Bill Rishel
Honoring a lifetime commitment to the beef industry, inspiring future generations through perseverance, innovation, and leadership.
2025 Inductee of the prestigious Saddle & Sirloin Portrait Gallery
William H. (Bill) Rishel of North Platte, NE, has been named the 2025 inductee of the prestigious Saddle & Sirloin Portrait Gallery, recognizing his lifetime of contributions to the beef cattle industry. As the 380th member of this historic gallery, Rishel’s portrait will be unveiled at an induction banquet on November 16, 2025, during the North American Livestock Exposition in Louisville, KY.
Mark Your Calendar for November 16, 2025 to recognize a lifetime of contributions to the livestock industy. Bill’s longtime customers and friends are welcome to attend!
The Saddle & Sirloin Portrait Collection is the Livestock Industry’s Hall of Fame
This club of influential figures in the livestock industry was originally housed on the top floor of the Purebred Livestock Records Building in Chicago, Ill., in the early 1900s. Livestock men would gather over a sirloin steak or a saddle of lamb in the banquet, leading to the name “Saddle and Sirloin Club.”
Chosen by their peers, the club continues the heritage of its founders to pay homage to those who have made the greatest contributions to the livestock industry.
Visit saddleandsirloinportraitfoundation.org for more history and to view the virtual gallery.
About Bill Rishel
Background
Born in Pennsylvania, Bill Rishel developed a passion for cattle early on through successful 4-H beef projects. He earned animal science degrees and excelled in livestock judging at Penn State University, where he was part of the 1966 National Champion Livestock Judging Team.
Career Beginnings
In 1975, Bill and his wife Barb moved from New York to Nebraska with their three daughters, a bull named New Criterion, and 12 purebred Angus females to establish Rishel Angus in North Platte.
Legacy
Over decades, Rishel Angus became a leader in genetic selection, producing game-changing Angus cattle that influenced the global beef industry with a focus on consumer-driven quality.
Groundbreaking Genetics
Rishel produced B/R New Design 036, a bull with over 3 million registered descendants across 11 generations, recognized as a top carcass quality sire in the Angus breed.
Industry Firsts
Led the 1974 purchase of the first syndicated Angus bull, Northern Prospector 14, and initiated a structured sire evaluation program in 1986 to measure carcass merit and improve consumer eating experiences.
Innovations
Contributed to the development of the American Angus Association’s $Values for genetic selection and was an early investor in U.S. Premium Beef, advocating for value-added systems in the beef value chain.
Leadership
Held numerous volunteer roles in state and national beef organizations, judged cattle shows, and mentored the next generation of industry leaders.
Previous Honors
Named the 2024 Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement Honoree for his exceptional servant leadership and contributions to Nebraska’s agricultural community.
Nominating Committee Chair Dr. Michael Bishop praised Rishel’s story as “an inspirational pathway for younger generations to courageously follow his footsteps of perseverance, hard work, and foresight.”
Personal Reflections
Bill Rishel credits his wife Barb for their shared journey and takes pride in their three daughters and their families. Reflecting on the award, he said, “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.”
The Bill Rishel Story
Supported and Endorsed by
these Industry Leaders and Peers
Steering Committee
Michael D. Bishop, PhD | Betsy Maddock Crenshaw | Julie McMahon French | James R. Males, PhD | Dan W. Moser, PhD
Nominating Committee
Mark Boggess, PhD
Donnell Brown
Jay Carlson
Tom Field, PhD
Ronnie Green, PhD
Tom Hill, PhD
Tom Hill, PhD
Patsy Houghton, PhD
Roger Jacobs
Barry Maassen
Mark McCully
Larry Patterson
Jim Rentz
Clint Rusk, PhD
Wade Shafer, PhD
Nevil Speer, PhD, MBA
John F. Stika, PhD
Eddie Sydenstricker
Don Trimmer, Jr.
Jack Ward
Ted Willer
Paige Wood
Trey and Dayna Wasserburger
Contribute to Honoring Bill Rishel
TD Angus at Rishel Ranch has generously made a major commitment to support the Rishel Nominating Committee’s fundraising goal.
Please join the campaign to help us raise $200,000 to underwrite the cost of the portrait and the induction banquet on November 16 during the 2025 North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, and establish the Rishel Fund to provide perpetual support of beef industry research and development.
The Bill Rishel Nominating Committee is grateful for the professional collaboration of Angus Foundation in providing a platform to accept donations that will underwrite the portrait and event, and establish a fund to honor Bill Rishel’s contributions to the industry.
Saddle & Sirloin Induction Banquet
Sunday, November 16, 2025
held during
North American Livestock Exposition
Louisville, Kentucky
Hotel information and dinner ticket order form will be available in mid-August.