Bill Hopkin

Direct Grazing Improvement Program

P.O. Box 250
Woodruff, UT 84086

Bill Hopkin is the Director of the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food's new Grazing Improvement Program (GIP). The GIP program is a new initiative aimed at improving livestock range conditions.

Bill was formerly Ranch Manager at Deseret Land and Livestock (DLL). During his 21 year career at DLL the ranch team implemented long-term resource management plans that doubled the cattle production while improving the abundance and diversity of wildlife. Perhaps DLL’s most profound accomplishment during the 80’s and 90’s was increasing net profit by 400 percent while simultaneously growing the “at risk” sage grouse population by six fold. The ranch is recognized by the Audubon Society as an "important bird area" where more than 275 species reside. According to Hopkin, “This magnitude of success is accomplished through good people working together toward a common goal; the same will be true for the GIP. I am convinced that we can create increased financial, social and ecological wealth through wise stewardship.”

Bill was born and raised on the family ranch in Woodruff, Rich County, Utah. During his high school and college days he worked on the ranch gaining valuable experience and knowledge from his older brother Stuart. After acquiring a degree in biology from Weber State College, Bill taught science at South Rich High School until he went to work for DLL.