All three Canadian Auctioneers who qualified for the World Livestock Auctioneering Champions held in Dunlap, Iowa, made the Top Ten and competed in the final round at the World Livestock Auctioneering Championship in Dunlap, Iowa this year.

Canadian Champion Auctioneers, Dean Edge (2006) from VJV Livestock Marketing Group in Ponoka, Alberta, Brennin Jack (2011) from Heartland Livestock Services in Virden, Manitoba, and Ryan Konynenbelt (2019) from Southern Alberta Livestock Exchange in Fort MacLeod, Alberta, had strong performances at the event.

Twenty-nine auctioneers, selected at three regional events, as well as the winner of the International Auctioneering Championship, held annually at the Calgary Stampede, competed in the event.

This is the cream of the crop of livestock auctioneers from all over the United States.  Coming into the 2025 event only two Canadians had ever won the WLAC event.  Ken Liptay in 1976, and Danny Skeels (1998 Canadian Champion) in 2004. As a past champion, Skeels attends the WLAC every year but is not allowed to compete. Skeels is considered “auctioneering royalty” at WLAC and has been an outstanding ambassador for the Canadian livestock and auction market industry.

The auctioneers are judged on Presentation (command of sale, introduction, professionalism and poise, body language and eye contact), Chant (clarity, rhythm, timing, voice quality and control), Execution of Sale (knowledge of product and market value, bid catching, auctioneer accuracy and expedition of sale), and How likely are you to hire this auctioneer.

At the World Competition, as part of the preliminary round, this year in Omaha, contestants are also required to do a live interview in front of a large crowd. In the interview competition, the auctioneers are asked questions on current activities and issues in the livestock marketing industry.  They are judged on the following criteria: Presentation (initial command and introduction, professionalism and poise, body language and eye contact), Response (Did the contestant answer the question, substance of answers and knowledge of industry, articulation), and Would this auctioneer make a good livestock marketing industry ambassador.

The Canadian auctioneers fared well at the interview section of the competition.  In the past, Dean Edge has won this portion of the event, and he had a strong interview again this year.  Brennin Jack is very comfortable in the interview environment and scored well.  Ryan Konynenbelt also was very poised and professional in his interview.

The following day was live auction time, with 30 of the best auctioneers in North America participating. There is no room for any mistakes or errors.

Rick Wright was in attendance representing LMAC.  He had been a competition judge in Oklahoma in 2024 and had lots of time to network with many of the auctioneers and market operators.  He commented, “There was a lot of respect for the Canadian competitors from those in attendance.  Edge and Jack were constantly mentioned as potential finalists. Konynenbelt had a strong showing in California and attracted some attention as well.

After the first round, the Top Ten finalists were announced.  All three Canadians were coming back for Round Two!

Once again, the Canadians made their country and families proud with strong performances in the second round.

When the smoke cleared, the contingent of Canadian supporters waited anxiously for the announcement of the 2025 winners.  Brennin Jack was awarded the Reserve Champion buckle, leaving Edge and Konynenbelt still in the running for LMA Champion.

After what seemed forever, it came time to announce the 2025 World Champion, and that prestigious honour was awarded to Dean Edge. There was thunderous applause and a stream of contestants, market operators and supporters lined up to congratulate Dean on his well-deserved award.

Canadians in attendance and watching at home were very proud of all three Canadian auctioneers.

The 2026 WLAC will be held in St. Onge, South Dakota in June. Canada hopes to have strong representation there as well.