Jacob Massey, from Petersburg, Tenn., was named champion at the 2023 World Livestock Auctioneer Championship (WLAC). The championship, now in its 59th year, was held at Arcadia Stockyard in Arcadia, Fla., and presented by the Livestock Marketing Association (LMA).
“I really don’t have the words, but I want to thank the man above for giving me the ability and the talent to get to do what I love every week,” Massey said. “You always have that dream of being a champion, but I was not expecting to hear my name called that night.”
Massey earned his spot to compete in this year’s competition by making the top 10 at the qualifying event held at Windsor Livestock Auction Co., Inc. in Windsor, Mo. The other contestants also qualified through three qualifying events with the 31st semi-finalist being the reigning Calgary Stampede International Livestock Auctioneer Champion.
Dean Edge of Rimbey, Alta., earned Reserve Champion honors, and Sixto Paiz from Portales, N.M., was named Runner-Up Champion.
Other top 10 finalists were Andy Baumeister, Goldthwaite, Texas; Leon Caselman, Long Lane, Mo.; Dakota Davis, Waukomis, Okla.; Justin Dodson, Welch, Okla.; Brennin Jack, Virden, Man.; Wade Leist, Boyne City, Mich.; and Curtis Wetovick, Fullerton, Neb.
Additional semi-finalists were Neil Bouray, Webber, Kan.; Shannon Davis, Winnsboro, Texas; Philip Gilstrap, Pendleton, S.C.; Michael Imbrogno, Turlock, Calif.; Marcus Kent, Dunnellon, Fla.; Lynn Langvardt, Chapman, Kan. (High Score Interview); Ed Leist, Gaylord, Mich.; Lane Marbach, Victoria, Texas; Brandon McLagan, Elmer, Mo.; Jeremy Miller, Fairland, Okla.; Daniel Mitchell, Cumberland, Ohio; Ben Morgan, Organ Cave, W.Va.; Chris Pinard, Swainsboro, Ga.; Jack Riggs, Glenns Ferry, Idaho; Troy Robinett, Decatur, Texas (Rookie of the Year); Jay Romine, Mt. Washington, Ky.; Ethan Schuette, Washington, Kan.; Jeff Showalter, Broadway, Va.; Andrew Sylvester, Wamego, Kan.; Seth Waldroup, Westminster, S.C.; and Tim Yoder, Montezuma, Ga.
As the new champion, Massey will spend the next year traveling the country, sharing his auctioneering skills with other livestock auction markets and acting as a spokesperson on behalf of the livestock marketing industry and LMA.
“I’ve always enjoyed going to different markets, even if I’m not auctioneering,” Massey said. “When we take family vacations, and I find out there’s a barn in the area, we’ll make a point to stop just so I can visit. I love the industry and I love cattle auctions, so I’m really looking forward to visiting and selling at markets I’ve never been to and meeting new people.”
Massey regularly sells for Mid-South Regional Livestock Center, LLC in Unionville, Tenn. and two United Producers, Inc. locations in Columbia and Fayetteville, Tenn.
A one-hour highlight show from the 2023 competition will air on RFD-TV June 29, with starting times based on local listings. WLAC fans can mark their calendars for the 2024 World Livestock Auctioneer Championship, which will be held June 12-15, 2024, at Oklahoma National Stockyard in Oklahoma City.
