We caught up with the breeder of the Grand Champion Commercial Ewe at the 2025 Iowa State Fair 4-H Show. We invite you to read our candid interview with Charlie Hild of Hild Brothers Show Stock below and please continue to check back often for our next edition of “Breeder Spotlight.”
What’s the pedigree of your champion?
“Terri Lynn” is a Tres Amigos x “Mountain Momma” (How High x Fowl). We’ve flushed Mountain Momma for early July lambs to Alliance and are flushing her to Ghost Rider for lambs to be marketed on The Brand.
What are your long-term goals as a breeder?
Two main goals I have are to raise sheep that can win year after year on all levels; county, state, and national stages. If your sheep can feed for all levels of feeders, I think that’s a very important testament to a program. Additionally, to raise a buck that’s considered an industry legend.
Was there a moment when you almost gave up? What made you push through?
After I moved back home in 2016 and we really ramped up our program, we hit some trying years like many operations. Tanner was still in college, Monica had a full time career, I was maintaining a full time career, and at the time we couldn’t afford any hired help. I remember we had a rough group of yearlings lambing with high death loss, tubing a lamb at 3 AM, and seriously questioning why I was putting myself through it all and if it was really worth it. A good friend Jeremy Hockman talked me off the ledge that night which I am very thankful for. Seeing our lambs slowly start to be successful on larger stages, and our bucks working for other operations are ultimately what pushed me through.
What’s something you’ve changed your mind about over the years?
As our operation grew, it took me a while to understand it’s impossible for me to do everything. I used to think I had to have a hand on 100% of everything that goes on every day, and it’s just not possible. We’re blessed to have a lot of different people that play roles in our operation that make it run smooth every day.
Monica now manages all our books, takes all our pictures, the majority of our marketing, and tons of things that I don’t even think about daily, all while being a Mom. Tanner has taken over the majority of the day to day operations and helps many families across the Midwest feed our genetics. Billy McCoy started with us full time in May, and has been a huge part of playing a hand in all roles in the operation including semen collection. Brycen helps with chores daily and plays a huge role with many of the families we help feed and is one of the best at clipping legs. Our dad Mark, helps with the day to day grind (still the #1 skidloader operator), and our mother Nancy helps take the kids, delivers semen, and is the absolute best at brining weak lambs back to life and has patience for the dumb bottle lambs. Without all of their help, the HB Brand doesn’t exist.
If you could rebuild your herd/flock from scratch, what would you do differently?
I’m pretty proud of how we built our flock, it’s generations of “our own stuff”. If I’d do it over again, I would buy higher quality females at the beginning.
What trait do you wish you had focused on sooner in your program?
It took me a long time to understand structure, I give my judging coach Jeff Thayne credit for pounding that in my head.
Is there a breeding decision you’re especially proud of — or one you regret?
Harrell 78 was a pivotal piece to our program. We was the outcross we needed at the time, made a phenomenal set of females, and sired Freestyle which was a big turning point for our operation.
What’s your favorite state fair — and why?
Iowa State Fair- Nothing Compares.
Is there anything you wish you had known when you started breeding?
We actually started to flush before we started to AI. I wished we would have utilized AI sooner in our operation.
What’s next — any big goals or projects in the works?
We’re in the middle of construction with an addition to our sale facility. This will allow us to expand The Brand March 6&7 2026, and expand our ewe family housing during lambing season.
