Courtesy Livestock Marketing Association
The first 2023 World Livestock Auctioneer Championship (WLAC) qualifying event was held this past weekend in Ripley, W.Va, and Lynn Langvardt of Chapman, Kan. was named champion. A total of 27 contestants competed for a top ten placing, granting them a spot in the 2023 WLAC semifinals at Arcadia Stockyard in Arcadia, Fl.
“I grew up in the livestock marketing business,” Langvardt said. “My family has owned our market for 55 years, and I’m 49, so I grew up in it. I started auctioneering at a young age. My dad put me in when I was nine or ten, and the rest is history.”
A live cattle sale took place, with the market’s regular buyers and sellers in the seats. Auctioneer contestants were judged on the clarity and quality of their chant, presentation, ability to catch bids/conduct the sale and how likely the judge would be to hire the auctioneer. Judges for the qualifying event were livestock market owners, managers, dealers and/or allied industry members from across the nation.
Individuals advancing to the semifinals with Langvardt are Reserve Champion Dakota Davis, Waukomis, Okla.; Philip Gilstrap, Pendleton, S.C.; Marcus Kent, Dunnellon, Fla.; Ed Leist, Gaylord, Mich.; Jeremy Miller, Fairland, Okla.; Ben Morgan, Organ Cave, W.Va.; Runner Up Champion Chris Pinard, Swainsboro, Ga.; Jack Riggs, Glenns Ferry, Idaho; Jay Romine, Mt. Washington, Ky.