Richard Porter will be honored as the 2025 Stockman of the Year on Thursday, March 6, at the Livestock & Meat Industry Council’s annual Stockmen’s Dinner, starting at 6 p.m. at the Stanley Stout Center. Registration is open until February 20.

Porter owns a grazing and backgrounding operation 60 miles southeast of Manhattan, Kansas, where he grows high-risk calves. Known for his loyalty to workers, suppliers, and K-State, he holds degrees in Chemical Engineering and Master of Agribusiness from K-State and a law degree from Southern Methodist University.

Porter has supported K-State’s Animal Sciences and Industry department and served on the LMIC Board of Directors, including as president from 2020 to 2022. He is also the lead donor for the Stanley Stout Center and has earned several awards, including a National Stocker Award and the K-State Department of Agricultural Economics Distinguished Alumni Award.

“Growing up I knew I would not be in agriculture,” Porter says. “So I didn’t pay attention to management decisions for the ranch, nor did I take any agriculture classes in college. Then I returned to the farm in 1979. I was certain that I knew nothing about farming. This made me very dependent upon the extension specialists at K-State. Especially when the ag crisis of the 1980s hit, a year after my return to the farm.”

The event, held at the National Guard Armory, will begin at 8 a.m. with refreshments, educational exhibits, and a commercial trade show. The program starts at 9 a.m., and lunch will be provided. For a detailed schedule and registration, visit KSUBeef.org. The early registration deadline for Cattlemen’s Day is February 21.

The 48th Annual Legacy Sale will take place at 4 p.m. at the Stanley Stout Center, following Cattlemen’s Day. The sale will feature 47 bulls, 17 fall-bred females, and 21 commercial heifers.