RECIPIENT

Jay Taylor’s lifetime career as a rancher, businessman and public servant paralleled the development of the cattle industry. Known as “Mr. Beef,” Taylor’s service to the livestock industry benefited all of American agriculture. He was owner of the HH Ranch near Magdalena, N.M., and the Rafter O Ranch near Vega, Texas. He was a partner in the Amarillo Livestock Auction Co. and Western Stockyards, which grew into the world’s largest independent livestock sales firm. He also was chairman of the National Livestock and Meat Board.