Torrington Livestock Markets to host World Livestock Auctioneer Championship Qualifier Jan. 14
Blaine Lotz, 2014 World Livestock Auctioneer Champion, to emcee Torrington, Wyo. event

Torrington Livestock Markets, 626 West Valley Road, Torrington, Wyo. 82240, will host the final of three qualifying events for the 2015 World Livestock Auctioneer Championship (WLAC). The western regional qualifying event will be January 14 beginning at 9:30 a.m. MST. A total of 24 contestants will compete for a top 10 placing that grants them a spot in the 2015 WLAC at Clifton Livestock Commission in Clifton, Texas.

An actual cattle sale will take place, and the reigning World Livestock Auctioneer Champion, Blaine Lotz, will be attending the qualifier as event emcee. Torrington Livestock Markets is expecting 3,500-4,500 head of cattle for the feeder special.

Contestants competing are Ross Annett, Brooks, AB; Jared Anstine, Holden, Mo.; Jake Billington, Twin Falls, Idaho; Johnny Borba, Woodlake, Calif.; Dustin Burkhart, Tehachapi, Calif.; Jake Cheechov, Eugene, Ore.; Dan Clark, Winner, S.D.; Bill Cook, Huntley, Mont.; Brian Curless, Pittsfield, Ill.; Mason Duncan, Fort Duchesne, Utah; Michael Imbrogno, Fresno, Calif.; Garrett Jones, Los Banos, Calif.; Rick Lehman, Gilbert, Ariz.; Justin Mebane, Bakersfield, Calif.; Jared Miller, Leon, Iowa; Larry Nisly, Quaker City, Ohio; Paul Ramirez, Tucson, Ariz.; Duane Rus, Rock Valley, Iowa; Kevin Schow, Paxton, Neb.; Russele Sleep, Bedford, Iowa; Preston Smith, Imperial, Neb.; Garrett Underwood, Louisville, Ky.; Shane Wolff, Golden Valley, N.D.; Zack Zumstein, Prairie, Idaho.

The public may attend the livestock auction and competition free of charge. It will also be streamed live on www.LMAAuctions.com beginning at 9:30 a.m. (MST).

The Wednesday, January 14 auctioneering competition at Torrington Livestock Markets is a live sale where the contestants auction cattle to actual bidders in the seats. Contestants are judged on the clarity of their auction chant; vocal quality; their ability to catch bids and conduct the sale. Judges are livestock market owners and managers from across the United States.

Media are welcome to attend the live auctioneering competition. To arrange interviews during the contest or for on-site information, contact Lindsay Graber at (816) 301-2426, or email 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.