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CIAQ pays more than one million dollars as loyalty bonus! Saint-Hyacinthe, 18 December 2002 - The Centre d'insémination artificielle du Québec, through its president Martin Caron, and its General Manager Michel-R. Saint-Pierre, is proud to inform Québec dairy and beef producers that its Board of Directors has decided to pay a loyalty bonus to its clients for a third consecutive year. That decision was taken a few days away from the end of CIAQ’s 2002 fiscal year, which one more time promises to be exceptional. The Board of Directors thus underlines the contribution of Québec breeders to those results. Since CIAQ will celebrate its 55th year of existence in 2003 and wishes to properly celebrate this event, its Board members have also decided to increase the loyalty bonus to 5,5 % of the total purchases made during the year. Therefore, more than one million dollars will be paid to Québec dairy producers during the first months of 2003.
CIAQ owes its success to the customer confidence in its top-quality products and services such as the Strat@gen and GeneXpress sire recommendation programs as well as the Young Sire Proving Program (PEP). The loyalty to CIAQ’s products therefore gives an additional benefit to all its clients.
CIAQ is an organisation owned by Québec dairy and beef producers grouped in the Fédération des producteurs de lait du Québec (dairy producers), the Conseil québécois des races laitières inc. (breed associations) and the Conseil provincial des Cercles d’amélioration du bétail inc. (breeding clubs).
For more information, please contact :
Hélène Drapeau, Head of Communications
Phone : 450-774-1141
It's a rendez-vous at the
Québec International Holstein Show!
Once again this year, breeders will be able to admire the quality of Québec cattle during the 8th edition of the Québec International Holstein Show which will be held at the Exhibition Fairgrounds in Saint-Hyacinthe on 8 and 9 November 2002.
More than 500 international visitors from 30 different countries will be accompanied by CIAQ staff on Québec farms where they will appreciate daughters of sires offered by CIAQ. Furthermore, thanks to the collaboration of several breeders, CIAQ will present again this year a 10-cow exhibit composed of daughters of Stormatic, Income, Igniter, Lheros and the newly proven Lorenzo.
Camphols S M Roly
VG-85-2YR-CANComestar
StormaticFerme Des Chamois
FarnharmMontmagny Stormatic Rosany
VG-85-2YR-CANComestar
StormaticFerme Montmagny enr.
MontmagnyBrindherbe Stormatic Diane
VG-88-3YR-CANComestar
StormaticB. Lehoux & Fils inc.
Saint-ElzéarFermary Eloise Stormatic
VG-85-3YR-CANComestar
StormaticFerme Fermary Holstein
Saint-AgapitGodefroy Mimi Income
GP-83-2YR-CANPennview
IncomeSimon Caron
BécancourVirelu Lisi Income
GP-81-2YR-CANPennview
IncomeFerme Laterroise
LaterrièreRonidion Igniter Tyly
VG-86-4YR-CANSummeshade
IgniterRobert Dion
Saint-GervaisBejeamar Carla Igniter
EX-CANSummershade
IgniterB. Lehoux & Fils inc.
Saint-ElzéarLochay Elita Lorenzo
GP-83-2YR-CANLystel
LorenzoLystel Holstein enr.
LysterWalnutknoll C L Kit
VG-85-2YR-CANComestar
LherosComestar Holstein
VictoriavilleAt 4:30 p.m. CIAQ will present a progeny group from some of the best Canadian sires supported by a special audiovisual presentation and commentary provided by the CIAQ sire analysts, Carl Saucier and Steve Laroche. A hot meal will follow allowing you to interact and exchange with breeders, partners and visitors. At 7:00 p.m., interviews on the topic of embryo transfer with Daniel Bousquet, Jean Durocher and André Barnabé from L'Alliance Boviteq will highlight the benefits of this breed improvement tool.
Starting at 4:00 p.m., the will officially open. The high point of the day will no doubt reside in the first edition of the public market of embryos and heifers. The focus will be on some of the best cow families in Quebec. Large screen presentations, supported by pictures and information combined with the presence of the owners will provide a forum for acquiring high calibre genetics. The market will conclude with a draw of top quality embryos and CIAQ will draw doses of semen from some elite sires. This activity represents a unique opportunity to acquire products of great genetic potential at a low cost! And all that will be accompagnied by a buffet sponsored by The Semex Alliance.
The Holstein Show judged by Robert (Bob) Morrell will begin at 8:00 a.m. Saturday 9 November 2002.
We hope that a lot of you will join us to live a new experience at EIHQ this year!
Holstein The November proof round opens with some movement at the top of the chart and some interesting newcomers to add to our line-up. Now in second place, 200HO4144 Comestar Stormatic (Storm x Blackstar) has 130 daughters in his proof and held his LPI score from last round. With high production and outstanding type, Stormatic's appeal will continue. The veterans continue to perform with Comestar Lee, Startmore Rudolph, Comestar Outside, Comestar Leader, Mapel Wood Estimate and Maughlin Storm all remaining in the top 100 LPI ranking. These sires have earned the "Masters Series" title and have stood the test of time by delivering everything their initial proofs said they would.
Now at #5 LPI, 39HO0709 Summershade Inquirer (Juror x Mascot) has consistently placed in the top five LPI list since his debut in August of 2000. Extensive use of Inquirer, both domestically and internationally, will ensure many quality daughters for his second crop proof. 72HO1758 Comestar Lheros (Mason x Blackstar) increased his LPI status by nearly 100 points as his first crop daughters enter their second lactation. Information from field staff confirms that Lheros daughters are maturing exceptionally well with domestic sales reflecting this confidence as Lheros use increases. Promising bulls making their debut this time include 200HO4182 La Présentation Dartagnan (Rudolph x Supersire) comes from two generations of Excellent dams and is highly recommended as a size and stature bull delivering style in both frame and mammary system along with a low SCS of +2.64.
Henaldi Dartagnan Auldis, GP82 daughter of La Présentation Dartagnan Slightly further down the LPI list is a high potential red factor bull, 200HO3067 Pursuit September Storm *RC (Storm x Astre). September *RC suffers in the LPI formula due to a below average rating for protein but excels in many other traits especially type. Daughters are tall and stylish with particular strengths in correct foot angle, udder attachments and udder texture. 200HO4178 Lystel Lorenzo (Formation x Blackstar) is the last notable rookie to join the LPI rankings. Lorenzo is the long-awaited half-brother to both Leduc and Outside. Although his protein deviations affect his overall LPI score, double figures across the majority of his type breakdown suggest that Lorenzo daughters may be gracing show rings in the years to come. Lorenzo graduates with an exceptional +15 for height at front end and +15 for overall conformation.
Pemcrest Joy L, GP82 daughter of Lystel Lorenzo Ayrshire
One new sire is added to our Ayrshire line-up. This is 200AY0515 Kellcrest Harmony (Kellogg x Heligo). Harmony is a half brother to 200AY0499 Kellcrest Ice Man and already has many show winning daughters. His type breakdown is enough to whet any breeders' appetite. At +17 for Conformation, +11 Feet and Legs, +15 for Mammary and +14 for Stature with lots of double digits besides, Harmony is already a hot Ayrshire bull.
Kellcrest Pepper, VG86 daughter of Harmony Jersey
Soaring 300 LPI points over the #2 sire, 200JE0404 Molly Brook Fusion (Berretta x Facinator) debuts at #1 with +1933 LPI and +1610 kg of milk, +13 for conformation and a tremendous +14 for rear udder. Fusion could be the perfect outcross for many of the closer bred bloodlines such as Juno, Renaissance and Imperial.
Molly Brook Fusion Brouwn Swiss
No change at the top for Brown Swiss with 73BS0018 R-Hart Cartoon still dominating the rankings by 200 LPI points.
Once again this year, the Beef Show held in Victoriaville from 11 to 13 October was a great success. Without any doubt, one of the most popular attractions was the drawing of a high genetic potential heifer organized jointly by CIAQ, the Coopérative des Inséminateurs du Québec (A.I. technicians) and the Conseil provincial des CAB (breeding clubs). More than 1000 people visited the three partners' sites during the Thanksgiving weekend. Among the 300 farms qualifying for the drawing, the winning ticket was that of Christel and Fernand Pelletier, purebred Simmental breeders. The Pelletiers are eager to see what their new addition - a Red Angus x Simmental hybrid - will produce at the beginning of January when she is expected to calve from a popular Shorthorn sire owned by CIAQ.
For information :
Pierre Desranleau, Beef coordinator
Phone : 450-774-1141 Fax : 450-774-9318
When you access LaiToile, you have at your disposal a service that allows you to personalize your own proof sheet. According to your criteria, you can easily choose and group together the sires that meet your breeding objectives and in the breed of your choice. You will find it easy to sort the sires according to production, type and auxiliary traits. You may also consult the sire catalogue to find information about pedigrees, genetic evaluations and daughter pictures of several bulls.
CIAQ clients have received by mail their user name along with their password allowing them to benefit from all the options of Sires à la carte, including the possibility of ordering semen through the Internet.
Come and browse on
! For information :
Jean-Denis Vermette, Service development
Phone : 450-774-1141 Fax: 450-774-9318
The LaiToile website has won the Roger-Blais Prize awarded by ACRA, the Association canadienne des rédacteurs agricoles de langue française (Canadian association of french-speaking agricultural editors) in connection with its corporative communications contest. LaiToile tied for first place with the Association laitière de la chèvre du Québec (Québec goat dairy association) which presented a recipe book. Merit was given to the quality of the message, including its clarity, efficiency and informative content, to the visual concept and originality, and to the quality of the French language. The partner organisations are very proud to share this prize with the users of LaiToile!
The prize was awarded during the ACRA annual convention held in Duchesnay, Québec, on 13 and 14 September.
The Semex Alliance and CIAQ strengthen their relationship with
Comestar Holstein
Saint-Hyacinthe, 22 August 2002 – The Centre d’insémination artificielle du Québec (CIAQ) and The Semex Alliance have announced the signing of an agreement with Comestar Holstein of Victoriaville, Québec, to jointly maintain the development and marketing of Comestar genetics.
This agreement will allow the co-owners of The Semex Alliance, of which CIAQ owns 45 % of the shares, to offer exclusively in Canada the Comestar young sires in their testing program. It also assures exclusivity in the marketing of sires developed by Ferme Comestar in Québec, in other Canadian provinces and the world over.
From left to right : Michel-R. Saint-Pierre, General Manager of the CIAQ, Marc Comtois of Comestar Holstein and Marcel Groleau, Chairman of The Alliance Semex Board
The Semex Alliance genetic program with its balanced breeding philosophy blends well with Ferme Comestar who, over the years, has bred highly superior sires that have had outstanding results in Canada and abroad such as Lee, Outside, Leader, Lheros and Stormatic. CIAQ and its Canadian partners therefore wish to continue offering their clients the best products possible. Michel-R. Saint-Pierre, CIAQ’s General Manager, states ; “The notoriety that Comestar has acquired with its internationally recognised cow families and the extraordinary success of its sires allows us to assert that this agreement will enhance our program and permit us to maintain a dominant position in the bovine genetics market thus favouring the improvement of our clients’ herds”.
Sitting : Harvey Wood, Gen. Manager of The Semex Alliance, with Nicole Steen (left) and France Comtois, both from Comestar Holstein. Standing from left to right : René St-Jean, dir. Marketing & Services for CIAQ, Pierre Laliberté, dir. Genetics for The Semex Alliance, Michel-R. Saint-Pierre, Gen. Manager of the CIAQ, Normand Renaud, dir. Production for the CIAQ, Freddy Steen of Comestar Holstein, Martin Caron, Chairman of the CIAQ Board, Marc Comtois of Comestar Holstein, Robert Chicoine of The Semex Alliance, Marcel Groleau, Chairman of The Semex Alliance Board and Mario Séguin, Sire procurement for The Semex Alliance
The owners of Ferme Comestar, Marc and France Comtois, and Freddy and Nicole Steen, are also pleased to build this strong relationship with CIAQ and The Semex Alliance, with whom they have been working closely for several years. “We are passionate about Holstein breeding and we are happy to contribute in our own way to genetic improvement with The Semex Alliance and CIAQ team of experts,” adds Marc Comtois.
This agreement therefore represents a step forward for the clients of The Semex Alliance partners on the Canadian and international levels because of the exclusive progeny evaluation and the marketing of semen from the sires of this internationally recognized farm.
For further information, please contact :
René St-Jean - Director Marketing and Services, CIAQ
Telephone : 450-774-1141
Harvey Wood - General Manager, The Semex Alliance
Telephone : 519-821-5060
Marc Comtois, Comestar Holstein
Telephone : 819-758-8688
Holstein
Stormatic and Morty still on top! - Comestar STORMATIC holds on to his title as the top LPI sire with 2530 points. Stouder MORTY, appreciated in the United States, claims the #1 position for MACE Evaluations in Canada with 2658 LPI. Both sires are among the leaders for mammary system at +17. Cherry Crest CLIMATE, a newly proven Rudolph son, reaches 4th position at 2292. He is also the best in the breed for protein with 92 kg. Summershade INQUIRER remains solid in 5th place with 2277 LPI points, and so does Pennview INCOME in 6th position with 2175. Steeplehigh-I C C RIDLER, another newly proven Rudolph son, ranks 7th with an LPI of 2169 and grabs 1st place for fat with 122 kg. Braedale GOODLUCK follows in in 8th position with 2168 and Comestar LHEROS finds himself in 9th place with 2087. As for La Présentation DIGNATOR, he gains one place and occupies 10th position with an LPI of 2082. Among other sires, Lystel CHICAGO is the leader for milk with 3000 kg and Innwood TERRASON is still in 1st place for type with a +19 index.
Stouder Morty
Comestar Stormatic
Pardner goes back to top position! - Evicted from the top by his son last May, Woodland View PARDNER is again the leader this time with 2533 LPI points. He is followed by Kildare JERRY who remains in 2th position with 2526. In 3rd place stands Masse PERCEVAL with an LPI of 2373.
Jersey
PERIMETER slips in 2nd place! -After two years as a leader and even though he has improved his LPI to 1501, Rock Ella PERIMETER finds himself in 2nd LPI, just behind his sire.
CARTOON and TRAD KID still remain leaders in their respective breeds.
The new proofs will be available on our site on Wednesday 14 August. In the meantime, you can visit the Canadian Dairy Network site (www.cdn.ca) for more details.
A 10-million $ investment expected at the Alliance Boviteq ! Within the framework of its business plan, The Alliance Boviteq (LAB) in Saint-Hyacinthe, a subsidiary of The Semex Alliance, plans to invest $10 million in research and development of bovine reproduction. The main projects will focus on semen fertility, genomics (Genetic Marker Assisted Selection) and in vitro reproduction technologies. Other projects will focus on modern reproduction technologies such as cloning.
This ambitious program, which has been favourably received on the part of The Semex Alliance and its four owners including CIAQ, is aimed at improving the industry's global performance. By developing these new tools, The Alliance Boviteq intends to provide the means to maintain its leadership of Canadian genetics at the global level.
The business plan also takes into consideration the growth rate of technological services offered to North-American breeders. These assisted reproduction services have seen an annual growth rate over the last three years that exceeded 30 %.
LAB is recognized worldwide for its R&D program towards obtaining short, medium and long-term commercial results, which translate into increased profits for all breeders.
For further information, please contact :
Mr André Barnabé, President & General Manager, The Alliance Boviteq
Telephone: 450-774-7949
Dr Daniel Bousquet, Research Manager, The Alliance Boviteq
Telephone: 450-774-7949
A new Board Chairman at The Semex Alliance ! First Vice-President of the Centre d'insémination artificielle du Québec, Marcel Groleau has just been named Chairman of The Semex Alliance Board for a one-year mandate. TSA is owned by four Canadian A.I. organisations and CIAQ holds 45 % of its shares. TSA sells semen doses in 80 countries over the world.
Marcel Groleau
May 2002 LPI ranking
Stormatic, the new Top LPI Sire in Canada !Holstein
STORMATIC dominates. - Comestar Stormatic, with 2734 points, makes his debut as #1 LPI sire. Lheros is in 3rd position with 2322 LPI. Among the top ten LPI sires are found Inquirer (5th), Income (6th), Aerowood (9th) and Lee (10th). Among the newcomers, Braedale Goodluck (Megabuck x Grand) ranks 4th (+14 for type), Gillette Camden (Rudolph x Blackstar) with 70 kg protein. He is followed by Comestar Export (Lord Lily x Lindy) with 2087 LPI. Other newcomers include a Rudolph son, Raypel Scientifique, with 82 kg protein, and a Red Carrier Storm son, Granduc Tribute, with 1924 for LPI.
Comestar Stormatic Ayrshire
A Pardner son ranks 1st. - Masse Perceval (Pardner x Marathon) dominates the LPI list with 2617 points. He is followed by Jerry and Pardner. Ice Man is in 5th position with 2263 LPI. Another Patrick son, Romeo, is in 7th place with 46 kg protein.
Jersey
Perimiter Remains as #1 LPI sire. – A newcomer, 200 JE 1 Freelance (Berretta x Duncan Lester) ranks 5th with 56 kg protein and 1260 LPI.
Cartoon et Trad Kid still dominate their respective breeds.
The Québec Holstein Spring Show Premier Sire Title
was awarded to Rudolph
Victoriaville, 29 April 2002 - The 25th Holstein Quebec Spring Show and National Spring Sale, held in Victoriaville, Quebec during the National Holstein Convention 2002, drew International and National appeal to an expected, exceptional showing of some of Canada’s best typed cows in the country. An approximate 3000 plus spectators from across Canada and the United States and 225 international delegates from 22 countries were present to appreciate the exceptional quality of Holstein cattle. CIAQ and Semex Alliance cooperated in a highly anticipated daughter display, directed by Carl Saucier, Progeny Analyst, CIAQ, featuring daughters of high profile sires, Summershade Igniter EX-Extra, Innwood Terrason EX-ST, Pennview Income VG-Extra & Comestar Stormatic VG-ST. The display drew attention from all spectators, giving the opportunity to see their offspring and appreciate their breeding patterns.
Stormatic, Income, Igniter and Terrason
progeny at the Hostein Spring ShowThe National Spring Sale was held the day prior to the show and featured 61 head with an average of 11 147$. The top seller for the sale was Silverholme Outside Betty, a daughter of Comestar Outside EX-Extra, sold for 35 000$ while a daughter of STBVQ Rubens VG-ST, Dudoc Rubens Placebo GP-84, a full sister to (200HO4484) Dudoc Bacculum R&W, brought 26 000$.
The International Holstein Quebec Spring Show, judged by Callum Mc Kinven, Richmond, Quebec, was a tremendous show with 237 entries shown. The show was dominated by sires offered by CIAQ: six daughters in the heifer classes and 8 daughters in the cow classes finished in the top two placings. The top sire of the show was awarded to Startmore Rudolph EX-Extra who continues to demonstrate that his daughters can win in the show ring and milk in the barn! Deslacs Lee Richy GP-84, sired by Comestar Lee EX-Extra, dominated the intermediate champion class while the reserve intermediate champion went to Stanlee Storm Allison VG-86, sired by Maughlin Storm EX-Extra. Honourable Mention senior champion went to Hicklee Skychief Shenna VG-88, a daughter of Donnandale Skychief EX-Extra. Junior Champion honours went to Lagmel Morgan Katy, sired by Bermath Morgan GP-ST. The show also featured three other sires whose first time, second crop daughters finished in the top 2; in the heifer classes with Summershade Igniter EX-Extra and in the young cow classes with Shoremar James GP-Extra and Silky Cousteau EX-ST.
Rudolph For more information concerning this event, contact :
Carl Saucier, Progeny Analyst
Phone : 450-774-1141 Fax : 450-774-9318
CIAQ Highlight's Newly Proven Sires
at the International Ayrshire Spring Show
and Elite National SaleSaint-Hyacinthe, 22 April 2002 - The International Ayrshire Spring Show 2002, held last week at Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, was without a doubt another exceptional show of quality, showcasing some of North America’s best Ayrshires for conformation. A first for the CIAQ, under the supervision of Christopher Studer, Progeny Analyst, CIAQ, was a daughter display featuring daughter’s of newly proven Semex sires Kellcrest Iceman ( # 1 LPI Feb 02 ), Kildare Jerry ( # 2 LPI Feb 02 ), and Kellcrest Passion ( # 6 LPI Feb 02 ). Visitors from 5 different countries and breeders from across Canada appreciated the quality of the daughters in the display, combining high production with solid conformation, depicting the breeding patterns of these newly proven, high profile bulls. This event was greatly appreciated by visitors and breeders alike, having the opportunity to see and discuss the strength’s of each one of these Ayrshire sires.
Iceman,Jerry and Passion progeny
at the Ayrshire Spring ShowThe judge, Mr. Callum Mc Kinven, Richmond, Quebec, diligently placed the 160 plus head that were presented before him and once again Semex sired daughters were at the top of many different classes. The Elite National Sale, the evening prior to the show, averaged 3741$ on 34 animals with the highest price of 10 700$ obtained by Masse Pardner Janet, sired by Woodland View Pardner ET. This summer yearling won her class handily and was among the Semex sired daughters placing well in the show. The heifer classes featured many daughters of Woodland View Pardner ET and young sires developed through the Semex proving program demonstrating that the future looks promising for Semex sired daughters.
For more information concerning this event, contact :
Christopher Studer ou Marcel Chouinard
Phone : 450-774-1141 Fax : 450-774-9318
Breeders supported CIAQ's sire line-ups
and services in 2001Saint-Hyacinthe, 16 April 2002 – Three years after becoming a private company, the Centre d’insémination artificielle du Québec (CIAQ) makes a very positive evaluation of its operations and financial profitability. With an exceptional net profit of 7,9 million dollars, CIAQ has completed a three-year transition period that has allowed for an accelerated redemption of the debt incurred by its new owners and to build on a financial stability enabling to foresee the future with enthusiasm.
Therefore, again in 2001, dairy and beef producers did not hesitate to use the best sires offered by CIAQ, with recent stars such as Inquirer, Igniter and Allen who joined others who have maintained their high quality level throughout the years, like Rudolph, Lee and Outside.
In order to keep improving the availability of the semen from those sires and to allow breeders to use them adequately, the year 2001 was marked by customer service. On one hand, a new three-year agreement was reached with A.I. technicians members of the Coopérative des Inséminateurs du Québec and with authorised distributors, putting CIAQ in a solid position to ensure high-quality service all over Québec. On the other hand, since the fall of 2000, a complete on-farm service is being offered to owner breeders by four representatives and, at the end of 2001, the decision was taken to add a fifth one. Also, to make the use of sires easier, particular attention was given to the Strat@gen program so that 4000 dairy producers may receive their sire recommendation report four times a year following the publication of genetic evaluations.
CIAQ holds a solid basis for progeny evaluation through a network of unique cooperator breeders who were given new benefits in 2001 and who reacted by increasing the use of young sires by 7,5 % in number of doses as compared to the previous year. Nearly 5000 clients are eligible for this program and over 60 % of them received a discount of 20 % or more on the semen price of the CIAQ proven sires they used.
CIAQ is an organisation with a 54-year history and, in 1999, it was purchased by Québec dairy and beef producers, grouped in the Fédération des producteurs de lait du Québec (dairy producers), the Conseil québécois des races laitières inc. (breed associations) and the Conseil provincial des Cercles d’amélioration du bétail inc. (breeding clubs).
For information :
Helene Drapeau, Head of Communication
Phone : 450-774-1141 Fax : 450-774-9318
Saint-Hyacinthe, 16 April 2002 - For the next year, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Centre d'insémination artificielle du Québec (CIAQ) will be Martin Caron, a Holstein breeder from Louiseville and a member of CIAQ's Board of Directors since 1996. He will be seconded by Marcel Groleau as 1st Vice-President and Simon Giard as 2nd Vice-President. Changes were also made with regards to the Board Members appointed by the owner organisations, the Fédération des producteurs de lait du Québec (dairy producers), the Conseil provincial des Cercles d'amélioration du bétail inc. (breeding clubs) and the Conseil québécois des races laitières inc. (breed associations).
Martin Caron
Marcel Groleau
Simon Giard Guy Lavoie and François Gauthier are the new CIAQ Board Members appointed by the Conseil provincial des CAB (CPCAB). Mr Lavoie operates the 35-cow Bona herd located in Saint-Bonaventure. He has been a member of the CPCAB's Executive Committee since 1997. As for Mr Gauthier from Coteau-du-Lac, he has been sitting on the CPCAB Board for five years. He is a Holstein breeder and his 55-cow herd is known under the Symonclo prefix. The Fédération des producteurs de lait du Québec named Luc Quintal as CIAQ's new Board Member. Mr Quintal is also a dairy producer whose 38-cow Beautal herd is located in Verchères. Mr. Quintal, President of the Syndicat du lait of the Saint-Jean/Valleyfield area, is also a Member of the Board of Directors of PATLQ and the Canadian Dairy Network (CDN). Finally, last 15 April, the Conseil québécois des races laitières inc. appointed Michel Hudon as CIAQ's Board Member. Mr Hudon has been the President of the Québec Brown Swiss Club for the last two years. He is the owner of the Beaulieu Farm in Métabetchouan. He has been involved with Brown Swiss cattle for 20 years and he operates a 45-cow herd.
Simon Giard, outgoing Chairman, wanted to offer his sincere gratitude to the retiring Board Members, Mario Houle, Michel Robert, Gérald Routhier and Michel Simard, for their contribution to CIAQ's development in a context of great challenges related to the rapid transformations of our industry and the changing needs of dairy and beef producers, CIAQ's clients.
Members of the Board of Directors of the Centre d'insémination artificielle du Québec (CIAQ)
President
Martin Caron, Conseil provincial des CAB inc.
1st Vice-President
Marcel Groleau, Fédération des producteurs de lait du Québec
2nd Vice-President
Simon Giard, Conseil québécois des races laitières inc.
Fédération
des producteurs de lait du Québec
(FPLQ)Conseil québécois
des races laitières inc.
(CQRL)
- Marc Richard
- Luc Quintal
- Marcellin Therrien
- Michel Hudon
Conseil provincial des CAB inc.
(CPCAB)Membres externes
- François Gauthier
- Guy Lavoie
- Réal Laflamme
- Bertrand Farmer
For more information, please contact :
Michel-R. Saint-Pierre, CIAQ General Manager
Phone : 450-774-1141 Fax : 450-774-9318For pictures, please contact :
Helene Drapeau, Head of Communication
Phone : 450-774-1141 Fax : 450-774-9318
Dairy and beef producers benefit from CIAQ's
increasing profits !Saint-Hyacinthe, 16 April 2002 – The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Centre d'insémination artificielle du Québec (CIAQ), Simon Giard, was happy to announce that on 31 December 2001, CIAQ ended an exceptional financial year, mainly due to its operations in Québec as well as on foreign markets. Mr Giard stated : "Three years after the Québec dairy and beef producers became the owners of CIAQ, the constant growth of the organisation's profits, and the accelerated redemption of its debt that this situation allowed for, are achievements that are surely worth mentioning".
With regards to financial results, CIAQ's consolidated net profits of 7,9 million dollars are close to the organisation's historical peaks, particularly as they account for the total payment of 1 280 000 $ as a loyalty bonus to their clients. In fact, at the end of the year, based on the results of the first eleven months and The Semex Alliance's profit level, it was decided to return to breeders 4 % of the total sales for the year 2001.
Simon Giard Those excellent results come from the fact that a very important relative share of the Québec A.I. market was maintained and, on the international level, from the impressive net profit achieved by The Semex Alliance, of which CIAQ owns 45 %. In Québec, CIAQ increased by 2,2 % the number of doses sold as compared to year 2000 while the average price - which comes up to nearly 22 $ per dose - also increased after new star sires were returned to service.
The Semex Alliance also had an exceptional year, which allowed for the organisation's first profit since its creation in 1997, exceeding 8,1 million dollars. Thanks to the excellent financial health of The Semex Alliance, the board members voted the distribution of a five million dollar dividend to its owners, the Westgen, Gencor, EBI and CIAQ A.I. units.
The year 2001 was marked by the introduction of new benefits for breeders who cooperate in the young sire sampling program (PEP) and who profited from over three million dollars in incentives. Besides these incentives related to the testing program and the two loyalty bonuses paid to dairy and beef breeders, CIAQ also supported agricultural associations and educational farms, by sponsoring or contributing to their operations. The total amounts paid as financial support to breeders in 2001 exceed five million dollars, which represents 0,27 $ on each dollar sold. "These economic benefits that add up to contributions by means of genetic improvement show without any doubt that the partnership between CIAQ and the breeders is most profitable."
CIAQ's Management Team Simon Giard, CIAQ's Chairman, expressed his sincere gratitude to all Québec breeders for their support and their contribution to the advancement of Québec genetics. He added : "CIAQ's success over the years mainly depend on the very close links that were established with Québec dairy and beef producers". He also underlined the unequivocal commitment of all the members of the CIAQ team to the development of Québec genetics.
CIAQ is an organisation with a 54-year history and, in 1999, it was purchased by Québec dairy and beef producers, grouped in the Fédération des producteurs de lait du Québec (dairy producers), the Conseil québécois des races laitières inc. (breed associations) and the Conseil provincial des Cercles d'amélioration du bétail inc. (breeding clubs).For information :
Helene Drapeau, Head of Communication
Phone : 450-774-1141 Fax : 450-774-9318
CIAQ is a major partner of these events and its staff will be there to greet visitors and hold the daughter exhibits.
Québec Holstein Spring Show, Victoriaville fairgrounds
The Spring Show promises to be a very popular event with breeders since it is held jointly with the Holstein Canada Annual Convention. From Tuesday 23 April to Saturday 27 April, the delegates will be in Trois-Rivières or in Victoriaville to attend the events related to their Convention along with the Spring Sale (Wednesday 24 April at 1:00 p.m.) and Show (Thursday 25 April at 8:30 a.m.)
There will also be on site an exhibit including mainly daughters of Pennview INCOME and Comestar STORMATIC.
For information :
Helene Drapeau, Head of Communication
Phone : 450-774-1141 Fax : 450-774-9318
For the second consecutive year,
CIAQ has paid a loyalty bonus to its clients !Since it was expected that CIAQ's fiscal year was again going to be exceptional, the Board of Directors decided early 2001 to recognise the contribution of Québec breeders to those results. Therefore, an amount higher than that of last year and amounting to 4 % of semen purchases for year 2001 was paid as a loyalty bonus.
We owe our success to the confidence of breeders in our first-quality products and services such as the Strat@gen and GeneXpress sire recommendation programs as well as the young sire testing program (PEP). The loyalty bonus, which was paid during the first months of 2002, is our way of sharing this success with our clients.
Breeder loyalty towards CIAQ's products and our will to give the best service possible allow for the mention "Owned by Québec breeders" relating to CIAQ to again take its full meaning.
February 2002 LPI ranking
The Semex Alliance consistency shining through again
adding a new no. 1 !
by James Strachan, Sales & Marketing Analyst, Semex AllianceAnother stunning proof round performance from the CIAQ/Semex Alliance sire line-up, with 8 of the top 10 consisting of owned stars. In addition, 4 from the top 15 are new to the line-up this time, which makes for a very encouraging few months.
Holstein
We find the same dependable veterans such as Summershade Inquirer, Comestar Lee and Startmore Rudolph still dominating the top 10 rankings but now complimented by and to some degree having to make way for our exciting new prospects. As predicted in October, Comestar Outside (Prelude x Blackstar) has continued to improve through the momentum of his second crop daughters, with development in nearly all traits across the board. This improvement has propelled him into the top 20 holding a very high reliability.
Comestar Lheros is the new number one with an LPI of +2339, nearly +1900 for milk, a strong plus for protein and a very dependable type proof rated at +17 for conformation. A Mason son from the ever-increasing legacy of Comestar Laura Black, Lheros really seems to have it all. Reports from the field confidently back up this excellent proof emphasizing the overall size, depth and capacity of his high production, well designed daughters. Summershade Inquirer (Juror x Mascot) holds the second spot comfortably with domestic popularity and consumer confidence higher than ever.
Walnutknoll C L Kit VG-85-2A
Daughter of Comestar Lheros
the #1 LPI sire in CanadaBenner Aerowood (Bellwood x Aerostar), the newcomer from the October round proves his status as the world's best Bellwood son for a second time ranking in third and increasing on his already exceptional milk transmitability. In the fourth position we have our second newcomer, loaded with strength in terms of a production and type pedigree. Pennview Income (Megabuck x Blackstar) is a must for our progressive dairymen, looking for excellent milk and protein production, strong type and the promise of lo
