Bill Angell of La Salle has been promoted to livestock manager for next year’s National Western Stock Show & Rodeo. Angell has been stockyards manager for seven years.
He also is area coordinator for the American Polled Hereford Association, head of field services for the Record Stockman newspaper, head of commercial exhibits for the International Arabian Horse Association and marketing director for Superior Livestock Auctions.
Q. What, exactly, does a livestock manager do?
A. You manage the livestock activities and shows, sales and auctions that go with the stock. To get ready for the two weeks of the show, we have all kinds of committees, planning and budget issues that go on. It’s a year-round thing.
Q. How has the cattle industry changed during your career?
A. I’ve been in the cattle business since 1968. I’ve seen a lot of changes in (cattle) type, price structure, a lot of changes in grazing and growth patterns. It’s a lot more technical now, a lot more of a business than it used to be. A lot more people now approach the industry from a business and technical standpoint, rather than strictly a ranch perspective.
Q. How important are the cows to the success of the show?
A. The cattle is the reason we’ve had a show for 101 years. If you take the livestock out, then you’ve got a carnival. Because Denver has a stock show is the reason we have the traditions we have as part of the West.
Q. During the two weeks of the show, what’s the greatest challenge?
A. I guess trying to educate people about the Western way of life. Education is why we do what we do, and it’s not easy. People come to our show every year because they want to be entertained and they want to learn something. We have to figure out the best way to do that and come up with new ideas every year.
– Staff writer Joey Bunch
