Ohio auctioneer wins World Livestock Auctioneer Championship qualifier
Alabama, Arizona, California, Illinois, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee auctioneers qualify for WLAC

Andy White, Ashland, Ohio, was named Champion at the 2016 World Livestock Auctioneer Championship (WLAC) Eastern Regional Qualifying Event. Franklin County Livestock in Carnesville, Ga. hosted the second of three WLAC qualifying events. A record-high total of 34 contestants competed for a top 10 placing, granting them a spot in the 2016 WLAC at Paris Stockyards in Paris, Ky.

White has been quite successful competing in WLAC qualifying events, having won the WLAC Eastern Regional Qualifying Event the last two years. His career as an auctioneer began 14 years ago, and White regularly sells at a livestock auction market, as well as for purebred cattle, real estate and equipment sales.

The champion auctioneer was sponsored by United Producers, Inc., Creston, Ohio.

Also qualifying for the WLAC were Reserve Champion, Brian Curless of Pittsfield, Ill.; Runner Up Champion and High Rookie, Neil Bouray of Superior, Neb.; Darren Carter, Ninety Six, S.C.; Justin Dodson, Welch, Okla.; Michael Imbrogno, Fresno, Calif.; Jacob Massey, Petersburg, Tenn.; Blake McDaniel, Tallassee, Ala.; Justin Mebane, Bakersfield, Calif.; and Paul Ramirez, Tucson, Ariz.

A live cattle sale took place with actual bidders in the seats. Contestants were judged on the clarity of their auction chant; vocal quality; ability to catch bids and conduct the sale; and if the judge would hire the auctioneer. Judges for each qualifying event are livestock market owners and managers from across the United States.

Other contestants who competed were Steven Bozzo, Bennett, N.C.; Cash Carter, Heavener, Okla.; Brent Croom, Dyer, Tenn.; Brandon Frey, Creston, Iowa; Brad Hess, Sardinia, Ohio; Kirby Hill, Paris, Texas; Jennifer Jones, Lumberton, Miss.; Mark Lane, Russellville, Ala.; Wade Leist, Boyne City, Mich.; Jeremiah Melson, Savannah, Tenn.; Ben Morgan, Ronceverte, W.Va.; Lee Morris, Pikeville, Tenn.; Lander Nicodemus, Cheyenne, Wyo.; Larry Nisly, Quaker City, Ohio; Alex Popplewell, Russell Springs, Ky.; Patrick Prather, Richmond, Ky.; Joshua Puffenbarger, Staunton, Va.; CJ Reed, Owingsville, Ky.; Jeff Showalter, Broadway, Va.; Daren Shumway, Mesa, Az.; Seth Waldroup, Westminster, S.C.; Joel White, Pauls Valley, Okla.; Chad Wilson, Portland, Tenn.; and Tim Yoder, Montezuma, Ga.

The contest will re-air on www.LMAauctions.com November 14 beginning at 12:00 p.m. CST.

About the World Livestock Auctioneer Championship
In June 1963, the Livestock Marketing Association held the first annual World Livestock Auctioneer Championship (WLAC) at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Denver, Colorado. The purpose: to spotlight North America’s top livestock auctioneers and to salute their traditionally important role in the competitive livestock marketing process. That year, 23 auctioneers from the United States and Canada sold the same 20 head of cattle over and over again.

The contest was held at hotels until 1967, when it traveled to its first LMA member market. Since then the WLAC has been held in conjunction with the LMA Marketing Industry Convention at member markets around the U.S. and Canada. Recent locations include California, Missouri, Montana, Tennessee, Kansas, South Dakota and Alberta, Canada.

Though the rules have changed, the enthusiasm for the competition hasn’t. On average each year, nearly 100 auctioneers enter the qualifying events and only 31 (10 from each qualifying event, one from the auctioneering competition at Calgary Stampede) are selected to compete in the WLAC. The championship consists of three stages: the regional qualifying events held at different markets around the country, followed by the semi-finals and the finals that are held each June in conjunction with the LMA Annual Convention. Contestants competing for the World Champion title must be 18 years old, employed as a livestock auctioneer and sponsored by a local auction market that shares in the favorable publicity generated by the winners.

LMA is proud to sponsor an event that brings together North America’s top livestock auctioneers in a competition that showcases professionalism and promotes the auction method of selling livestock.