Rishel to Join the Prestigious Saddle & Sirloin Portrait Gallery

April 17, 2025

William H. “Bill” Rishel of North Platte, Nebraska, has been named the 2025 inductee into the prestigious Saddle & Sirloin Portrait Gallery—often referred to as the Hall of Fame of the Livestock Industry. His portrait will be unveiled during a special banquet on November 16, 2025, at the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Kentucky.

This recognition marks Bill as the 380th individual selected by his peers for this honor, joining the ranks of industry legends from across the nation.

A Life Dedicated to Advancing Beef Cattle Genetics

Born in Pennsylvania, Bill Rishel’s journey in livestock began with 4-H beef projects and was shaped by his animal science studies at Penn State University. There, he earned acclaim as a member of the 1966 National Champion Livestock Judging Team.

• In 1975, Bill and his wife Barb moved their young family—and a foundational group of Angus cattle—from New York to Nebraska, founding Rishel Angus in North Platte. With a visionary focus on genetic progress and consumer-driven beef quality, Bill helped transform the Angus breed’s global influence.

Listen: Enjoy Bill Rishels coversation with Lane Nordlund on the Cattlemen's Call Podcast from 2019: 

The agencies are also accepting written recommendations from members of the public via a recommendations docket. Written recommendations must be received on or before April 23, 2025.

Among his major milestones:

• Groundbreaking Genetics: Bill produced B/R New Design 036, a breed-shaping bull with over 3 million registered descendants across 11 generations.
• Industry Firsts: He led the first syndicated purchase of an Angus bull in 1974 and helped pioneer structured sire evaluations focused on carcass merit.
• Innovation Advocate: An early investor in U.S. Premium Beef and a key contributor to the development of the American Angus Association’s $Values system for genetic selection.
• Leadership & Mentorship: Bill served in various volunteer roles, judged livestock shows, and mentored future leaders in the industry.

In 2024, he was also honored as the Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement Honoree, with Dr. Michael Bishop praising his legacy as “an inspirational pathway for younger generations to follow his footsteps of perseverance, hard work, and foresight.”

Reflecting on the award, Bill shared,

“It is a privilege to know that my contributions of time, effort, and ideas were vital to improving the lives of my family, community, and the beef cattle industry for producers across the globe.”

Legends of the Plains: Other Notable Regional Inductees

Bill Rishel now joins an elite group of fellow Saddle & Sirloin honorees from across the nation. Click here to see their portraits. 

Mark Your Calendar

Friends, customers, and colleagues are invited to celebrate Bill Rishel’s induction on November 16, 2025, in Louisville. It will be a fitting tribute to a man whose quiet leadership and bold innovation have forever impacted cattle ranching in Nebraska and across the globe.

Read more on Bill: 

Source: Western Ag Network, Saddle and Sirloin