32 | nzdairy DAIRY PEOPLE » Lawson Farms Eldin belted Galloway. Karen Phelps Middlemarch farmers Peter and Susan Lawson are in the process of downsizing their farming operation that they have spent a lifetime building up. It’s seen them reduce their landholding from 1600ha to 1000ha and their sheep and beef finishing unit is transitioning to a ewe flock of around 1000 next year from 1,500 this season, with the Hereford herd contracting from 150 to approximately 100 cows. “We’ve been busy farming our whole lives so it’s now about getting more time away,” says Peter. Peter grew up on a farm in Southland and went straight into agricultural work when he left school, gradually building the capital with Susan to buy their first land. They bought and sold various properties over the years before moving to Middlemarch four years ago. The predominantly Romney flock will be sold as stores going forward. On the beef side, bull calves will be sold as calves and a portion retained to grow out to two-year-olds. But it is the Galloway operation that remains the real point of difference. They started the stud in 2007 with just four cows and today they run around 50 Galloway cows, with roughly half registered under their stud Eldin Belted Galloways. They sell approximately 35 bulls a year into the dairy industry and also buy in bull calves from other breeders to sell on, with a loyal private client base built up over many years. “If you want a short sentence - midlife crisis,” says Peter with a laugh when explaining how they got into Galloways. “We were in Southland and there was a demand for dairy bulls and I didn’t want to sell Herefords into the dairy industry so we decided to try Galloways. They are polled so that attracted us to them, they had a cuddly factor about them and interesting people breed them.” The appeal to dairy farmers is clear. “They are very good markers, every calf has a white belt, and ease of calving so they can put them to heifers,” says Peter. The Lawsons currently finish Galloways and Hereford-Galloway crosses to around 600 kilograms for Chopped Butchery in Morven, which supplies highend restaurants including Riverstone Kitchen, with around 20 animals supplied each year. However the finishing side of things is also under review. “We’re looking for someone else to finish them as this property is not really set up for finishing,” says Peter. There have been show ring successes along the way too. A bull called Eldin Cardiff was grand champion Galloway at the Winton Centennial Show around a decade ago and has become the cornerstone of the stud, with sons widely sold. His dam, Marida Jane, won the grand champion It’s now about getting more time away ribbon and the Meat and Wool Cup at the Invercargill and Southland Show in 2010. One personal milestone has added an unexpected emotional dimension to the work. “One thing that is exciting is I’m now selling bulls back to the Southland farm I was born on which has changed to dairy,” says Peter. “The family farm was sold following the death of my father when I was just 14 so it’s been great to be able to do that and it will be nice to see the cattle growing up on that land.” The Lawsons are members of the Galloway Cattle Society of New Zealand and they value the community the breed attracts. “Galloway breeders come from a range of professions and it’s nice to mix with people who are outside the farming world. For example there are business leaders, doctors, lawyers.” Susan has farmed alongside Peter throughout their working life. They have just completed a new house 173 Spey Street | 03 211 3355 Whatever the season, your numbers should make sense. Findex works alongside farmers to keep finances clear, bringing together accounting, tax, and business advice so you can make confident decisions all year round. Talk to our Invercargill team. Three Decades of World-Leading Practical Research and Diagnosis DRL is here help. Ask about our expert testing services for: Test. Manage. Control Don’t let your stock fall through the cracks... www.drl.net.nz 03 489 4832 drl@drl.net.nz Johne’s Disease BVD Faecal PCR for measuring Johne’s Disease and Parasite risks H & N CONTRACTING LTD Trusted family operators delivering cultivation, drilling, and full baleage & hay services across Otago. From contract driving to off-season piloting, we’re your reliable hand for every job on the property and are looking ahead to more time away, travel and family. Peter has never been overseas and has the Royal Highland Show in Scotland firmly on his bucket list. Susan is looking forward to spending more time with their grandchildren and their daughters Ashleigh, who works in marketing and is based in Napier, and Nadine, a nurse based near Raglan.
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