The Madgett Award – Presented to the person or family that takes that extra step to promote the limousin breed in Ontario for the benefit of all.
Congratulations to this year’s winner – Lakeside Farms, The Lawrence Family
Lakeside Farm is a 4th generation Purebred Limousin operation located outside Durham, ON. The home farm was established in 1909. Wayne and Nancy purchased the farm from Wayne’s parents, David and Arlene, in 1982. They started a commercial herd of cattle mainly running Limousin bulls. As their children, David, Jonathan and Mary Lynn started their 4-H years the farm transitioned from a commercial to a purebred herd in the 90s. Focused on breeding top quality breeding stock, the Lawrence’s have continued to grow their cow families and expanding their genetic lines to offer heifers and bulls for sale each year. They have successfully competed at local fairs as well as at OLA provincial shows over the years with noted animals, 2014 Reserve Champion Junior Yearling – Lakeside Adella, 2015 Reserve Champion Junior Yearling – Lakeside Bright Lights and 2018 Champion Junior Yearling – Lakeside Emotion.
Wayne and Nancy are both activity involved in the OLA where Wayne sits as a director and Nancy is the secretary/Treasurer. They attend Limousin events across the province and were actively involved in the 50th anniversary celebration of the breed. They are huge supporters of youth, chairing the CJLA Impact show held in Ontario in 2015 as well as being youth advisors to the OJLA board, along with Mary Lynn. Lakeside is also a proud supporter of 4-H, David his wife Melissa and Mary Lynn are all leaders of the Durham 4-H Beef Club and Durham 4-H Beef Fitting Club. The Lakeside team opens their barns up to several youth each summer, to provide them with a show project and promote the industry. Several of these 4-H members and their heifers have had the opportunity to compete at the Masterfeeds National Junior Beef Heifer Show at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. The next generation, Bailey, Emily and Addison are actively involved on the farm. Many of you will recognize their faces from the Lakeside Facebook page. Bailey and Emily are OJLA members and participated in their 1st CJLA Impact show successfully in 2020 where Bailey exhibited the Reserve Champion Heifer calf Lakeside Hells Angel. Wayne’s parents continue to be a watchful eye over the day to day operations. Jonathan, his wife Stacey and their son Hunter currently reside in Alberta. They stay up to date and make yearly trips home to help with projects happening at the farm including the most recent farm sign construction.
It has been said in the past that if you sign up one of the Lawrence’s for a committee you get the whole Lakeside team. They are a family first operation, which takes pride in raising and promoting the Limousin breed.