The first of three regional qualifying events for the World Livestock Auctioneer Championship (WLAC) will be hosted by Jackson County Regional Livestock Market, LLC in Ripley, W.V., Oct. 29.
Opening ceremonies will commence at 9:30 a.m. (ET), with the awards presentation following the competition. A total of 28 contestants will compete for a top 10 placing, granting them a spot in the semi-finals for the 2023 WLAC at Arcadia Stockyard in Arcadia, Fla.
Each qualifying event is a live sale where each contestant auctions eight drafts of livestock (traditionally cattle) to actual bidders. Contestants are judged on the clarity of their auction chant; professionalism; and their ability to conduct the sale while catching bids.
Contestants competing are Rob Bannister, Kent, N.Y.; Tyler Bradfield, Baker, W.V.; Spencer Cline, Kingston, Ark.; Dylan Crall, Bethesda, Ohio; Dakota Davis, Waukomis, Okla.; Conner Faucette, Creedmoor, N.C.; Andrew Finlay, Topeka, Kan.; Philip Gilstrap, Pendleton, S.C.; Marcus Kent, Dunnellon, Fla.; Takoda Kiser, Wytheville, Va.; Lynn Langvardt, Chapman, Kan.; Ed Leist, Gaylord, Mich.; Jeremy Miller, Fairland, Okla.; Justin Moore, Barnesville, Ohio; Ben Morgan, Organ Cave, W.V.; Ross Parks, New Concord, Ohio; Chris Pinard, Swainsboro, Ga.; Mason Plumly, Somerton, Ohio; Patrick Prather, Richmond, Ky.; Jack Riggs, Glenns Ferry, Idaho; Jay Romine, Mt. Washington, Ky.; Trevor Ruff, Malta, Ohio; Austin Schaben, Dunlap, Iowa; Marcus Showalter, Bridgewater, Va.; Jeff Showalter, Broadway, Va.; Shawn Silverberg, Fort Collins, Colo.; Marshal Tingle, Nicholasville, Ky.; and Scott Twardowski, Swanville, Minn.
The public may attend the livestock auction and competition free of charge. It will also be streamed live on the Livestock Marketing Association's Facebook page.
Qualifying events are balanced regionally across LMA membership. The second qualifying event will be held at Longview Livestock in Longview, Texas, Dec. 1. The final qualifying event will be held at Windsor Livestock Auction Co., Inc. in Windsor, Mo., Jan. 4.
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 support, representation and communication efforts.
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