Young Auctioneers to Battle It Out at Canterbury a&P Show

Young Auctioneers are being urged to enter the Heartland Bank Young Auctioneers Competition at the Canterbury A&P Show this year, and with a trip to the Sydney Royal Easter Show up for grabs, the stakes are high.

This will be the third time that New Zealand’s top young auctioneers have battled it out at the Show, delighting spectators with witty one-liners and impressing judges with their industry knowledge.

Competition convenor, Mick Withers says that there are many facets to a good auctioneer.

“He must have sound knowledge of the livestock he’s selling, including current market values. Confidence in his own ability and that of the company he represents without appearing arrogant. The auctioneer needs a voice that has clarity and the ability to change tone. He needs to be quick witted and know when humour is appropriate.”

Last year’s winner Chris Hay from NZ Farmers Livestock had only been auctioneering for two years, but impressed judges with his overall knowledge and lines like, “one more bid and you back the truck in – I’ll help you load him!”

Withers says that the purpose of the competition is to showcase and develop young auctioneers and improve the standard of auctioneering across the board.

“The saleyards and auction ring are the ‘shop window’ for stock and station firms and it’s here that the company's performance is often judged. A strong showing on sale day will attract new business and help retain existing clientele. It’s therefore imperative to nurture and develop young auctioneers so they can step up to maintain a company's reputation.”

The competition will take place on Friday 14 November at the 2014 Canterbury A&P Show. During the judging, which includes a test of auction rules and a mock auction, each entrant will be required to sell three lots of heifers/bulls. Entrants will be given notice of lots to sell and access to the breeder. They will be judged on overall performance including voice, diction, manner and values. The interview component will see entrants evaluated on their communication skills and knowledge of the terms and conditions relating to livestock auctioneering.

Entrants will be competing for the New Zealand Stock & Station Agents’ Association (NZSSAA) Young Auctioneers Trophy, $2000 in travel from Heartland Bank to enable the winner to attend the Young Auctioneers Competition in Australia and a $500 Swanndri clothing voucher.

Entries are open to employees of members or affiliate members of the NZSSAA; competitors must be under 30 years of age as at 1 November 2014. Entries close Thursday 30 October 2014. For entry information, see www.theshow.co.nz or contact the Canterbury A&P Association on 03 343 3033 or info@theshow.co.nz.

This year’s 152nd Canterbury A&P Show will be held Wednesday 12 to Friday 14 November at Canterbury Agricultural Park in Christchurch. It’s the largest A&P Show in the country attracting 100,000 people, close to 7000 livestock and feature competition entries and 600 trade exhibitors.

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