Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wyoming auctioneers qualify for World Livestock Auctioneer Championship.
Chuck Bradley, Rockford, Ala., was named Champion at the 2020 World Livestock Auctioneer Championship (WLAC) Western Regional Qualifying Event. Crawford Livestock Market, LLC in Crawford, Neb., hosted the first of three WLAC qualifying events on Friday, Oct. 11. A total of 33 contestants competed for a top-ten placing, granting them a spot in the 2020 WLAC semi-finals at Dickson Regional Livestock Center, Inc. in Dickson, Tennessee.
A relative newcomer to the championship, Bradley started competing in the WLAC in 2017. He made the event’s semi-finals in 2018, and in 2019 received the Reserve Champion title. When asked about winning the Western Regional Qualifying Event, Bradley said winning was reassurance he could compete in the WLAC and to win with so many talented auctioneers at the event was a feat in itself.
Bradley didn’t grow up with an auctioneering background. His father was a police officer, but he remembered listening to cattle auctioneers as a child. “They were always your hero, the guys that ran the sale,” he said.
Bradley added, “You know that title of World Champion Livestock Auctioneer is not something that you will ever get to do again. You win it one time. What it means for me and why I want to do it is because of where I came from. I did not grow up in the auction industry. I’m a first-generation auctioneer and to be able to win that title would show that anybody can do it. No matter where you came from or what your background was, that if you have a dream, you can do it once you set your mind to it.”
In 2014, Bradley attended auctioneer school at North Georgia School of Auctioneering and then took his first auctioneering job selling for Montgomery Stock Yards of Montgomery, Alabama, his sponsor for the event.
A live cattle sale took place with actual bidders in the seats. Contestants were judged on the clarity and quality of their auction chant; auctioneer presentation; ability to catch bids and conduct the sale; and how likely the judge would be to hire the auctioneer. Judges for each qualifying event are livestock market owners, managers, dealers and/or allied industry members from across the United States.
Also making a great showing were Reserve Champion Steve Goedert, Dillon, Montana; Runner-Up Will Epperly, Dunlap, Iowa, and Top Rookie Collin Gibbs, Miles City, Montana. The remaining contestants who earned a top-ten finish are Zach Ballard, Mitchell, South Dakota.; Neil Bouray, Webber, Kansas; Eric Drees, Caldwell, Idaho; Kyle Layman, North Platte, Nebraska; Lander Nicodemus, Cheyenne, Wyoming.; Sixto Paiz, Portales, New Mexico; and Dustin Smith, Jay, Oklahoma.
Other contestants who competed are Jared Anstine, Kingsville, Missouri.; Ted Baum, Elgin, Nebrska; Andy Baumeister, Mullin, Texas; Spencer Cline, Kingston, Arkamsas; Dean Edge, Rimbey, Alberta; Collin Gibbs, Miles City, Montana; Jacob Hillis, Rideway, Wisconsin; Travis Holck, Ruthton, Minnesota; Jake Hopwood, Valentine, Nebraska; Jase Hubert, Olpe, Kansas; Lynn Langvardt, Chapman, Kansas; Josh Larson, Haxtun, Colorado; Curt Littau, Carter, South Dakota; Jalen Mathis, Hutto, Texas; Gregg Matney, Lusk, Wyoming; Jeremy Miller, Fairland, Oklahoma; Terry Moe, Watford City, North Dakota; Drake Morrow, Opp, Alabama; Larry Nisly, Quaker City, Ohio; Mark Oberholtzer, Loyal, Wisconsin, Kirk Otte, Rushville, Nebraska; Ethan Schuette, Washington, Kansas; and Curtis Wetovick, Fullerton, Nebraska.
About the World Livestock Auctioneer Championship
In June 1963, Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) held the first annual World Livestock Auctioneer Championship. 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: Livestock Marketing Association