FAITH, S.D. – A grandson of pioneer homesteaders, Meade County, SD rancher Hugh Ingalls will be inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame Sept. 13-14 at ceremonies held at the Cedar Shore Resort, Oacoma, S.D.
The Hall of Fame recognizes up to 10 inductees yearly as examples of achievements that inspire youth, lead generations, and builds futures. They were selected for their achievements in the fields of arts and entertainment, professional, general, agriculture, education, and business. They reflect the people of South Dakota who are as diverse as the landscape.
From the this year’s inductee in the agriculture field is a well-known name around a big swath of ranch country and purebred Angus circles.
Hugh Ingalls has faced numerous hardships throughout his 94 years living on the beautiful but sometimes harsh prairie of South Dakota. As a child of the Depression and the second of five siblings who lost their mother at an early age, Hugh grew up shouldering responsibilities beyond his years. The values of honesty, hard work, perseverance, and a striving for excellence instilled in him by his family and his faith in God have enabled Hugh to let hardships help shape him into an effective and inspiring leader and a kind and generous person.
“You will find reward in working with others towards a common goal,” he observes.
Few individuals have contributed more to South Dakota’s cattle industry than Hugh Ingalls. He is widely recognized in the state cattle industry and nationally as a “true stockman” who has volunteered to promote the cattle industry and the Angus breed. Cattlemen across the state have sought his leadership in local and state organizations, respecting his honesty, integrity, calm disposition, and skill in handling challenges. His willingness to lead and serve, including his more than 40 years as a delegate to the National Angus Convention, has had a lasting impact on the beef industry.
RELATED: WORKING COWS PODCAST WITH HUGH INGALLS
Known as the oldest Angus herd in South Dakota, the family has owned registered Angus cattle since 1895 when Hugh’s great-grandfather, James L. Ingalls, purchased an Angus bull with the registration certificate number 19975 and a hand-written pedigree. Hugh’s father, Lawrence Ingalls, gave Hugh his first registered Angus heifer 82 years ago. He was an early believer in production records, using the data in his ranch management practices and breeding program since 1956.
Dr. Robbi Pritchard at South Dakota State University collaborated with Hugh on over 20 research projects. The University purchased Hugh’s steer calves every fall starting in the 1980s, using them in nationally recognized research for over 30 years. Dr.. Pritchard observed that Hugh provided the biggest and most productive herd resource for South Dakota State University’s Animal Science Department.
According to Pritchard, “I am not aware of anywhere else in the United States where someone has made that kind of a contribution to land grant university research on such a large scale.”
Hugh has also had a positive impact on his community as reflected in his many years of service on school boards, as a 4-H leader, and in his local church. Hugh and Eleanor, his wife of 74 years, have together built a legacy of hospitality and excellence. They strove to instill these same values in their six children.
Through the years Hugh has influenced many South Dakota ranchers to produce better cattle by using performance testing. In 1956 at the age of 26, he began keeping production records to improve the quality of his herd and was among the first in the state to do so. This early leadership earned him the title of 1960 Outstanding Young Farmer. In the early 1980s, cattle geneticists from South Dakota State University recognized the value Hugh was breeding into his cattle, and a 30+ year research relationship was formed, with SDSU purchasing Hugh’s steer calves each year for use in nationally recognized research.
Hugh Ingalls Cattle Industry Awards:
- 1960 – South Dakota Outstanding Young Farmer, Meade County; Statewide 3rd place: Jr Chamber of Commerce
- 1983 – Centennial Angus Herd Award: American Angus Association
- 1990 – Outstanding Producer of the Year: Black Hills Angus Association
- 1995 – Stockman of the Year: Black Hills Stock Show
- 1998 – Honored Angus Family Award: South Dakota Angus Association
- 2001 – Volunteer of the Year: Central States Fair
- 2004 – Friend of the Beef Industry Award: South Dakota State University
- 2005 – Ag Producer of the Year: Rapid City Chamber of Commerce
- 2007 – Distinguished Service Award: Black Hills Angus Association
- 2010 – Hall of Fame Silver Spur Award: Black Hills Stock Show
- 2010 – Inductee: Angus Heritage Foundation, American Angus Association
- 2015 – Prime Promoter Individual: South Dakota Beef Industry Council
- 2015 – Century Award: American Angus Association
- 2016 – Eminent Farmer/Rancher: South Dakota State University
- 2021 – Perkins County Friend of the Fair
- Past Service to Cattle Organizations:
- Chairman and board member: Meade County Stock Growers Association
- Committee member: South Dakota Stock Growers Association
- Chairman and board member: Black Hills Angus Association
- Chairman and board member: South Dakota Angus Association
- Chairman and board member: South Dakota Beef Cattle Improvement Association
- Board member: South Dakota Beef Council
- South Dakota Delegate to the American Angus Assoc Annual Meeting: 40+ years
- South Dakota Delegate to Moldova, Mexico, 1995: South Dakota Dept of Agriculture
- Provided Angus steers to SDSU for beef quality research for 30+ years
According to Pritchard, Hugh provided the biggest and most productive research herd resource for SDSU’s Animal Science Department. “I am not aware of anywhere else in the USA where someone has made that kind of a contribution to land grant university research on such a large scale,” Pritchard said.
In 2004 Hugh was chosen by SDSU for the “Friend of the Beef Industry” award and in 2016 as “Eminent Rancher.” He has received numerous other awards for his contributions to agriculture and the beef industry, including being an American Angus Association Heritage Foundation inductee.
One of Hugh’s most impactful contributions to the livestock community has been his years of service to the Central States Fair and the Black Hills Stock Show. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors, Hugh helped lead the Livestock Committee for 20 years, acting as “Livestock Ambassador” to thousands of cattlemen. He was recognized in 1995 as BHSS Stockman of the Year for his involvement in the cattle industry and received the BHSS Hall of Fame Silver Spur Award in 2010 for his commitment to the Central States Fair and Black Hills Stock Show.
Through droughts, blizzards, hail, and grasshopper infestations, Hugh has persevered with a strong faith in God and a generosity to help his fellow cattlemen. Following the 2013 Storm Atlas, he offered to loan cows to young ranchers to help them recover from devastating livestock losses even though he had lost a substantial percentage of his own herd.
Hugh observes, “My faith has given me purpose in life, and direction.”
Hugh’s legacy as a cattleman is summed up well in the words of Dr. Pritchard: “Hugh represents the dignity, integrity, determination, willingness to learn, and the sense of adventure that inspires. He has lived as an example of what we imagine when we tell others what is good about South Dakota ranching. I haven’t met anyone involved in the state’s cattle industry who is more widely known and respected.”
