Hiser receives inaugural award

In an effort to recognize significant beef industry contributions, the Honorary Beef Ambassador Award was created for and presented during the 2024 Wyoming State Fair (WSF). 

According to WSF Development Director Rindy West, the award was created to recognize an individual who has made significant contributions to promoting and supporting the beef industry in Wyoming, specifically in the Beef Show Ring at WSF. 

On Aug. 17, WSF staff awarded Dick Hiser of Saratoga the first-ever Honorary Beef Ambassador Award during the 2024 WSF Market Beef Show. 

West noted Hiser was chosen as the inaugural recipient of the award for his longtime service to WSF beef shows, including his “dedication, promotion of the beef industry, ability to build community and tradition, mentorship and leadership and public relations and outreach for Wyoming’s rich agricultural heritage.”

“Dick is someone the WSF has counted on to organize, develop and produce both open class and junior beef shows at the WSF for more than 30 years with his involvement in Wyoming’s super bowl of shows and rodeos, dating back to when he was a little tike,” explained West.

Contributions to the industry

Hiser has been a literal lifelong visitor of the WSF, attending the fair in 1936 – the year he was born – then exhibiting his first steer Doc when he was old enough to show. 

Since then, the Hiser family has continued to show cattle at the state fair for four generations, and this year his great-granddaughter Kimber Hopkins showed for her last time as a junior exhibitor. 

For 13 years, the Hisers have also donated a heifer to the exhibitor of the Supreme Champion Junior Breeding Heifer at the WSF.

In addition to serving as a WSF superintendent for over 30 years, Hiser was also on the WSF Advisory Board for six years, the Carbon County Fair Board for 20 years, the Wyoming Livestock Board and served a stint on the Wyoming Board of Veterinary Medicine.  

In 2019, Hiser was inducted into the Wyoming Agriculture Hall of Fame, and in recognition, Former Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY) stated, “Many know Dick for his work to produce sustainable and high-quality cattle and for remaining true to his three goals – ensuring cattle are functional in their environment, structurally sound to compete in the market place and would grade well for final sale.” 

However, according to West, Dick was not always “just” a cattleman. 

“As the student showman for the University of Wyoming sheep show string, Dick once spent four days on a train to Chicago, sleeping on a platform in the train car above the sheep so the sheep could be exhibited at the International Livestock Show,” she shared. 

Meaningful accomplishments

While Hiser has certainly contributed to the advancement of the beef industry in the state of Wyoming, he humbly noted his proudest accomplishment is the large number of youth he has been able to help get started showing cattle by always offering – and often financing – high-quality show cattle at market price to any 4-H or FFA exhibitor. 

Hiser noted his favorite part of the state fair has always been watching kids show, learn and grow in the industry and then bringing their kids back to do the same thing. 

West stated, “The WSF is proud to have Dick as the 2024 Honorary Beef Ambassador for his significant contributions over much of his lifetime, for his long-serving, crucial role in preserving and fostering the WSF Beef Show traditions, connecting different generations of participants. The entire WSF Board of Directors, WSF General Manager Courtny Conkle and our whole team realize we wouldn’t be where we are today without his service, his development of future leaders and his can-do attitude. It’s beyond amazing.”

Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.