MAY 2018 • COUNTRY LIFE IN BC
31 Westgen eyes beef semen sales for growth
by DAVID SCHMIDT ABBOTSFORD – The AI industry is changing at
record speed, Semex Alliance chief executive officer Paul Larmer told WestGen members at their annual meeting in Abbotsford, March 20. WestGen is a prime example. Although it bills
itself as “Canada’s longest serving AI company,” WestGen no longer houses any bulls nor does it directly own any bulls. Instead, it has become a provider of a myriad of livestock and even non- livestock products and services. In the past year alone, WestGen opened its new
Boviteq West barn, acquired a 25% interest in the Agwest Veterinary Group and a 50% interest in Bow Valley Genetics (BVG) and established the Proventus consulting service. “We expect these investments to pay off for farmers in years to come,” WestGen chief executive officer Chris Parry said, adding Westgen will not stop there. “We need to continue to evolve.” President Eric Iverson says it is all part of
WestGen’s plan to grow the company without crimping on support for the agricultural industry. “Since the inception of our 2015 strategic plan,
WestGen has returned over $2 million through the Endowment Fund, our sponsorship of programs like WCC (Western Canadian Classic dairy show) and 4-H, and the research and development projects that we’ve supported.” WestGen has signed research and development
support agreements with both the University of BC and the University of the Fraser Valley and expects to sign similar agreements with universities in Alberta and Saskatchewan. “Every company in our group showed growth” in
2017, Parry said, noting net semen revenue increased 11%, technician services were up 12% and non-semen sales jumped 18% over 2016. While still a small portion of overall sales, the
Proventus, which was “soft launched” in early March. Agwest is also the driving force behind XL Vets Canada, an outgrowth of XL Vets UK. “We set up XL Vets because vets realized they
had shared challenges so there would be shared solutions as well,” says XL Vets founder and chief executive officer Andrew Curwen. Founded in the UK in 2006, XL Vets now includes about 800 veterinarians, including about 60 in Canada. “As vets in private practice, we’re always trying to get better,” says Brent Fawcett, who co-founded Agwest and chairs XL Vets Canada, adding XL Vets allows local veterinarians to “work collaboratively with vets around the world.” Agwest’s Lisa McCrea-Hemphill notes today’s
BOW VALLEY GENETICS
growth of beef semen sales has been nothing short of phenomenal in recent years, increasing 60% the past two years. BVG should increase WestGen’s beef penetration even more. Parry called BVG one of Western Canada’s largest and most respected beef embryo collection businesses. He noted it has now become a Boviteq West satellite clinic and gives WestGen “access to four million animals.”
Consulting collaborations Despite the fact WestGen now owns part of
Agwest and has moved the clinic into its building, both Iverson and Parry assured members no one would be forced to use the Agwest vets. Nevertheless, Agwest is a key component of
Canadian Angus
NATIONAL CONVENTION June 7-10, 2018
Comox, BC At the Crown Isle Resort & Golf Community Proudly hosted by the BC Angus Association
The BC Angus Association is pleased to host the 2018 Canadian Angus National Convention at the luxury Crown Isle Resort as we learn what it means to be ranchers who are intentional about environmental stewardship and raising great beef for our planet. We invite you to come join us on the West Coast and experience the land where the mountains meet the ocean. Registration is open to everyone.
Accommodations: Crown Isle Resort & Gold Community: 250-703-5050 (Sold out) Old House Hotel: 1-888-703-0202 Holiday Inn Express: 1-877-660-8550 Best Western Hotel: 250-338-7741
Visit the website to register:
www.cdnangus.ca/activities-and-services/ national-convention/
B.C. ANGUS ASSOCIATION
Convention Schedule Thursday, June 7
BC Salmon Farm tour President’s Reception - 6pm, Shelter Point Distillery
Friday, June 8
Educational workshops: VBP+ Keynote: Bruce Vincent
Tours to: Geoduck clam fishery, Deep Bay Marine Field Station, Wayward Distillation House, Whale Watching
Supper at Heart of the Valley Farms
Tom DeWaal President 250.960.0022 Carley Henniger Secretary 250.571.3475
Saturday, June 9
Town Hall with the Canadian Angus Board and CEO
Launch of Strategic Plan session Red Angus 50th anniversary presentation
Junior Ambassador speech competition Canadian Angus Association AGM CAF AGM Legacy Sale Awards Banquet
Sunday, June 10 Board meeting
EPDs and LILR2 LIVE workshop Optional tours to Little Qualicum Falls, old growth forest, Wine & Cheese farm Supper at Fanny Bay Inn
www.bcangus.ca
vets have moved beyond just treating sick cows and are now also doing data analyses and advising on production and other herd management issues. “Having a large network of people is key,” says Charlie Neal of XL Vets UK, saying the group’s focus is to “take all the information (from both around the world and a farmer’s own operation) to come up with the best animal for your farm.” He stressed that while technology can help, it is only useful if it makes the farm more profitable. As an example, “if HeatTime collars cost £20,000 but only save you £5,000, it’s not a good investment.” Making that determination requires analysis
“from yourself, your vet and your accountant,” Neal said.
That’s one driver behind Proventus, a
partnership among WestGen, Agwest and MNP. Parry says Proventus was created “after it became
clear producers need help in business and help in animal care.” Rather than develop a new consulting service, “we chose to use existing expertise.” Eban Louw, a partner in MNP, said data
integration will become critical, telling farmers “this is one of the biggest wins you will get from Proventus.”
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