Revealed: the finalists for the South Australian Young Auctioneers Competition
The Australian Livestock and Property Agents Association has shortlisted its finalists for the South Australian Young Auctioneers Competition and there is talent all round.
Four of South Australia's finest young agents have been selected by ALPA following last week's young auctioneers school at Mortlake, Vic.
A total of 30 agents were put through their paces over two days at the Western Victorian Livestock Exchange (WVLX).
Agents from across several agencies and parts of both states were tested on their auctioneering skills with their speech, voice, value knowledge, body language and control of the sale all examined.
This year's four South Australian finalists will fight it out at the WVLX again on Monday, September 15.
From there, a winner and runner up will progress to the 2026 National Young Auctioneers Competition at the Royal Easter Show in Sydney.
A competitors dinner will be held on Sunday, September 14, at the Warrnambool Racing Club, for both the SA and Vic competitors.
The four SA finalists include:
- Cody Benson, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Mount Gambier
- Jack Guy, Spence Dix & Co, Bordertown
- Mitch McAnaney, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Kingston
- Nathan McCarthy, Elders, Lucindale
South Australian Young Auctioneers Competition finalists
Pictures by Barry Murphy
Stock Journal caught up with some of those selected about their start in agency work and aspirations for the future.
Jack Guy, Spence Dix & Co, Bordertown
Jack Guy, originally from Mount Compass, has been working as a livestock agent for the past seven years.
He started out with Nutrien but joined the Spence Dix & Co Bordertown team 15 months ago and sells both sheep and cattle on behalf of clients.
While Mr Guy's father sold dairy equipment, he was not from a farming background but said agency work was the "next best option".
"I love livestock and I love talking to people and getting to know different people," he said.
"I love the social side of it as well.
"It's a good challenge to create good relationships with your clients and get good results for them."
Mr Guy described the young auctioneers school as a "good challenge".
"I enjoy the challenge of auctioneering and knowing your values as well, which is the next thing," he said.
"If you're an auctioneer, you're studying the market each week and at the forefront of what's happening."
He hoped to still be with Spence Dix & Co in ten years time, helping to grow the business.
"I'll continue to grow and see where it takes me, continue to grow my client base and continue to grow as a person," he said.
Mitch McAnaney, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Kingston
Mitch McAnaney, originally from a beef, sheep and cropping farm at Langhorne Creek, started out with Nutrien's school-based traineeship five years ago, when he was just 16.
He worked one day a week with the Nutrien Kingston team until joining full-time after finishing school.
Mr McAnaney also said the client relationships with farmers were the best part of the job.
"The clientele, I find, are probably my favourite part, meeting people, dealing with clients and getting the best result for them," he said.
He said auctioneering was a good skill to have, even if it wasn't pursued full-time.
"I think it's good to have at the saleyards one day if your main auctioneer goes down," he said.
"It's good to have that skill."
In ten years time, he hoped to still be working at Kingston.
"I'd like to keep growing my business and keep growing as an agent," he said.
"I think being a livestock agent can take you many places."
ALPA chief executive Peter Baldwin said he was "thrilled" to see so many young agents take part in the school.
"It's such a quality turn out from the broadest cross section of South Australia and Victoria that you could possibly imagine," he said.
He said the interest in the school was particularly impressive, given the dry conditions impacting both states.
"We think given the severe drought that the regions have had, it's really promising to see that there's that spring of hope and the agencies are prepared to invest in this professional development and education because it's going to augur well for when the season turns," he said.
