BILLINGS, MONT.- The Northern International Livestock Exposition (NILE) Stock Show is proud to announce Kelsey Kraft, of Billings, MT, as the 2013 Top Herdsman in the NILE Merit Heifer Program. Kraft also took top honors in Merit Heifer Showmanship and her heifer was the reserve champion phenotype. Twenty-four individuals were awarded donated heifers to compete in this year's program. The Top Herdsman award was determined on three categories: monthly reports, an interview during the NILE, and a jackpot show held Friday, October 18.

Results are as follows:

CHAMPION Garrett Bromenshenk, Billings, MT
Donated by: Shipwheel Cattle Co, Chinook, MT 

RESERVE Kelsey Kraft, Billings, MT
Donated By: Timberline Angus, Belgrade, MT 

SHOWMANSHIP:

1. Kelsey Kraft 

   Donor - Timberline Angus

2. Bailey Bice 

   Donor - Bullis Creek Ranch 

3. Garrett Bromenshenk 

 Donor - Shipwreck Cattle Co. 

4. Casey Fowler  

   Donor - Gateway Simmental 

CALCUTTA WINNERS

1st - Sidwell Land & Cattle $3,060
2nd - Rick and Brenda Kraft $2,295
3rd - Cow Capital Livestock $1,530
4th - Klompien Red Angus $765 

The purpose of the NILE Merit Heifer Program is to help youth get a start in the beef cattle business by awarding heifer calves to participants chosen on the basis of merit, need, future goals and ability to care for the animal. Any youth ages 13-17, who is a 4-H or FFA member may apply. During the program duration, participants are responsible for raising the heifer, arranging for her to be bred, completing the record keeping procedure and bringing the animal back one year later as a bred replacement heifer for exhibit at the NILE Stock Show.

This year, all heifers were donated by generous ranches from in Montana, Wyoming and Nebraska. Donors were Berry Land & Livestock, Angelo Cattle Co., Klompien Red Angus, Sidwell Land & Cattle, Walborn Cattle Co., Currant Creek Angus Ranch, Pingetzer's Six Iron Ranch, Redland Red Angus Ranch, KG Ranch, Oedekoven Angus, Kicking Horse Ranch, Knaub Cattle Co., Wiley Gelbvieh, Jacobs Ranch, Bullis Creek Ranch, Shipwheel Cattle Co., Gateway Simmentals, Garter-Denowh Angus, Ehlke Herefords, Bank of Baker, Timberline Angus, Y Lazy Y Shorthorns, Birdtail Ranch Angus and Boyd Angus.  

For more information and a complete listing of results, visit www.TheNile.org.