A SOUTH East stock agent has claimed back to back titles at the Australian Livestock and Property Agents’ (ALPA) Young Auctioneers Competition held at Naracoorte this week.
Some of state’s best and brightest auctioneers went head to head at the Naracoorte Regional Livestock Exchange with Elders Naracoorte’s Josh Reeves retaining his title.
The two day event included an auction school on Monday with each of the young agents selling three cattle pens in Tuesday’s competition.
A total of 11 auctioneers from South Australia attended the one-day school which aimed to improve auction skills and share important industry information with trainers and speech pathologists on hand.
Of the 11, five agents participated in the annual competition.
Four of the five entrants hailed from the South East, including Thomas, DeGaris and Clarkson’s Hayden Lambert, Landmark Naracoorte’s Daniel Kriticos, Elders Bordertown’s Wade Broadstock and Mr Reeves with Landmark Burra’s Alistair Keller rounding out the five.
The group was judged on voice, diction, values, manner and presentation.
Although not his first time in the competition, Mr Reeves said he was still nervous in the lead up to the event.
“I was a little bit nervous before things kicked off, but I treated it as if it were any other day selling,” he said.
“I think winning last year and participating in nationals really helped my confidence in my ability.
“I have to give my congratulations to Wade for coming runner-up as well, he sold really well and I knew he was one of the top contenders on the day.
“Overall it was a really even competition which shows the quality of young auctioneers in South Australia and specifically the South East.”
Mr Reeves believes yesterday’s stiff competition is a credit to the businesses in South Australia, the vendors, in addition to ALPA.
“It definitely show the diversity and strength around the state,” he said.
“I am really grateful to have these kind of experiences as a young up and comer – ALPA has been a great support to us all and continues to do so.
“Although there has been some tough times in agriculture in recent years, having that support from industry bodies like ALPA has been invaluable to the industry.
“I believe we work in a stable industry and there will be farmers as long as man still exists.”
ALPA southern regional advisory committee chair Warren Clark said the competition was of a high standard and complimented to every young agent who competed.
Mr Reeves will now represent the state during the national finals at the 2020 Sydney Royal Easter Show alongside Mr Broadstock, who was named runner-up.
The winner of the national event will then head to the International Livestock Auctioneers Competition at the Calgary Stampede in Canada.
