FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:

McCall Linke, Communications Director

Northern International Livestock Exposition

(406) 256-2495

mccall@thenile.org

NILE Announces Merit Heifer Class of 2017

Billings, MT--Twenty young agriculturists granted a live heifer for the 2017 NILE Merit Heifer Program.

Recipients must apply, be accepted, submit monthly reports, complete a record book, participate in informational conference calls and show at the NILE stock show. After satisfactory completion the kids get to keep the bred heifer.

The purpose of the Merit Heifer program is to help youth get a start in the beef cattle business by awarding heifer calves to project participants chosen on the basis of merit, future goals, and ability to care for the animal. Any kid age 12 -16, who is a 4-H or FFA member may enter. Entries are not limited to Montana residents.

Each program participant will own his/her calf jointly with NILE until the completion of the program, at which time NILE officials will sign off and the participant will take full ownership of the heifer and her offspring. 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 (October 2017). The program is completed after the heifer is determined bred, all record keeping has been completed and the heifer has been shown at the 2017 NILE.

This program is made possible by the generous donors who supply the heifers. They provide a great resource for the kids to learn about beef production from successful, local operations. Building relationships and the future ag leaders.

2017 Merit Heifer Class:

Recipient	Donor
McKoy Gebhardt of Helena, MT	Sidwell Land & Cattle Co. of Columbus, MT
Cody Johannes of Worden, MT	Walborn Cattle Co. of Hardin, MT
Eilish Kelsey of Rozet, WY	Bank of Baker of Baker, MT
Levi Kramer of Columbus, MT	HC Cattle of Columbus, MT
Leslie Lile of Pompey's Pillar, MT	Currant Creek Angus of Roundup, MT
Bethany Lyford of Kalispell, MT	Y Lazy Y Shorthorns of Corvallis, MT
Larisah Moreland of Hysham, MT	Christensen Red Angus of Park City, MT

Zachary Nichols of Great Falls, MT	LB Farms of Stevensville, MT
Elsa Petzold of Sheridan, WY	Beery Land & Livestock of Vida, MT
Brooklyn Ragland of Custer, MT	Wiley Gelbvieh of Musselshell, MT
George Reiter of Park City, CO	KG Ranch of Three Forks, MT
Madalyn Rohr or Elbert, CO	Powder River Angus of Arvada, WY
Gillian Severe of Melstone, MT	Knaub Cattle Co. of Lodge Grass, MT
Cassidy Shea of Greeley, Co	Silver Spur Ranches of Elbert, CO
Kiley Smieja of Belgrade, MT	Klompien Red Angus of Manhattan, MT
Shelby Smith of Arlee, MT	Angelo Cattle Co. of Drummond, MT
Rachael Stevenson of Hobson, MT	Reisig Cattle of Hardin, MT
Colby Stockton of Cheyenne, WY	Redland Red Angus of Hysham, MT
Matt Tuma of Cut Bank, MT	Jacobs Ranch, Inc of Malta, MT
Payton Voloshin of Craig, CO	Camblin Livestock of Maybell, CO

For more information about the NILE Merit Heifer Program contact meritheifer@thenile.org or go to www.thenile.org

The Northern International Livestock Exposition (NILE) is a non-profit organization 501(c)5 established in 1967 that is dedicated to the promotion of livestock, agriculture education, and respect of the western tradition. For more information on the NILE call (406) 256-2495 or visit www.thenile.org. The 2016 NILE is October 15-22 in Billings, Montana.