Hometown: Fairland, Okla.
County: Ottawa
Parents: Justin and Keahnah Lawson
Siblings: Makenna and Ryatt
FFA Chapter: Fairland FFA
Advisor: Calvin Johnson
What is your involvement in agriculture? I have been raised on a farm my whole life and grew up in agriculture. I have show lambs and show goats this year and I am going to be breeding my own kids (baby goats). My family and I also breed and raise Angus beef cattle.
I show both market animals and breeding stock and my favorite breed are probably Southdown sheep. My ag teacher helps me choose what to feed and there are different feeds and supplements I use on my show animals. My market animals are fed out to show and then we will have them processed and packed for our family to eat. If I go to a major terminal show, the animals are sold as part of the process.
On my breeding stock animals, I look at them and decide what I am going to keep and breed. I focus on structure and genetics when deciding what to breed to. I prefer to AI (artificial inseminate) and use live cover as a backup. My animals are given monthly dewormers and they receive vaccines when needed.
One of the biggest challenges I have had to deal with is fighting heat stress and keeping my animals at a comfortable temperature when traveling and at shows.
My favorite part of being involved in agriculture is the experiences and opportunities you get to encounter and the work ethic it teaches. I also enjoy being able to connect and grow with my animals as part of the process.
What are your future plans? In the future I would like to start my own business in AI and ET in small ruminants.
