Auctioneer Champions

Jesse Lawes – 2023 Canadian Livestock Auctioneering Champion

It only took Jesse Lawes three tries to win the Canadian Livestock Auctioneering Championship. Since the first time he stepped behind the mic at the 2019 LMAC Championships, his goal was to be the Canadian Champion. The third generation auctioneer from the Provost Livestock Exchange is a true competitor on an off the auction stand.

Lawes started working at the Provost Livestock Exchange when he was 10 years old. His interest in the livestock auction business led him to attend the Western College of Auctioneering in Billings, Montana, in 2010 along with his brother, Casey. Lawes says, “I always liked auctioneering and admired it. It’s a skill that is pretty tough to get. I just liked the challenge.”

In the early years at the local auction market, Jesse had a number of positive mentors. His grandfather, Jack, purchased the local market in1976 and was an auctioneer. His father, Dean, worked his way up through the ranks to become a partner, accomplished auctioneer, and with a fine reputation in the cattle marketing industry in the Provost area. It was just a natural progression that Jess Lawes would continue the family tradition behind the mic. Jesse credits the encouragement from the people in the area for supporting his decision to be a livestock marketer.

Jesse Lawes did not take the most direct route in his chosen career. Like many young Albertans, Jesse chased the rodeo circuit. Jesse was a very successful professional steer wrestler. Lawes credits some of his success in auctioneering to his rodeo career. “When I was pro-rodeoing, I spent many hours driving and I would practice auctioneering when we were on the road. My travelling partners hated it at times, but it helped make me better.” Regardless of his success in the arena, he always came home to Provost and the auction market.

Although in his early 30s, Jesse has a pretty good handle on the livestock marketing industry. He has a passion for the industry and truly works on behalf of the producers who trust the Lawes family to market their livestock. Although he was able to capture the Canadian crown at such an early age, he is humble and has the right attitude.

“It’s been a huge goal of mine to try and be at the top of the auctioneering game,” Lawes says. “I think it’s just one part of being the best cattle marketer that you can be. And being a third-generation auctioneer, and it’s something our family is somewhat known for, it just feels good to be able to reach a high level.”

Jesse and his brother Casey work closely together at the livestock auction and also operate Double L Auctions selling farm and industrial equipment and other items. Casey is also an accomplished livestock auctioneer. The Lawes family purchased the market at Vermillion and the brothers are very instrumental in bringing that auction market back to its past glory days. After winning the LMAC championships, Lawes represented LMAC at the International Livestock Auctioneering Championship at the Calgary Stampede; he placed fourth in a very strong field of auctioneers.

Lawes is the kind of champion that LMAC looks for as their representative—professional, personable, focused, and knowledgeable about not just the cattle markets, but also industry issues that impact “True Price Discovery” at the auction markets. Lawes is a dedicated family man and is a true gentleman. The future livestock auction industry is in good hands under leadership of persons such as Jesse Lawes.