AUCTIONEER Bryton Virgo vividly remembers how he became involved in the livestock industry.
His grandfather was an agent in Chinchilla and as a seven-year-old Bryton would follow him around and began to learn the tricks of the trade.
"I can still remember going to the saleyards with him and to this day I believe that's what got me right into the industry," he said.
"From there, I got a job with Landmark Chinchilla when I was still at school and proceeded to do a traineeship.
"I went from Chinchilla to Roma and worked there as a livestock agent for about 15 months; Roma was a good stepping stone into auctioneering with the number of pens sold every week. From there I went to Emerald and I've been here nearly three years now."
The 21-year-old is the youngest finalist in this year's Australian Livestock and Property Agents Association's Young Auctioneers Competition.
However, he is no stranger to the event and this will be the third year he has competed at the Royal Queensland Show.
Having also sold cattle in Canberra, Bryton said Queensland auctioneers certainly had the quickest banter.
Bryton stressed the importance of being clear, having good clarity, knowing the market values and knowing the buying panel when selling cattle.
"The beauty of being an agent is to go out on the property, draft the cattle and sell them in the saleyards. That transition is quite rewarding, especially in times of good prices like now."
The ALPA Young Auctioneers Competition will take place at the Ekka on Friday, August 7, commencing at 9am.
2015 ALPA Qld finalists
- Scott Bell, Border Property and Livestock, Goondiwindi
- Andrew Cavanagh, Elders Rural Services, Meandarra
- Jon Glover, Elders Rural Services, Rockhampton
- Will Loudon, Grant Daniel and Long, Dalby
- Anthony O'Dwyer, Grant Daniel and Long, Dalby
- Jake Passfield, Hoch and Wilkinson, Clermont
- Nick Shorten, Grant Daniel and Long, Roma
- Jake Smith, Elders Rural Services, Roma
- Andrew Summerville, George and Fuhrmann, Warwick
- Bryton Virgo, Landmark, Emerald
