YOUNG RANCHERS SHOWED ABOUT 200 ANIMALS AT THE JUNIOR ANGUS SHOW AT THE METRAPARK EXPO CENTER ON THURSDAY. — The annual NILE Stock Show and Rodeo has been part of the agriculture tradition for 52 years in Billings.
The NILE, which started Thursday, contributes about $8.5 million to the Billings economy, according to Shelby Shaw, NILE communications manager.
The livestock shows play a big part in the tradition, she said.
Young ranchers showed about 200 animals at the Junior Angus Show at the MetraPark Expo Center on Thursday.
It's a chance to promote their businesses and breeds for future sales.
The week-long Northern International Livestock Exposition draws from 20 states and Canada.
"It's agriculture,” said Shaw. “It's a place for people to come, network, sell cattle. Promote businesses. All these breeders can get together in the fall before it turns winter and kind of get to know each other's programs. If you looked through the barn, there's city folk and they're learning about our industry and that's what we need to have happen because without agriculture, we would have nothing."
More than 2,500 livestock animals will be shown this week along with 500 horses.
The three-day NILE PRCA Rodeo started on Thursday night.
