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Friday, May 16, 2025

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Heartland Livestock Service, Virden hosted the Livestock Markets Association of Canada (LMAC) National Convention and Canadian Livestock Auctioneering Championships on the weekend of May 10.

This event is held annually but moves to a new location every year. Manitoba hosts once every 5 years. The host organization was the Manitoba Livestock Marketers Association.

Two hundred and fifty people attended the convention headquartered in Brandon. Thirty-nine auctioneers from B.C. to Quebec entered the competition and there were nine Judges from Alberta to Manitoba and one judge, Mike Van Maanen from Bowling Green, Missouri who determined the winner. Ward Cutler from Virden was one of the judges.

The contestants sold 5111 cattle worth $16.8 million.

Each auctioneer sold 8 drafts of cattle and 1 black box item in the first round.

Top 10 came back for round 2 and sold 8 drafts of cattle.

Flag Bearers for the opening ceremonies included Cliff Penno from Rivers, Manitoba's longest serving, still active cattle buyer, Mark Canart (formerly from Elkhorn) marched in the B.C. contestants.

Dealyn Fefcuk from Virden did an outstanding job of singing the Canadian and American National anthems.

Results declared

2025 Canadian Champion Jesse Lawes from Provost Livestock in Provost, Alberta

Reserve Champion was Tyler Slawinski from Gladstone Auction

1st Runner up - Rob Bergevin from Foothills Auctioneers Inc. Stavely, Ab

2nd Runner up - Kirk Goldsmith from VJV Marketing Group Ponoka, Ab.

3rd Runner up John Baier from HLS Swift, Current.

Man/Sask Champion Allan Munroe - Killarney Auction Mart

Man/Sask Rookie - Walker Murphy - Whitewood Livestock Sales

LMAC Rookie Russel Allison - B.C. Livestock Coop, Kamloops

LMAC High Point Interview - Rob Bergevin - Foothills Auctioneers Inc.

LMAC People's Choice-Blaine Huston- Gladstone Auction Mart

LMAC Most Improved Auctioneer - Kody Lakevold - Vermilion Livestock Exchange

Manitoba auctioneers that took part in the contest were Allan Munroe, Killarney; Kyle Howarth, Boissevain, Kelly Wright Melita, Robin Hill, Lenore; Richard Bramley, Minnedosa; Brad Kehler, Grunthal; Brock and Austin Taylor, Meltia; Scott & Jesse Campbell, Brandon; Josh Unrau, MacGregor, Blaine Huston, Gladstone; Tyler Slawinski, McCreary, Johnaton Stratuliak, Ethelbert.

LMAC Memorial Honour Roll Inductees- Jim Blackshaw - Virden - The first non auctioneer, market owner or order buyer to be inducted. He was an employee of the Virden Auction Market and Heartland Livestock for over 40 years. His work ethic, dependability and customer service set standards for auction market employees.

Larry Schweitzer from Hamiota Feedlot Ltd. was also inducted into the LMAC Memorial Honour Roll. Larry was a leader in the livestock industry serving as President of Manitoba Cattle Producers and the National Cattle Feeders Assoc. He sat on many committees and boards and was a major influence on positive changes in the Canadian cattle industry. He was the driving force behind the construction of the Hamiota Feedlot.

Rick Wright from Virden is the CEO of LMAC and was the convention and contest chairman.

Virden hosts LMAC National Convention

By Rick Wright

Correction:

On page 15 of the May 9 edition of the Empire-Advance we referred in error to Karen Thomas from Prairie Mountain Health as guest speaker. The speaker was actually Karen Thomas, volunteer program facilitator with the Manitoba Brain Injury Association and the Manitoba President for the Canadian Royal Purple. We regret any confusion this error has caused.

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