'A visionary': tributes flow for late Don Lawson, a cattle breeding pioneer

Tributes have flown in for visionary Australian cattle breeder Don Lawson, Yea, following his death on Saturday.

Mr Lawson, born in Melbourne in 1939, died at the age of 85 and will be remembered by beef producers the length and breadth of the country.

A recipient of the Order of Australia Medal for services to agriculture in 2002, he left a legacy unmatched by most.

Best known for his passion for the performance recording of stock, he was an early adopter of the breeding methodology used widely in the cattle industry of today.

He first set up his Angus stud at Yea in 1969, and under the later leadership of his son Harry Lawson, Lawsons Angus now sells at least 1000 bulls interstate annually.

Auctioneer Brian Leslie first started working with the late Mr Lawson in 1990 and continues to sell cattle for the family today.

"A visionary would be the first thing to say about him," Mr Leslie told Stock & Land.

"He was a pioneer in performance recording when it wasn't the norm.

"He was ahead of his time."

He said Mr Lawson's impact on the Australian beef industry was hard to measure, noting his role in controlling Johne's disease in the early 2000s and arranging some of the first live exports of livestock.

"He was so intelligent," he said.

"I always found him to be a great bloke to get along with."

He said the wider Lawson family was very progressive when it came to cattle breeding.

He said this was evident in the continued work of both son Harry and his brother Tom Lawson, who operated Paringa Livestock, Yea.

"Their [cattle] brand has gone all over the world and internationally," he said.

He said the family had been leaders in cattle breeding.

Angus Australia chief executive Scott Wright said Mr Lawson was made a life member of the breed association in 2013, something that wasn't awarded to many.

"I think it's a good reflection when people are recognised by their peers," Mr Wright said.

He said Mr Lawson had left a "great legacy" and had "most certainly" left his mark on the Angus breed.

"He was very much ahead of his time," he said.

"He's quite a loss to the breed."

Mr Wright said Mr Lawson was one of a few pioneers who drove the adoption of performance recording in Angus cattle, something which was one of the breed's greatest strengths today.

He said the late stud breeder had made this contribution at a "pivotal time" in the breed's development.

Mr Wright had last spoken to Mr Lawson at Stock & Land Beef Week earlier this year.

He said he remained incredibly sharp with a strong passion for cattle right until the very end.

Mr Lawson was predeceased by his wife Jenny and daughter Sarah, and is survived by his sons Tom and Harry.

He was father-in-law to Olivia and Ruth and beloved 'grandpa' to Eve, Annie, Oscar, Monty, Charlotte and Edward.

A service celebrating his life will take place at the Yea Shire Hall on Thursday, August 7 at 1.30pm.

This will be followed by afternoon tea at the Country Club Hotel, Yea.

For those unable to attend in person the service will be livestreamed by McCormack Funerals.