houses are all temperature controlled,” she says. John
Paul says nearly every stage of the operations are closely
monitored.
With the volume of feed the operation goes through and
the expenses of keeping the chickens fed, those controls are
necessary to maintain an efficient operation.
“We go through about one-and-a-quarter to one-and-
a-half million pounds of feed every nine weeks, or about
seven-to-eight million pounds a year,” he says.
When the Lawsons were named the Farm Family of the
Year for Shelby County at the Chamber of Commerce
banquet in November., Shelby County Extension Agent-
Agriculture Lane Dunn presented the couple with the
award.
“They’re being recognized not only for their dedication
to agriculture, but also for their focus on the future of
agriculture,” Dunn said.
“In 1944, John Paul’s grandfather, John R Lawson, Sr.,
started the place with 265 acres where he raised corn,
cotton and cattle,” Dunn said. “John Paul’s dad, John R. Lawson,
Jr., added 40 more acres and cleared much of the land and made
pastures, where he raised only cattle.
“Later, John Paul and Dixie added 230 acres to the existing
ranch and also lease 150 acres nearby,” he said.
Starting in 1982 until 1992, they raised Registered Simmental
cattle and sold registered bulls.
The Lawsons run about 220 head of female cattle along with
32 Business MATTERS | 2020 Spring Edition
At feeding time the cattle can be seen
following close behind Lawson’s truck and trailer.
12 bulls. Along with a neighbor, they also background about 450
calves each year, Dunn said.
Dixie says the farm life has been a good life for the couple and
their family.
“For that, we’re grateful,” she says.