Neil was recognized for his excellence and efficiency in sheep production. The award was sponsored by the North Dakota Lamb and Wool Producers Association and the NDSU Extension Service.

Utilization of existing facilities, a good feeding program, and the management savy during the lambing season are keys to the success of the Thormodsgard operation. Neil considers the lambing season the most important time during the year and makes it his full-time job. He lambs the 700 ewes out himself beginning in February and has a lambing rate of between 150 to 160 percent, including ewe lambs. Each year he breeds about 150 to 180 ewe lambs with a conception rate of 95 to 98 percent.

The ewe flock is based on Rambouillet, Columbia, and Dorset breeding. The Dorset has been the most recent addition. The ewes shear an average of 11 to 12 pounds.

The feeding program consists of pasture utilization and homegrown feeds. Ewes are run on grass all summer till the snow flies and then are fed ground alfalfa, forage sorghum silage and barley till the lambs are weaned in the last of April. Following shearing in January, the ewes are confined until the lambs are weaned.

Lambs are kept in confinement until finished. Ewe lambs kept for replacement are full fed until they reach 100 pounds and then they are turned out to pasture till breeding. When economics are favorable, Neil also feeds out additional lambs then his own.

Neil is a 4-H leader and a coordinator for the lamb teleauction in the southwest.