A big congratulations to Dustin Focht, Stillwater, OK, who is the 2013 World Livestock Auctioneer Champion! Here’s a photo of Dustin. The Runner up Champion is Blaine Lotz from Edna, Kansas and the Reserve Champion is Brian Little from Wann, Oklahoma. We had a fantastic group of 31 contestants for this honor. It’s the Super Bowl of livestock auctioneering and …
Time For LMA Socializing
We have had a business meeting going on here at the 2013 Livestock Marketing Association Annual Convention for the past two days. Tonight it was time to relax and socialize. Big thanks to Montgomery Stockyards for sponsoring an excellent Fat Boy’s Bar-B-Que Ranch dinner at Union Station. During our supper we heard from several folks and then all the past …
LMA Provides Animal Handling Expertise
Animal handling is THE big priority issue for the Livestock Marketing Association. Members have Laura Marks, LMA Director of Animal Handling, as a great resource when it comes to this issue. Here at the 2013 LMA Annual Convention Laura conducted a workshop on this issue. I visited with her in between sessions to learn what she wanted members to know. …
Former WLAC Bailey Ballou Works for LMA PAC
The 2012 World Livestock Auctioneer Champion is Bailey Ballou. He got to perform for us here at the LMA Annual Convention at the LMA PAC dinner/auction. Bailey auctioned off a number of items to raise money for the effort. Before we got started with that I chatted with Bailey about his year as the WLAC. He says he’s been on …
Priorities for the Livestock Marketing Association
The President of the Livestock Marketing Association is Tim Starks from Cherokee, Oklahoma. He got things started at last night’s LMA PAC dinner and auction. I visited with him to learn about priorities facing LMA and its members right now. Animal handling tops the list and he says, “We want to be very proactive in our approach to get the …
New Holland Compact Tractors Deliver Big Results
It’s said that good things come in small packages, and when it comes to New Holland’s line of compact tractors make that great things! During the recent New Holland Construction Media Event held at the company’s headquarters in New Holland, PA, I talked with Doran Herritt, Brand Marketing Manager for New Holland’s less than 60 HP Tractors. He was quick …
LMA Convention/WLAC Kicks Off
The 2013 Annual Convention of the Livestock Marketing Association and 50th World Livestock Auctioneer Championship has kicked off here in Montgomery, AL. Alabama Governor Robert J. Bentley, welcomed attendees and talked about the importance of farmers. The Governor is pictured center with Mark Mackey, CEO, LMA on the left and Tim Starks, President, LMA on the right. I’ll be providing …
New Holland Construction Line Up
One of the things that New Holland has been focusing on this year is integrating its agriculture and construction lines of equipment. During my visit to the company’s headquarters in New Holland, PA, I talked to Paul Wade, Brand Marketing Manager for New Holland’s construction products, and he explained this integration allows them to offer a wider array of products …
Farmer Boys Head of Security?
I dunno. What do you think? What do they put in those burgers out on the west coast? Meet Farmer Boys® New Head of Security. Sworn to protect the farm fresh vegetables that make Farmer Boys burgers so tasty. Locally-sourced lettuce, crisp tomatoes, onions and Hass avocados. Stop by and say hello. If he says anything back, you may want …
Livestock Marketing Time
It’s time for my first Livestock Marketing Association annual meeting and World Livestock Auctioneer Championship. I’ll begin my coverage tomorrow with the opening general session and continuing through Saturday when the auctioneer championship competition ramps into high gear. I’ll be sharing lots of photos, interviews and other media content throughout the event. Taking a look ahead at the schedule, we’ll …