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For Immediate Release

December 20, 2011

Fairview Sale Barn hosting World Livestock Auctioneer Champion Jan. 7; public invited to listen to his championship chant

     FAIRVIEW, ILL. – The Fairview Sale Barn will host the winner of the 2011 World Livestock Auctioneer Championship (WLAC), Charly Cummings, at a special livestock sale on Jan. 7.
     The sale will start at noon. It is free and open to the public, said Bob Fidler, co-owner of the livestock market at 1120 Carter Street.
     Fidler said the sale will consist of totally black or Angus cross cattle, and all of them will be weaned and vaccinated.
     He got acquainted with Cummings while Fidler was a judge for the 2011 WLAC, “so when I learned Charly was available to come to our market, I jumped at the chance to have him.
     “I think he’s a big asset to the cattle industry, and a terrific ambassador for livestock markets.  He will attract people on the seventh who probably haven’t been here before, and will do a lot of good for our market.”
     Cummings, 32, is from Yates Center, Kan. He defeated 32 other contestants to win this year’s WLAC, held in June in Williamston, S.C. 
     It was his fourth time competing for the world title
     His previous highest finish was in Oklahoma City in 2010, when he was named runner-up world champion, or third place.  In 2008, he won the “Rookie of the Year” award, given to the first-time contestant with the highest score in that year’s semi-finals.
     The annual WLAC, now in its 48th year, is widely considered the World Series and Super Bowl of the livestock auctioneering profession.
     The contest was created and is conducted by Livestock Marketing Association, the national trade association for progressive marketing businesses like the Fairview market.
     In addition to being an auctioneer, Cummings is a partner in Southeast Kansas Stockyards in Gas, Kan.
     During his year as champion, he is traveling across the U.S., appearing at LMA member markets and at industry events. And that’s just fine with him.
     “I’m enjoying visiting livestock marketing businesses like the one in Fairview, helping to turn the spotlight on what they do for America’s independent livestock producers, day in and day out,” Cummings said.
     “Like markets all across the country, Bob’s market offers competitive marketing, where a producer’s cattle are put in front of several buyers – and competitive marketing is the best way to get the best price.”
     Fidler said, “For everyone who enjoys listening to a great auctioneer, our market is the place to be on January seventh.  Come and help us welcome Charly to Fairview.”