Press Room

Neil Brawner
2006 Recipient

Neil Brawner, a 2006 recipient of a NILE Merit Heifer from Wood Lake, NE, has continued to build his herd, with the help of his Merit Heifer donor. Brawner, who lives with his parents on their Bullis Creek Ranch, shows cattle around the country, including the open shows at the NILE.

His new purchase of a shorthorn came from Lake Duane Shinn of Dry Gulch Land and Livestock in Stevensville, Montana. Brawner’s experience with his heifer and his relationship with his donor allowed him to gain more knowledge about raising and showing cattle and offered him an opportunity to have fun and meet new people.

“I really appreciated Duane's donation of the merit heifer and through interaction with Mr Shinn during the program I got to know him which led to the purchase of the heifer,” said Brawner.

At the 2006 NILE Neil completed his obligations to the program when he exhibited the heifer in the Merit Heifer show as well as completing the required reports.

Brawner’s new heifer was consigned by Dry Gulch at the Montana Shorthorn Sale held during the NILE, which is where he was able to purchase her before heading back home to Nebraska.

“We really appreciated the merit heifer program and think that it is very beneficial and we want to keep it going so we are looking forward to being a heifer donor this year,” said Neil’s dad, Rob Brawner.

Wednesday, January 17, 2007 12:12 PM MST - Most ranchers will tell you they don't get too attached to the animals in their care. Most are bred for very specific purposes and others won't be kept for an extended period of time, so it makes sense to not get attached.

Karly Tuma, above, and her younger sister, Christy, were both winners in this year's NILE Merit Heifer program. Karly is pictured with Nevada.
Yet every now and then a particular animal finds its way into a rancher's heart and finds a special place among the other ranch animals.

Karly and Christy Tuma have been a part of the cattle business for all of their 17 and 14 years, respectively. They've seen cattle and other animals come and go on the family ranch. Both girls are involved in 4-H programs and have raised steers, shown them at county fairs and then left them to their pre-determined fate. That's how the 4-H program works.

But these bright and energetic young ladies have recently found themselves involved in another program, one with a different ending for their four-legged friends, a happy ending.

It's called the NILE Merit Heifer Program and it's more like a live-animal scholarship program, with the winners being awarded a heifer, one they get to keep, forever.

Last fall, the two sisters decided to submit separate entries into the Merit Heifer Program, hoping to win a heifer. A few weeks later after mailing the required documents to the NILE program, the girls learned they both had won and each would receive a heifer. To say they were surprised and delighted would be an understatement.

"We both went crazy when we knew we'd won," admitted Christy, with a big grin.

In order to be the lucky recipients, each of the girls had to write a personal essay to the NILE Merit Heifer Program outlining their plans for the heifer, if they won, their career goals and how they are involved in their community. Along with the essay, they had to submit two letters of reference, one from the County Extension Agent and the other from an adult, not related to them.

Damon Bunting, Glacier County Extension Agent, was happy to write a letter of reference for both Karly and Christy. Butch and Doreen Gillespie wrote the second letter Christy needed and Maria Peterson wrote Karly's second letter of reference.
Once the paperwork was done and mailed to the NILE office, the girls patiently, well maybe not so patiently, waited by their mailbox for a response. In a few weeks they got their answer and in a few months, they got their cows.

The heifers the girls received from this program are donated by several different Montana ranchers. Karlys' heifer, she named Nevada, is about a year old and came from Brevig Charolais, a cattle ranch in Lewistown, owned and operated by Clark and Gail Brevig. Christy's "little girl," who is nine months old, was donated by Doug and Anna Robinette of the C&A Cattle Ranch in Nye. Christy named her Scarlett.

The girls have had their cows since December and it was love at first sight for all four of them. "We started training them the first of this month," said Karly, "and they came around so nicely. They are both very gentle and very smart."

Heifers, for those not familiar with ranching terms, are "young, female, breedable cows," said Karly. "They have a substantial worth because they can have calves."

"That's the basis for the program is you have to breed the cow," added Christy. "The point of the Merit Heifer program is to get kids started in their own cattle program."

The girls plan to breed both Nevada and Scarlett this coming June, which, if all goes well, will give each of them another addition to their newly formed herd.

However, before the babies come in the early spring next year, Karly and Christy must show their "girls" at a NILE show in Billings this coming October. "That's part of the program, is to bring them back and show them," said Karly, which explains why the sisters have already started training their cows. "The NILE is a bigger show than some we go to, so it is important to show well. They need to lead, step on cue and set-up when we want them to."

Both Karly and Christy have to "ante" up $100 towards the winning jackpot, which will be what the winner of the show will collect when the judging is complete. With 32 kids showing heifers, that means a healthy jackpot of $3,200 will be awarded to the winner.

The girls are hoping to do a little fundraising to get the money they need for their jackpot entry fee. If you are interested in making a donation, you can reach them at 336-2392.

Karly and Christy are thrilled with the gifts they received in Nevada and Scarlett, their new found pets and friends. But both girls are quick to offer thank you's and realize they wouldn't have what they do today, if not for all the help and wonderful support they received from everyone. "So many people have helped us and we are so grateful for everything," proclaimed Karly.

Their sights have been set on becoming ranchers and there is no doubt these motivated young ladies will find success in that endeavor.

Field Report for Kyla Olson

Dear NILE Merit Heifer Committee,

I would like to thank you so much for choosing me to receive a NILE Merit Heifer. This honor means a great deal to me, and I intend to make you proud of the decision you made.

I visited Felton Angus Ranch on November 26, 2006 where they generously let me pick a heifer out of about 60 head of heifers. Her sire is Bushs Grand Design and her dam is a daughter of Marriott of WR Bar 8055. The dam side of the pedigree is kind of an outcross compared to anything in my herd, so I though that was kool. My heifer is doing great and is a real sweetheart. I’ve got her started on grain with my 4-H steer. She is getting 5 to 6 pounds of grain a day, free choice mineral that has been custom developed for our area, grass hay, and all the fresh water she wants. Right now she is in a 10-acre pasture beside our house with the rest of my show calves. After calving season is over and right before breeding starts, I will turn her out with a larger group of heifers to get ready to be bred. I haven’t decided yet what to breed her to, but I am going to breed her for a first part of January calf. I want to breed her this early to make sure that she is far enough along in calf to start hauling her to spring and summer shows.

My heifer has a great disposition and was very easy to halter break. I let her drag a halter for about a week, and then I tied her up and worked with her a few times over Christmas break. It only took a couple of times of being tied up and she was really gentle. I told my heifer she is really going to like life at my house in St. Ignatius, because the wind doesn’t blow here like it does at Big Timber. I think she already agrees with me.

Here are some before and after photos of me working with my heifer over Christmas break.

Sincerely,
Kyla Olson

I met with Jeff on Friday, October 6th, at the ranch located 5 miles SW of Stanford, MT. Jeff caught "Midnight" out in the corral & let her around. It is apparent Jeff has spent quite a bit of time with her. She is very gentle & well cared for.

They attempted AI, but she didn't settle so she is pasture bred to a Black Angus bull & due to calve April 1st. They estimate her to weigh 1100#.

Jeff will be attending the NILE show next week, however, wasn't able to show her this summer due to a broken ankle.

Jeff is a high school freshman & has built a nice herd of 10 registered Black Angus cows through purchases from Stevenson-Basin Angus. He is also very active in 4-H and sports.

Appreciated the opportunity to help you with the program!

SharLa Lalum
Northwest Farm Credit Services

    At County Fair there were not many Breeding Heifers entered at all, in fact only six, but she did place 5th out of 6, the four in front of her were all shorthorns. But, she did help me place 4th out of 12 in the FFA Showmanship, because she cooperated so well for me! 

At the Wyoming State Fair I entered her in the open class registered Any other Breed Class, which she placed dead last in, only because the heifer in 1st was huge, and when I say huge I mean tall, which Lilly isn't she is a shorter, smaller heifer.

In the Jr. Division for Any Other Breed Class she placed 3rd out of 3.

All the heifers in this class were pretty much equal in size and weight, he just had to put someone last i guess. She also behaved so well at state fair.    

While I was at the state fair with her, something not good happened though, she came into heat. I say this is bad only because I thought that she got bred a whole month before when she was at home. Soo.... I had to start looking around, I found a guy down in Douglas that A.I.ed, so I asked him if he'd be willing to do it and he was excited, so she got A.I.ed the morning of the Jr. show to a Registered Angus Bull "Mytty In focus" I did an Angus because he did not have any Simmentals and I thought that would be the next best choice.

Now she is all settled down getting ready to go to the NILE in Oct. Which I am very excited to go to!Here are some pictures of State and County FairSarah Beth Anderson

Justin Wacker prepares his heifer for show during the MontanaFair.

Merit Heifer Recipents compete at the MontanaFair.

I had no expectations to win a NILE Merit Heifer when I applied, by to my surprise I won a beautiful Red Angus heifer donated by Redland Red Angus in [Hysham] Montana. After picking her up from the Redlands I decided to name her Bonnie. Bonnie has been good to me not only while getting her ready to show at the NILE but also at the show. This March she had a wonderful little heifer calf helping me increase my Red Angus herd and as soon as she comes into heat this spring she will be artificially inseminated.

I encourage you to take a chance an apply for a NILE Merit Heifer,, who knows maybe you'll win and be able to increase your cattle herd with no cost to you!
                                         -Jessica Lanaham
                                           Stevensville, MT 
                                           2005 NILE Merit Heifer recipient

I was one of the 2005 NILE Merit Heifer Winners. The NILE Merit Heifer Program is such a wonderful program; it not only gave me a great hereford heifer, but it allowed me to learn more about the breed and cattle business in general. I had to halter break and train her, keep her well fed and cared for, decide what sire to breed her to, and show her in numerous shows over the summer of 2005. the most exciting part is after the NILE Merit Heifer Show, you are given the bill of sale for true ownership. I encourage anyone who is eligible for the program to apply and get involved. It was great experience and I wouldn't trade it for the world. Be sure to visit www.meritheifer.com for you application. Good luck, and have fun!
                                         -Lacey Ehlke
                                          Townsend, MT 
                                          2005 NILE Merit Heifer recipient

The NILE Merit Heifer program improved the genetics of my breeding herd, taught me how to fit and show, introduced me to leaders of the beef industry, and gave me new friends for life. I had the best sponsor in Mr. Walborn and the best mentor in Mr. Pelton. This is an awesome opportunity, grab it!!

P.S. Val's baby's name is Randelina. She is a spitting image of Val!
                                -Elizabeth Smith
                                 Glen, MT 
                                 2005 NILE Merit Heifer recipient

NILE Merit Heifer recipient Justin Wacker, Plentywood, MT has what it takes to win.

With his Red Angus heifer, Prewitt’s Dollar, donated by Prewitt Cattle Co., Sidney MT, Justin won the Red Angus division of the MT Junior Beef Expo. But he didn’t stop there Justin went on to win the Jr. Showmanship in the Red Angus division with his award-inning heifer.

All this was possible by the donation of a heifer through the NILE Merit Heifer Program.
The Northern International Livestock Exposition (NILE) Merit Heifer program is a live animal scholarship where ranchers from the region donate heifer calves to be developed and shown by youth from the region.

Designed to keep more kids in livestock production and help them start their own herd, the Merit Heifer Program requires kids to complete an application which includes an essay on why they want to participate in the program. Applications can be completed online at www.meritheifer.com

A committee then judges the applicants and heifers are picked up by the winners in the fall. Recipients are required to complete monthly reports on how their project is progressing. Heifers must be developed and bred, must be shown at one fair and at the NILE Merit Heifer show in Billings

during the NILE show in October.
“This is an outstanding program to provide an avenue for kids to get a jumpstart in the cattle business,” states Bill Pelton, Committee Chairman. “After the heifer is shown at the NILE, if all the requirements are met, the kids then take the heifer home as their own.”

Last year 25 heifers are awarded. But last year over 100 kids applied for the program.

“We need more heifers,” stated Pelton. “If we could get 25 more heifers to deserving kids, we would have just that much better chance of keeping them in agriculture.”

As for Justin, he plans to continue showing his heifer. Next stop will be the Sheridan County Fair in Plentywood, the Montana Fair in Billings and finish up with the NILE Merit Heifer show in October.

The Northern International Livestock Exposition (NILE) is honored to announce that Justin Mills has accepted the position of NILE General Manager. Justin was raised on a ranch south of Devils Tower, Wyoming and has a Bachelors of Science in Agriculture Education. Justin most recently was with the Northern Broadcasting System where he was a broadcaster for the Northern Ag Network and the Director of Technology for the Northern Broadcasting System. Justin and his wife Myla have two sons Ethan (3 years) and Chase (1 year) and reside in Billings.

The NILE is thrilled to have Justin on board as he brings his vast knowledge of the agricultural industry and his commitment to continue the promotion of livestock, youth education and respect for the Western Culture.