A young Bendigo livestock auctioneer will compete against the country’s top sellers at the 2018 ALPA Victorian Young Auctioneers Competition in September.
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Landmark livestock account manager Nick Farley, 22, attended a livestock auctioneer training school last week hosted by the Australian Livestock & Property Agents Association, where he was required to compete against other auctioneers in order to be selected for the state competition.
Mr Farley said an important aspect of the training school was to receive advice from experienced auctioneers.
“They really help pick up the little things that will help us improve our ability to auction and they also have a fresh perspective,” Mr Farley said.
Raised on a farm in Kerang he has been involved within the agricultural industry his entire life, and initially wanted to be a shearer.
“But from the time when I was around 15-years-old, I knew I wanted to be an auctioneer,” he said.
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Mr Farley said there were multiple challenges to being an auctioneer.
“We’re selling someone’s livelihood and if we mess it up you may not get your client the right price,” he said.
“We always have to concentrate, we can’t afford to slip up.”
There is also the physical demands and stresses on the vocal chords and the throat which must be taken into account.
“We work with speech pathologists to ensure we are broadcasting our voices and not straining them,” he said.
“Sometimes we sell for 45 minutes straight.
“The whole time you need to make sure you're working from your stomach instead of putting stress on your throat.”
ALPA southern regional manager Liz Summerville said the selection process for the finalists from Bendigo was the same as the competition in September.
“A panel of judges will be looking very closely at their voice, diction, values and manner,” Mrs Summerville said.
The 2018 ALPA Victorian Young Auctioneers Competition will be held at the Victorian Livestock Exchange in Pakenham on September 10.
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