Rutledge shows at the NILE

Big Sandy sophomore Andrea Rutledge has had a very busy fall! After a year-long program, she took the heifer that she received from the NILE Merit Heifer program back to the NILE in Billings from October 14-17, 2015. This program was in conjunction with her FFA breeding project. At the end of the week, the heifer was transferred to Rutledge for ownership. This program is considered a "live scholarship" as the recipient keeps the heifer and is able to sell her calves or place them in her own herd.

During the week of NILE Rutledge participated in several components of completion; including interview, showmanship, record keeping and heifer judging. Rutledge received the highest score in the interview portion and one of the top scores in the record book. During the year-long program she had to submit monthly reports and pictures as well as participate in webinars and other trainings offered by the Merit Heifer program.

Rutledge would like to thank Golden Harvest Seeds for being her business sponsor. She would like to thank Knaub Cattle Company, Scott & Marcella Knaub, of Lodge Grass, for donating her heifer, "Priscilla." This program would not be possible without wonderful donors to support youth! She had a great year and enjoyed meeting a lot of new people. What a wonderful opportunity the NILE Merit Heifer project offers to young people from many states!

Rutledge, a member of the Montana Junior Red Angus Association (MTJRAA), was elected as the new president of the junior association during the NILE. She gave presentations at the Montana Red Angus Association annual meeting and the MTJRAA banquet. Also during the NILE, Rutledge received a belt buckle from the MTJRAA for her 2015 Chouteau County Fair Reserve Champion heifer.

If you want to hear more about the NILE Merit Heifer program or the MTJRAA, just give her a call; she has a lot of great information to share!