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On-line News Archives 2001 |
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Once again this year, breeders were able to admire the quality of Québec cattle during the 7th edition of the Québec International Holstein Show.
During the week prior to the event, more than 150 international visitors from 15 different countries were accompanied by CIAQ staff on Québec farms where they could appreciate daughters of sires offered by CIAQ.
Furthermore, thanks to the collaboration of several breeders, CIAQ was again this year able to present a 10-cow exhibit composed of daughters of Igniter, James, Outside Lee and the newly proven Thunder.
The night before the show, the Celebrities Gala turned out to be exceptional as the bids reached 40 000 $ for Beauçoise Lee Coucou, a daughter of Comestar LEE, the 2nd best LPI sire in Canada. A total of 37 animal were sold for an average price of 10 900 $. The next day, 230 head owned by 131 exhibitors were presented to Judge Martin Roberge. The Junior Championship was awarded to another exceptional LEE daughter.
For all the show results, click here.
For sales results, click here.For information : Helene Drapeau, Head of Communication
Phone : 450-774-1141 Fax : 450-774-9318
Holstein
Semex Alliance sires accounted for 8 of Canada's Top 10 LPI bulls following the November proof round. What's more, Semex claims all of the Top 5 LPI positions with a strong showing from veterans as well as a bold new comer.
Summershade Inquirer (Juror x Mascot) dominated the LPI list in 2001and remains in the #1 position after four consecutive proof rounds. At 2300 LPI he continues to add to his production proof of 2541 kg while lowering SCS. Comestar Lee (Raider x Blackstar) is strong as ever moving up to #2 with 2118 LPI. This proof round Lee improves his production by 255 kg with the addition of 1,510 daughters and remains in the top 1% for type at +13 with an additional 1,748 daughters. Benner Aerowood makes his debut on the Semex Alliance active list at #3. This Bellwood x Aerostar son has a production proof that you'd expect, but a type pattern that defies his pedigree. At 2502 kg for milk combined with a double-digit type proof including +9 Mammary and +7 Feet & Legs he is without a doubt the best Bellwood son in the world. Moving on, both Ricecrest Monday (Supersire x Leadman) at #4 with 1997 LPI and Startmore Rudolph (Aerostar x Mattador) at #5 with 1996 LPI remain strong to round out the top five LPI sires in Canada.
At 1977 LPI Canyon-Breeze Allen-ET (Emory x Wister) climbs the LPI list to #8, a testament that his daughters continue to improve as they enter their 2nd lactation. Willsona Stardel (Aerostar x Lindy) made one of the biggest jumps this proof round, gaining +214 LPI points to land him at #9 with 1946 LPI as his daughters also complete their first lactation and initiate their second. Similarly, Henkeseen Emperor-ET (Emory x Holiday) jumps from #28 to #10 with 1914 LPI and establishes himself in Canada's Top 10 for milk at 2609 kg. In addition, both Stardell and Emperor are breed leaders for Calving Ease, making these top 10 bulls very attractive for use on heifers.
Just out of the Top 10, but still creating a lot of interest is TCET Lyster (Astre x Raider) who moved up from #27 to #18. At +14 for type Lyster has a great breakdown including +12 on Feet & Legs coupled with +11 Mammary.
Fleury-I Country (Mandel x Blackstar) makes headlines this proof round as Canada's leader for Fat at 114 kg and a deviation of +0.44. Country is ranked at #29 with 1769 LPI.
Another bull who continues to gain momentum as second crop daughters emerge is Comestar Outside (Prelude x Blackstar) who moved up in both type and production for a final LPI of 1521.
And for those who were in disbelief of Canada's +18 Type leader in August take another look. Innwood Terrason (Mason x Prelude) is still on top at +18 with 13 additional daughters in his type proof.
The first Comestar Leader son to be proven, Markim Thunder (73 HO 2902) combines a solid type profile with a great production potential. His dam, Four Henry Luke Tum Tum TB 88, is a Luke daughter with a superior production of 28 993 kg of milk with 4,29 % fat and 3,48 % protein in 2 lactations.
Ayrshire
A new Semex Alliance release, Kildare Jerry (Patrick x Heligo) tops the LPI list at 2730. He is in the top 4% for confirmation at +11 and the top 1% for both fat and protein with positive deviations of +0.24 and +0.12 respectively. Another Patrick son, Margot Lorenzo (Patrick x Mozart), has earned the #2 position for Semex. Lorenzo is Canada's breed leader for protein at +46 kg with a deviation of +0.12. Completing a trio of Semex Alliance bulls, Woodland View Pardner-ET takes the #3 LPI position. Also of interest, Woodland View Paddy 2-ET (Patrick x Milkman) received his first proof which ranked him #10 at 1904 LPI. The addition of Paddy 2 makes five Blackaddar M M Patrick sons in the Top 10 not to mention Patrick himself who ranks #8.
Jersey
Rock Ella Perimiter (Berretta x Duncan) continues to lead the LPI list at 1606, +204 pts ahead of his sire, Mason Boomer Sooner Berretta, in the #2 position. He is also once again the breed leader for protein with 64 kg. Giprat Bellevue-ET (Galaxy x Duncan), a maternal brother to Perimiter, made his debut at #4 with impressive deviation of +0.44 fat and +0.17 protein. Also new to the Semex Alliance Jersey line-up is Perfection Eclipse (Beretta x Gusto) who came in at #19 with 891 LPI. He is the highest type Berretta son available at +9 for Type.
Brown Swiss
R-Hart Cartoon-ET (Prophet x Matthew) is still #1 with a very balanced proof of 1498 LPI. Top Acres FLT Pegasus (Tradition x Simon) checks in at #3 and Forest Lawn Pat Joytrek (Patrick x Distinction) takes the #5 position. A new Brown Swiss bull, Lost Elm Portfolio (Jetway x Dotson), is introduced at #19.
Guernsey
Brown Eden Tradition (Caleb x Bionic) is again the #1 LPI bull for the Guernsey breed with 1098 LPI. With only minute changes to his proof he continues to edge out the competition.
Canadienne
Mon Paradis Trad Kid ET remains #1 with 1155 LPI, 336 points ahead of Monbriant Karate Energika ET in the #2 position. Energika gained 68 points with increases in production this proof round forcing Erables Dancer Expo into #3 LPI with 789.
For information : Helene Drapeau, Head of Communication
Phone : 450-774-1141 Fax : 450-774-9318
Five years after the publication of Maughlin Storm's proof, the time had come for the Centre d'insémination artificielle du Québec (CIAQ) to recognise Storm's remarkable contribution, and of course that of his breeders, to Holstein breeding. Invited by CIAQ at the time of the Québec International Holstein Show held at Saint-Hyacinthe in November, Darlene and Sandy McPhedran, from Rockwood, Ontario, were given a recognition plaque with pictures of six Excellent 1st generation daughters of Storm. "We think that for a bull to have so many Excellent daughters born while he was on test is a first in history. They were either classified in Canada or in the United States" stated Michel-R. Saint-Pierre, General Manager of CIAQ.
On the plaque can also be found a picture of Storm's dam, Wykholme Dewdrop Tacy (VG89), an Inspiration daughter who would eventually complete the 5th generation of cows with a lifetime production over 80 000 kg of milk. When presenting the plaque, Robert Chicoine from The Semex Alliance, mentioned : "I was very touched by Storm's exceptional results because, on the one hand, I had know Storm's maternal family for over 20 years when he got his test results. On the other hand, I had a first contact with the Maughlin Farm in 1974 and I was also involved in the purchase of several young sires on that farm".
Among the six 1st generation daughters of Storm, four are from Québec, Lescotes Belette Storm, Klodette Aliva Storm, Delépinette Graci Storm and Clerinda Storm Arline, while the two others, Ballam Casper Storm and Knoydart Storm Bright, come from Nova Scotia. Storm was co-sampled in the two provinces.
Many 2nd generation daughters were added to Storm's proof, verifying that he possesses the great quality of siring a very constant type pattern : his daughters are strong with good open ribs, strong toplines and slightly sloping rumps, which are typical characteristics of the Inspiration model. They also have wonderful quality udders with good teat placement and solid attachments. Sixty-six per cent of Storm's 22 760 daughters in Canada are classified Good Plus or better.
Maughlin Storm Storm, sired by Aerostar, also left his mark in several countries of the world. From his lifetime production of 950 000 doses, more than 500 000 doses were exported to 45 countries, mainly Great-Britain, USA, Spain, Germany and Italy. Today he has an attractive proof in several countries such as Germany where he has one of the best herd life indexes. His daughters have recently been very successful in the show ring and Storm was named Premier Sire at the National Show in Cremona, Italy, and closer to home, at the prestigious Toronto Royal Winter Fair.
Storm's story will be perpetuated through some 50 of his sons sampled by The Semex Alliance. It is expected that the first ones will receive a genetic evaluation in mid-2002. Storm will also often appear on the maternal side of young sire pedigrees since several of his high-indexed daughters have been selected by A.I. units as bull dams.
As a leader in genetic improvement, CIAQ was proud to underline the contribution made by Storm who was enthusiastically welcomed by the Holstein community in 1996, at the same time as Startmore Rudolph, two names that over the years have become synonymous with performance, excellence and longevity.
For information : Helene Drapeau, Head of Communication
Phone : 450-774-1141 Fax : 450-774-9318
Guelph, Ontario - August 2001 marks the implementation of a revised Lifetime Profitability Index (LPI) in Canada, and the demise of the Total Economic Value (TEV) index. The revised LPI formula contains components of the TEV index, namely somatic cell score, udder depth and milking speed. By including these traits in the new formula, dairy producers can be even more confident about the lasting ability of daughters when using top LPI sires.
The #1 LPI sire in Canada !The #1 LPI sire in February and May, Summershade Inquirer, survived the changes to remain comfortably at the top of the LPI ranking once again in August.
His ability to sire extreme dairyness, high production and very correct feet and legs has allowed him to stay almost +200 LPI points above his nearest competitor. Simultaneously, his full brother, Summershade Igniter, settles into the #8 position with a reputation in the field of having tremendous second lactation daughters.
Comestar Lee, Semex's youngest sire to produce a million doses of semen, ranks in the #3 position this proof run with almost 7,700 daughters in his production proof. His ability to sire dairyness and quality combined with tremendous feet and legs and udders makes it easy to appreciate his worldwide popularity.
Ricecrest Monday has jumped back into the top 5 LPI listing again with great gains in all of his production traits. This Supersire son consistently sires high components and tremendous udders as well as an abundance of dairyness.
The most exciting newcomer of this evaluation is yet another member of the Laurie Sheik family - Comestar Classic. Housed at CIAQ and sampled in the Westgen area, this son of a full sister to Comestar Lee is the highest milk bull in Canada following the August evaluations. He combines those high production ratings with a solid +7 on type having no minuses in any of the major traits.
Ourdream Blitzen (Blackstar x Mandel) rounds out the top 10 LPI this August with a very balanced proof. His loss of a few kgs of both fat and protein is counteracted by an increase of +1 point on overall conformation with good frame numbers.
With the addition of a few second lactation daughters, Canyon-Breeze Allen experiences an increase in LPI as a result of added milk and protein yield. This Emory son has a reputation for siring extreme width and body depth, quality udders and good foot structure.
The first Startmore Rudolph son with an official proof ranks #17 for LPI. From a Newlands Mystic dam, Lignette Pulsar has an ability to sire a high protein percentage, cows with good legs and well-attached mammaries. He is also a calving ease and somatic cell specialist.
Silky Diego (Mandel x Aerostar) maintains a good LPI due to an increase of +2 points on type and a low somatic cell score. He still remains a strong improver of mammaries, especially fore udders.
The Semex Alliance is home to the highest type sire in Canada. At +18 on 60 daughters, Innwood Terrason is a Mason son from a Prelude dam and boasts unprecedented frame and udder scores. The bull himself is thought to be one of the largest Holstein bulls alive at almost 76 inches in stature.
In the Ayrshire breed, three of the top 5 LPI bulls are Blackadder MM Patrick sons and are just ahead of Patrick himself in the #6 position. At #2 LPI, Kildare Jerry combines a tremendous somatic cell score and good components, but will have to wait until the next proof round to join the active list. At #4 is Margot Lorenzo, a Patrick son from a Mozart dam, who has a very balanced profile for both production and type. At the #5 position is the May graduate, Mardel Volage. Siring a high protein percentage and a solid type proof, it is easy to see why Volage remains in the top 5 LPI in August. Woodland View Pardner continues in the #1 position with an LPI of 2592.
In the Jersey breed, Rock Ella Perimiter remains the #1 bull with an ability to sire high protein and bigger than average cattle. Mordale Topsy's General is the #4 LPI bull and is a son of Gemini General. He combines high fat and protein levels with a solid type profile.
R-Hart Cartoon remains the #1 LPI Brown Swiss bull this run with an LPI of 1598. This Prophet son sires daughters that are very functional in their feet and legs and mammary systems.
Semex sires topping the LPI lists this August proof round further endorse the Semex Alliance philosophy of maximizing production and type to ensure longevity and profitability for dairy producers worldwide.
For information : Helene Drapeau, Head of Communication
Phone : 450-774-1141 Fax : 450-774-9318
Saint-Hyacinthe, 7 June 2001. On 23 May 2001, Comestar Lee became the second sire in the history of the Centre d'insémination artificielle du Québec (CIAQ) to reach the mark of one million doses produced. He also became the fourth sire in The Semex Alliance group in Canada to accomplish such a performance and he was preceded by Startmore Rudolph (73 HO 1965), Madawaska Aerostar (39 HO 246) and Hanoverhill Inspiration (72 HO 376).
Comestar Lee (73 HO 2239), Excellent and Extra, is no ordinary sire since he is ranked 6th on the LPI list in Canada and he was bred by the renowned Holstein Comestar Farm in Victoriaville, Québec.
"Lee is one of the most productive sires in the breed. He has set several production records at CIAQ. To our knowledge, he is the 18th sire to join the select world-wide millionaire club and he probably is, at age 8 years and 7 months, the youngest sire in artificial insemination to have reached the peak of one million frozen straws" mentioned Yves Brindle, CIAQ's Head of Laboratory.
"Lee holds the records for daily production with 5108 doses, weekly production with 11 812 doses, monthly production with 46 555 doses and 12-month production with 298 486 doses. He was brought for the first time to the collection room on 13 September 1993 and he produced his millionth doses after 499 collection sessions.
A son of Hanoverhill Raider, himself a son of the renowned Starbuck, Lee combines in his pedigree the Roxy's, a very famous cow family, and the Lea's from Comestar Holstein, a world-renowned cow family. His dam is Comestar Laura Black, a Blackstar daughter from the 1995 Cow of the Year, Comestar Laurie Sheik. Among the sires available in Canada are Leader and Laurier, two sons of Laurie Sheik who is also at the root of a line that has produced several superior quality proven sires such as Top Gun, Outside, Malibu and Comestar Lartist, newly proven in the United States.
This unique breeding of Raider on a Blackstar daughter, herself out of a Sheik daughter and by Elysa Anthony Lea, gives the strength and finesse that dairy producers like to see on their cows. Today at their 4th lactation, Comestar Lee's first-generation daughters have proven their potential to improve from one year to the other, both for type and production. Lee is a true type leader, particularly with regards to udder texture and dairy character. His daughters are tall and show broad rumps, strong loins, remarkable feet & legs and superior quality udders with strong centre ligaments and ideal teat placement. Lee also offers bonuses such as good milking speed and low SCC. Simon Giard, CIAQ's Board Chairman, added : "Comestar Lee sires the kind of cows that we breeders like to work with every day thanks to the remarkable quality of their udders and their exceptional feet & legs".
From left to right : Robert Chicoine, Semex Alliance, Michel-R. Saint-Pierre, CIAQ's general manager, the owners of Comestar Holstein, France & Marc Comtois and Nicole & Freddy Steen and Simon Giard, president of the CIAQ's board of directors.
Up to now, 4734 Lee daughters were classified in Canada among which 63 % are Good Plus or better, including 92 Very Good 2-year-olds. Among his 112 test daughters, there are two Excellents and 26 Very Goods. Lee also has the ability to sire show winners and, on top of his show success last year in Canada, two of his daughters recently finished 1st and 2nd in the Junior 2-year-old class at a show in Ohio, U.S.
Proven in August 1997 following his testing period, Comestar Lee soon became one of the most popular sires offered by CIAQ and its Semex Alliance partners. The number of his semen doses sold exceeds 925 000 straws in 39 countries, including Canada. On the international market, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States are the three countries that have bought the highest number of semen doses from Lee.
Comestar Lee is without any doubt the most consistent sire in Canada. With his rare combination of strength and dairyness, Lee amplifies the Semex Alliance philosophy based "on the Power of Balanced Breeding and the strength to develop sires born from elite cow families". With their constant care at making available to dairy producers the best proven sires, CIAQ and its Semex Alliance partners have put on test more than 50 Lee sons. Comestar Lee's story has just begun.
For additional information, please contact :
Hélène Drapeau, head of Communications
Telephone : 450-774-1141 Telecopier : 450-774-9318
Saint-Hyacinthe, 30 April 2001. The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Centre d'insémination artificielle du Québec (CIAQ), Simon Giard, is happy to announce that at the end of its second fiscal year since its acquisition by Québec dairy and beef producers, CIAQ has continued its growth and achieved an exceptional financial performance, equal to the best years of its history. CIAQ has also expanded efforts aimed at keeping its dominant position on the Québec bovine genetics market and better meeting the evolving needs of Québec breeders.
In terms of financial results, CIAQ has reached a net profit of 5,7 million dollars in the year 2000, which represents a 78 % increase over the results of the previous fiscal year. This performance is due to a combination of rather exceptional factors, that is the dynamism of the Québec dairy sector, the high genetic potential of available sires, an efficient distribution network and the substantial expertise of its personnel.
Michel-R Saint-Pierre,
CIAQ's Geneal ManagerIn fact, dairy and beef producers did not hesitate to use the best sires offered by CIAQ, which has lead to a significant increase in the average price of doses sold. Over the last year, the young sire testing program (PEP) managed by CIAQ in collaboration with Québec breeders, along with similar programs offered by the other partner units of The Semex Alliance, have resulted in returning to service several new sires of exceptional quality. The performance of year 2000 is also the result of the hard work and competence of the whole CIAQ team and the network of about 200 A.I. technicians who travel all over the Québec territory. The quality of the services offered by these people and the value of their first-line advice in genetics represent an efficient link between top-quality genetic products and a demanding clientele.
On top of an excellent financial performance, the year 2000 was also full of all kinds of events that have helped CIAQ keep its leadership on the market and its reputation in Québec and the world over. Several events are worth mentioning, particularly the birth in September 2000 of the clone of the renowned sire, Hanoverhill Starbuck, that made news all over the world.
For more than 50 years, the Centre d'insémination artificielle du Québec has been following the pace of the Québec dairy and beef sectors, which in turn have substantially influenced CIAQ's actions and influenced its results. Michel-R. Saint-Pierre, CIAQ's General Manager, states : "In terms of genetics, breeders have different expectations and CIAQ must meet each of them with the finest-tuned products and the appropriate distribution mode and technical services. This represents a constant challenge to adapt ourselves in order to maintain our leadership position in the field of Québec bovine genetics".
Simon Giard, CIAQ's Board Chairman, thanked Québec breeders for their contribution to the company's success. He added : "As CIAQ's owners, clients and cooperators, they can be proud of the development of their organisation and confident in its future".
CIAQ's Board ChairmanCIAQ has a 53-year history and, in 1999, it became the property of the Québec dairy and beef producers represented by the Fédération des producteurs de lait du Québec (milk producers), the Conseil québécois des races laitières inc. (dairy breeds) and the Conseil provincial des Cercles d'amélioration du bétail inc. (breeding clubs).
For more information, please contact :
Hélène Drapeau, Head of Communications
Telephone : 450-774-1141 Fax : 450-774-9318
Saint-Hyacinthe, 30 April 2001 At a Board of Directors meeting of the Centre d'insémination artificielle du Québec held today, Chairman Simon Giard was very proud to announce that an exceptional measure approved by the Board Members will allow CIAQ to pay a loyalty bonus to its clients. Following CIAQ's exceptional financial results in year 2000 with a net profit of 5,7 million dollars the Board and Management Members have decided to let the company's clients, who are also its owners, benefit from this performance by giving them a 3 % loyalty bonus on their total semen purchases during the year 2000. For Michel-R. Saint-Pierre, CIAQ's General Manager, "This is a good way of showing that the statement Owned by Québec breeders which was promoted all year is more than just a slogan. We want this intention of serving our clients well to be perceived on all levels. I can say that in the year 2000, CIAQ's team has been increasingly partnered with breeders through numerous and diversified actions".
This is a first for CIAQ to give a loyalty bonus representing a total amount of 500 000 $ to its clients who are the users of its products. The year 2000 was rich in all kinds of actions and events for CIAQ, that has maintained its role of leadership in the genetics market and its reputation in Québec and the world over. This initiative stands on the same level, with the aim of thanking Québec breeders for their contribution to the success of the organisation.
CIAQ has a 53-year history. In 1999, it became the property of the Québec dairy and beef producers represented by the Fédération des producteurs de lait du Québec (milk producers), the Conseil québécois des races laitières inc. (dairy breeds) and the Conseil provincial des Cercles d'amélioration du bétail inc. (breeding clubs).
For more information, please contact :
Hélène Drapeau, Head of Communications
Telephone : 450-774-1141 Fax : 450-774-9318
Saint-Hyacinthe, 30 April 2001 At a Board of Directors meeting of the Centre d'insémination artificielle du Québec held today, Board Members elected Simon Giard as CIAQ's President for the second consecutive year. Martin Caron and Marcel Groleau were also reelected as 1st and 2nd Vice-Presidents, respectively.
Simon Giard, also Vice-President of Holstein Québec, operates Ferme Giard inc. at Saint-Simon in co-ownership with his brother Bruno. They own a 190-head herd including 80 Holstein cows and they regularly participate in several shows.
Martin Caron, president of the Conseil provincial des CAB inc., is a Holstein breeder in Louiseville who regularly participates in CIAQ's young sire testing as a Cooperator to the young sire proving program. Marcel Groleau is a co-owner of a 75-head dairy farm at Thetford Mines and is also Vice-President of the Fédération des producteurs de lait du Québec.
In addition, a new Board Member joined the ranks as a representative of the Conseil québécois des races laitières. Michel Robert is a dairy producer at Saint-Eugène-de-Guigues in the Témiscamingue area and former President of Holstein Québec. He succeeds in the position of André Couture who has served on CIAQ's Board for two years.
________________________________________________________The Board of Directors of the Centre d'insémination artificielle du Québec (CIAQ)
President : Simon Giard, Conseil québécois des races laitières inc. (dairy breeds)
1st Vice-President : Martin Caron, Conseil provincial des CAB inc. (breeding clubs)
2nd Vice-President : Marcel Groleau, Fédération des producteurs de lait du Québec (dairy producers)Board Members :
Conseil provincial des CAB inc. (CPCAB) :
Mario Houle et Michel Simard
Conseil québécois des races laitières inc. (CQRL)
Marcellin Therrien et Michel Robert
Fédération des producteurs de lait du Québec (FPLQ) :
Marc Richard et Gérald RouthierExternal members: Bertrand Farmer et Réal Laflamme
For more information, please contact :
Hélène Drapeau, Head of Communications
Telephone : 450-774-1141 Fax : 450-774-9318
Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec The consortium composed of Centre d'insémination artificielle du Québec (CIAQ), along with researchers from the Faculté de médecine vétérinaire de l'Université de Montréal and L'Alliance Boviteq received, for the project which resulted in the birth of Starbuck II, the Prix de la Technopole awarded by Saint-Hyacinthe, the first city in Canada to be recognised as a Science Park.
CIAQ is proud and honoured of the fact that the Starbuck II consortium was the first recipient of the Prix de la Technopole presented at the Gala des Affaires held in Saint-Hyacinthe on 17 March and organised by the Chamber of Commerce & the CLD des Maskoutains. CIAQ's President, Mr Simon Giard, spoke on behalf of the group : "Starbuck II is a wonderful adventure, since it was a dream. Starbuck was our Maurice Richard, our Wayne Gretsky. This prize falls upon the whole team of employees, because it was a beautiful genetic and scientific experience".
The success of Starbuck's cloning project allows the scientific community of the Saint-Hyacinthe area to become a leader in the field of high technology related to bovine reproduction. The contest organisers recognised that the birth of Starbuck II in September 2000 was the milestone event of year 2000 in the area and soon became a global media event.
From left to right : Dr Lawrence Smith from the Faculté de médecine vétérianaire,Michel-R Saint-Pierre, General Manager at CIAQ and Dr Daniel Bousquet from L'Alliance Boviteq inc. were proud and honoured to receive the Trophy for the Starbuck II consortium.
CIAQ is proud to share this honour with all its clients and partners who together allowed to maintain the improvement of genetics and bovine reproduction, thus favouring the profitability of farms.
For more information or to get a picture, please contact :
Hélène Drapeau, Head of Communications, CIAQ
Phone : 450-774-1141 Fax : 450-774-9381
E-Mail : drapeauh@ciaq.com
Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec The situation presently occurring in Europe with regards to Foot-and-Mouth Disease has lead CIAQ to take major preventive measures in order to avoid the potential spread of the disease in Canada. Therefore, in agreement with The Semex Alliance, it was decided that until further notice, the CIAQ staff would no longer lead groups of international visitors on Québec farms. Also, the upcoming plans to present daughter exhibits at the Holstein Spring Show as well as the Ayrshire International Spring Show to be held in April have been cancelled.
The CIAQ management and staff are well aware of the efforts that Canadian breeders have made to develop their genetics and do not want to compromise the work of several years by holding activities that, by attracting international visitors, could represent any kind of risk. Canada is recognised free of Foot-and-Mouth Disease and the introduction of this disease that spreads very easily and very quickly would have extremely harmful economic and human consequences for breeders. In fact, just one outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease in Canada would result in banning all exportations of genetic material livestock, semen and embryos.
CIAQ wishes to assure breeders that it will take all the necessary measures to help maintain Canada's health status in order to reassure the bovine national and international market.
For additional information on the Foot-and-Mouth Disease, consult the following Web sites : Canadian Food Inspection Agency (www.cfia-acia.agr.ca in the Health of Animals/Diseases section) and International Office of Epizootics (www.oie.int in the Diseases/Lists section).
For further information, please contact :
Agathe Drolet, Assistant Director, Marketing and Services, CIAQ
Phone : 450-774-1141 Fax : 450-774-9318
Guelph, Ontario February sire summaries have produced some new shining stars as eight of the top 20 LPI sires are newcomers and Semex Alliance owns all but a mere eight of the top 50 LPI sires in Canada.
Solidifying his position at the top of the LPI list is Summershade Inquirer, the Juror son from Summershade Ilene Scott. No stranger to this lofty perch, Inquirer was the number one bull in the August 2000 proof round in his debut. By adding 28 classified daughters since November, he has risen to 67% Good Plus and better, bringing his conformation score up by +3 points to +15. An outstanding improvement in feet and legs to +11 coupled with an increase in protein and fat percentages, helped propel Inquirer to the top position. Inquirer's full brother, Summershade Igniter, and his maternal brother by Bellwood, Summershade B Contributor, both find themselves in the top 10 LPI positions, adding increased confidence in this trio of bulls coming from a tremendous cow family.
A newcomer, Comestar Malibu, emerges as the #2 LPI sire and is the first Mason son to hit it big. His dam is Comestar Lausian Astre, a former #1 LPI cow in Canada. Lausian Astre is a daughter of Lausan Black, the full sister to Comestar Leader, proving once again the importance of cow families in the Semex philosophy. Malibu combines solid numbers in feet and legs and mammary to go with a high protein yield.Comestar Lee becomes the "feel good" success story of the February proof run landing in the #4 LPI position with over 1,400 daughters classified and improving his LPI score by +165 points. His impressive second crop performance only confirms what breeders worldwide have been expecting and now receiving from this great Raider son. The Lee success story adds trust and confidence in the Semex philosophy as he joins a long list of Semex bulls improving with added second crop daughters.
Ricecrest Monday, the Supersire grandson of Blackstar Martha, settles in at the #5 LPI position with added daughters; however, he still shows a strong pattern in siring high components and fantastic udders.
Newcomers to the top 20 list include Silky Diego at #11. He is siring tremendous mammary systems and is a high production Mandel son from Jeanri Aerostar Connie. Henkeseen Emperor ranks #14 and is creating a lot of excitement. He is a Blackstar Emory son from two Excellent-94 point dams. Based on observations in the field, this is a bull that should improve his +7 conformation score with added daughters in May. Clovis Raoul is a Leadership son from an Astre dam that graduates with a very balanced proof excelling in size and stature and mammary ratings.
Dairymen looking for an outcross bull siring loads of strength with high components will be enthused with the #18 bull, Canyon-Breeze Allen. He is an Emory son, again from a tremendous cow family.
Jersey breeders will be enthused to see Rock Ella Perimiter remain as the #1 LPI sire with a +300 point lead over his next closest rival. His high second lactation records only solidify his stable LPI rating of +1531.
For Ayrshire breeders, Woodland View Pardner has a slight LPI lead over veteran Roi Galant. Both bulls show well-balanced proofs and are benefiting from the performance of their second lactation daughters. Forever Schoon MM Cornelius continues to benefit from the addition of tremendous second crop daughters, moving up the LPI chart to +1715 LPI.For further information, please contact :
Helene Drapeau,
Head of Communication, CIAQ
Phone : 450-774-1141 Fax : 450-774-9318
Saint-Hyacinthe, January 2001 The Centre d'insémination artificielle du Québec (CIAQ) in Saint-Hyacinthe received two distinction awards at the 2001 Innovation contest of the Salon de l'Agriculteur held in Saint-Hyacinthe from 9 to 11 January.
For the development of Genexpress.
From left to right ; Jacques Jalbert, agrologist, judge and Jean-Denis Vermette, head of development of services at CIAQ.
For the cloning of Starbuck.
From left to right : Jacques Denis, engineer, judge; Michel-R Saint-Pierre, general manager at CIAQ, Dr Lawrence Smith, FMV and Dr Daniel Bousquet, L'Alliance Boviteq inc.The pooling of the scientific expertise of CIAQ, L'Alliance Boviteq et the Faculté de médecine vétérinaire de l'Université de Montréal earned them a distinction award for the birth in September 2000 of Starbuck II through the cloning of the renowned Holstein sire Hanoverhill Starbuck. Starbuck II is the first calf in the world cloned from a line of frozen cells from a mature bull.
CIAQ earned its second award thanks to GeneXpress, an on-farm computer mating service provided by a CIAQ representative or an inseminator. This service is meant for dairy producers who do not use classification and/or milk recording. It is a simple and speedy tool that is easily adapted to different dairy cattle breeding programs.
For the last ten years, the Innovation contest has been honouring the efforts of the Salon de l'Agriculteur exhibitors in developing innovative products and services.
This exploit once again shows CIAQ's concern in meeting its primary mission of genetic improvement in order to favour the profitability of Québec breeding through its high-quality sires and services.
For additional information, please contact :
Jean-Denis Vermette for GeneXpress or Agathe Drolet, for the cloning of Starbuck
