Auctioneers Compete in Shipshewana
Published: Friday, June 17, 2022
The eyes of the auctioneering world were on the Shipshewana Livestock Auction last weekend as it hosted the World Livestock Auctioneer Championship.
Thirty-one contestants from across the United States and Canada competed for the coveted championship honor. The professional auctioneers participated in interviews last Friday at the Blue Gate Performing Arts Center and then competed in a live auction last Saturday at the auction arena.
Will Epperly of Dunlap, Iowa was selected as the winner. Over the course of the next year, he will represent the Livestock Marketing Assn. at auction markets throughout the country, and will serve as the group's spokesperson in Washington, D.C. (see related story this page).
The auctioneer contest was the highlight of LMA's annual convention in Shipshewana. The four-day event also featured LMA's annual meeting, educational sessions, fundraising dinner and other activities.
This was for the first time Shipshewana Livestock Auction has hosted the national auctioneer contest, according to Keith Lambright, auction owner. Shipshewana successfully hosted a regional qualifying event in 2017, and was scheduled to host the national championship event in 2020, but plans were postponed due to COVID-19. Fortunately, organizers were able to put Shipshewana on the calendar for 2022, which happens to be the 100th anniversary for the Shipshewana Livestock Auction.
Hosting the World Livestock Auctioneer Championship was no small task for Lambright and his staff. In addition to staging their weekly cattle auction last Wednesday, they organized consignments for the special Saturday sale. They also brought in buyers and VIPs.
According to Lambright, the meatpacking companies brought some of their top executives to the high-profile event. He estimated there were nine buyers representing slaughter plants, along with about 25 people bidding on feeder cattle.
The Shipshewana auction's sale arena received a fresh coat of paint and was adorned with banners recognizing all of the sponsors.
The 31 auctioneers qualified for the World Livestock Auctioneer Championship by placing in the top 10 at one of three regional qualifying events. The Canadian champion also earned a berth in the WLAC.
After introductions, the crowd of approximately 100 took off their cowboy hats to pay respect as the National Anthem was performed.
Though not a contestant, Lambright started the auction by selling bulls. He said this helped warm up the buyers before the 31 auctioneers took their turns on the auction stand.
Five judges scored the contestants based on criteria set by LMA: command of sale, introduction and professionalism, body language and eye contact, clarity, rhythm and timing, voice quality and control, knowledge of the product, accuracy and how likely that judge would be to hire that auctioneer.
The live auction accounted for 75 percent of the total score. Contestants moved through a semi-final round before the field was narrowed to 10 for the final round.
According to Lambright, over 1,100 cattle were sold last Saturday. They represented a wide variety of cattle, including both beef, dairy beef, a Brahman bull and even a buffalo bull.
Also factoring in the scoring was a round of interviews last Friday in which contestants were judged on their command, professionalism, knowledge, poise, eye contact and other factors.
In addition to the national champion auctioneer, awards were presented to the reserve champion, runnerup champion, high interview and rookie of the year.
This is a special year for Shipshewana Livestock Auction. Lambright's grandfather, Fred Lambright, purchased the auction facility in 1949 and ran it until 1961. At that point, his nephew, Walter Schrock, took over control of the business. Then, in 1981, the auction changed hands once again, as Keith and his father, Robert, and brother, Kevin, assumed ownership. Robert died in 1992, leaving Keith and Kevin in control. In 2015, Kevin sold his share of the business to Keith and wife Doreen.
Last Saturday, Keith thanked his customers, staff, family and God. Two years ago, he had open heart surgery and was away from the business for six months. His family and employees took over and the operation "never missed a beat," he said.
"This is what it's all about right here, people," Keith said as his family came forward to be recognized in the sale arena. "First is my wife, Doreen. She raised three children on her own. I was never home. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't have any of this."
Keith and Doreen have three children, Stacey, Jenni and Brian, and many grandchildren.
The Lambrights are planning a special 100-year anniversary celebration for October.
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