OFFICIALS with the Australian Livestock and Property Agents group are sifting through local talent for the voice of tomorrow's agricultural industry.
A dozen young men converged on the Central Queensland Livestock Exchange, Gracemere, on June 10 for the opening salvo in a two-day, intensive school aimed at unlocking future auctioneers.
Of the participants, 10 will advance to the state championships to be held in August during the annual Brisbane Ekka.
ALPA president Warren Johnson said the concept had been around longer than its latest participants.
"The idea probably stems back 20-30 years," Mr Johnson said.
"I think it would have originated from an old association that is now part of the national association which is ALPA.
"Some of these young guys will head to Brisbane and from there the top two will be given their chance in the national final when they will be representing their state.
"They are all aged under 25."
Mr Johnson said the event was as much about finding new auctioneers as it was about educating young people in the ways of the agricultural sector.
"We will give them exposure to a whole range of activities and it's important they know how to auction livestock. But it is also important they know how to identify livestock, how to value it and to respect the business and the people involved in it," Mr Johnson.
"They will gets lessons in each of those aspects."
Paul Pratt, a co-convenor of the course, said speech therapists would be among specialists invited to assist the entrants.
As well he said the students would be road-tested "selling" machinery and cattle in mock auction scenarios.
The enrants are: Corey Evans (Aussie Land and Livestock Kingaroy), Jack Hannah (GDL Rural Roma), Morgan Harris (Topx Roma), Jack Henshaw (Elders Goondiwindi), Brodie Hurley (Landmark Roma), Brady Jackson (Elders Roma), Simon Kinbacher (Elders Rockhampton), Liam Kirkwood (Ray White Livestock Townsville), Alexander Riley (Ray White Rural Roma), Jake Robinson (Landmark Roma), Cody Trost (GDL Rural Blackall) and Wyatt Wrigley (Eastern Rural Dalby).