Roy Dinsdale and J. R. “Jack” Simplot were inducted into the Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame, a distinguished program honoring an elite class of visionaries and leaders in cattle feeding. Additionally, Betty Jo Gigot was presented with the Industry Leadership Award, and Brad Thomas was recognized with the Arturo Armendariz Distinguished Service Award, which recognizes exceptional feedyard employees.
2014 Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame Inductees
The Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame was established to honor the exceptional individuals who have made lasting contributions to the cattle-feeding industry. This year, Dinsdale and Simplot were among five individuals selected by the nominating committee. The slated nominees were voted on by their peers.
Roy Dinsdale – Dinsdale Brothers Inc. – 2014 Hall of Fame inductee
In 1948, Roy Dinsdale received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska and returned to the family’s cattle operation in Palmer, Nebraska. In the six decades since, Roy has nurtured Dinsdale Brothers into a large, diverse company involved in cattle feeding, ranching, farming, banking and other ag-related businesses. Third- and fourth-generation Dinsdales now oversee the 75,000 head of cattle located in Colorado and Nebraska, while Roy still keeps a watchful eye on the Palmer feedyard.
J. R. “Jack” Simplot – J.R. Simplot Company – 2014 Hall of Fame inductee
Jack Simplot revolutionized the food industry with the first commercially viable frozen french fries, carved a cattle empire out of sage brush and desert, and built a $6 billion agribusiness that employs more than 10,000 people worldwide. Today, his company’s land and livestock holdings include extensive farm and ranch properties in the western U.S. with two large feedyards, nearly 40 farms and over a dozen ranches.
2014 Industry Leadership Award recipient
The Industry Leadership Award is a prestigious award that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, provided exemplary service and made significant contributions to the advancement of the cattle-feeding business.
Betty Jo Gigot is the editor and publisher of CALF News, a magazine based in Garden City, Kansas, that she has served for more than 23 years. She became involved in the cattle-feeding industry in 1980 when she founded her own computer company and began writing and installing programs in feedyards across the country.
2014 Arturo Armendariz Distinguished Service Award recipient
The Arturo Armendariz Distinguished Service Award was developed by the hall of fame to recognize feedyard employees who go above and beyond the call of duty to help improve the cattle-feeding community.
Brad Thomas is described as a “true cowboy” by those who have the honor of working by his side. A traumatic accident changed his life forever when he lost both arms. Despite setbacks, he continues to drive to and from his work at Darr Feedlot in Cozad, Nebraska, saddle his own horse, ride pens and help others around him. Overcoming these challenges contributed to the motto of this courageous cowboy: “Never give up.” 
—From Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame news release
