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For Immediate Release

June 15, 2010

Can’t attend the World Livestock Auctioneer Championship in OKC June 19? Catch the RFD-TV WLAC special, premiering July 12

     OKLAHOMA CITY -- The exciting competition of the 2010 World Livestock Auctioneer Championship (WLAC), to be held here June 19, is undoubtedly best viewed in person.
     But for those who can’t be at the Oklahoma National Stockyards for the contest, Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) has a suggestion: tune in RFD-TV at 8 p.m. (ET)  July 12, for the premiere of a one-hour special on the Championship.
     Additional broadcast dates will be announced later, LMA officials said.
     RFD-TV, the first 24-hour network aimed at rural America, is on cable systems in all 50 states. On the Dish Network, it’s channel 231, and on DirecTV, it’s channel 345.
      LMA created and conducts the annual WLAC, now in its 47th year.  LMA Vice President -- and 2006 world champion -- David Macedo, said the trade association holds the contest “because it showcases the competitive livestock marketing system and the outstanding auctioneering talent we have throughout this industry – talent that works for both buyers and sellers.”
      In addition to an appreciation for that talent, Macedo hopes that viewers of the program take away an understanding that “while the livestock industry and livestock marketing are hundreds of years old, they continue to evolve, in the quality of the cattle we produce, and how we move them from seller to buyer -- and ultimately, from the pasture to the plate.”
      Kristen Parman, WLAC manager and LMA’s vice president for membership services, said the program “is a great opportunity to bring our story to RFD-TV’s rural audience, who may or may not know about livestock production and marketing, and the beef industry.”
     Co-hosting the program again this year, for the fourth time, are two former world champions – 1998’s Lex Madden, and 2002’s John Korrey.
     The program will profile the 33 semi-finalists, and then focus on the 10 finalists, through interviews and a look at their auctioneering styles.
     There also will be behind-the-scenes interviews with current world champion Ty Thompson, LMA officials and guests, “and the former world champions who always attend the contest,” Parman said.
     Thirty-two of the semi-finalists made it to Oklahoma City by qualifying at one of four quarter-final competitions conducted last fall.  The top eight scorers in each competition move on to the WLAC.
     The 33rd contestant is Paul Ramirez, Tucson, Ariz., the current International Auctioneer Champion.  LMA traditionally gives a “bye” into the semi-finals to the winner of that contest.
     The semi-finalists are judged on two elements: an interview on industry topics and issues, conducted during LMA’s Annual Convention on June 18, and as they sell several drafts of cattle during the actual sale at the market on the 19th.
     The ten finalists, as determined by their combined interview and selling scores, then return to the auction block for a final round of selling. The three titlists – world, reserve and runner-up – are announced at an awards banquet the evening of the 19th.
     The three winners take home thousands of dollars in cash and prizes, including, for the world champion, a year’s use of a new truck.
     The contest starts at 8 a.m.  There is no admission charge, and it’s open to the public.