2011 Convention Round Up

The 2011 Convention was hosted by Ontario Livestock Exchange in Waterloo Ontario with more than 200 attending over the 3 day event.

Larry Witzel the chair of the event welcomed everyone on Thursday evening to some tasty smoked Ontario Corn Fed Striploin steaks and a large variety of local food items.

On Friday morning at the LMAC annual meeting the following Officers and Directors were elected to the LMAC Board.

President: Jim Abel
1st Vice President: Ken Perlich
2nd Vice President: Scott Anderson
Directors: Larry Witzel, ON Steve Spratt, ON Rick Wright, MB Mike Fleury, SK Stewart Stone,SK Rhett Parks,SK Bob Perlich, AL Tom Vicars, BC Executive Director: Jim Wideman

Later on Friday the Canadian Livestock Auctioneer Championship was held at the Ontario Livestock Exchange.  Twenty Two Auctioneers from across Canada including one from Australia , making this truly an International event, were vying for the coveted title of  Canadian Livestock Auctioneer Champion. For the full results of this years Championship please go to the Auctioneer Championship tab. This years judging panel brought together a broad range of experience and industry knowledge. Mario Maciocia who is a major buyer of sheep and veal in Quebec. He is actively involved with the Auction Mart in Ste. Hyacinthe, Mario was instrumental in bringing the LMAC competition to Quebec City in 2009. Mario is a partner in the Reseau Encans markets in Quebec. Dave DeNure operates the Community Livestock Exchange in Campbellford, Ontario. Dave is a second generation family member to operate this Market. Dave has been a long time member and is a Past President of Ontario Livestock Auction Market Association. Dave has attended many championships in the past. He is very active on his local Cattlemen’s Association and has been a leader in traceability at his Market.

Dave Williams is a long time cattle buyer for St. Helens Meat Packers in Toronto. Dave has attended several Auctioneers Championships in the past as a buyer. Dave is well known and respected in the cattle industry.

Stewart Stone from Regina Saskatchewan is the General Manager for Heartland Livestock Services. This group of 15 Auction Markets is owned and operated by Nilsson Bros. Inc. of Clyde Alberta. He has judged many competitions but this is his first selection to the LMAC panel. Ken Perlich along with his brother Bob operate the highly successful Perlich Bros. Auction Mart at Lethbridge Alberta. Ken is a Director at large with LMAC. This is the first time he has been selected as a judge in this competition.

Scott Anderson is an order buyer with Anderson-Butler Livestock in Winnipeg. He is also very active in the day to day operations of the Winnipeg Livestock Sales. Scott is President of the Manitoba Livestock Marketing Association.

On Friday evening the awards banquet was attended by over 200 Market operators Auctioneers, spouses, guests and other industry personal. The guests feasted on Ontario beef tenderlion and Atlantic salmon prepared to perfection by the chefs at St. Georges Hall. The second annual Hall of Fame award was one of the highlights of the evening. This years winner was Roy Rutledge from Assiniboia Sask. Full details of this award can be found on the Hall of Fame tab on the LMAC website. The evening was rounded out with the awards to the winning auctioneers details are on the Auctioneer Championship tab. On Saturday Morning there was a three hour business session and panel discussion on traceability. The complete transcript for that meeting can be found on the link on this page. The 2011 LMAC Convention and Auctioneer Championship was considered a huge success with a good mix of business and opportunity to mix and mingle thanks to the generosity of our many sponsors. You can view theirs logos under our sponsors tab on the website.