Casey Lawes – 2025 Canadian Champion

2025 Canadian Livestock Auctioneering Champion, Casey Lawes, is no stranger to the livestock auctioneering industry. He is a third-generation auctioneer and has spent the majority of his life at the auction market in Provost, Alberta, learning the cattle marketing business and developing a champion’s chant. Casey is a graduate of the Western College of Auctioneering in Billings, Montana, and also holds an Ag Business diploma from Lakeland College in Vermilion, Alberta.

“I think I was 10 or 12 years old when I knew I was going to be an auctioneer,” Lawes says. “Both my grandpa on my mom’s side and my granddad on my dad’s side were auctioneers, and my dad’s an auctioneer, so it was kind of bred right into me to be an auctioneer, and I feel very blessed that I do enjoy it,” Lawes says.

Jack Lawes, Casey’s grandfather, moved to Provost in 1972 and purchased the livestock exchange in 1976. Jack survived some challenging times in the auction market business and laid the foundation for the family business operating today. Casey’s father Dean is now a co-owner, alongside Darcy Lakevold. The partnership also expanded to Vermilion and now runs two markets in Alberta. The markets are fortunate to have two Canadian Champion auctioneers on staff. Both Casey and his brother Jesse, 2023 champion, are lead auctioneers and fieldmen for the markets.

Casey first competed at the LMAC Championships in 2019 and was named “Rookie of the Year.” Even then there were comments in the crowd that Casey Lawes was championship material! COVID cancelled two of the Canadian Championships, and in 2024 Casey ruled himself ineligible to compete in Waterloo, because he could not adhere to the convention attendance rule. He had been asked to be the best man at a friend’s wedding the same night at the awards banquet and could not be in two places at once. The LMAC board of directors said they would consider an exemption, but Casey said, “No, the rules are for everyone. I will be back next year”. That kind of professionalism and dedication to a friendship is part of what makes Casey Lawes a champion!

Casey Lawes takes his job as a cattle auctioneer very seriously. “These ranchers trust in you to gather all the dollars available that day, and I take great pride in sitting up there and marketing their cattle. It’s very satisfying as an auctioneer because these ranchers are very hard-working people, and they appreciate every penny you get for them, and they appreciate your hard work.”

Casey has all of the qualifications of a Champion Auctioneer. He has a strong, deep, commanding voice with a smooth chant. His rhythm and bid calling is easy to understand and you can listen to him all day. He works on product knowledge and promotes his customers’ breeding programs and health protocols. He is very passionate about his career and works hard for his customers.

Being a champion auctioneer is more than calling numbers over the mic. Casey Lawes is kind and humble, very approachable, and people trust his opinion. He strives to improve his skills and is willing to help younger auctioneers with constructive advice.

He remembers the early days in his career and the breaks and advice he got from his family and other auctioneers who shared that precious mic time that is so hard to get. “They really pushed us young guys to get up there and get better. Make yourself better, build a path, build a career.”

Casey was elected to the board of directors of LMAC at the annual meeting in Olds and was re-elected for a second term in 2025. Lawes brings youth and a fresh perspective to the LMAC Board. He is also active in the Alberta Auction Markets Association.

Winning the 2025 championship was a dream come true for Casey. “I am thankful for my family, thankful for my mom and dad, my wife and my brother Jesse, and thankful for the Lakevold family for allowing me to go to these competitions and represent us on a Canadian level.”

Winning the Rookie Award in 2019 lit the fire for Casey Lawes. When his brother Jesse won the Championship in 2023, being a Canadian Champion was a goal for Casey. Casey has this advice for young auctioneers pursuing an auction career. “The biggest advice I could give for up-and-coming auctioneers is, ‘just be genuine.’ Be yourself. Be passionate and respectful. Humble and kind is going to take you a long, long way.” Words of advice from a true Canadian Champion.

Casey continues to live in Provost with his wife, Makayla, and their four children. Congratulations to Casey Lawes, 2025 Canadian Livestock Auctioneering Champion.