Stockmen’s Livestock, Inc. to host World Livestock Auctioneer Championship qualifier January 8
OVERLAND PARK, Ks.
– Stockmen’s Livestock
Inc., 1200 E Hwy 50, Yankton, SDwill host the final of three regional qualifying events
for the World Livestock Auctioneer Championship (WLAC). The midwestern regional
qualifying event will be January 8. Opening ceremonies will commence at 9:00
a.m. CST with the awards ceremony to follow. A total of 36 contestants will
compete for a top 10 placing, granting them a spot in the semi-finals for the
2020 WLAC at Dickson Regional Livestock Center, LLC, in Dickson, Tenn.
Each qualifying event
is a live sale where each contestant auctions 8 drafts of livestock
(traditionally cattle) to actual bidders. Contestants are judged on the clarity
of their auction chant, professionalism and their ability to conduct the sale
while catching bids.
Contestants competing are:
Frederick Bodnarus, Saskatoon, Sask.
Troy Bradshaw, Lipan, Texas
Jeff Bynum, Attalla, Ala.
Albert Carroll, Downeyville, Ont.
Leon Caselman, Long Lane, Mo.
Dakota Davis, Waukomis, Okla.
Dean Edge, Rimbey, Alta.
Brandon Frey, Ft. Collins, Colo.
Collin Gibbs, Miles City, Mont.
Patrick Greenleaf, Wilmore, Kan.
Brandon Hamel, Damar, Kan.
Cody Hanold, Brighton, Ill.
Seth Harvey, Jackson, Ga.
Brett Heath, Colome, S.D.
Jacob Hills, Ridgeway, Wis.
Jake Hopwood, Valentine, Neb.
Kent Korte, Metropolis, Ill.
Ed Leist, Petoskey, Mich.
Curt Littau, Carter, S.D.
Justin Mebane, Bakersfield, Calif.
Daniel Mitchell, Cumberland, Ohio
Kyle Mueller, Bloomington, Wis.
Clayton Neumann, Bigfoot, Texas
Mark Oberholtzer, Loyal, Wis.
Jake Parnell, Sacramento, Calif.
Chris Pinard, Swainsboro, Ga.
Jay Romine, Mt. Washington, Ky.
Jim Settle, Arroyo Grande, Calif.
Jeff Showalter, Broadway, Va.
Ryan Siecke, Creighton, Neb.
Robert Strickler, Banco, Va.
Marshal Tingle, Nicolasville, Ky.
Brad Veurink, Corsica, S.D.
Curtis Wetovick, Fullerton, Neb.
Mike Witten, Trenton, Mo.
Zack Zumstein, Marsing, Idaho.
The public may attend
the livestock auction and competition free of charge. It will also be streamed
live on www.LMAAuctions.com and the LMA Youtube channel by going to Youtube.com and searching WLAC.
The remaining
qualifying events are balanced regionally across the LMA Membership. The
western regional was held at Crawford Livestock Market, LLC; October 11. The
eastern regional was held at Farmers Livestock, Inc; November 18.
About the World
Livestock Auctioneer Championship
In June 1963,
Livestock Marketing Association held the first annual World Livestock
Auctioneer Championship (WLAC). The purpose: to spotlight North America's top
livestock auctioneers and to showcase their professionalism and important role
in the competitive livestock marketing process.
The championship,
held annually in conjunction with the LMA annual convention, consists of three
rounds; the regional qualifying competitions, semi-finals and finals.
Contestants competing for the World Champion title must be 18 years old,
regularly employed as a livestock auctioneer and sponsored by at least one
regularly selling livestock auction.
The World Champion serves as a spokesperson and ambassador for the livestock marketing industry during their reign through direct outreach to livestock producers, auction visits and other public appearances throughout the year.
Source: LMA