THE names have been drawn and 10 young men are off to the Ekka in Brisbane on August 9 for the Australian Livestock and Property Agents Association young auctioneers competition.
Heading to the showgrounds in Bowen Hills from various regional centres are Corey Evans (Aussie Land and Livestock, Kingaroy), Simon Kinbacher (Elders, Rockhampton), Liam Kirkwood (Ray White Rural, Townsville), Alexander (AJ) Riley (Ray White Rural, Roma), Jack Hannah (GDL, Roma), Jack Henshaw (Elders, Goondiwindi), Brodie Hurley (Landmark, Roma), Brady Jackson (Elders, Roma), Jake Robinson (Landmark, Roma) and Cody Trost (GDL, Blackall).
The 10 were chosen after 12 competitors faced one another at Central Queensland Livestock Exchange, Gracemere, on June 11. They heard from guest speakers, were tested on their knowledge and understanding of livestock, their handling of clients, auctioneering and diction.
The starting field has since been reduced by two with Morgan Harris (TopX Roma) and Wyatt Wrigley (Eastern Rural Dalby) missing out.
The young auctioneers competition is in its 29th year.
ALPA president Warren Johnson said it 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.
ALPA chief executive officer Andy Madigan said the competition attracted the best young auctioneers from across the country and was always exciting to watch.
Alan Welburn
Lover of sport, particularly horse racing and all things Olympic. Have spent my entire working life in journalism, mostly with News Corp on its major metro mastheads. Done plenty of things but the best by far is having a teenage son who calls me dad.
Lover of sport, particularly horse racing and all things Olympic. Have spent my entire working life in journalism, mostly with News Corp on its major metro mastheads. Done plenty of things but the best by far is having a teenage son who calls me dad.
