South Coffeyville Stockyards hosting 2011 World Livestock Auctioneer Champion Dec. 16; public invited to attend

     SOUTH COFFEYVILLE, OKLA. – Buyers attending the Dec. 16 cattle sale at the South Coffeyville Stockyards, Inc., 900 South Willow, will have a special auctioneer catching bids: 2011 World Livestock Auctioneer Champion Charly Cummings.

     Stockyards owner-operator Jim Folk said Cummings, of Yates Center , Kan., will be working the sale that starts at 11 a.m.  Weaned and vaccinated cattle will be going through the sale ring, in conjunction with the market’s regular cattle sale, Folk said.

The sale is free and open to the public.  In addition to announcing Cummings’ appearance, Folk said the 16^th is also “Customer Appreciation Day,” with a complimentary luncheon that’ll be served starting at 11 a.m.

“We want to thank our customers, the bedrock of our business,” Folk said, “and we know they’ll enjoy watching – and listening to —  the world champion in action.

“We’re firm believers in the auction method of livestock marketing, and skilled auctioneers like Charly are an important part of that marketing process.”

Cummings’ appearance won’t mark the first time a world champion has worked a sale here.  Kenneth Wilcox, winner of the 1990 World Livestock Auctioneer Championship (WLAC) sells regularly for Folk, as does Justin Dodson, who was named 2011 reserve world champion, or second place.

Cummings, 32, defeated 32 other contestants to win this year’s WLAC, held in June in Williamston, S.C.  It was his fourth time competing for the world title

His previous highest finish was in Oklahoma City in 2010, when he was named runner-up world champion, or third place.  In 2008, he won the “Rookie of the Year” award, given to the first-time contestant with the highest score in that year’s semi-finals.

The annual WLAC, now in its 48^th year, is widely considered the World Series and Super Bowl of the livestock auctioneering profession.

The contest was created and is conducted by Livestock Marketing Association, the national trade association for progressive marketing businesses like the South Coffeyville  Stockyard.

In addition to being an auctioneer, Cummings is a partner in Southeast Kansas Stockyards in Gas, Kan.

During his year as champion, he is traveling across the U.S., appearing at LMA member markets and at industry events. And that’s just fine with him.

“I’m enjoying visiting livestock marketing businesses like the one in South Coffeyville, helping to turn the spotlight on what they do for America’s independent livestock producers, day in and day out,” Cummings said.

“Like markets all across the country, Jim’s market offers competitive marketing, where a producer’s cattle are put in front of several buyers – and competitive marketing is the best way to get the best price.”

Folk said, “For everyone who enjoys listening to a great auctioneer, our market is the place to be on December sixteenth.  Come and help us welcome Charly to South Coffeyville.”

From Left to Right: Blake McDaniel, Paul Ramirez, Jay Romine, Darren Carter, Brandon Neely, Will Epperly, Tom Frey, Brian Little

Yesterday was an awesome day!  I traveled to Coffeyville Livestock in Coffeyville, Kansas and was hosted by James King and Brian Little at their 7th Anniverary sale.  I want to say Congratulations to them on their 7th year of operation and on having their biggest sale yet of over 2,600 head of cattle!

It was a fun day full of ribeye sandwiches and great company.  There were a lot of familiar chants in the sale barn yesterday.  First off ther is Brian Little who just recently qualified for this year’s WLAC in Turlock, California and is one of the market’s co-owners.  Paul Ramirez and Jay Romine also qualified for WLAC in Glasgow, Kentucky and they were put to work as well.  Dustin Foct, last year’s WLAC Runner-Up Champion and Andrew McDowell, one of last year’s semi-finalist were also up on the block.  There was a new face in the midst, Blaine Lotz is an up and coming face to the auction block.  If you remember, last year during intermission of the Semi-Finalists competition, Blaine gave a speech about being an auctioneer.  This year he has graduated from speech giver to auction competitor.  He will be competing at the WLAC Quarterfinal in Greely, Colorado.  I think yesterday he was able to get some pointers and hopefully ‘us old veterans’ didn’t scare him off.  It is great to see new faces up on the block, especially ones with the passion and drive of Blaine. 

All day we were joking that Coffeyville was hosting their own auctioneer competition.  Though we didn’t have judges, and prizes weren’t awarded, Jay Romine named himself Champion of the day.  Congratulations Jay!

Throughout this mini auctioneer competition I got to thinking (dangerous, I know), about what makes events like this so much fun and I trailed off into thinking about the uniqueness of our industry when it comes to relationships and camaraderie.   Just look at it; at this one sale in the Midwest there were auctioneers representing Arizona, Kentucky, Illinois, Oklahoma and Kansas.  We were all in one place to support our peers, celebrate their success and get some work done.  Yes, it isn’t all work and we have a great time swapping stories, but at the end of the day we were all there FOR Coffeyville Livestock and to represent their consignors the best we possibly could.  I see this type of gathering often and it makes me proud to be part of an industry where differences can be put aside, and everyone joins together to celebrate a job well done.  The livestock marketing industry is very much about relationships.  When looking at the big picture, we all work together to overcome obstacles to keep our businesses viable on a global scale.  Livestock Marketing Association is a key example of how we get this done.  Yesterday was a reminder of the importance of maintaining positive relationships in the industry and of what can be accomplished through hard work.  My thanks, of course, go out to Coffeyville Livestock for hosting me and to all of my peers who helped make their special sale a success!

Well, this weekend I am off to watch the KSU vs MU game and the to NASCAR race in Kansas City!  It will be nice to have a weekend off from farm work and to enjoy some family time.  Happy Weekend to you all!

First and foremost let me take this opportunity to apologize for not updating the blog in two months.  It has taken a while to get used to my new travel schedule and keep up communication on the blog.  Finding the balance between my everyday commitments, family and responsibilities as WLAC has been challenging.  Luckily I have a supporting wife who has helped me to keep organized and stay on track.

Now that everything is in order and I have adapted to my new schedule I will be back in business on the blog.  To kick things off I will give you an overview of where I have been so far.  Right out of the gate I started traveling and it hasn’t really slowed down since.  I started my blog writing with documenting my ‘firsts’ while on the road.  I have since added many to my list and will not have a chance to mention all of them in this post-I will save that for later.

Below is a list to catch you up on my travels.  I have made a few mentions, but I cannot express my gratitude enough to everyone I met and for the generosity and hospitality I have experienced on the road.  I am blessed to be able to meet and work for such amazing people!

•  August 5- Dunlap Livestock Auction- Dunlap, Iowa.  Thank you to the Schaben family!
• August 9- Anthony Livestock Co.- Anthony, Kansas.  Thank you to Randy Patterson & his crew!
• August 18- Eureka Livestock Sales- Eureka, Kansas.  Thank you to the Ervin Family!
• August 24- Creston Livestock Auction, Inc.-Creston, Iowa. Thank you to the Frey Family!
• September 1- Farmers & Ranchers Comm. Co.- Salina, KS.     Thank you to Mike Samples & his crew!
• September 12- Montgomery Stockyards- Montgomery, AL.  Thank you to Jerry Etheredge and his staff!
• September 14- Kansas State Fair & the Kansas Auctioneers Association Contest- Thank you to the KAA for putting on a terrific contest!
• September 18- Farmers Livestock- Glasgow, Kentucky- WLAC Quarterfinal #1- Thank you to the Loy family for putting on an amazing contest and congratulations to Brandon Neely on being named the Champion for this event.
• September 20- Blue Grass Stockyards- Lexington, Kentucky.  Thank you to all Blue Grass staff and management-too many names to list!

 To start with, I was in Billings, Montana and WOW I have never seen anything like it.  For those of you who have never flown into Billings you need to know that the airport is situated on top of the Rimrocks overlooking Yellowstone Valley and the city of Billings from the airport you have the most spectacular view.  Once I landed and began the trip into the valley, Montana did nothing but impress.  From the people, to the scenery and the food, it has now landed on the list of places I would consider moving to if I ever left Kansas.  Hopefully when I make my next trip up there my wife Carrie can come and she will be just as impressed as I was.  I cannot wait to go back and I think everyone should visit Montana at least once!

 Now that I have you excited about visiting Montana let’s get down to business and I will tell you about going to work for Mr. Pat Goggins and Northern Livestock Video at Public Auction Yards (PAYS). 

 Anyone who has been around the livestock marketing industry for very long knows about Mr. Goggins, his family ‘empire’.  He is a remarkable man who has done so much for the industry and it was a great honor to work for him last week.  I was up there for one of Northern’s special video sales.  The sale itself is hosted at PAYS in Billings, Montana.  The sale is comprised of lots of cattle sold solely by video.  Northern representatives shoot and edit a video of the consigned cattle and then promote these lots to buyers in the area and online.  Bids are taken from the phone, the internet and the seats.  This particular sale was three days long and they sold about 360,000 head of cattle.  It is an event in itself to attend and even more exciting to be on the block.

 I arrived on Monday and watched with wide eyes as 2009 WLAC Ty Thompson and Bill Cook sold lot after lot of good looking northern cattle to buyers everywhere.  Monday night, there was a customer appreciation reception at the Vermillion Ranch.  They served about 550 people ribeye and KC strip steaks and it was delicious. 

 Tuesday I got my chance to sell and had the opportunity to work for about three hours.  The seats were full and there were people online and man was I nervous!  I have never sold cattle through the internet, let alone combining that with bids from the seats.  My greatest fear was that I was not going to be able to properly represent the cattle and that the pace of the sale would be a problem.  Once things got started and I was settled it all just kept on rolling and I began to feel comfortable with the technology.  Add to the list of firsts selling cattle to buyers on the internet!  At one point I had my only three bidders all online.  That was tough because I had to be sure to distinguish who was in the lead without giving away the full identity of the buyer.  This was a major first to add to my list and I hope to eventually open SEK Stockyards up to online bidding in the future.  (We will be LIVE on LMAAuctions.com starting next Friday.)

 One of my favorite moments during the sale was when Ty Thompson was just getting started for the day and was on his second lot, he was having a little trouble getting going and Mr. Goggins flagged him down and said, ‘Young man, this is not for practice, this is for real.’  I had a laugh at Ty’s expense, because it is not too often you see a professional get scolded at work.  Ty took it in stride and snapped back into business.  He is top class and someone to be admired.  I had supper with him and his family at Rex’s in Billings one night, and I was so amazed at how busy and hard working they are.  Talking and being around him you would never know how much he has on his plate.  He truly is one of the best in the business and role model for all. 

 I could go on and on about Montana today, but I need to prepare for my trip to Dunlap, Iowa where I will be hosted by the Schaben Family.  I will sell at the Four County Fair tomorrow and at Dunlap Livestock Auction for their feeder cattle special Friday.  Who knows, maybe I will add Iowa to my list of potential retirement states.  All I do know, is I am having a great time and seeing the country and working for such great people is a dream come true. 

 Note: If you ever have any questions about my trips, new experiences (like selling cattle online) or auctioneering please do not hesitate to ask.  If I cannot properly answer your question I will do my very best to refer you to someone who can.

Please be patient with the site as I work with the staff at LMA to get the blog site transfered over.  It should be competed by next week.

 To staff off with, WOW!  A year ago I set out determined to refine my interview skills and work my hardest to win.  Now, I have the buckle on my belt, keys in my hand and a schedule to boot! 

 My first market visit was at Holton Livestock Exchange  in Holton, Kansas.  I have sold for Dan Harris before and it truly was a pleasure to be back at Holton.  We had a great sale and sold about 1,200 calves and yearlings.  I also had an opportunity to do my first television interview with WIBW Topeka.  I answered questions for a few other radio and print publications and I am pretty sure I nailed them.  Luckily they are starting me out easy and the questions were pretty general about what it was like to win.  All in all, a terrific first market visit representing LMA as the 2011 WLAC.

 This last Friday was a very special first for me and my partners.  Friday, July 22, 2011 marked the first year of business for Southeast Kansas Stockyards, LLC in Gas, Kansas.  My partners and I have worked so hard this last year and it was exciting to have a chance to celebrate our success with the community and the industry.  It is hard to even put the last year into words; I think the numbers speak for themselves.  In the last year we have sold over 36,000 head of cattle…22,000 head more than the previous year and we plan to keep increasing the numbers in the future.  Friday we sold about 2,000 yearlings fresh off the grass and about 350-400 calves.  A million thank yous to everyone who helped make our First Anniversary Event a success.

 To add to the excitement of our Anniversay Sale, we had a long list of guest appearances by LMA leaders and fellow auctioneers.  LMA CEO Mark Mackey came to check out the festivities.  We had Lanny Ireland the 1996 World Livestock Auctioneer Champion sell for a bit as well as a few other familiar faces of the WLAC fellow competitors Brian Little, Russelle Sleep and Jim Hertzog were there, all of which have been in the WLAC Semi-Finals.  Blain Lotz, the young gentleman who gave his FFA speech during the contest intermission, got a few more drafts under his belt and gained some experience and advice that should help him in his first auctioneer competition this fall.  Everyone helped to make it a memorable event and I hope to get pictures up later this week.

 Now, to finish up a month of firsts I am in Montana for the first time.  I am currently seeing the sights of Billings, Montana, while being shuttled around by 2009 WLAC Ty Thompson.  Details will be shared in my next post, but so far I am beyond impressed with Montana and the people I have met.

 My list of firsts is below and I cannot wait to see what else I add to it this year!

 My list of Firsts for this month:

• Win the title of World Livestock Auctioneer Champion
• Visit Livestock Marketing Association headquarters in Kansas City, MO
• Send my first Tweet- do not forget to follow me @WLAChampion
• Answer questions in a television interview
• Celebrate 1 year at SEK Stockyards
• Write a blog post
• Fly to Billings, Montana

 This blog post would not be complete without sending out my congratulations to LMA’s VP of Membership Services Kristen Parman and her husband Grant on the birth of their son Brock.  Congratulations Parman’s and I can’t wait to meet our newest LMA member.

Before I begin, congratulations once again, to my good friend Charly Cummings.  Livestock Marketing Association is in good hands with him behind the wheel of the championship pickup.

Now onto the contest, it really was an incredible event!  All 33 of the contestants this year did a tremendous job, but I’m especially proud of Charly, Justin Dodson and Dustin Focht.  I was sitting there watching the whole thing like everybody else, and you just never know what the score sheets are going to say, but in my opinion, those three guys really stepped to the plate that week.  It sure makes it exciting when everybody’s at the top of their game for contest day!

The banquet was truly a memorable experience for me.  My dad, Jayson, addressed the crowd following the video that my mother and Jodie helped to compile (posted below in the blog) and then introduced me to the stage to give my ‘farewell’ address.  I had no idea that was going to happen and it really kind of caught me off guard.  The culmination of the whole year came together in those few minutes, and I think some of you (namely Kristen and Jeahn) enjoyed seeing me lose a little composure for a few seconds.  I had prepared some remarks, but Dad’s speech was a tough act to follow.  Prior to the contest last year in Oklahoma City, I had never practiced a championship speech.  So last year when they handed me the buckle and ring and shuffled me up to the podium, I had no idea what I was going to say.  I had a whole year to prepare for my time at the podium in South Carolina, and there I stood…speechless! 

Looking  at this year, after all of the awards, flights, sales, interviews and miles, what meant the most to me were the thank you’s I received from the people with LMA and industry members from across the country.  I think Matt Lowrey, 2008 World Champion, mentioned something about that very thing in his farewell speech.  I am the one who is grateful.  I am the one who’s been blessed.  I am the one who needs to say Thank YOU, for the opportunity to work with you and work for you over the past year. 

I’d be remiss if I didn’t say thank you to my dad, Jayson, and my mom, Debby.  She and my wife Jodie were to thank for gathering all the ‘dirt’ on me that Jeahn used for the opening video.  My folks are the reason I am who I am, and they are the reason I am an auctioneer.  I’m proud of you Mom and Dad! 

Jodie was a rock this year.  She and the kids saw a lot of me in the front door, out the back and I am looking forward to spending more time with them now.  Our son McKay is 3, and his sister Hadlee is 18 months, and if that doesn’t make for a busy household I’m not sure what does!  Jodie handled it with so much fortitude.  She gave me confidence when I needed it and was so supportive of this whole thing.  She’s the unsung hero of the year.  Couldn’t have done it without you, babe!  Love you to pieces.

Not many people see the efforts behind the WLAC and annual convention, and let me tell you, none of it would happen without the ladies!  Kristen, Jeahn, Cathy, and the list goes on.  I liked to call Jeahn my “agent” and she really was a big help this year.  She was behind all the social media and I only wish I’d have taken the plunge into the world of smart phones when she told me to!  Jeahn, thanks for your hard work and friendship.   A big thanks also to Kristen.  You’re going to be a great mom!  I appreciate your diligence and assertiveness.  You’re an asset to the industry, no doubt!  By the way, Kristen, Kyle makes a great middle name for a boy, so does Ty, Matt, Trent, David, Ron, Dan, Jon…the list goes on for a while.

To all the market owners and auctioneers who invited me to their places of business, a very sincere ‘thank you.’  I think most of us who grow up around this business get a kick out of seeing the pen set up and flow of other sale barns.  I enjoyed that almost as much as I enjoyed visiting with producers and locals at each stop.  In more ways than one, the year was an education! 

Finally, to Livestock Marketing Association… 
I gained a great deal of respect for LMA and its employees this year and I wish everybody in the industry realized what kind of work this organization does.  I have never seen, nor heard of, a professional trade association that is as industry-minded, financially responsible and willing to listen to its members as LMA.   They are committed to being OUR voice and are willing to do whatever it takes to protect and promote the future of agriculture and livestock marking around the world.  I’ve seen it from the outside in and the inside out.  These people aren’t bean counters!  Top to bottom, they are completely immersed in the affairs of the livestock industry- all aspects of it!  We have a lot of work to do in the next forty years.  As an industry, we can’t afford to stand on different islands and throw rocks at each other.  There’s too much at stake. 

To the contestants, I hope you know that there are no politics involved in the World Livestock Auctioneer Championship.   The WLAC committee is dedicated to ensuring a fair and competitive contest.  Remember that the results reflect the opinions of six people on one day.   Keep coming back.  Keep entering.  Keep the drive to get better.  That’s what motivates me.  The fact that I know I can be better if I only try.  Best of luck to all of you, and once again, thank you for your support and confidence in me.  It was the ride of a lifetime.

Best Regards,

-Kyle Shobe

For those of you who were not able to watch the awards banquet at www.lmaauctions.com here is the video that played to showcase my last year and part of my childhood.  It was followed by a speech given by my father Jayson Shobe.  Enjoy!

John Polaski, Northern Ag Network weatherman, said on the radio the other day that the rest of April and most of May will be below normal temperatures and above normal precipitation. For once, he’s 100%!…so far.   It is not out of the ordinary, however, to have a couple of these spring storms.  In past years we have had snow falling up until Memorial Day weekend!

Lucky for us, it does not appear that the weather has cooled down the cattle market. This week, we were higher higher again.  Higher is great, but our pairs still did not top the $2,550 mark that I saw at Eastern Missouri Commission Company last week.  Dollar + bulls are not unusual these days, and those young heifers and ‘ettes are certainly holding strong,  many of them bringing over a buck.  Good cows are bringing high 70’s to 80’s here.

Production sales are winding down in this part of the country, and I think sales were strong across the board. I was visiting with Bill Pelton this morning and it sounds like he is ready to stay put for a day or two.

Bill stays busy on the promotion side of things for many of the seedstock producers in the area and works and the ring and the phones at their bull sales. He is also involved in a very resourceful website I suggest everyone take a look at, www.LocalLivestock.com.  The webiste is a one-stop-shop for market reports and news.  Kristi Pettis has done an outstanding job putting it together and keeping it running.

In light of this weather,  I think I’ll do an “auctioneer’s health” special in the Aucitoneer’s Corner.  Check that out next week.

In the mean time, for all you Missourians, Okies and Texans….stay “cool!”

“Champion Auctioneer Sees Missouri Cattle Prices Go Higher”

 When we were headed east out of Kansas City we drove right by Kauffman and Arrowhead Stadiums at the Sports Complex in Independence, Missouri.  They are home to the KC Royals and the KC Chiefs.  The Royals were playing the Mariners when we drove by and I have officially added attending a KC Royals game to my to-do list.  Their newly renovated stadium looked awesome! 

 We landed in Bowling Green late in the evening and we hit the sack as soon as we got to the hotel.  Friday morning Jeff and I headed off to Eastern Missouri Commission Company (EMCC) to attend their sale.  Justin Angell, Jon Angell and Mike VanMaanen are the owners of EMCC and did a terrific job of securing quality cattle consignments for the day.  They sold approximately 1,500 head of cattle consisting of about 1,000 feeder cattle and 450-500 cow/calf pairs.  The highlight of being on the block Friday at Eastern Missouri Commission Company was selling a cow/calf pair for $2,500.  I was very impressed and could not wait to tell everyone about it.  Having the opportunity to sell across the Country never gets old because something unexpected, new and unique seems to happen at every appearance I make, like selling a cow/calf pair for $2,500.

 A few other exciting things that happened on this trip include a visit by Brian Scribner from the National Auctioneer’s Association and an interview with Sara Brown from Farm Journal.  Click to view slideshow. The pictures you see are courtesy of Brian Scribner.  Sara Brown took video and interviewed me.  She is from Mexico, Missouri and is the Livestock and Production Editor for Farm Journal.  You can check out their various publications on their website.  I believe the article about EMCC is going to appear in Top Producer Magazine. 

 My trip to Eastern Missouri Commission Company was a great way to round out my trip to Missouri.  Add to that quality time spent with Jeff Hazaleus on the road and some Kansas City BBQ and I could not have asked for a better experience.  I hope I can get another trip to Kansas City on the books, maybe even bring the family, check out a Royals game and sample some more BBQ.  Jeahn insists that Oklahoma Joes is the best inKansas City, but I have met a large group of loyal Jack Stack followers that disagree.  I feel that it is my duty as a BBQ fan to return to KC and make my own decision.

Curious about why I titled this post “The Missouri Waltz”?  The Missouri Waltz is the state song of Missouri!  Check out this clip of the song being sung by the Great Johnny Cash.