2024 Convention Round Up

The Livestock Markets Association of Canada held their annual convention in Waterloo, Ontario. The Ontario Livestock Auction Markets Association was the provincial host, with the Ontario Livestock Exchange acting as the host market. The event attracted record attendance consisting of auction market operators, order buyers, auctioneers, industry partners, producers, and service providers. 

The annual event opened with a tour of local feedlots including Vernla Livestock and their transportation centre. Conventioneers saw cattle from western Canada on feed, as well as a large beef on dairy cross cattle operation and a feedlot with locally-sourced feeder cattle. The cattle were housed in confinement barns and “We Cover” structures. There was also a guided tour of the Waterloo area that included stops at an Old Order Mennonite farm and school. Conventioneers were given the rare opportunity to tour inside a house and take part in a class at the school. They visited a Mennonite welding shop and a bakery. 

The annual meet and greet night was a huge success with a packed house. The evening included a fabulous locally-catered meal, the auctioneer’s draw, a presentation from MNP, and the popular Calcutta auction. This year there were conventioneers from B.C. to Quebec registered for the event. 

Friday was the Canadian Livestock Auctioneering Championship held at OLEX. The event saw 35 auctioneers compete for the Canadian title. 

Live judges for the event included: Clint Ellis (Ellis Cattle Co.), B.C.; Jesse Lawes (2023 Champion), Provost, Alberta; Todd Hudson (JGL Livestock), Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan; Dave Williams (St. Helen’s Meats), Ontario; Scott Anderson (Anderson Bred Heifers), Bowden, Alberta; and Calvin Kuepfer (2015 Champion),  Newton, Ontario. 

Interview judges were: Ken McDonald (Supreme Auctions), Indian Head, Sask.; Crystal Thompson (Stettler Auction Mart), Stettler, Alberta; Bob Miller (Mountain Markets Assoc.), Kamloops, B.C. Master of Ceremonies was Danny Skeels and Scorekeepers were Tammy Munroe (Killarney Auction Mart) and Craig Jacklin (VJV Marketing Group). 

With the labour dispute and potential strike action at the Cargill Plant in Guelph looming, there was concern about the sale! Once again, True Price Discovery by Public Auction and support from the buyers resulted in a very strong sale and successful sale. 

After the sale, conventioneers were treated to a steak out at the Witzel farm. Larry and Marianne Witzel were the local hosts of the convention and have been LMAC members for nearly 40 years. The event with live music was held in a century old cedar barn on the Witzel property. It was a great event. 

Saturday was free time to explore the huge farmer’s market at the Waterloo Stockyards. The market is host to over 300 vendors, many of which sell locally produced goods and food items. 

The annual meeting was held at the Hampton Inn. This event also drew a large crowd with over 100 members and guests in attendance. The membership reviewed and approved changes to the LMAC constitution. LMAC’s Chief Executive Officer, Rick Wright, was appointed to the CEO position for another year. 

The membership approved the launch of a LMAC Best Practices Handbook. The handbook was developed by LMAC with the help on CCA and industry partners. The handbook has current information and suggestions for employee training on Low Stress Cattle Handling and Employee Safety Training. This living document was approved for distribution by request to LMAC members free of charge. 

There was an update to the members on the Traceability file and CFIA assessment of the industry comments filed after the Gazette 1 publication of the pending legislation. LMAC’s representative on CCIA Ken Perlich, and CCIA manager Ashley Scott, discussed movement reporting to the CLTS. Presentations on reporting software development for auctions and buying stations were given by both ViewTrak and Newline ASP. 

The enforcement of Transfer of Care documents was also discussed. 

The guest speaker for the Annual Meeting was Ryan Copithorne from Cows in Control based in Calgary. 

He discussed marketing opportunities and trends that auction markets are currently not taking advantage of. He spoke about the importance of risk management when cattle prices are high. He also touched on the cattle numbers and his outlook on price predictions for the future. 

There was an election to fill two directors-at-large (2-year term) positions on the LMAC board of directors. Corey French, Rick Wright, Ryan Konynenbelt, and Danny Skeels were all nominated by the membership. Eligibility of the nominees was discussed. Corey French as a voting delegate from Perlich Bros., Ryan Konynenbelt from SALE, Danny Skeels a voting delegate for one VJV’s memberships and Rick Wright from RWCC. 

The election was held with secret ballot. Rick Wright was re-elected on the first ballot. Danny Skeels was elected on the second ballot. 

The Annual Awards Banquet was held on Saturday evening. At the event, the late Jack McKennitt from Morden, Manitoba, was inducted in the LMAC Hall of Fame. McKennitt was a former Canadian and provincial president. He was a well known cattle dealer and market operator. His contributions to LMAC and the livestock marketing industry were numerous. Other nominees for the Hall of Fame were Ross Annett and Emerson Gill. 

The following persons were inducted into the LMAC Memorial Honour Roll: Doug Jackson, Cattle Buyer, Souris, Manitoba; Fred Jacklin, Market Operator, Hanover, Ontario; and Jim Wideman, former LMAC Executive Director and President, Waterloo, Ontario. These people have passed and their appointment to the LMAC Honour Roll ensures their contributions and legacy are not forgotten. 

The results of the Canadian Livestock Auctioneering Championships were announced. 

Champion – Lars Deleeuw, Ontario Livestock Exchange, Waterloo, Ontario – Awarded the Canadian Hereford Buckle, Foothills Auctioneers Inc. Ring, Canadian Angus Bronze, and Eby Trailer. 

Reserve Champion – Tyler Rosehill – Olds Auction Mart, Olds, Alberta. Awarded the Canadian Limousin Buckle.

1st Runner Up – Rob Bergevin – Foothills Auctioneering Inc. – Stavely, Alberta. Awarded the Canadian Shorthorn Buckle.

2nd Runner Up – Dave Jacob – Brussels Livestock – Brussels, Ontario. Awarded the Canadian Charolais Buckle. 

3rd Runner Up – Ty Cutler – Whitewood Livestock Sales, Whitewood, Sask. Awarded the Canadian Simmental Association Buckle.

Top Rookie – Lars DeLeeuw – Ontario Livestock Exchange – Waterloo, Ontario. Awarded the Boehringer-Ingelheim Buckle. 

Most Improved Auctioneer – Brad Kehler – Grunthal Auction – Grunthal, Manitoba. Awarded the Jack Auction Group Buckle.

Top Interview Score – Allan Munroe – Killarney Auction Mart – Killarney, Manitoba. Awarded the Thorsby Stockyards Inc. Buckle.

Most Congenial – Bill Haalstra – Ontario Livestock Exchange, Waterloo, Ontario. Awarded the Whitewood Livestock Sales Buckle.

The Canadian Angus Association Stockyard of the Year was awarded to the Keady Auction Market in Keady, Ontario. 

The Awards Banquet concluded a very successful 2024 LMAC Convention and Annual Meeting. LMAC expresses their gratitude to all of the organizing committee, volunteers, and sponsors that made this event so special. Hats off the OLEX crew for conducting a well-run sale and event.

The 2025 LMAC Convention will be held in Brandon, Manitoba from May 8 to 11, 2025.