Northern International Livestock Exposition

The Northern International Livestock Exposition (NILE) originated as an idea from the livestock committee of the Billings Chamber of Commerce in 1966. In 1967, the Public Auction Yards hosted an event to showcase the region's vast livestock industry.[1] By the fall of 1968, a full-fledged livestock show with 250 exhibitors and 600 entries was underway. The first NILE consisted of livestock shows, horse shows and rodeo, and today, those traditions continue as the NILE Stock Show has become one of the largest agricultural events of the Northwest.

Sign outside of NILE office in Billings, Montana

Over the years, the NILE Stock Show has featured some of the purest genetics in the world. The NILE hosts several national cattle breed shows and sales. Additionally, the NILE Gold Buckle Select Horse Sales features a weanling/yearling sale, a performance horse sale, and six different futurities.

The NILE ProRodeo was Montana's most prestigious rodeo. As one of the first rodeos of the qualifying year,[2] the NILE consistently showcased many of the top contestants in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). After several years of being held in October at the First Interstate Arena within MetraPark, in 2025, the rodeo was moved to August in MetraPark's new Outdoor Arena; now under the name of Rodeo Billings and held in conjunction with MontanaFair, but continuing to be produced by the NILE and sanctioned by the PRCA.[3]

In 2007, the NILE added a ranch rodeo to their fall event.[4] The popularity of this event and the appeal of showcasing real American ranch cowboys quickly spread across the region. In 2009, the NILE Ranch Rodeo Finals was established in which winning teams from NILE-sanctioned ranch rodeos from across the region came to compete for the top honor of being the NILE series champion team. The winning team is also eligible to compete in the Western States Ranch Rodeo Association Finals held in Winnemucca, Nevada.[4]

In 2026, the defunct NILE ProRodeo will be replaced by the Riggin Masters, an event featuring bareback bronc riding and part of the PRCA Xtreme Broncs tour.[5]

Since the NILE's inception, it grew to incorporate a variety of other events, like hosting the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) each year in April. The NILE was the host of the longest running event stop of the PBR's elite Bud Light Cup/Built Ford Tough Series for several years. In 2008, the NILE purchased the Montana Agri-Trade Exposition (MATE Show) held annually the third week of February each year.

A large focus has been placed on programs to encourage youth participation like the Merit Heifer Program,[6] Jr. Fed Show and Sale Jr. Breeding Cattle Shows, Youth Judging Contests, school assemblies, and an agricultural education program for over 2,000 area 4th graders. The first NILE was funded much the way it is funded today – through memberships from businesses, ranchers, and other supporters as well as sponsorships from corporate partners. The NILE is dedicated to the promotion of livestock production, agricultural education, and respect for our western tradition.

The NILE is a non-profit organization, 501(c)5, dedicated to the promotion of livestock, agriculture education and respect for the western culture.

The first president of the NILE Board of Directors was the great cattleman Pat Goggins.[7] The first General Manager of the NILE was Conrad Burns.

References

  1. ↑ "About and History". NILE. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  2. ↑ Rose, Morgan (Sep 30, 2019). "The 2019 NILE features no shortage of rodeo action". Prairie Star. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  3. ↑ "All-New MontanaFair Rodeo". Visit Southeast Montana. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
  4. 1 2 "12 teams qualify for Farstad Oil Ranch Rodeo Finals". Tri-State Livestock News. Oct 5, 2017. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  5. ↑ "Northern International Livestock Exposition unveils new PRCA Xtreme event". Montana Sports. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
  6. ↑ Hauter, Alina (Oct 21, 2022). "Nile Merit Heifer program brings kids from all over the country to Billings". KTVQ. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  7. ↑ Grosskopf, Linda (January 4, 2016). "The Livestock Industry Has Lost A Legend". Northern Ag Network. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
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