Stavely hosts International auctioneer championship

By Rob Vogt, Local Press Writer

Stavely attracted some pretty fast talkers last week.

Foothills Auctioneers hosted the 2019 Calgary Stampede International Livestock Auctioneer Championship Preliminary Round on July 12, attracting 27 auctioneers from Canada, the United States, Australia, and South Africa.

“I figure it went well,” said Rob Bergevin, auctioneer, manager of the auction market and one of the main organizers of the event.

The preliminary round served as a qualification for the final, which took place at the Calgary Stampede on Saturday, July 13.

“It gives you an opportunity to compete in the finals,” Bergevin said.

The 27 participants took their turns competing, then the top 10 were chosen for the final.

The scores from the preliminary round were combined with the scores from the final round to determine the winners.

Only the end results are public knowledge, so the competitors didn’t know their scores going into the finals.

The panel of five judges examined several different criteria: spotting bids; rhythm, clarity, and voice control; appearance, mannerisms, and deportment; repartee and timing; and livestock knowledge and ability to conduct a sale.

“I always throw in, ‘would you hire this auctioneer?’,” Bergevin said.

When the dust settled, Tim Yoder of Montezuma, Georgia was named champion; Wade Leist of Boyne City, Michigan was reserve champion; and Trev Moravec of David City, Nebraska, was third.

Lane Purdie of Red Deer was the top rookie, and Jordie Waters of Stavely also finished in the top 10.

“We had a great representation,” Bergevin said, noting the competitors from South Africa and Australia were the national champions of their respective countries.

The competition provided other benefits as well.

“We have an opportunity to showcase our industry and we get an opportunity to show true price discovery,” Bergevin said, which is the price determined by auctioning.

“The market was very good, extremely strong,” he added.

The sale featured about 1,200 head of cattle, higher than an average sale, because customers hung on to their cattle to sell them specifically at this sale.

“We were really grateful for that,” Bergevin said. “It’s not an easy task to gather cattle.”

He also appreciates the Calgary Stampede for choosing Stavely.

“It brings a spotlight to Stavely,” Bergevin said. “This (event) truly brings an international flavour to it.”

He noted the Calgary Stampede is an organization primarily dedicated to the preservation of western heritage and the western lifestyle.

Bergevin pointed to a note he received from Scott McKinnon, event committee sub-chair, of the Calgary Stampede.

“Feedback from contestants, spectators and sponsors for both the Friday and Saturday event have been overwhelmingly positive. Through your efforts, this years auctioneer competition was one of the most successful and professional agricultural events presented at Stampede 2019,” he said.

“We’re pretty honoured to have that at our little market down here in Stavely,” he said.

The opening ceremonies featured all the participants entering the auction ring escorted by a member of the RCMP in red serge; flag bearers; dignitaries; and Jack Broomfield singing O Canada.

Gentry Hall, mayor of Stavely, welcomed everyone to this small community located in the middle of Southern Alberta.

“This auction mart is a very important thing in our community,” he said, adding it helps all sorts of community activities. “They support everything.”

Roger Reid, MLA for Livingstone-Macleod, said it was good to be home and wished everyone success.

“I hope there are more buyers than auctioneers,” he said with a smile.

John Barlow, MP for Foothills, echoed Reid’s sentiments.

“It’s nice to be home where there’s a lot of common sense,” he said.

“This is an incredible group of auctioneers,” he added. “You are bringing the world and North America to our constituency.

“That means a lot to us.”