Dennis Morgan Lake
Snake River Livestock, Blackfoot
Dennis Morgan Lake of Blackfoot, Idaho and his wife Luann represent six decades of resilience, innovation and service in agriculture. Dennis learned the cattle business early, trailing cattle with his grandfather and developing a deep respect for hard work and stewardship. After earning an accounting degree from Brigham Young University, he joined Basic American Foods in 1959, where his ingenuity led to the creation of Snake River Livestock, which initially fed potato byproducts to livestock.
Dennis would build and operate a 1,900-head feed yard near Moreland and the Old Harris feedlot with a capacity of 9,000 head. He was also a longtime owner and partner in the Blackfoot Livestock Auction, playing a vital role in cattle marketing across the region. Known for his disciplined financial management and cautious approach to debt, Dennis successfully navigated decades of market volatility while supporting local farmers, grain mills and potato warehouses.
Dennis received the Outstanding Young Farmer Award in 1970 and served as an Idaho State Representative from 1996–2012, serving as the chair of the House Revenue and Taxation Committee.
Dennis and Luann are the parents of Rodney, Bruce, Kathleen and Tracy. All three of their sons are involved with Snake River Livestock today.