Three PGG Wrightson reps gunning for the title against some of the nation’s most accomplished young rural professionals

Three of PGG Wrightson’s most talented young livestock representatives are taking their chances in early November against the best of the rest of the country in the 2026 Heartland Bank Young Auctioneers Competition.

Now in its 15th year, the competition has had strong representation from PGG Wrightson in the past, with several of the company’s finest taking out the title, including 2025 champion Dannevirke’s Lars Hardy.

This year the eight finalists include Elliot Warrender of Southland, Keegan Gray from South Canterbury and Taranaki-based Shaun Rowe.

Running over two days in Christchurch, on Monday 2 and Tuesday 3 November, a slight change of format will see the young auctioneers focused on training on the first day, including with a voice coach providing guidance on pronunciation, projection, protecting your voice and body language; plus a session to critique auction performance with two senior nationally ranked auctioneers. On Tuesday at Canterbury Park, the contestants will compete, selling a pen of lambs per head, testing their knowledge of the law relating to auctions and selling a pen of cattle per kilogram.

Shaun Rowe began auctioneering four years ago and previously competed in the competition in 2023. He brings extra experience this year, particularly based on regularly selling at the Stratford saleyards.

“A good auctioneer needs to develop a clear and crisp delivery, to know the values of the stock they are selling, and to be able to keep the auction as upbeat as possible,” Shaun says.

He knows he’s done a good job if the client comes away satisfied with the price.

“When everyone knows where they stand, that’s a good auction. With the current market, I’ve been part of many of those lately. The appetite for beef, sheep and dairy cows leads to ample bidding from keen buyers, which keeps auctions running smoothly. What tests us as auctioneers is when a certain class of stock coming through gets sticky. That’s when the pressure comes on to do our best to extract maximum value for clients.” 

Concentration is a key part of doing the job well, Shaun reckons. 

“You have to be up there taking note of each pen as they come through, knowing who is buying, keeping an eye on them and being aware of where the first and second bids are most likely to come from. That takes a fair amount of mental focus, which you need to stay on top of to keep the sale running smoothly,” he says.

Shaun’s motivation to compete is from his desire to raise his skills.

“I’m using the competition to improve myself as an auctioneer. Regardless of the result, everyone who takes part will take something positive away from it. It’s a recognised achievement and well worth competing for.” 

Country Calendar is covering this year’s Young Auctioneer event. Open to livestock professionals under the age of 30, the rules exclude previous winners from taking part.

As well as the trophy, which comes with a trip to the Sydney Royal Easter Show including a guest role as a visiting auctioneer at the Australian equivalent young auctioneer competition, prizes up for grabs include RM Williams and Bushbuck vouchers. A $500 Bushbuck voucher is also on offer to the audience member who correctly picks this year’s top three young auctioneers.

Links to: 

https://www.heartland.co.nz 
https://nzssaa.co.nz 
https://www.facebook.com/people/New-Zealand-Young-Auctioneers/100075975190187/ 
https://www.pggwrightson.co.nz/news/over-farm-gate-staff-profile-shaun-rowe 
https://www.pggwrightson.co.nz/news/OTFG/staff-profile-elliot-warrender