6 | nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Bob Lawson Bob Lawson’s Sunshine Dales Diva Sue Russell When you’ve been in the game of showing pedigree stock at various events through the show season for as long as Bob Lawson of Sunshine Ayrshires has, it takes something really inspiring to warrant special attention and one animal has done just that! “We had 18 animals go to Dairy Event, between my own, and those of my daughter and son and amongst them, I have one magnificent heifer, who goes by the name of Sunshine Dales Diva. I’m delighted but not surprised because she’s Dales daughter and she’s got wonderful form,” says Bob. Sunshine Ayrshires is situated near Woodville, 25km east of Palmerston North and is home to a fine herd of top-quality Ayrshires. The farm is owned and operated by Bob and wife Nikki Lawson who each contribute to its success. Dales Diva’s structural virtues are impressive indeed, with a good length in body, a good sweeping rib and correct rump structure. “With all these body points she has only got better with age.” Dale has achieved Junior Champion at Levin and at Dairy Event as a calf. As a yearling she is Junior Champion at Waikato Show and also Stratford where was named Royal Show Champion. “With winning at Dairy Event this year she is the North Island Junior Champion and was Reserve Junior Champion Interbreed Champion.” Acknowledging that they enjoyed a very good show, this particular heifer took out the top award for (Bob, can you please elaborate here, correctly describing what Dale managed to achieve and why – thanks!). This wasn’t the only success of course. “We also had a very good aisle and we had great people looking after it. There’s a lot involved in getting a collection of animals prepared and showing well on the day. A lot goes on behind the scenes. It takes a lot of experience and a lot of time.” Another stand-out cow in the milk production volumes is Dales sister Debbie who placed third. The storm that passed through the district a few weeks ago had an impact on milk production as well. Sunshine Rubicom Debi. “They took a bit of a hammering actually, but fortunately the farm drains very well and I think we’re tracking 4% up for the year to date so far.” The show season is over for the Lawson’s and when NZ Dairy caught up with Bob, relaxing in his massage chair, he said he had enjoyed the season and was very much looking forward to the next. Asked about the genetics he chooses to use, Bob says he’s used some ST Genetics with good results. He has also enjoyed good success with Semex bulls and says this year he will have some daughters by ST Genetics Rage and Molloss. Dale and her Dales Diva are both in-calf to Rage, so there’s plenty ahead to look forward to. “It’s important to mix it up a bit. I’m quite fussy about the bulls I select to use. You have to look at your animals quite critically and select a bull that will correct or enhance traits. With Dale, the only thing to improve is her fore-udder and possibly a bit more dairyness. I’m always aiming for balance when it comes to bull selection.” Bob says depth of rib is an essential conformation trait. “If you don’t’ have depth of rib, you don’t get a good udder and you have to have a good udder that will bind well to the fore-udder It all works in together.” For TOP (Traits, other than Production) Bob says some results have been outstanding. Bob’s history in breeding and in judging stretches back to his teens, some many decades ago now. WOODVILLE SERVICE CENTRE Lower McLean St - Woodville | 06 376 5232 | Alister - 027 248 3282 W.O.F, Engineering Tractors & Parts, Mowers Diesels, FarmMachinery & Parts Air Conditioning Factory Trained Mechanics Engineering Workshop & Field Service Total Oil Distributor Hydraulic Hose Service F O R M A C H I N E R Y S U C C E S S U S E L T S 2 0 2 2 8 Makirikiri Road, Dannevirke Ph 06 374 7731 • Dave 027 244 1213 a ll about people Well done Bob on all your hard work! “I’ve been a judge since the age of 15 and I know what I’m looking for. I stick to my own breeding goals when it comes to my herd and when you stand-up animals for judging you never know exactly what the judge will be focussing on. That’s the challenge!” Now the show season is over, Bob says looking out over the farm, he’s pleased with its condition. Grass production has been very good for this time of the year. “Yes, I’m pretty pleased with how the farm, which is only quite small, is holding up. Our herd is in very good condition as well.”
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