The World Livestock Auctioneer semi-quarter finals will be held Tuesday, Dec. 2, at the Kingsville Livestock Auction, starting at 10 a.m.

For eight professional livestock auctioneers, the contest in Kingsville, Mo., will be their ticket to the "Super Bowl" of their profession -- the 2009 World Livestock Auctioneer Championship at Fergus Falls, Minn., next June. Representing Missouri in the contest are Chris Arnaman of Cameron, Lonnie Peterson of Fulton and Jerry Welschmeyer of Vienna. They will be competing against 15 other contestants from Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Iowa, Illinois, Colorado, Oklahoma and Kentucky.

Three winners - champion, reserve, and runner-up champions - will be named after the Kingsville contest. These three, and the next five highest scores then qualify for the 2009 World Livestock Auctioneering Championship. Eight contestants from the three previous qualifying contests are also going to the June WLAC. These contests were held earlier this year in Miles City, Mont., Texhoma, Okla., and Zanesville, Ohio.

Contest judges are market owners/operators and professional livestock dealers. Contestants are judged on vocal clarity and quality, talent at keeping the sale moving and bid-catching ability. The Master of Ceremonies will be 2008-09 World Champion Auctioneer, Matt Lowery of Burwell, Neb. The Livestock Marketing Association, Kansas City, conducts the World Livestock Auctioneering Championship.

Kingsville Livestock Market will also host its annual Customer Appreciation Day. A large tent for seating with video of the auction will be set up for the overflow of people. Free lunch will be served in the cafeteria and tent and free trolley rides by Steve Haller will be available.

The auction will also be available live at www.lmaauctions.com and KMZU 100.7 FM will broadcast a live remote.