I’ve been involved in the Animal Genetics Industry in South Africa for the past 40 years. After finishing my Animal Science degree in 1982, I joined the industry as a field officer for Taurus Co-op. During the 13-year period that I was with Taurus, I filled multiple positions within the company including bull management, semen production, semen collection and beef bull selection. I also got my first and extensive exposure to the import and export markets of semen and embryos when starting and managing a company for Taurus called Select Genes. In August of 1996 I left Taurus and started Genimex in partnership with Errol Dicks. We took over the import agencies that was previously held by Taurus. They were Sersia France, GGI, SemenZoo, DanSire and LIC. In 2010 I bought Errol’s share in the company. Over the years and due to different factors, we stopped trading with some agencies and currently only trade with LIC (Livestock Improvement Corporation New Zealand) and Viking Genetics (previously DanSire). These two suppliers of quality genetics allow us to deliver a premium product into the dairy industry for grazing and TMR systems. The long-term success of Genimex is based on three key factors: 1) Quality and reliable products from our suppliers 2) A team of long standing loyal, motivated, and knowledgeable agents. 3) A very loyal and committed client base whose objective is to breed profitable herds. I am also a registered Professional Natural Scientist in Animal Science with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP), registration number 400046/91.

Hi, my name is Tanja van Mollendorf and I have been with Genimex since 2009. Coming from an admin background, Joey showed me the ropes at Genimex in all things admin and bookkeeping related. What was new to me was the semen import business, but fortunately Chris taught me everything I needed to know about the import / export game with an emphasis on correct semen handling. This training is so incredibly important as I clear all flasks at quarantine, and I’m involved in packing and distributing every dose of semen that moves through Genimex. Due to my years of proper semen handling, I now help train the new agents before they head into the field and have been called in by the quarantine centre, on several occasions, to help clear flasks for inexperienced or one-time importers. If you ever call, or e-mail, the Genimex office, I will be the one who is only too happy to assist.

After completing a Diploma in Agriculture at Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute, I started my career in 1982 when I was appointed as a field officer at the Taurus Livestock Improvement Co-op. Responsibilities in my early career were AI training as well as milk recording. Thereafter I was responsible for the development of the progeny testing scheme for Jersey and Holstein breeds in the Western Cape. During my last 3 years with Taurus, I worked with the marketing department which included the production of bull brochures for Jerseys and Holsteins as well as newsletters on a national basis. In 1997 I joined Chris Cloete and Errol Dicks with the newly formed Genetic Actions International, it later became known as Genimex. My areas were the Western, Southern and Eastern Cape. Over time, and as the company developed, more agents were appointed in these areas. I was fortunate to visit all of the main dairy producing countries in Europe, of which, Denmark became the most important. I am very passionate about the product from the Viking countries and believe that they are undoubtedly the leaders in health traits as well as fat and protein production.

Hi, I’m Hendrik Bezuidenhout and I have been with Genimex since 2002, after spending 15 years in various roles throughout the Agricultural industry. I initially started as an Assistant Researcher at ARC in Irene in 1987, working on Reproduction Physiology of Cattle, Sheep, Goats and Pigs. After that I worked with Dairy, Red Meat and Pork Producer Organizations at the Eastern Cape Agricultural Union. I tried my hand at lecturing and was employed by the Tshwane University of Technology as a lecturer in Small Stock Production, Beef Production and Dairy Science. I also worked as a Beef and Dairy Bull analyst at Taurus before joining Genimex. For the past 21 years I’ve been involved with sales and marketing of dairy and beef bull semen and products for Genimex in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa. I’m registered with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (registration number 120388) and as a genetic consultant, I supply breeding advice, reproduction solutions and I present Artificial Insemination training courses to farmers and farm workers.

Hi there! I’m Elizna Erasmus and have been employed at Genimex as a trainee sales agent since March 2021. After completing my Animal Science degree in 2017, I spent some time working in the feed and pharmaceutical industry before joining Genimex. I’ve spent the past 2 years training in all things relating to the South African dairy industry and how best to work with the South African dairy farmer to help them attain their respective goals. My training has included in-office training on daily operations as well as practical training. The practical training had me travelling with Genimex agents and working on two South African dairy farms. After my training in SA I spent six months working on three Danish dairy farms and eight weeks in New Zealand and Australia training under LIC and learning about the NZ type farming systems. I am currently registered as a Certificated Natural Scientist with SACNASP (registration # 159235) and have recently joined Hendrik Bezuidenhout in the Eastern-Cape region to apply the knowledge I gained throughout my training

My start in the dairy industry was at Pretoria Technikon (today’s Tshwane University of Technology) where I did a National Diploma in Animal Production. My practical year in 1997 was on a dairy farm in Heidelberg, where I stayed on after completion of my Diploma in 1998. In just over 6 years, I worked my way up to Operations Manager. Since joining Genimex on 13 February 2003, I have been providing farmers with top quality frozen semen and consumables. For 20 years I have serviced happy and repeat Genimex clientele. My personal time is spent with friends, family, and my German Shepard dogs. When possible, I enjoy traveling to see different regions of South Africa and abroad.

I have been a part of the Genimex company for 19 years and part of the veterinary industry for the last 20 years, covering the Southern Cape area. It all started on the family dairy farm where I worked after my National Service from ’91 to ’92, thereafter I studied at PE Technikon where I completed a Diploma in Agricultural Management in 1995. I returned to the family farm for a couple of years before working on two dairy farms in the Southern Cape area. In 2003 I left dairy farming and started repping in Veterinary Medicine and a year later I joined the Genimex team. It has always been a passion of mine to be involved in the agricultural world as I have a great love for farming and animals. In my spare time, I enjoy partaking in outdoor activities such as running, hiking and cycling. It is a privilege to be a part of this company.

Hello, I’m Dave Swift and I have been with Genimex for around 12 years. I’ve been involved in the agricultural industry in South Africa for the last 53 years after completing my diploma in agriculture in 1970 at Cedara College of Agriculture. For the first half of my career, I was actively working and managing various dairies and piggeries throughout the Eastern Cape. I also spent some time at SABS as the Chief technician involved in the testing of antiparasitic and antibiotics in small and large stock. For the last 30 years I’ve been working as an Animal Health rep and now alongside my duties as a Genimex agent I’m still involved with animal pharmaceuticals in East London and surrounding areas.

Hi! I grew up on a farm in the Eastern Cape and was introduced to cows at the age of 5. That must have been where my love for animals started because to this day my hobbies include training and breeding German Shepherds. I have been involved in many parts of the dairy industry. I worked in America on a dairy farm for 5 years in the 90’s. Upon my return to South Africa I worked for Billy Hall at Nietbegin Holsteins where we were awarded the title of Master Dairyman twice. I left him in the early 2000’s and worked for Simon Lavery until 2012 when I started with Genimex. I cover the whole of KZN and because of the strict seasonal system followed by most of the operations in my area my busiest times will be April-June and September-November.

Hello, ek is Willem van Lingen. My loopbaan as Genimex agent het afgeskop in 1998, maar my ondervinding in die melkbedryf strek egter verder as die 25 jaar as Genimex agent. Nadat ek matrikuleer en diensplig voltooi het, het ek by die Elsenberg Landbou Kollege studeer, waar ek in 1982 ‘n Diploma in Landbou verwerf het. In 1983 het ek by die Bonnievale (nou Parmalat) kaasfabriek begin, waar ek as suiwelraadgewer in diens was. My pligte as raadgewer het onder andere; Genetika en teling, voeding, algemene plaasbestuur asook weidingsbestuur ingesluit. Ek het ook in higiëne tydens die melkwinningsproses gespesialiseer en het vir die melkers en melkprodusente kursusse aangebied om higiëne in die melkstal op te skerp. Na 15 jaar by Bonnievale het ek by Genimex aangesluit waar ek vir die afgelope 25 jaar die Suidkaap bedien, my kliente basis strek vanaf Stellenbosch tot Riversdal.