LMA: Farmers Livestock Exchange, Inc. to host World Livestock Auctioneer Championship qualifier November 18th
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (November 4, 2019) – Farmers Livestock Exchange, Inc., 1995 N Western Pike, Winchester, Va. will host the second of three regional qualifying events for the World Livestock Auctioneer Championship (WLAC). The eastern regional qualifying event will be November 18. Opening ceremonies will commence at 2:00 p.m. EST with the awards ceremony to follow. A total of 34 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 include:
Alex Anderson, Abingdon, VA; Andy Baumeister, Mullin, TX; Tyler Bradfield, Baker, W.VA Troy Bradshaw, Lipan, TX; Colton Brantley, Modesto, CA; Spencer Cline, Kingston, AR.; Brandon Frey, Ft. Collins, CO.; Donnie Gadd, Berea, KY.; Philip Gilstrap, Pendleton, SC; Wendell Grove, Littlestown, PA; Cody Hanold, Brighton, IL; Kirby Hill, Paris, TX; Kent Korte, Metropolis, IL; Wade Leist, Boyne City, MI; Jacob Massey, Petersburg, TN; Justin Mebane, Bakersfield, CA; Jeremy Miller, Fairland, OK; Terry Moe, Watford City, ND; Ben Morgan, Organ Cave, W.Va.; Trey Narramore, Portales, NM; Larry Nisly, Quaker City, OH; Chris Pinard, Swainsboro, GA; Joshua Puffenbarger, Mount Solon, VA; Grant Rhodes, Singers Glen, VA; Jay Romine, Mt. Washington, KY; Jim Settle, Arroyo Grande, CA; Jeff Showalter, Broadway, VA; Robert Strickler, Banco, VA; Marshal Tingle, Nicolasville, KY; Jason Walker, Ashland, AL; Wes Weeks, Saluda, SC; Shane Wolff, Golden Valley, ND; Vern Yoder, Dundee, OH; and Zack Zumstein, Marsing, ID.
The public may attend the livestock auction and competition free of charge. It will also be streamed live on www.LMAAuctions.com and available via the Livestock Marketing Association YouTube channel by searching WLAC.
Annually the qualifying events are balanced regionally across the LMA Membership. The western regional was held at Crawford Livestock Market, LLC, Crawford, Neb.; October 11. The midwestern regional will be held at Stockmen’s Livestock Exchange, Inc., Yankton, S.D.; January 8.
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.
About the Livestock Marketing Association
The Livestock Marketing Association, headquartered in Overland Park, Kan., is North America’s largest membership organization dedicated to supporting, representing and communicating with and for the entire livestock marketing sector. LMA has more than 800 member businesses across the U.S. and Canada. For more information, visit www.LMAWeb.com.