Ohio Farmer

Daniel Mitchell moves onto the WLAC semifinals, where the competition is composed of two parts, an interview and live auction selling.

December 27, 2018

2 Min Read
cattle at auction
ADVANCING: The clarity and quality of his auction chant were among the factors driving Daniel Mitchell of Cumberland, Ohio, to be named champion at the 2019 World Livestock Auctioneer Championship Eastern Regional Qualifying Event.selimaksan/Getty Images

Daniel Mitchell of Cumberland, Ohio, was named champion at the 2019 World Livestock Auctioneer Championship (WLAC) Eastern Regional Qualifying Event. Northeast Georgia Livestock hosted the final of three WLAC qualifying events on Dec. 12. A total of 24 contestants from 14 different states and provinces competed for a top 10 placing, granting them a spot in the 2019 WLAC at Tulare Sales Yard, Tulare, Calif.

Contestants were judged on the clarity and quality of their auction chant; auctioneer presentation; ability to catch bids and conduct the sale; and how likely the judge would be to hire the auctioneer. Judges for each qualifying event are livestock market owners and managers, as well as allied industry members from across the United States and Canada.

“It is an honor and privilege to be named the top person of the qualifier,” Mitchell says. “This gives me the confidence boost I needed going into the championship round.”

Mitchell has qualified for the WLAC eight times since his first competition in 2012. He moves onto the WLAC semifinals, where the competition is composed of two parts: an interview and live auction selling.

“The most challenging part of the WLAC event is the interview portion,” Mitchell says. “This is what I plan to work on prior to June — not only for the contest, but for my day-to-day use as well. I’m a spokesman for my customers and this industry.”

Mitchell traveled nine hours from Ohio to attend the competition, which was hosted in Athens, Ga. While his main reason for the voyage was to win the event, he couldn’t deny the other reason for his trip — friendship.

Mitchell is a second-generation auctioneer. He grew up attending farm sales and other auction events with his father, who is also an auctioneer. After graduating from auction school, he entered the livestock auction business.

The Mitchell family owns Parkersburg Livestock Exchange LLC and Jackson County Regional Livestock Market LLC, both of which are in West Virginia.

Source: World Livestock Auctioneer Championship

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