Nickels Awarded Montana Commercial Hereford Breeder Of The Year

During the Montana Hereford Association Meeting Oct. 18, 2024, Lester "Les" Nickels was awarded the Montana Commercial Hereford Breeder of the Year, following in his father Swede's footsteps, who won the same award in 2006. Every year, the Montana Hereford Association recognizes Montana breeders as they are key people who are a necessary part of the Hereford breed as well as major players in the future of the association's programs. Awards given out each year are Junior Hereford Breeder, Young Hereford Breeder, Commercial Breeder, Hereford Woman and Hereford Man.

The Nickels Ranch was started in 1912, when Herman Jack Nickels purchased real estate located along the Missouri River. The first Hereford bulls purchased by Herman Jack came from the renowned herd of A.B. Cook at Townsend, Mont., who at that time had one of the great herds in the United States. Herman Jack died in a farm accident in 1949. At that time, the three sons, Jack, Russell and Lester, Sr. "Swede" purchased separate portions of the Ranch. Les Nickels is the son of Swede and Mildred Nickels. The portions belonging to Jack and Russell were sold once they passed away, while Swede passed away in 2017. In 2003, a group of steers were sold for the "Catch A Calf" program at the National Western in Denver.

A commercial livestock herd has continued to be run since the Hereford bulls were purchased. Les Nickels continues to carry on the legacy of his dad, Swede, and his grandpa, Herman Jack. The First Line One bulls were purchased in 1985. Bulls have been purchased from Cooper, Holden, Baker, Rock Creek, Fort Keough and L Bar W and previously from Stuber and Beery Land and Livestock.

Les and his wife Jaylein, along with their daughter Krista Tarum (Tyler) and granddaughter Leslie, and his other three grandchildren, Lane, Cordelia and Jace, continue the day-to-day operations of the Ranch. The livestock are calved on the north side of the Missouri River and are trucked to summer pasture on the south side of the river. The cattle are brought back to the north side for winter feeding and calving. The steer calves and heifer calves that aren't kept as replacements are usually sold in February or March. The livestock continue to be moved and gathered using horses.

"Very proud of my family. So blessed that I can continue to be a part of the ranch and that Leslie gets the opportunity to grow up here also," reflected Les Nickels' daughter, Krista.