So far 2017 has been a good season for the BC Livestock Association, says Wade McNolty, yard manager at the Williams Lake Stockyards.
“From October on, we have about 30 sales a year plus farm and equipment sales,” McNolty said.
Aside from being the yard manager, McNolty also works ringside catching bids during the sales.
McNolty grew up in Vanderhoof and moved to Williams Lake in 1997 because of rodeo.
He rode bulls for 10 years up until he retired in 2007.
“I stayed mostly here, but I did go over to Alberta and hit up some pro rodeos,” he said.
The sudden death of bull rider Ty Pozzobon by suicide in January hit hard, McNolty said.
“Ty was a good kid, it’s sad. Too much talent, gone too soon.”
Now, he sometimes competes in roping and steer wrestling.
This summer at the Williams Lake Stampede he will be there as one of the pick-up men helping guys get off the bucking horses.
Working at the stockyards and being on the rodeo circuit is a good combination because he can do a lot of business on the road, he said.