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Auctioneers qualify for World Livestock Auctioneer Championship at Midwest Regional

(L to R) Daniel Mitchell, Reserve Champion; Justin Dodson, Champion; Brennin Jack, Runner-Up

(L to R) Daniel Mitchell, Reserve Champion; Justin Dodson, Champion; Brennin Jack, Runner-Up

December 9, 2014

Kansas City, Mo.

Oklahoma auctioneer wins World Livestock Auctioneer Championship qualifier
Alabama, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma auctioneers qualify for WLAC

Justin Dodson, Welch, Okla., was named Champion at the 2015 World Livestock Auctioneer Championship (WLAC) Midwestern Regional Qualifying Event. The second of three qualifiers was hosted by Coffeyville Livestock Market, Coffeyville, Kan. on December 4. A total of 22 contestants competed for a top 10 placing that grants them a spot in the 2015 WLAC at Clifton Livestock Commission Co. in Clifton, Texas.

A WLAC-contest veteran, Dodson has competed 12 times. After a Reserve Champion finish at the WLAC a few years ago, Dodson made the decision to take some time off from the competition to spend time with family. Now, back and refocused, Dodson says that winning the 2015 WLAC Midwestern Qualifier means a lot.

“I love the competition. I love the drive, and I’d hoped I would still have that fire. After I stepped in the block today, I knew it was there,” Dodson said. The Welch, Okla., auctioneer is excited for another chance to win the World Livestock Auctioneer Champion title and opportunity to represent the livestock marketing industry.

Dodson started auctioneering over 20 years ago, after chasing a childhood dream cultivated from days spent with his dad buying cattle a local livestock auction markets.

Also making a great showing were Reserve Champion Daniel Mitchell, Cumberland, Ohio and Runner-Up Brennin Jack, Prince Albert, Sask. The remaining contestants who earned a top ten finish are Justin Abell, Sigourney, Iowa; Mitch Barthel, Perham, Minn.; Leon Caselman, Long Lane, Mo.; Mike Godberson, Pawnee, Okla.; Blake McDaniel, Tallassee, Ala.; Brandon Neely, Southside, Ala.; and Robb Taylor, Perkins, Okla.

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 are Jared Anstine, Holden, Mo.; Justin Banzhaf, Cambridge, Neb.; Jake Bettencourt, Hilmar, Calif.; Dillon Gross, Bradleyville, Mo.; Roger Hoffman, Shady Point, Okla.; Eric Lassiter, Bartlesville, Okla.; Kyle Layman, North Platte, Neb.; Justin Mebane, Bakersfield, Calif.; Billy J. Monk, Weatherford, Texas; Bill Nance, Sheldon, Mo.; Ethan Schuette, Washington, Kan.; and Jeff Showalter, Broadway, Va.

For more information or to arrange interviews, contact Lindsay Graber at lgraber@lmaweb.com.

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.


About the Livestock Marketing Association

The Livestock Marketing Association (LMA), headquartered in Overland Park, Kan., is North America’s leading, national trade association dedicated to serving its members in the open and competitive auction method of marketing livestock. Founded in 1947, LMA has more than 800 member businesses across the U.S. and Canada and remains invested in both the livestock and livestock marketing industries through member support, education programs, policy representation and communication efforts.



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