If you want to see some of the best up and coming young auctioneers in action there's no better place to find them than during the Australian Livestock and Property Agents Association (ALPA) Young Auctioneers Competition.
This year marks 29 years of the ALPA National Young Auctioneers Competition and 31 years of the ALPA NSW Young Auctioneers Competition.
The competition is a showcase of the best young agents (25 years or younger) from right across the country.
The event is divided into two competitions: a national final (where two representatives from NSW, Queensland, Victoria and one representative from South Australia compete) and a state final (where 10 agents from NSW battle it out).
In the national competition, seven young auctioneers will go head to head for the Prosser Cup and the opportunity to represent Australia in the International Livestock Auctioneers Competition at the Calgary Stampede, Canada, with compliments from Quadrant Australia.
Also, 10 young auctioneers will compete for the John Weekes Memorial Shield in the ALPA NSW Young Auctioneers Competition.
The competitions will be live streamed for the fifth consecutive year.
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ALPA chief executive, Andy Madigan, said each year young auctioneers from around the country travel to Sydney to compete in the competitions.
"The live stream gives their families, clients and friends back home the opportunity to see the action as it happens," he said.
Mr Madigan said the event was also an opportunity for stock and station agencies to show off their best young talent and promote the professionalism of the industry.
He said competitors were judged by a panel of three judges who take into account their diction, values of the stock they sell, voice and manner, as well as their presence and unique style.
To be eligible to compete, the finalist must have also attended one of the auctioneers schools run by ALPA at various locations across Australia.
This year's NSW finalists attended a two-day intensive training workshop in Sydney last year where industry experts coached them on the finer points of selling livestock. The finalists have since been getting in as much practice as they can by selling at their local cattle and sheep sales.
The ALPA Young Auctioneers Competition would not be possible without the help of: National platinum sponsors: Elders, Gallagher, Herefords Australia, Landmark, Martins Stock Haulage, Meat and Livestock Australia, NAB Regional & Agribusiness, Nine Agricultural Media (publisher of The Land), Regional Livestock Exchanges, rma network, Ruralco and Stockinsure. National supporters: Akubra, Allflex, Quadrant Australia, RM Williams and Tenterfield Saddler. NSW silver: Akubra Hats and Coverforce. NSW bronze: Dubbo Stock and Station Agents, Magic Millions Sales and Wagga Wagga Selling Agents Association.
What, when and where?
All the action kicks off for the ALPA Young Auctioneers Competition on Thursday evening, April 11, with a dinner at Dockside, Cockle Bay Wharf in Sydney.
The dinner starts at 6.30pm and dress is coat and tie or cocktail.
This will be followed by the main event at midday, April 12, at The Big Top Amphitheatre during the Sydney Royal Show.