The Richard Deese Award was established in 1986 to honor Deese, an extension animal scientist in charge of the BCIA program in the 1970s and early 1980s. The award is presented to individuals who uphold the principles of performance testing and genetic improvement of beef cattle in Alabama. Since 1986, breeders, extension workers and beef industry supporters have received the award.

Richard Dyar has truly embodied the spirit of performance testing. He is and has been involved in the Alabama cattle industry in many facets for over 30 years. He has always promoted performance in each level of his involvement within the beef cattle industry in Alabama and across the southeast. Dyar has been a breeder of Angus cattle since 1975 and has participated in BCIA bull evaluations and consignment sales earning top bull honors and producing top selling bulls for many years. He has served on numerous BCIA bull evaluations and consignment sale committees. Dyar also served as the President of Alabama BCIA in 2007 and is the current President of the Alabama Beef Cattle Improvement Foundation, in which he is the primary originator of the foundation and its efforts. He also has served on the Alabama Cattlemen's Association Board of Directors and as a past president of the Purebred Beef Breeds Council.

Dyar is a native of DeKalb County and a graduate of Auburn University where he was a member of the Auburn University Livestock Judging Team. He has served as the past-president and co-founder of the Auburn University Livestock Judging Team Alumni Association. In 1978, he joined the staff of the American Angus Association as a regional representative for four southeastern states-Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana & Mississippi, where he continues to work today and strongly promotes performance and the Alabama BCIA program across the southeast.