PGG Wrightson up and comers set to test their skills among the nation’s most accomplished young rural professionals.

Pitting their skills against each other, the country’s best young auctioneers will go head to head, gavel to gavel in early November.

Part of the NZ Agricultural Show in Christchurch, this year’s Heartland Bank Young Auctioneers Competition takes place on 4 and 5 November.

As usual, PGG Wrightson is well represented in the competition, which tests the skills of some of the nation’s most accomplished young rural professionals.

In his second year at the event, PGG Wrightson Livestock rep Will Eyre covers northern Hawkes Bay. After last year, he’s paying close attention to the finer details.

“In the competition last year, I was happy with how I sold, but should have been better able to explain the stock and station terms and conditions. That theory part is important, which is something I didn’t pay enough attention to last year. Adjusting to selling by cents per kilogram, rather than per head as we do in the North Island, is something else I’ve worked on in preparation for this year. For a successful auction, you need good patter, you need to be able to accurately describe whatever you are selling, and understand the values.”

Dannevirke sheep and beef rep for PGG Wrightson Livestock Lars Hardy also entered last year, and is back for another crack.

“I have a competitive nature, and it’s fun to be in a good field of young auctioneers. I’ll do what I do and see how we go. In our team after the sale is over we always run stuff past each other and talk about how it went, what went well and what not. As auctioneers, we have to do the best we can. When you run an auction it’s not just a show: it’s important to get the best money you can for your clients. So while this competition is fun, auctioneering is a fundamental part of the job, and improving yourself needs to be a career goal.”  

South Canterbury PGG Wrightson Livestock rep Keegan Gray is back for his third attempt at the competition.

“We’ve had dry conditions through summer and autumn, making for tougher times and affecting farmer confidence. That has made selling livestock, and auctioneering in particular, more  of a challenge, meaning you have to be on top of your game. I mainly auction store lambs and prime lambs in Temuka, also cattle for a period in spring, so am getting in some practice and doing my homework for the practical part of the competition. A big bonus with the competition is meeting other people from around the country, younger reps who are in similar positions. It’s a great opportunity to network.”

Cameron Gray is a PGG Wrightson Livestock rep based in Fairlie, South Canterbury, and turning 30 this year, so taking his last shot at the competition.

“This is the fifth time I’ve entered, and placed in the top three previously. I’m comfortable selling prime ewes and store cattle in Temuka, plus on farm and clearing sales. At Canterbury Park for the competition, everyone’s looking at you and you’re out of your comfort zone. My nerves usually come right about the second or third pen, then it’s a matter of staying confident and knowing where your bid is. What I most enjoy with the competition is having a bit of fun with your mates. Since I won’t be able to do it again, I aim to make the most of it.”

Meanwhile, fellow South Canterbury PGG Wrightson Livestock rep Lleyton Phillips is making his debut in the competition.

“A good auctioneer needs to understand what the audience is thinking, know where the bid is, and take it slow. If you can enjoy it and remain positive, that should be a good auction. There’s a bit to it. I didn’t enjoy my first few auctions because I was so focused on doing the best for my client that my nerves got the better of me. When you watch more experienced auctioneers, you learn a few tricks of the trade, your confidence grows, and you know the buyers better, which is when it becomes more enjoyable.”

Open to anyone under the age of 30, each contestant will be asked to demonstrate their ability, first in an interview day, on Monday 4 November, testing communication skills and knowledge of the terms and conditions relating to livestock auctioneering; then in the live auctioneering segment from 9 am on Tuesday 5 November at Canterbury Park, where each contestant is required to sell three pens of prime cattle.