For more information or to be added to the media contact list, please contact:
John J. McBride
800-821-2048
jmcbride@lmaweb.com

For Immediate Release

August 20, 2010

Montgomery, Ala., Stock Yards on Sept. 13 hosts 30 contestants seeking to win 2011 World Livestock Auctioneer Championship

     MONTGOMERY, ALA. -- Thirty livestock auctioneers will compete here Sept. 13 at the Montgomery Stock Yards with the same goal: winning LMA’s 2011 World Livestock Auctioneer Championship (WLAC).
     The Montgomery market is hosting the first of four qualifying contests for the 2011 WLAC. Three titlists will be named at each qualifying contest, and the top eight scorers from each contest will move on to the June 25 WLAC, at the Upstate Livestock Exchange, Williamston, S.C.
     All the contests are actual livestock sales, with buyers on the seats. Stock Yards owner Jerry Etheredge said the contest’s opening ceremonies will start at 12:30 p.m., with the contest and sale beginning at 1 p.m.
     There is no charge to attend the contest. The market is located at 4500 Mobile Highway.
     Etheredge expects 1,000 head of feeder cattle for the sale, “from some of this area’s top producers.”
     He added, “All of us with the Stock Yards are excited to showcase these talented auctioneers, and promote the competitive method of livestock marketing – it’s the best way to get the best price for your cattle.”
     The Stock Yards is not only hosting the contest on the 13th, it’s also “Customer Appreciation Day.”  A free lunch will be served, “with barbecue brisket and all the trimmings,” Etheredge said.
     The WLAC – next year will be the 48th annual – is widely considered the Super Bowl and World Series of the livestock auctioneering profession. It is sponsored and conducted by LMA, the national trade association for progressive marketing businesses like the Montgomery market.
    LMA President David Macedo said the qualifying contests and the WLAC “are LMA’s way of recognizing some of the many outstanding auctioneers who work in our industry.
     “The contests also let us salute the work that auction markets all across the country – like the Montgomery Stock Yards – do to provide competitive marketing services to America’s independent livestock producers.”
     The master of ceremonies for each qualifying contest will be Kyle Shobe, the 2010 world champion. Contest rules prohibit the world champion from re-entering.
     Contestants must be at least 18 years old, and employed and sponsored by a livestock market.
     Contest judges, all LMA members, score each contestant on vocal clarity and quality, bid-catching ability, conduct of the sale and personal expression. The judges also ask, “Would this auctioneer make a good spokesperson for the livestock industry?”
     The Montgomery contestants, followed by their hometowns, are: A.J. Austin, Paragould, Ark.; Jake Bettencourt, Hilmar, Calif.; Mike Boswell, Hatchechubbee, Ala.; Mike Brown, Bethel, Ohio; Jeff Bynum, Southside, Ala.;
     Leon Caselman, Long Lane, Mo.; Shannon Davis, Winnsboro, Texas; Kirk Davis, Lumberton, Miss.; Justin Dodson, Welch, Okla.; Dustin Focht, Stillwater, Okla.;
     Brandon Frey, Creston, Iowa; Philip Gilstrap, Pendleton, S.C.; Doug Hahn, Watseka, Ill.; Jim Hertzog, Butler, Mo.; Garrett Jones, Los Banos, Calif.;
     Marvin Keck, New Tazewell, Tenn.; Ed Knight, Seymour, Tenn.; Jacob Massey, Petersburg, Tenn.;  Andrew McDowell, Vandalia, Ill.; Brandon Neely, Southside, Ala.;
     Tanner Ragan, Sulphur Springs, Texas; Jimmy Robinson, McCormick, S.C.; Roger D. Robinson, Orleans, Ind.; Jay Romine, Mt. Washington, Ky.; Duane Rus, Rock Valley, Iowa;
     Jeff Showalter, Broadway, Va.; David M. Simpson, Morrison, Tenn.; Wesley Ware, Charles Town, W.Va.; T.J Williams, Poplarville, Miss.; and Billy Younkin, Cecil, Ala.
     The champion in each qualifying contest receives a cash award and a custom-made belt buckle. A buckle is also awarded to the reserve and runner-up champion in each of these contests.
     The three titlists in next June’s WLAC – the world champion, reserve and runner-up champions – win thousands of dollars in cash and prizes.
     The remaining three qualifying contests will be Oct. 23 at Vold, Jones & Vold Auction Co., Inc., Ponoka, Alberta; Oct. 28, at Burlington Livestock Exchange, Burlington, Colo., and March 4, Bloomington Livestock Exchange, Bloomington, Wisc.
     There is still time to enter the remaining WLAC Quarterfinals.  Full rules and an entry form can be found online at www.LMAWEB.com.     
     The qualifying contests, and the WLAC, will be broadcast live at www.LMAAuctions.com.