a d H o l s t e i n H e r d • P h o t o : J o h n M c D o u g a l l

With the arrival of genomics, dairymeneverywhere will have access to a new source ofinformation. This information will help increasethe reliability of young sire and cowevaluations and improve breeding decisions,particularly for lower heritability traits.

Semex has been at the forefront of genomicsresearch, partnering with the University ofGuelph, the University of Alberta and theUnited States Department of Agriculture toprovide dairymen, and our entire industry, withaccurate and complete information.

We’re committed to provide our customers withthe most accurate information and technologies possible. With genomics,what seemed improbable only seven years ago, is now having atremendous worldwide impact on the artificial insemination industry. Theimpact should be very positive for dairymen, as Semex pre-selects allbulls according to their DNA profile and allows its clients to make morerapid genetic progress and increase the profit potential in their dairyoperation.

For a more in-depth analysis of genomics please read our article onpages 6-7 to see how we’ve helped turn what was once considered afuturistic idea into reality!

Dr. Jacques ChenaisSemex Alliance Senior Geneticist

On the cover: Semex young sire daughter at Hilltop Dairy in WI, USA. Photo by Nick Sarbacker.

There is little doubt among dairymen that cow familiesmatter. Dairymen everywhere look to their favorite cowfamilies to produce the next generation of profitable cows,trusting in the families developed and have seen work ontheir dairy. Worldwide one cow family, the Gypsy Grands,is gaining trust as more and more dairymen have seen theresults for themselves. With multiple sons and grandsons inAI already, Gypsy Grand’s family tree continues to growgiving the world some of the most sought after andprofitable genetics available today.

Two of the newest stars in the family are the Allen fullbrothers, 0200HO07317 Magor Bolivia Allen and0200HO07321 Magor Baroque Allen. Exported asembryos to Hungary they harness the power of the former#1 Conformation sire, Canyon-Breeze Allen, with thematernal breeding power of the Gypsy Grands by sharingthe same dam as the #2 LPI and #7 TPI (8/08 CDN &HA/USA) sire Braedale Goldwyn in Braedale Baler Twine.

To date Baler Twine is a 22* brood cow. Her dam, GypsyGrand is a 37* brood cow, and together they representsome of the very best of Canadian breeding stock, as eachstar represents the successes of her male and femaleprogeny. Their brood star accumulation is a directindicator of this family’s ability to transmit the kind of highquality genetics that leaves balanced and profitableoffspring, ranking their herd contemporaries.

Raised in Hungary, Bolivia was sampled through the USand Hungarian young sire programs while Baroque wassample in the Eastern Breeder’s Inc. region in Ontario,Canada. Both sires are regarded as great transmitters oftype, fat and longevity, offering profitability to dairymen.

Bolivia is ranked as one of the top US proven Type sires,with a PTAT rating of +3.47 with a low 2.86 SCS, +2.67UDC, 2.67 FLC and 2.1 Productive Life (8/08 HA/USA).

This ranking shows his ability to improve, with hisdaughters scoring considerably higher over their herdmates. Many of these daughters are found in the largedairies of central California and commercial dairies on theUS East coast. These daughters share the same substanceand strength, ease of mobility as they move through theirparlors and free stalls, and a great high, wide rearattachment supported by a strong center ligament.

Full brother Baroque comes through with a very similarproof, excelling with a Conformation rating of +13 Conf(8/08 CDN). Baroque breeds true to the family script, withdaughters showing balance and dairy quality, as well aslength through their long, dairy front ends and silky hides.Like Bolivia, Baroque’s daughters show a terrific shape andstrength to their udders with the family’s silky uddersstamped into them.Standouts in their herds, Bolivia and Baroque daughters

are easily picked out in the barns, but are not out-done inthe milking parlors. These daughters make dairymenhappy with their positive fat levels and deviations and lowSomatic Cell Scores (SCS), translating into additional valuein the milk cheque.

This mating has met predictions; transmitting cows withgreat quality and balance, low SCS ratings, high fatratings and the functional type to withstand the harshest ofenvironments. A great package, Bolivia and Baroquebreed similarly and are shown to improve mating in anyherd, working everywhere.

3� Per-Lane Bolivia Priscilla & Per-Lane Bolivia Dana

� Magor Bolivia Allen in Hungary. Photo by Els Korsten.

WHEN COWFAMILIES MATTERSemex’s Bolivia & BaroqueMike West, Semex Alliance Product Support Specialist & Sire Analyst

� Baroque Dtr: Missy Baroque Smarty GP-83-2YR-CAN

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At an expanding dairy operation in Markesan, Wisconsinthe success of a genetics program can only be measured byreal results in the milking herd. At Hilltop Dairy, theGreenfield family strives for cows that have correctfunctional type to last for many lactations, produce welland reproduce efficiently. Their loyalty for the Semex sirelineup has been built around past and present Semex siresthat have produced exactly the type of cows they strive forin their herd.

Hilltop Dairy is owned by Rich, Cal and Loren Greenfieldand is operated with herdsmen, Kevin Greenfield and JulioLopez. The Greenfields consolidated two smaller operationsin 2002 and have been in herd expansion mode in theyears since. Just this year they have completed anotheraddition that allows them to reach the 800-cow mark intheir milking herd.

The Greenfields have been long-time customers of Semex,and Semex sires continue to prove themselves in the 800-cow herd by siring some of the most sound cows that lastlactation after lactation. As a Semex Premier young sirepartner, Hilltop has tested many young sires since thebeginning of the Semex Premier program in the USA. Theycontinue to have the opportunity to calve in many first cropdaughters of Semex Premier sampled bulls and have hadexciting results.

“We look to the Semex Premier young sire program as away to introduce some of the more progressive geneticsfrom good pedigrees,” says Kevin Greenfield, herdsman.At the same time they are excited to receive benefits foryoung sire daughters, to put towards purchases of well-proven bulls that they continue to use on the majority of theherd.

“We like to use bulls that sire adequate strength with correctfeet & legs, and we end up with cows that last longer in ourfree stall environment. The functional type of our herd hasimproved a lot and it helps the longevity of keeping cows inthe herd.”

Hilltop is home to 26 Stouder Morty daughters that average36,659 lbs Milk (ME), 34 Spy daughters that average35,553 lbs Milk (ME), 33 Buckeye heifers, 16 milking Talentdaughters that average 35,199 lbs Milk (ME), 24 Mailingdaughters, 20 Lheros daughters and 17 heifers by Final Cut.

Since Hilltop is a Semex Premier young sire partner, theyhave also had the opportunity to calve in impressivedaughters of first-crop sires like three daughters of Blue-Haven-Ltd Brick averaging 31,960 lbs Milk (ME), twoGorgonzola daughters, one Deslacs Sphinx daughter andtwo impressive daughters of Semex young sire KeykowSundin.

Semex Works at Hillto Semex Works at Hillto

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� Loren & Kevin Greenfield and herdsman Julio Lopez with Semex young sire daughters by Keykow Sundin. Photos by Nick Sarbacker

op Dairy op DairyCorrect functional type and production are not the onlyreasons that Hilltop continues to increase their use of Semexsires; both daughter fertility and semen fertility records aremonitored to increase herd profit. Semex daughters in themilking herd are superior to competitors when it comes tofemale fertility. Average days open for Semex daughters inthe herd is 113 days, while the entire herd averages 123days open.

This means that on average the Semex daughters at Hilltopbreed back 10 days earlier than the average cow in theherd, which may not seem like much until you calculate thecost per cow per additional day open. If each additionalday open costs around $4.50 per cow per year (accordingto a 2006 University of Florida study), the 10-day differenceaccounts for around $45 of savings per cow. In an 800-cow-herd like Hilltop, this could add up to more than$36,000 of savings per year.

Reducing days open for the entire herd continues to becomemore important to the bottom line. Therefore, KevinGreenfield dedicates time twice a day to watching for cowsin heat, and he also uses some high fertility Repromax siresto help get cows pregnant sooner.

Of the current service sires, some of the lowest services perconception (SPC) bulls are Brick at 1.6, Talent*RC at 1.8,Freelance at 2.0, Denison at 2.0, Marconi at 2.1, Buckeyeat 2.3, Leader at 2.5, Lheros at 2.5 and Morty at 2.6.

The Greenfields have been more than satisfied with thefunctional type, longevity and production of their Semexsired daughters and with their commitment to the Premieryoung sire program they get the opportunity to see howdaughters of young bulls perform under their managementand herd environment. Semex Works at Hilltop Dairy!

Nick Sarbacker, Semex USA Product Support Specialist

Hilltop’s Top Services Per Conception Bulls

0200HO01818 Blue-Haven-Ltd Brick ......................1.60200HO07030 Ladino Park Talent *RC ..................1.80200HO03101 Braedale Freelance ........................2.00200HO01861 Jerland Denison ............................2.00200HO01878 Freurehaven Marconi ......................2.10200HO04779 R-E-W Buckeye ................................2.30071HO01181 Comestar Leader ............................2.50072HO01758 Comestar Lheros ............................2.50200HO00044 Stouder Morty ................................2.6

G E N O M I C S :Science Fiction to Reality

Dr. Jacques Chenais, Semex Alliance Senior Geneticist

Considerable progress has beenmade during the last year in theapplication of genomics to dairycattle selection. Approaches thatseven years ago appeared a remotepossibility have been validated withreal data and are now ready forimplementation. Semex has alreadybegun to put them into practice, forthe benefit of its clients.

The principlesThe genetic merit of an animaldepends upon its genes and howthey are expressed. All genes arecomposed of molecules of DNA. Thecomplete set of DNA for each animal(what we call its genome) iscontained in the chromosomes ofeveryone of its cell, and can beobtained from any animal tissue.Some traits are affected by a singlechange or mutation on one gene.Examples of this are CVM, BLAD orthe red coat color in Holsteins.

However, most selected traits, such asproduction, conformation, longevity,reproduction and health, areinfluenced by small variations in avery large number of genes. Onecannot select effectively for thesetraits by testing an animal’s DNA forone or two genes, as some genomicscompanies currently do. Instead, onemust select for all genes affecting thetrait at the same time.

This is what genomic selection does.Genomic selection uses many geneticmarkers, i.e. DNA molecules atspecific points on the chromosomeswhere natural variation is known toexist, to tag each small region of theanimal’s genome and account for thegenetic variation in these regions.Then it becomes possible to predictan animal’s genetic merit for complextraits based on its DNA profile, i.e.the list of DNA markers that hecarries.

The method First, one needs many animals forwhich a reliable prediction of geneticmerit already exist for each trait of

interest. In dairy cattle, we have thisresource: progeny tested bulls.

One can then look at therelationships between the markers onthe chromosomes of proven bulls andtheir proofs. From this, the effect ofeach DNA marker can be calculatedfor each trait. Next one can extractDNA from an unproven animal, usinghair, blood or any other tissue,genotype it (i.e. determine whichDNA markers it carries), add theeffects of all markers, and calculatean estimate of its genetic merit foreach trait. To increase the accuracyof this estimate, one can combine itwith existing performanceinformation, such as its parentaverage for a young bull or heifer, orits lactation records for a cow.

How do we know this actuallyworks? We can take a group ofproven bulls that was not used forcalculating the marker effects (thevalidation bulls), genotype them andfind out how well their combinedgenomic evaluations predict theirproofs. If they predict it better thanthe pedigree information, then thegenomic information has added someaccuracy and is useful.

In short, genomic selection consists inusing DNA profiles to help predictthe genetic merit of animals, andselect them on that basis. It can beused for any trait for whichtraditional genetic evaluations arealready computed.

Results Semex has been an active participantin various genomics research projects

in Canada and abroad. In particular,Semex has participated in a largeNorth American genomic selectionproject led by the USDA (UnitedStates Department of Agriculture).Genomic selection requires thedevelopment of genotyping platformscontaining many markers, and thegenotyping of many bulls to estimatetheir effects. Essentially, the morebulls the better. The USDA project ledto the development of a DNA chipwith 50,000 well-spaced markers,constituting the best platform forgenomic selection available to-date.More than 5,000 bulls, includingabout 1,500 from Semex, weregenotyped.

The project has led to the estimationof marker effects for each trait, andto the calculation of combinedevaluations which use both themarker effects and parent averages.These combined evaluations arecalled genomic EBV or GEBV. Therelative accuracy of GEBV andparent averages (PA) is shown inTable 1 below, based on the proofsof 1,759 validation bulls.

Clearly, GEBV are more accuratethan a PA in predicting proofs. Theaccuracy of GEBV can also bemeasured in terms of daughterequivalents, i.e. the number ofdaughters a bull would need to havea proof with the same reliability asthe GEBV. As can be seen in Table 1,this varies quite a bit from trait totrait. Genomic data corresponds toadding 18 daughter records to theparent average of a bull for fat yield,9 for protein yield, 18 for somaticcell score, 21 for longevity

Trait Parent Avg Genomic Evaluation Additional DtrReliability Reliability Equivalents

Milk Yield 35 58 10Fat Yield 35 68 18

Protein Yield 35 57 9Productive Life 27 45 21

SCS 30 51 18Fertility 25 41 35

Final Score 24 42 5

�Table 1: Reliability of Genomic Evaluations (North American Project) Based on 1,759 Validation Bulls from USDA Project 6

(productive life), 35 for daughterfertility (DPR), and 5 for final score.

The increase in accuracy for final scoreis modest, but is generally higher forindividual type traits, particularly thoserelating to dairy strength andmammary system. One possible reasonfor the modest increase for final scoreis that the USDA did not have completetype trait data for all dams. InCanada, information is available on alldams and results could improve.

It is important to note that GEBV arenot as accurate as bull proofs,especially bull proofs based on closeto 100 daughters as we aim to do atSemex. A GEBV for protein yield isequivalent to a proof based on 9daughters, not 100 daughters. Table 2shows how the GEBV of a bull forprotein yield can differ from its truegenetic value, compared to a proof ora parent average.

A GEBV for protein yield is clearlymuch closer to a parent average thanto a proof, in terms of expecteddeviation from the true genetic value ofthe bull. Therefore, despite all theexcitement and the inevitable hypeabout genomic selection and GEBV,the fact remains that one cannotconsider bulls with DNA profiles andGEBV as proven or “DNA proven”.Since the North American project usesthe best marker panel and genomicmethods available worldwide, and thelargest number of bulls, this is evenmore true for other countries orselection companies that plan tomarket bulls based on their GEBV only.GEBV, as of now, are not the same asproofs.

Reliability of GEBV It is customary topublish a reliability figure with thegenetic evaluation of each animal, for

each trait or group of traits, thatreflects the amount of informationavailable from the animal and itsrelatives. With GEBV, the reliabilityfigure must reflect the genomicinformation as well as the performanceinformation. The USDA has developeda method to do this, but currently thismethod tends to over-predict the trueaccuracy of the bulls. This is shownTable 3, where the average individualreliability of validation bulls iscompared to their observed reliability.

The only trait that is not substantiallyover-predicted is fat yield. Both theUSDA and CDN (Canadian DairyNetwork) are looking at methods toreduce the over-prediction and makepublished GEBV reliabilities for eachanimal more in line with observedones.

In the meantime, one must be careful ininterpreting individual GEBVreliabilities. They can give theimpression that GEBV are almost asaccurate as bull proofs. As we haveseen previously, this is not the casecurrently. Don’t let anyone convinceyou of the contrary. There are noofficial proofs currently that are basedon 9 daughters for protein and 5 fortype!

Using genomic selection Using genetic selection in your herd isactually simpler than you might think.Genomic EBV look just like EBV andcan be used in the same way.

Starting in 2009, GEBV will becomeofficial and will replace traditional EBVin the US and Canada. The onlydifference with current EBV is thatreliabilities will reflect the additionalaccuracy from the genomic data, andthere will be a flag to indicate whetherthe animal itself was genotyped.

Semex will genotype bulls routinely. Anincreasing number of elite cows willalso be genotyped by top breeders.Breed associations will likely offer thisservice to their members. If DNAtesting becomes cheaper, as couldoccur with the use of DNA chipscontaining a smaller number ofselected markers, many producerscould use it to select replacementheifers.

Some larger herds may use groups ofDNA tested Semex bulls, in addition toprogeny tested bulls, in markets whereSemex offers this product. On theother hand, breeders who want to usethe more reliable Semex progenytested bulls will benefit from a greaterdiversity among elite bulls, both interms of genetic origin and selectionobjectives. The biggest change will bethat producers will be able to makemore rapid genetic progress, with bullsthat have been pre-selected accordingto their DNA profile, particularly forlow heritability traits like fertility,longevity and eventually health traits,so that profitability will increase.

Proof Reliability Expected Difference(90% of cases)

Parent Avg REL = 35% + 33kg

Genomic EBV REL = 60% + 26kg

Proof/100 Dtrs REL = 90% + 13kg

Proof/1000 Dtrs REL = 99% + 4.5kg� Table 2: Expected Difference Between

True & Estimated Genetic Merit For Protein Yield

Trait GEBV Rel GEBV Rel (Theoretical) (Observed)

Milk Yield 69 58Fat Yield 69 68Protein Yield 69 57Productive Life 55 45SCS 62 51Fertility (DPR) 52 41Final Score 63 42� Table 3: Published Theoretical vs Observed Reliabilities

7

8

As the demand for the Jersey cow continues to grow alongwith the dairy’s input costs, Jersey dairymen all over NorthAmerica find themselves looking to generate additionalrevenue. Some are increasing herd size to grow the milkcheck, while others are selling groups of animals each yearto increase their cash flow. No matter how income isincreased, dairymen are looking to ensure a return on theirinvestment making sure the cows in their herds last longerand are trouble-free.

Knowing the pressures on today’s Jersey dairyman, Semexis ready to assist by first looking at what problems arecausing cows to cull themselves from the milking herd.Dairymen throughout North America agree that there arethree things that consistently occur and cause cows to beremoved from their herds: mastitis, poor feet andreproduction problems.

Although these three reasons may have environmentalcauses, they also can be influenced (positively ornegatively) by their genetics. The quick measurement toolsavailable to help in selecting sires to improve mastitis, poorfeet and reproduction issues are Somatic Cell Score (SCS),Productive Life (PL) and Daughter Pregnancy Rating (DPR).

Semex’s Jersey lineup is full of bulls that are shown toincrease health and fertility in herds. The top five for each,in no particular order are:

Importantly for the dairy, all of these bulls are positive forRear Udder Height, Rear Udder Width and have good TeatPlacement with a type break down that will wear well. Thisensures that they are not only healthy, but functionallysound. Daughters of these bulls are well-balanced withtraits such as Stature to keep the udders high above theground; positive Thurl Width to keep her square andtracking straight; along with some Strength and Dairynessto endure the weather and add milk. With these bullsfirmly placed in our minds, let’s take a closer look at someother bulls that may not appear on the list at left, but stillgive us the complete balanced cow needed to increase thelongevity and profitability of our herds.

0200JE00303 SHF CENTURION SULTAN is a bull overlooked by many who haven’t used him. Sultan daughtersare clean-boned, open cows that mature slowly. They walkeffortlessly to and from the milk barn and tend to be thecows that rarely spend much time in the bucket and insteadare healthy and profitable. A Repromax sire, customersbuying Sultan commonly come back for more.

0200JE00992 JENKS PARAMOUNT SUMMIT appears inevery category listed above, but remains undiscovered bymany Jersey breeders. Their udder quality is tremendousand their desire to milk is very evident when you look attheir clean bone dairy character. As his reliability increases,so does his stature. Summit daughters are consistently at thetop of the relative value list in herds because of the greatcomponents he offers.

0200JE00420 PINE HAVEN SENIOR daughters are easy toenjoy in the field, in the free stall, and in the parlor. Theyare strong open-ribbed cows, possessing what many calldairy strength. They carry their udders squarelyunderneath them, and as they mature they remain youthfulwith increased production. Within the next few monthsSenior’s second crop daughters will be freshening and theirowners will be pleased with their aggressiveness at themanger and their desire to milk. This along with the factthat he’s a high fertility Repromax sire makes Senior a sirethat is in demand for dairymen worldwide.

As the industry continues to ask the cow to live andproduce longer Semex will continue to be the supplier ofbalanced, profitable cows whether you milk 50, 500or 5000!

Aaron Henderson, Semex USA Jersey Specialist

SEMEX JERSEYS: PositiveReturn On InvestmentSEMEX JERSEYS: PositiveReturn On Investment

SCS PL DPR0200JE00314 0200JE00420 0200JE00420

Hollylane Lilibets Legacy Pine Haven Senior Pine Haven Senior

0200JE00992 0200JE00989 0200JE00314

Jenks Paramount Summit BW Country Hollylane Lilibets Legacy

0200JE00420 0200JE00992 0200JE00990

Pine Haven Senior Jenks Paramount Summit Sunset Canyon RP Militia

0200JE00983 0200JE00990 0200JE00989

Special Forces Sunset Canyon RP Militia BW Country

0200JE00989 0200JE00314 0200JE00992

BW Country Hollylane Lilibets Legacy Jenks Paramount Summit

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Jersey ProfilesCrosswind JerseysElkton, South Dakota1000+ Milking CowsRHA: 23,700 M 4.65% F 3.55% P“The Semex team plays an important roll in the success at Crosswind Jerseys,” Steve Temperli, Owner, Crosswind Jerseys.

Balanced Breeding and team work go handin hand at Crosswind Jerseys. Nestledamongst the many thousand acres of cornground, you will find 1,030 milking Jerseysowned by Ernst and Ursula Temperli alongwith their son Steve in Elkton, South Dakota.The Temperlis moved from Switzerland toOntario, Canada in 1981 where they milkeda herd of 50 Holsteins. The boys showedcattle in 4-H, making their last exhibition forthe season at the Royal Winter Fair.

After 23 years in Canada, the decision wasmade to make their way into the States andbuild a dairy from scratch. Hence, theTemperlis landed in South Dakota in 2003and built the facility that is home toCrosswind Jerseys. January, 2004 theTemperlis began milking in the new facilitywith 650 cows and have increased numbersfrom within since that time. The rolling herdaverage lies at 23,700 milk, componentsaveraging 4.65% fat, 3.55% protein, with alow SCC score of 125,000. Daily milkweights measure a 68 pound average percow.

Steve Temperli is the first to say that thesuccess of their dairy operation falls in thehands of all people involved, from owners toemployees. He credits two attributions to thesuccess. First, the excellent staff ofemployees. The Temperlis believe in trainingtheir employees well and treating them thesame as they would want to be treated.Keeping them involved in the day-to-day

management decisions and rewarding themat the end of the day makes all thedifference. Day-to-day communication is thekey to their team work philosophy. Stevegives credit to his parents for instilling thatphilosophy in him. The result is very lowemployee turnover rate.

The second attribution is the BalancedBreeding philosophy. Steve believes in thebalance of type and production when talkingabout the ideal cow that works in acommercial atmosphere. So, why the switchfrom Holsteins to Jerseys? After researchingthe same question in his own mind, Stevedecided on the switch because he feels thatthe Jersey cow is best suited to work in andproduce well in a commercial environment.

Longevity is important to the Temperlis.When walking through the free stall barns,Steve is quick to point out the many cows thathave reached their 10th birthdays. Over halfof the herd are the original cows that thedairy started with in 2004. Not only did theybuy springing heifers, but also a herd of cowsthat have adapted well and still remain withseveral lactations to their credit. The original650 cows that began the success atCrosswind Jerseys along with their progeny,have and still produce over 300 heifer calveseach year. Because of this great success anda voluntary/mandatory cull rate at a low19.5%, the Temperlis have been able to growfrom 650 to 1,030 cows over the last fouryears. Just recently they sold a group of

cows for dairy and will need to do so againthis fall.

Sire selection at Crosswind Jerseys is simple.Steve relies on his Semex team for advice.District Sales Representative Mark Metzgerplays a vital role in the sire selectiondecisions. Looking for and using the bullsthat meet the needs at the dairy is the firstcriteria decision made. Every six to eightweeks the Semex Mating Evaluator arrives atthe farm to score the cows and run themating for Steve and his employees to use.A pedigree mating is also run and given tothe heifer grower to use as a managementtool and easy reference guide at time ofbreeding. Currently, the milking herd isrepresented by daughters of Perimiter, Sultan,Julian, and Lacer. Mating sires used todayare Blackstone, Sultan, Legacy, Senior,Special Forces, and Militia.

The excitement has only begun at CrosswindJerseys. Ernst, Ursula and Steve Temperlilook forward to the results and rewards thatawait them with the success of using Semexsires.

It is said well when Steve Temperli states, “At the end of the day, success of the dairy iscredited to the entire team. Our teamincludes owners, employees and outsideadvisors. The Semex team plays animportant roll in the success at CrosswindJerseys.”

Yvonne Preder, Semex USA Program Manager

S E M E X W O R K

Oatlands Holsteins, Darling 2700 Head H Photo: John

S E V E R Y W H E R E

, Western Cape, South Africa Holstein Herd

n McDougall

12

“We look to invest in good qualitygenetics to produce cattle that arelonger-lasting, higher producingand of course healthy and troublefree. If we make the investment inbetter quality semen and geneticswe have better genetics tomorrowto work with.”

Mark Benninghoff of Bevern,Germany believes in breeding forprofitability. Unwaivered since hisfirst visit to Canada to inspect firstcrop daughters of newly releasedsires Startmore Rudolph andMaughlin Storm, Mark has astrong conviction for his breedingprogram.

What he saw confirmed what hehad heard about these buddingSemex icons, and reaffirmed hisfaith in his breeding goals andconfirmed that Semex was hisgenetic supplier of choice.

Little did Mark know what he wasseeing then would help create thefoundation for his 2005expansion, including a new facilityand growing the herd to 440cows. The Benninghoff’sinvestment and breeding goals

paid off, registering an outstandingaverage of 12,600 kgs of milk ona 3x/day milking.

High production, however, isn’t thedriving factor behind this dairy’sgenetic decisions. Instead, likedairymen everywhere, Mark isconcerned with breeding long-lasting, healthy cows that don’tdemand special attention.

“Lower somatic cell counts lead toless mastitis and special treatment,”says Mark. “Easy calving leads toless issues and problems, and highfertility allows less time spentseparating a cow to breed.”

All of these things take time, andfor Mark and his wife Diana, theyprefer to spend time with theiryoung children, Lena, Romy andNoah.

“Trouble free, easy to managecows save us a lot of time and inthe end a lot of money. Whenselecting the sires to use these aretraits we continually look to first. Itis those long lasting cows thatalways calve in easy and breedback quickly with sound uddersand feet and legs that we aim tobreed for.”

Not only do these traits allow formore time for Mark and his familybut Mark also comments that itallows more time for the entireteam working on the farm.

“Many of the people working herealso have young families andtrouble free cows allow all of us toget more work done and be hometo see our children and lovedones.”

This international judge andrespected dairyman purchased

200 head of cattle to facilitate hisherd expansion. With such anoutstanding herd average mostwould think the #1 goal whenbreeding these would be tomaximize production. This is thebreeding goal, but they’re focusedon lifetime production, not justindividual records.

The Benninghoff’s breeding goal isto have a balanced cow that willproduce for multiple lactations andmake milk year after year troublefree. “In doing so she leaves uswith multiple calves to become apart of the herd in future years,”says Mark.

“Longevity is the most importantpart of breeding,” says Mark,recognizing that the BalancedBreeding philosophy he firstobserved in Canada is still what heuses in each and every breedingdecision he makes.

“When breeding today we areputting more emphasis than everon health and fertility traits,” Markmentions.

“My herdsman and I are workingwith the cows and doing themilkings three times per day sotraits like milking speed, fertilityand somatic cell counts are veryimportant to us. We use Semexsires to ensure our cows are thoseeasy-milking, long-lasting cows.”

Dann T. Brady, Semex Alliance Product Support Specialist

� Mark Benninghoff

“Longevity isthe most

important partof breeding.”

LONGEVITY IS KINGSemex At Work In Germany

13

After his trip to Canada to see theRudolph and Storm first cropdaughters Mark began using thebulls routinely in the herd. But forMark that wasn’t the only result ofthat trip.

In the years to come he wouldpurchase into one of those greatRudolph daughters, SunnylodgeRudolph Jen. He originallypurchased half interest in the Spottiefamily member but later decided tobuy out the partnership and makeher a key member of thisoutstanding herd.

At over 10 years of age Jen herselfcan still be found easily walking thelength of the free stall after 100,000kgs lifetime over seven lactations,just one of the 440 cows putthrough the parlour each day.“She is exactly what we want tobreed for. A long, healthy life withmultiple lactations and outstanding

lifetime production,” Mark mentions.

Investing in sound, quality geneticsis a passion for Mark. He has seenfirsthand that no matter what thecountry, dairymen are looking forthe same things… cows that arelow-maintenance, stress-free andprofitable.

“Trouble free, easy to manage cows save us a lot of time and in the end a lot of money.”

Facilities resulting from the 2005 expansion. �

Semex UK’s ai24 breeding management program isworking for dairymen throughout the UK and alreadyhas become a phenomenal success story.

The innovative management program, with 24/7 heatdetection system, is delivering improved profitabilityby achieving extremely high submission rates,improved conception, reducing vet and drug costs aswell as less semen usage. The system also decreasesdays open, identifies underlying health problems withfewer cows culled for infertility and disease, certainlythe aim for every herd.

Semex’s ai24 with Heatime is already proving highlysuccessful in reducing Calving Intervals on manyfarms, with a number of those using the system for 10months achieving improvements of around 40 daysand others reporting a 10-day reduction after only 2months of use.

If each additional day open costs around $4.50 percow per year (according to a 2006 University ofFlorida study), it can be seen that a reduction of 20days Calving Interval in a 200-cow herd is worth atleast $18,000 US.

Combine this with reduced culling for infertility (evena handful of cows retained in the herd instead ofbeing culled because they are not back in calf meanssavings running into tens of thousands) and lower vetand drug costs, and the benefits are clear for all tosee.

Additional Savings: • Lower AI costs: DairyCo estimates that reducing services per

conception for a 100-cow herd from 2.1 to 1.7 will save $1,866 US*• Lower vet and drug costs: Because more cows are seen in heat, fewer

have to be presented to your vet, resulting in significant savings• Reduced culling for infertility: with high prices for replacements, even

a handful of cows retained in the herd instead of being culled because they are not back in calf means savings in the thousands

“The ai24 brand further develops Semex relationshipwith the dairymen by providing an innovative productthat improves overall profitability,” says Peter Arthur,Semex UK Marketing Manager.

For more information on ai24 and increasing yourprofitability to please contact your local Semexrepresentative.

14

SEMEX SOLVINGFERTILITY ISSUES:U K ’ s a i 2 4 c a n s a v e t h o u s a n d s

* source DairyCo pd+ manual

15

The catchcry that “Semex works everywhere”is being put to the test in the South Pacificisland nation of Fiji, where Semex geneticsand expertise are spearheading a majorprogram to improve the productivity of thelocal dairy industry.

The Fiji Dairy Industry Support Program aimsto make the nation self-sufficient in dairyproducts by 2015 – a real challenge giventhat average production is currently just fivelitres per day, the lactation length is only 150days and the cows calve only every 20months.

Semex was invited to participate in thegenetic improvement program by Fiji'sPermanent Secretary for Agriculture, DrRichard Beyer.

Working within a set of tightly definedspecifications, the company's Melton-basedstaff selected 2,000 doses of black-and-whiteHolstein semen, 1,000 red-and-whiteHolstein, 1,500 Jersey, 500 Ayrshire and500 Illawarra Shorthorn.

A team of artificial breeding technicians andtrainers led by Semex Field Representative,Howard Hodgetts, then travelled to Fiji in Julyto implement a massive synchronization andartificial insemination program, as well astraining locals to become competenttechnicians.

“Artificial breeding has been done in Fijibefore but never in a structured program likethis," Howard said. "We inseminated 400cows on 23 large farms and trained ten localtechnicians so they can continue the programinto the future.

“By the time we left two-and-a-half weekslater, they had raised the total to 1,000 cowsand were well on the way to achieving theirgoal of 3,000 cows mated. The local dairyfarmers can see the potential in the programand are very enthusiastic.

“Pure breeds often struggle in tropicalconditions, so we used purebred bulls overthe native stock, which tend to be dairycrossbreds with a smattering of Jerseys andHolsteins among them.

“The outcome will be high dairy content cowsthat are able to better utilise tropical grassesand copra meal for milk production and cancope with the climate.”

One of the key figures involved in theprogram is expatriate Australian dairyfarmer, Dave Wilson. For the past year, heand his wife, Deanna, have managed a 500-cow herd for Dairy Farms Fiji at Navua, 30kilometers from the capital city, Suva.

He is also on the board of Fiji's sole milkprocessor, the Rewa Co-operative dairyCompany, which is a strong supporter of theDairy Industry Support Program. “The herdthat we manage is a mixed bag of Holstein,Jersey and various dairy-beef crosses,” Davesaid.

“It has a number of Holsteins imported fromNew Zealand which are doing 15-26 litres aday, along with Jerseys, which handle theheat well and produce well over here, but thelocally-bred cattle don't give us much to workwith.

“We bring in high protein feed but becausethe cows have a high content of beef in them,they convert it into meat instead of milk. Thegenetics and nutrition are fairly ordinary, sowe've got our work cut out for us, particularlyas our goal is to expand to 800 cows withinthree years.

“We have over 3,000mm/118” of rain ayear and 33˚C/91˚F with 93-98% humidityduring the wet season, so we need to breed abit of heat resistance into the progeny andthen breed them back to pure Holstein.”

The Fiji Dairy Industry Support Program,which is being funded by the FijianGovernment, encompasses a wide range ofinitiatives spanning genetic improvement,nutrition, animal husbandry and herdrecording.

“This program is targeting geneticimprovement in the first stage because it takesthe longest to produce results,” Dave said.“Once we get that done, we'll move ontoimproving pastures, nutrition, calf rearing,herd recording and milk recording - all thebasic things that aren't being done here.

“It’s not going to be hard to lift averageproduction through better nutrition andpastures over the next three years. After that,we'll see the benefits of genetic improvementstarting to kick in.

“We’re also helping to set up trainingprograms at the Fiji College of Agriculture,

including a 12-month, on-farm dairycertificate course. We need the young localpeople to be able to take on managerial rolesin the industry.”

Fijian Interim Prime Minister, CommodoreFrank Bainimarama, has a personal interestin the project and visited the DFF’s dairy farm– along with the prawn and turf farms thecompany also operates at Navua – earlierthis year.

Fiji consists of an archipelago of about 322islands - 106 of which are inhabited - and522 islets. About 85% of the population of920,000 people live on the two majorislands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu.

Fiji consumes 80 million litres/21 milliongallons of milk a year but it only produces 11million litres/2.9 million gallons. About twothirds of the nation’s 327 dairy farmerssupply the Rewa Cooperative DairyCompany.

Twenty-three of these are termed “bulksuppliers” and are milking between 100 and200 cows. By comparison, the herd size inthe remainder ranges from five to 50 cows.Average milk prices are about FJD$0.52/$0.32 US for a quart of milk.

Semex WORKSIn Fiji

A training session at Harness Farm outside Tailevu on the island of Viti Levu. �

Ian Paterson, Wordsmith Inc, Semex Pty Inc

Milking time at Gatwards Farm, Tailevu on the island of Viti Levu. �

In an age of rising input costs and environmentalpressures each dollar on the dairy counts, and nowhere does it count more than in South Africa.

“When the world thinks of South Africa theyprobably don’t think of cows and dairying,” saysColette Meyer, Semex South Africa GeneralManager. “Dairying in the West Cape area datesback to the beginning of the 18th Century. In SouthAfrica it’s an important business with about 4,300milk producers employing approximately 60,000farm workers, and indirectly providing jobs to some40,000 people.”

“Just like dairymen in other parts of the world, weneed cows that can be efficient producers. We haveall the modern technologies going, but without thegenetics we wouldn’t be profitable.”

Father and son, Chris & Robert Starke of OatlandsHolsteins in Darling, Western Cape, South Africaagree.

“We’ve always believed that you can change yourfeed and rations anytime,” says Chris. “What youcan’t correct overnight is the genetics.”

Robert is the fourth generation milking 1,260 cowsin two herringbone parlors, a double 14 and adouble 16. Housed in four free style barns andseparated into five production groups and fedaccordingly, the Starkes are averaging an impressive13,900 kg average on 3x/day milking.

“I’ve been farming with dad for 13 years,” saysRobert. “We’ve grown the herd to 2,745 heifers,cows and dry cows and now we have two full timemanagers, two assistant managers, 25 staff in thedairy and 15 working outside full time. Team workand the efficiency of the staff have helped ouroperation to maintain the current production levels.Maintaining this production level is important.We’re paid on volumes of milk, but fat and proteinmust remain positive.”

Production in countries such as South Africa can be challenging to say the least. The Oatlands herd however, enjoys a moderate temperature formost of the year and being in a coastal region,receives welcomed sea breezes. Annual rainfall reaches 600mm or 23”, with most of the rainfall

16

“We’ve alwaysbelieved that you canchange your feed andrations anytime.”

� Robert Starke, Oatlands Holsteins & Colette Meyer, Semex South Africa General Manager

occurring from April to the end of August, and theaverage temperature in the summer is 30˚C/86˚F.Located close to the sea, however, has thedisadvantage of having only 741 of its 2700 acresbeing tillable and in the summer temperatures canrise up to 40˚C/104˚F.

“We plant oats for silage, but 95% of the feed weuse on the farm we have to buy in,” says Robert.

With high input costs, the Starkes look to maximizeevery dollar spent and their Semex representativeJaco Smit works to ensure the genetics match theirexpectations.

“Jaco helps us with the breeding, and spends timewalking through the cows, to help us select bulls toreach our breeding goals. He’s got knowledge notjust on the bulls, but after working together for sevenyears we’ve really built a strong relationship. Heknows that for us health traits are important.Somatic Cell Score, longevity and fertility play a big

role when we select a bull, and on a virgin heiferthe bull has to be a calving ease sire.”

The Starkes know that each calf represents the futureof the herd and they’re firmly committed to startingeach calf off with a strong foundation, dedicatingthree full-time staff members to calf and heiferrearing.

“We give all calves colustrum within the first sixhours,” Robert explains. “We house them in cratesfor two months, feeding them milk and 19%complete calf pellets. When we move them intogroup housing they still get the pellets, addingalfalfa to their ration as they get older until they are6 months old, when we move them into largercorrals.”

Using 70% Semex sires, the Starkes have worked toimprove the udders on their cows, making themshallower with good fore udder attachments tosupport increased production.

“Through better feeding and genetic improvement,the cows are performing much better and productionhas increased, without compromising productivelife,” says Robert.

Robert’s favorite cows are those that last in his herd.His Semex sired daughters by Outside, Lee, Morty,Stormatic, Windows, Gilbert and Aeroline are thosein the herd milking above herd average and lastingwell into their fourth lactations.

“My Buckeye and Talent daughters are close tocalving and look very promising and I’m still usingBuckeye along with Dolman, Final Cut, Hyatt, Brick,Spirte, Windows and Talent as mating sires,” saysRobert. “The health and well-being of our cows isour main concern and we’re trusting Semex. Semexworks here.”

17

“YOU CAN’TCORRECT GENETICS

OVERNIGHT.”South African Dairyman Trusts Semex

� Above: View of the ocean from

Oatlands Holsteins. � At left: StouderMorty Daughters at

Oatland(Photos by Colette Meyer)

Brenda Lee-Turner, Semex Alliance Marketing Communications Specialist

18

The Ayrshire bull line-up at the Semex Alliance haschanged a lot in the past year as young sires like Duo StarNormandin, St Clément Edmour, Des Chamois Poker andLagace Modem ET have graduated through the provingprogram. In April, an exceptional young sire,0200AY00601 Lagace Ristourn, graduated with highexpectations and daughters to match his hype.

From a well-known cowfamily at the seed stockfarm, Lagace, Ristourn isa B Jurist son from theMode family. His dam,Lagace Trident ModuleVG-87-CAN, is backedby six VG or EX damswith a total of 12* in thepedigree. His greatgranddam, Lagace

Heligo Mode 27, is EX 7* and filled embryo ordersworldwide. Mode 27 is also the granddam of popularSemex sire Lagace Modem, with his dam being LagaceTrident Modaline EX-2E-CAN 3*.

Ristourn’s pedigree makes him a bull that dominates theSemex Ayrshire lineup, with an overall LPI of +2529 with

+11 Conf, +11 Mammary System, +11 Feet & Legs and anexceptional 110 Herd Life, 105 Calving Ability, 105Daughter Calving Ability and a low 2.71 SCS (8/08 CDN).This makes Ristourn popular not only within Semex, butworldwide.

“I’ve seen more than 30 daughters and I’m proud to seehow consistent Ristourn transmits to his daughters. They allhave good, functional conformation with super qualityudders with strong ligaments and good udder texture,” saysChris Studer, Semex Alliance Ayrshire Coordinator. “Theirmobility is tremendous, walking on very good feet andlegs.”

Making Ristourn more popular is his outcross pedigree,containing no Milkman or BBBK blood. Breeders aroundthe world can feel confident using this bull with hiscombination of excellenthealth, fertility, productionand functionalconformation traits,proving that SemexWorks Everywhere!

S E M E X ’ S P O P U L A R A Y R S H I R E S I R E L A G A C E R I S T O U R N

� 0200AY00601 Lagace Ristourn

Granbyenne Ristourn Megan VG-85-2YR-CAN �

Mathieu Désy, CIAQ Component Breed Specialist

Congratulations Semex Brazil!

Semex Alliance Chief Executive Officer Paul Larmer, Semex Brazil General Manager Nelson Eduardo Ziehlsdorff & Semex Alliance

Director, International Sales & Business Development, Latin America & Africa,

John McDougall as Semex Brazil receives the 2008 AgroLeite Award.

profitable (prof·it·a·ble) adj 1.yielding profit; remunerative: a profitable deal. 2. beneficial or useful.

Semex sires are profitable sires everywhere!

A 2006 University of Florida Study. For more on improving reproduction with Semex turn to pgs 14.

1,759 1,759 VALIDATION BULLS FROM WERE USED TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE RELIABILITY OF

GENOMIC EVALUATIONS IN THE USDA RESEARCH PROJECT

250+NUMBER OF PHOTOS SUBMITTED FROM AROUND THE WORLDTO SEMEX’S 3RD ANNUAL PHOTO CONTEST! WATCH

WWW.SEMEX.COM FOR RESULTS.

$18,000 US

19

SAVINGS TO 200-COW DAIRY ANNUALLYBY REDUCING CALVING INTERVAL BY JUST 20 DAYS

Recognizing past accomplishments and lookingtowards a very bright future was the focus of the2008 Latin Conference held in Ponta Grossa, Brazilthis July. Hosted by Semex Brazil, over 30 delegatesfrom 12 countries attended the week-long events.

Held in conjunction with the AgroLeite show, Semex’spresence was felt by thousands of visitors fromthroughout South America. The Semex Brazil Walk ofFame displayed the success of the Semex product linein Brazil and was host to over 500 guests for areception and appreciation of the growing business in Brazil. Semex Sire Analyst Brian Carscaddenofficiated over 125 quality Jerseys and 320outstanding Holsteins over three days. Paul Larmer,Semex’s Chief Executive Officer and John McDougall,Semex’s Director, International Sales & BusinessDevelopment, Latin America & Africa, saw first handthe passion displayed in each of the Semex Brazil team members and the Semex family from the Americas.

After taking charge of Semex’s Brazilian operations in2007, Nelson Eduardo Ziehlsdorff has overseen oneof Semex’s greatest success stories in 2008. Thissuccess culminated with Semex Brazil winning theprestigious AgroLeite Award, recognizing Brazil’s topgenetic company, as voted on by dairy producersand industry leaders throughout Brazil.

Semex Latin Distributors were on hand for thepresentation of the award, and the pride of being apart of the Semex family was felt throughout thedelegates attending the evening’s celebrations.

See us at World Dairy Expo to enter a chance to win a once in a lifetime, all-expenses paid trip for two to Spain and see how Semex Works Everywhere!

WinTripAt o r un w i th t he bu l l s i n Spain

www.semexusa.com