New Mexico Auctioneer Wins World Livestock Auctioneer Championship Qualifier

Sixto Paiz, Portales, New Mexico, was named champion at the 2023 World Livestock Auctioneer Championship (WLAC) qualifying event at Windsor Livestock Auction Co., Inc. in Windsor, Missouri. A total of 45 contestants competed for a top 10 placing, granting them a spot in the 2023 WLAC semifinals at Arcadia Stockyard in Arcadia, Florida.

“To be around guys like I was around today—that’s what I live for,” Paiz said. “That’s why we all go to these competitions. It’s for the comradery with people that you know are doing the same things you do each and every day and have the same passion for it. If they didn’t, they wouldn’t be entering the competition.”

Paiz has been auctioneering for around seven years and currently sells regularly for three livestock auctions, a car sale and an equipment auction company out of Midland, Texas. This was his fourth time competing at a WLAC qualifying event and his third time qualifying for the semifinals.

“The first one I went to I drew second in the competition order, so I got to sit there that day and listen to everybody go, (only) to find out I didn’t make it,” Paiz said. “Here I am, four years later, and to win one, it feels amazing.”

A live cattle sale took place, with the market’s regular buyers and sellers in the seats. Auctioneer contestants were judged on the clarity and quality of their chant, presentation, ability to catch bids/conduct the sale and how likely the judge would be to hire the auctioneer. Judges for the qualifying event were livestock market owners, managers, dealers and/or allied industry members from across the nation.

Individuals advancing to the semifinals with Paiz are Neil Bouray, Webber, Kansas; Leon Caselman, Long Lane, Missouri; Dean Edge, Rimbey, Alberta, Canada; Michael Imbrogno, Turlock, California; Brennin Jack, Virden, Manitoba, Canada; Jacob Massey, Petersburg, Tennessee; Runner Up Champion Daniel Mitchell, Cumberland, Ohio; Reserve Champion Andrew Sylvester, Wamego, Kansas; and Tim Yoder, Montezuma, Georgia.

The WLAC will be held in conjunction with the Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) Annual Convention June 7 through 10 in Arcadia and Punta Gorda, Florida.