Jared Miller, Leon, IA, was named Champion at the 2018 World Livestock Auctioneer Championship (WLAC) Western Regional Qualifying Event Sept. 30. The auctioneering contest was hosted by Imperial Auction Market, Imperial, NE, and was the first of three qualifiers. A total of 23 contestants competed for a top 10 placing, granting them a spot in the 2018 WLAC at Bloomington Livestock Exchange in Bloomington, WI, hosted by the Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) in conjunction with the LMA Annual Convention.
Miller, a third-generation auctioneer, remembers helping out the family auction business as a kid, running tickets during sales. He “fell in love with the chant,” and decided to follow in his family’s footsteps by becoming an auctioneer. Today, he sells regularly at two livestock auction markets as well as at other types of sales.
The 2018 auctioneering contest will mark Miller’s fourth year of competing in the WLAC, and he hopes to bring the same mindset from the qualifier to the world championship. Additionally, Miller said he is looking forward to attending sessions at the LMA Annual Convention and interacting with other auctioneers and members of the livestock marketing industry.
He notes, “Competing in the WLAC has made me a better auctioneer and better person.” Miller went on to add that he encourages livestock auctioneers to compete in the WLAC for those reasons and that he is “proof” of the many benefits the contest offers.
Miller was sponsored by Lamoni Livestock Market in Lamoni, IA.
Also making a great showing were Reserve Champion Kyle Layman of Morland, KS, and Runner-up Champion, Jason Santomaso of Sterling, CO. Thad McDermott, Wellfleet, NE, received the Top Rookie award, which is given to the high scoring first-time contestant. Completing the top 10 WLAC qualifiers are Mitch Barthel, Perham, MN; Chuck Bradley, Alexandria City, AL; Eric Drees, Nampa, ID; Will Epperly, Dunlap, IA; Mike Godberson, Pawnee, OK; and Lander Nicodemus, Burns, WY.
Each qualifying event 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; and their ability to catch bids and conduct the sale. Judges are livestock market owners and managers from across the United States. The 2018 WLAC Western Regional Qualifier was judged by Darrell Ailshie, Tennessee Livestock Producers, Inc., Columbia, TN; Seth Crain, Union Commission Co, Inc., Hondo, TX; Doug Dietterle; Faith Livestock Auction, LLC, Faith, SD; John Korrey, 2002 World Livestock Auctioneer Champion, Iliff, CO; and Bill Patton, South Central Regional Stockyard, Vienna, MO.
Additional contestants who competed include: Ross Annett, Brooks, AB, CN; Bill Cook, Billings, MT; Greg Goggins, Billings, MT; Sam Hansen, Sisseton, SD; Craig Heinen, Cawker City, KS; Kirby Hill, Paris, TX; Brennin Jack, Prince Albert, SK, CN; Dillon Lambley, Burke, SD; Josh Larson, Haxtun, CO; Daniel Otte, Rushville, NE; Ethan Schuette, Washington, KS; Lonnie Stripe, Humeston, IA; Tyler Sudik, Ceresco, NE; Layne Weber, Lander, WY; and Curtis Wetovick, Fullerton, NE. — LMA
