Show Notes
This week on the Head Shepherd podcast we have Harry Lawson of Lawson Angus.
Harry goes through the progression of the Lawson Angus business, a pioneering family for performance recording cattle. His parents started performance recording in the late 60s and they recently held their 50th Bull Sale. They currently farm in 4 states of Australia.
When Harry and his brother returned to the family farm in 1994, they were running 300 cows. Over the next 10 years, Harry and his brother upped that to 2,500. They went from selling 50 bulls a year to 1000.
Mark and Harry compare the change in genetics and traits Lawson Angus have been chasing over their 50 years of recording. They started with recording maternal ability and growth.
It wasn't until mid-80's when the US bulls came into Australia, that they focused on birth weights.
They also started ultra-sounding in the late 80s as they wanted to start selecting on carcass and marbling. They then focused in on mature weight as they got bigger growth.
Harry says that not enough people are paying attention to their mature cow size.
"No seedstock herds are weighing their cows even though it drives so many things. Fertility, ability to handle socking rate/seasonal fluctuations and postpartum anoestrus intervals."
"If you're big, lean and high milking in our system, you're gone" Harry says. "Milk is a very misunderstood trait. We're getting more and more milk and we don't need more and more milk. It's a massive energy drag. You're not pumping out four calves, you're pumping out one"
Mark and Harry discuss other traits like marbling, fat and feed conversion and how they effect the maternal cow and essentially the bottom line of the business.
A great podcast between two genetics enthusiasts. It's also great to hear the history behind such a successful operation.
If you'd like to find out more about Lawson Angus you can visit their website below:
www.lawsonsangus.com.au/
Check out The Hub
thehub.nextgenagri.com
Our community where our members have the opportunity to keep up to date with everything we are working on.
Thanks to our Sponsors
Allflex Livestock Intelligence is the leader in the design, development, manufacturing, and delivery of animal monitoring, identification, and traceability solutions. Their data-driven solutions are used by farmers to manage animals. By putting intelligent, actionable information into farmers’ hands, their solutions empower them to act in a timely manner for optimal outcomes.
A big thank you to our sponsors, Allflex Livestock Intelligence and MSD Animal Health Intelligence
www.allflex.global/nz/
Check out The Hub
thehub.nextgenagri.com
Our community where our members have the opportunity to keep up to date with everything we are working on.
Comments & Upvotes