WESTLOCK – Livestock auctioneers from across North America will compete for an international championship Sept. 8 when they take part in the No Borders Livestock Auctioneering Championships at VJV Auction Co. Westlock Cattles Sales.
About 15 to 20 auctioneers, including several from central and southern Alberta and three, well-known, local industry experts Justin Pots, Brad Martens and Travis Sekura are all expected to compete in the one-day event that begins at 9 a.m.
Westlock-and-area residents are invited to attend the free event and cheer on the local competitors, as they take part in long-rounds and short-rounds and demonstrate their skill and knowledge of livestock auctioneering.
“Promoting the livestock industry is what it’s all about,” said VJV Westlock Auction manager and one of this year’s participants, Travis Sekura. “There’s a long round that everybody competes in and then the top five or seven guys come back for the finals.”
Sekura said the event alternates between locations both south the border and in Canada. The first event was held in Innisfail while last year’s was held in Florida and this will be the first time Westlock has hosted.
Competitors are scored on their marketing value on the cattle and how they sell cattle including “their clarity in how they sell, their rhythm, how they start cattle and where they finish the cattle at.”
Sekura noted that livestock auctioneering is a popular industry in Alberta with plenty of interest across North America.
“It’s (an opportunity) to show off the different auctioneers and how they market their cattle and doing the best for the producers,” said Sekura.
