Josh Pollari shows his blue-ribbon Hereford heifer at the 2024 Richland County Fair. (Photo submitted)
Josh Pollari on the family farm in the Girard community. (Photo submitted)
Josh Pollari, a member of the Richland Aces 4-H Club and a sophomore at Sidney High School, is a very busy young man but he found time this summer to complete the lengthy application process for a NILE Merit Heifer. He submitted a 5- to 8- minute video, an essay, and the application in June and was notified in September that he was one of only 12 young people in the western United States to earn a heifer.
The NILE Merit Heifer is part of the Youth in Agriculture program which was created by the recently deceased Bill Pelton. Breeders donate animals which are then provided to the winners. Pollari's purebred Hereford heifer is coming from Beery's Land & Livestock in Vida, MT, which his dad Andy said is where they buy their bulls so they are delighted. Pollari will not have ownership of the heifer until he fulfills all the requirements including showing it at the 2025 NILE as a bred heifer. Once that is done successfully, the heifer is his.
As a member of the Richland Aces, Pollari has multiple projects including cow/calf pair, shooting sports, outdoor adventure, market steer, and gardening. Accurate records are essential in all 4-H projects and he and his mom, Karen, credit that with part of the reason he was able to earn the NILE Merit Heifer. He will need to keep meticulous feed and expense records for his heifer. If he falters, the heifer goes back.
In addition to the NILE heifer, Pollari was the only one in the state to receive a Montana Hereford Association grant of $1000 to put towards the purchase of a purebred Hereford heifer. The grant is intended to help young farmers start their own herd.
The two heifers will need to be kept close by on full time feed, not out to pasture with the rest of the herd. Pollari will be working with Madri Blom to AI the heifers.
Pollari joined the Junior Montana Hereford Association recently and was elected treasurer. The group is sponsored by the Montana Hereford Association which is working hard to promote the Hereford breed and encourage youth involvement. Pollari is looking forward to attending a large show in Kansas where he can visit with other breeders and learn more about agriculture in general.
In high school, Pollari just finished competing in cross-country, plays trombone in the band, jazz band and with the Sunrise Brass Quintet. He is headed to Minot State for honor band soon and has received superior ratings at music festivals. He is a member of Math Madness, Key Club and American Politics Club and is a Junior Leader in 4-H.
Congratulations Josh on earning your Hereford heifers!
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