YORKTON - Brennin Jack has qualified as one of the top-30 livestock auctioneers in the world at the Mid-Western Qualifier held recently in Missouri.
With his strong finish at the Windsor Livestock Auction in Windsor, Miss., Jack qualifies to compete in Arcadia, Florida in June at the World Livestock Auctioneer Championship.
Jack has been honing his craft for years, having started auctioneering at age nine in Kelvington.
Over the years Jack has progressed in his career, including a stint at Heartland Livestock in Yorkton. Today he manages the stockyards at Heartland in Virden, Man., and owns his own company, Jack Auction Group, “which is the largest bison marketer by auction in the world and western Canada’s largest marketer of performance horses,” he told Yorkton This Week.
But, why compete?
“The fellowship of the contestants and the friendships I’ve made truly can’t be replaced,” offered Jack.
Jack noted this was the biggest World Qualifier ever with 45 contestants, and “without a doubt the toughest one I’ve competed in, and I’ve been in a lot of contests, this being my 60th.”
That said Jack admitted it had been some time since going before judges.
“It’s been a few years since I competed, and it was so much fun to get to see old faces, and meet a ton of new guys,” he wrote on Facebook.
While camaraderie drives Jack to compete, ultimately he is being judged, so what makes a good auctioneer?
“Having command of the sale, and rhythmic chant that keeps the buyer’s attention and moves the sale along quickly,” replied Jack, adding judges watch and listen for certain things, such as “how you conduct the sale, is he knowledgeable, sound, bid catching, and would you hire this auctioneer.”
When Jack heads to Florida in June he will have experience to draw upon.
“This is my seventh time to the world championships. I’ve been Runner Up World Champion in 2014,” he explained.
But, again Jack said it’s not just winning that makes it a big event.
“The experience is amazing, to be selected as one of the top 30 in the world is exciting and surreal at the same time,” he said, although he also usually does well too. “I’ve had the good fortune to always be selected in the top-10 in the world every time I’ve competed at the World level. I’m hoping to make it seven times.”
The world event will be a two-part affair, said Jack.
It begins with an interview round where contestants are asked three industry-related questions, which is worth 25 per cent of their score, which is then combined with 75 per cent from the selling portion.
“It will take a good solid run and with any luck I’ll make the Top 10 in the world, and who knows, I may ride off as the World Champion,” said Jack.
