Oscar Lawson Named 2025 Trans Tasman Exchange Recipient, Representing Angus Australia in Prestigious International Opportunity
Angus Australia is pleased to announce that Oscar Lawson has been selected in the 2025 recipient of the Trans Tasman Exchange.
Part of the Angus Foundation scholarships, awards and bursaries program, the Trans Tasman Exchange is an esteemed opportunity dedicated to fostering knowledge exchange and collaboration between the agricultural sectors of Australia and New Zealand. This initiative aims to provide young agricultural enthusiasts with hands-on experience, networking opportunities, and exposure to innovative farming practises that bridge the Tasman Sea.
Participants are immersed in a diverse range of agricultural operations, gaining insights into advanced techniques and sustainable practises. The exchange spans a few months, during which recipients work closely with leading experts, engage in research projects, and attend industry-specific workshops and seminars. The exchange is not only an educational journey but also an opportunity to build lifelong professional relationships across the Tasman region.
As the recipient of the 2025 Trans Tasman Exchange, Oscar will traverse through several agricultural landmarks in New Zealand, engaging in activities that encompass all aspects of modern farming. From livestock management and genetic research to sustainable cropping and innovative production methods, the program aims to hone his skills and broaden his understanding of agribusiness.
Raised on a seedstock business in Murrindindi, Victoria, Oscar comes from a family with a deep-rooted history in Angus production. His family has been at the forefront of Angus breeding, starting with PERTANGUS pioneering the first auction of performance-recorded bulls in 1970. Oscar is passionate about systems that produce high performing Angus genetics to domestic and stud producers meeting MSA grass and grain fed supply chains, while performing in AMP grazing systems.
Following his schooling, Oscar’s passion for breeding, and elevating management begun after analysing extensive systems in the Northern Territory for multiple producers and stock handling businesses. His time spent at Teys Charlton Feedlot highlighted the importance of breed, backgrounding/preconditioning and nutrition of production cattle.
Currently completing his final year at Marcus Oldham College, Oscar is capitalising on its Agriculture course and has recently been selected to attend the 2025 ICMJ Northern Conference in Rockhampton. In addition to his studies, Oscar spent 11 months in 2024 doing his second-year practical placement on a grazing intensified commercial cow calf operation in Oura, NSW. This opportunity perfectly aligned with his passion for restoring landscape function profitability, with the use of cattle, grazing management and genetic merit to maximise returns per hectare. From here, Oscar looks to boost his involvement within the Angus breed, utilising its genetic integrity and market access to elevate any business he is involved in.
Angus Australia Acting Extension Manager Nancy Crawshaw said, “We look forward to having Oscar represent Angus Australia in his travels abroad.
“Our hope is that he is able to gain as much knowledge and understanding of the Angus breed in New Zealand, as well as the wider agricultural industry of the country. We look forward to him sharing his experiences with us.”
As part of the bursary Oscar will document the experience in a report which will be made available for reading on the Angus Australia website.
