About Indian Knoll

Indian Knoll Cattle is a family owned partnership located in Christian County, Illinois. The diversified row crop and cow/calf operation is owned by Nate (wife, Elizabeth) and Keith Bliler, along with their parents, Kevin
and Penny.

Indian Knoll Cattle (IKC) was formed in 1996 when Kevin and Penny began expanding their operation in anticipation of their sons joining them when they completed their college education. Today, the partnership farms approximately 1800 acres of corn/soybeans, of which 1180 acres are family owned. In addition, 300 Red Angus/Red Angus cross cattle are owned.

Nate and Keith’s return to the farm has greatly increased the productivity and efficiencies of IKC. To accommodate the growing family, additional ground is needed to provide adequate income.
Nate and Keith are enthusiastic about expanding their row crop operation, as well as maintaining diversification with a successful, growing, cow/calf operation.

Kevin and Penny Bliler

Kevin is a life-long farmer, beginning his successful career baling hay and farming
family-owned ground in 1975 with his brother, Mike. After 34 years, Kevin and Mike still  operate Bliler Bros. partnership, working together with IKC.

Kevin and Penny were married in 1979. Penny grew up on a family farm in northern
Christian County and has been Communications Director for the IL Beef Assoc. since 1996. She keeps records for the farming operations as well as detailed performance and registration records on the cow herd. In 1995, Kevin and Penny assumed the management of her family’s centennial farm, and with the work of their sons, Nate and Keith, began an extensive renovation of the farm.

Vast improvements in fertility, erosion control, and drainage have improved the productivity of this farm, earning the family recognition for their accomplishments. IKC was awarded the IL Beef Assoc. Commercial Producer of the Year (2000) and the IL Beef Farm Family of the Year (2007).

Nate and Elizabeth Bliler

Nate Bliler graduated from Lakeland Community College in 2002, with an agricultural production degree. Since an early age, Nate has been actively involved in the day to day responsibilities of farming and raising cattle. He showed cattle at local, state and national levels and was on the 2000 4-H State Livestock Judging team. He competed for the Illinois Beef Proficiency Award and earned a livestock judging scholarship at Lakeland College.

Nate and Elizabeth (Clavin) were married in 2003. Elizabeth also graduated from Lakeland Community College. She is actively involved in Clavin Dairy, her family’s progressive dairy farm, which milks 200 cows near Rosamond. Nate joined Indian Knoll Cattle in 2002 as full partner. Nate and Elizabeth have two sons, Jay (4) and Rye (2).

Keith and Lindsey Bliler

Keith Bliler also graduated from Lakeland Community College, with a degree in production agriculture. He became a full partner in 2006. Like his brother, Keith has been involved in the daily operation of the farm since he could “reach the peddles”. He showed cattle at the local, state and national levels and was awarded the FFA Illinois Beef Proficiency Award in 2003.

Keith and Lindsey were married in 2010 and enjoy raising Yellow Labrador Retrievers. They live near the Mechanicsburg farm.

Lindsey Bliler

Lindsey has enjoyed showing cattle throughout her 4-H career and is called on to help when an extra hand is needed with the cattle.

Lindsey was also involved in FFA in high school, serving as an officer. She won the State Entrepreneurship Award for Small Animals, with her profitable Maltese dog project.

Lindsey is a registered nurse and enjoys her job fighting disease and saving lives.

Lindsey is an active member of Davis Memorial Church, serving on the diaconate and enjoys doing mission work.

The mission of our farm…

Our goal is to increase our operation to accommodate our growing family and to continue
to be economically viable without off-farm employment. Our plan includes increasing rented
acres, as well as increasing our owned land base as resources and opportunities allow.
We strive to operate in a manner that is mutually beneficial for both landlord and tenant,
which will help to build long-lasting, profitable relationships.

Current operation

IKC rents 700 acres of farm land, 540 of which is family owned. In addition to the farm
ground, IKC maintains 600 acres of pasture, owning 125 acres, renting 345 acres of family
owned pasture, and an additional 130 acres is rented from non family landowners. We also
work with the Bliler Bros. partnership.

In 2006 we were asked to manage the University of Illinois Dudley Smith Research Farm,
near Pana, and began as tenants there in 2007.

We have been involved with in-depth research of integrated crop and livestock
management, using the crop land for grazing in late fall and winter. Grazing of crop residues,
the use of ethanol by-products, and arial seeding of grazing crops into standing corn, and the
affects of grazing on next years’ crop yields are some of the projects we have managed.
Our 300 head cattle herd is a commercial and purebred Red Angus base program. We
market finished cattle, feeder cattle and seedstock. We have been very successful producing
high quality, efficient cattle with desirable carcass traits.

We are proud to be Beef Quality Assurance Certified, producing healthy, safe and
nutritious beef using the best approved practices for cattle handling and production.
Our diversification and expansion of the cow herd has provided a steadily increasing asset
base needed to start expanding our farming operation. In addition, the increased revenue we
have enjoyed due to larger calf crops has allowed us to make vast improvements to our
handling facilities and forage harvesting equipment. This has improved our efficiency and
ability to complete processing and vaccinating as well as measure weight gain and make more
precise management decisions. We are confident, with the increase in efficiency we have
achieved in our current operation that we are ready to expand our farming enterprise and still
carry out all duties required of us, as your tenant, in a prompt and timely manner.
In regards to our farming practices, we are quick to adopt new seed technologies and
genetics that improve yields.

We have researched variable rate technology and it is a practice we are eager to adopt as
we increase our land base.

Land Lord Relations

Communication is the key to successful relationships. We will be happy to provide
electronic communication as needed, or phone calls to keep you informed of progress.
Because of the size of our operation, we can provide personal, individual attention to
your farm.

IKC Advantage:

• Because of our livestock diversity, we are able to utilize land which may not be suitable for
row crops. Forage crops have value to us, depending on the location.

• We are willing to consider various land rental arrangements, which best meet the needs and
desires of the land owner. Variable cash rent leases have worked well for us, providing income
potential for the landlord during volatile marketing years, yet helping us, as tenants, manage
our risk.

• The fertility level of your farm will be maintained or improved, as needed. Fertility is
essential for the success of our business, and we have been brought up to leave land better than
we found it.

• We begin mowing roadsides, waterways, and pasture immediately after the completion of
planting season. Roadsides will be mowed a minimum of twice per summer, or more as needed.

• We have heavy equipment and a laser system to accurately measure grade and can provide
land improvement services to you at a lower cost than custom operators. We are willing to help
oversee capital improvements.

• Controlling erosion and maintaining drainage systems are very important to us. We are
dedicated to environmental improvements. We will use appropriate tillage practices.

• We are willing to meet or contact you regarding the progress of growing and crop
conditions on your farm as often as you would like updates, and welcome the opportunity to
hear and share ideas.

• Farming is competitive. We are young, yet offer over 10 years experience in farming. We
know the importance of timely and efficient management.