Veteran rancher wins national award for lifelong livestock service
Jan Lyons of Manhattan has been chosen as the 2025 National Golden Spur Award recipient. This award honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the ranching and livestock industries in the United States.
Lysons co-owns Lyons Angus Ranch and has spent decades helping to grow and improve the beef industry. Her leadership in agriculture organizations helped shape the future of ranching and cattle production.
Lysons became the first woman to serve as president of both the Kansas Angus Association in 1982 and the Kansas Livestock Association in 1994. She later led the Cattlemen’s Beef Board in 1996 and was elected president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association in 2004.
Lysons calm and science-based leadership during the 2003 BSE crisis earned widespread praise. Jan Lyons helped communicate important safety information to both producers and consumers, helping to protect the industry’s reputation.
She is well known for supporting beef promotion, research, and education. She played a big role in creating and supporting the national beef checkoff program, which helps promote beef across the country.
“It is not an exaggeration to say she is the ‘gold standard’ of selfless service to the ranching industry,” said Dee Likes, chief executive emeritus of KLA.
Jan Lyons has received many honors over the years, including the Trailblazer of the Year award from BEEF Magazine, Stockman of the Year from Kansas State University, and the Jay B. Dillingham Award. In 2024, she earned the Visionary Award from the Cattlemen’s Beef Board.
Jan Lyons will be honored with the award on October 4 in Lubbock, Texas. The award is presented by several national ranching organizations.