Induction into the Saddle & Sirloin Club is widely considered the
highest honor in the livestock industry.
Beginning in 1903, this elite club of influential figures was
originally housed on the top floor of the Purebred Livestock
Records building, adjacent to the Union Stockyards in Chicago.
Stockmen would gather in the Stock Yards Inn over a sirloin
steak or a saddle of lamb, leading to the name “Saddle & Sirloin
Club.”
Chosen by their peers, the Portrait Gallery continues the heritage
of its founders, paying homage to those who have made the
greatest contributions to the livestock industry.
Jarold Callahan’s portrait will be added to this distinguished club
gallery on what is the 120th year of the Saddle & Sirloin Club.
Jarold has dedicated his life to the livestock industry from being
a college educator, to a national champion collegiate livestock
judging coach, to leading the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association
and to president of Express Ranches for more than 25 years.
Jarold Callahan is eminently qualified for recognition in the
Saddle & Sirloin Gallery based on his multifaceted career
of leadership and service to the livestock industry. Jarold
Callahan’s unique career spans nearly five decades. From
rather humble beginnings, growing up on a northeastern
Oklahoma family farm and ranch, to his success as an award
winning teacher and coach, to leading the largest beef
seedstock operation in the country, Jarold’s life and career
are grounded in production agriculture.
Jarold’s influence and success in both the beef industry and
academia is undeniable. His impeccable reputation has been
earned through decades of service to people. He is a venerable
source of advice and wisdom to those around him. He operates
with both fairness and integrity and has the ability to see prob-
lems and issues from different perspectives, giving him the
ability to offer relevant solutions. He is naturally curious and
instinctively helpful and as a result, his collective accomplish-
ments as a teacher, coach, administrator, lobbyist, businessman,
cattle breeder and industry leader are unparalleled.
The Portrait Gallery is a unique art collection as it is the largest
collection in the world of quality portraits by noted artists
devoted to a single industry. In this collection hangs a wide
representation of animal agriculture, educators, publishers,
editors, judges and breeders. A fire in 1934 destroyed the
Portrait Gallery as well as much of the Chicago Stockyards.
Painter Robert Grafton was commissioned to replace the
lost portraits and completed 104 in 18 months. In 1976, the
collection was moved from Chicago to the Kentucky Exposition
Center in Louisville, home of the North American International
Livestock Exposition.
