Semex to distribute Lawsons Angus genetics

Semex Pty Ltd will improve its strong position in the Australian beef genetics business following the announcement of a genetics marketing partnership with Lawsons Angus.

Lawsons Angus is one of Australia’s largest seedstock producers, selling up to 1,000 bulls and hundreds of females each year.

Under the arrangement, Semex will store, distribute and market Lawsons Angus semen and embryos throughout Australia and internationally through the Semex Alliance, the world’s largest livestock genetics organisation.

Lawsons Angus principal, Harry Lawson, said the partnership would allow the seedstock business to focus on breeding top quality commercial bulls without being distracted by the intricacies of marketing semen and embryos.

“Our core business is breeding and marketing livestock, while Semex’s core business is marketing livestock genetics, so it makes good business sense,” he said.

“Semex and Lawsons Angus also have mutual business goals. Both parties have a strong desire to expand their customer bases in Australia, but also recognise the need to source and market genetics globally.

“This arrangement will also provide access to cutting-edge innovations in artificial breeding technology which will help us to identify the better bulls and multiply these superior proven sires.

“Commercial breeders are no longer focused just on bloodlines but want access to these top proven bulls and elite young test sires through AI or directly through their sons.

“We are probably the only seedstock producer who uses 100 percent artificial insemination in its breeding program, as well as extensive use of embryo transfer.”

 
Lawsons Angus sells 1,000 bulls a year from its base at Yea in Victoria and a joint venture in Queensland.

Semex Beef Specialist, Jim Bruce, who has worked with the Lawson family for the past 20 years as a breeding and genetics consultant, said the agreement would give Semex access to some of the breed’s leading genetics.

“Lawsons Angus is one of the most successful breeding programs in Australia,” he said. “The herd is renowned for their calving ease, fast growth rates, moderate maturity patterns and high carcase quality and sits at the very top of the Breedplan rankings.

“Their ability to progeny test their cattle, identify the next generation of superior genetics and then multiply these out using artificial breeding technology is truly world-class.”

Mr Bruce said while Lawsons Angus genetics would have obvious appeal to registered breeders, the greatest potential for growth lay in commercial breeders, who were increasingly using artificial breeding.

“Semex and Lawsons Angus can work with commercial herds, whether they’re large or small, and help them move in a positive direction with a simple but very effective breeding program,” he said.

Mr Bruce said the agreement would spearhead a major export push for Australian beef genetics, particularly into grassfed production systems in New Zealand, Latin America and South Africa.

“Australia now has a number of herds that are of a world standard and given that Semex operates in more than 80 countries throughout the world, we are in an ideal position to showcase these to the world,” he said.

Semex Pty Ltd is the exclusive Australian distributor for the Semex Alliance, the world’s largest livestock genetics organisation.