Rimbey's Dean Edge has landed the World Livestock Auctioneer Champion title.
Competing in Dunlap, Iowa earlier this month, Edge became only the third Canadian to win the contest, which was launched back in 1963, according to a release.
Edge was quick to credit the support of his family: wife, Jeanine, and children Erin, Lexie and Lane.
He also shared the spotlight with his fellow competitors,
“This world championship might be connected to my name for the next year, but it’s not mine,” Edge said.
“It’s ours. I’m going to be working for us for the next year to the very best of my ability to get out there and promote what we do."
As to the start of his passion for the biz, Edge noted it kind of all started during his school days in Rimbey.
"Going way back, I had a high school teacher by the name of Bob Collis. He would (call bids) once in a while at school, and I remember that," he said.
"And of course I grew up going to cattle auctions with my Dad, as that was how we sold our own cattle."
Edge also noted that local auctioneer Dan Skeels, who landed the world champion title back in 2004, was a family friend, too.
"I was able to fly underneath his wings - the whole family have been friends of mine - but when it came to the auctioneering avenue, Danny has been there the whole way as a mentor, a friend, and a colleague. I still work with him at least 50 times a year," said Edge.
Following high school, he attended the Western College of Auctioneering in Billings, Montana.
"There are a lot of different things that go into being an auctioneer. There is being the bid caller. And then as an auctioneer, you drum up the business, take photos of the equipment that you are having the sales for, and such."
An array of instructors also guide the students as they tackle and refine the many vocal challenges as well.
Edge said students learn breathing techniques and how to amplify and project their voices.
"They bring in successful auctioneers as well, and you go through tongue twisters, and number drills - counting by tens to 100, and then back down. And then we would count by fives to 100, and then down again.
"We would also break it all the way down to quarters - like one and one quarter, one and a half; two and a half. And you always keep a beat and a rhythm," he explained, adding that ultimately, it boils down to extensive practice.
After graduation, he sold for the Rimbey-based Allen B. Olson Auction Services Ltd. and then started selling cattle at Vold Jones and Vold in Ponoka.
Looking ahead, as the reigning World Livestock Auctioneer Champion, Edge will spend the next year driving the custom-wrapped World Livestock Auctioneer Championship pickup all over the country to showcase his talents and promote the livestock industry.
“I’ve always loved the travel, and especially the chance to see so many livestock auction markets and learn how they do things,” he said
“While they have a lot of differences, they’re all working hard for producers, providing true price discovery and a reliable, transparent marketing method.”
Edge noted he recently received an itinerary he is super excited about which includes stints in South Carolina, Georgia, and Montana for starters.
Other requests are coming in as well, including an invitation to an event in Oklahoma City later this year.
"There is lots that I want to do, and that I am looking forward to."
Meanwhile, in addition to the truck, Edge came home from Dunlap with several prizes including $6,000 in cash and custom items like a belt buckle, champion’s rifle, bronze sculpture, world champion ring, golden gavel and money clip.
"I think that ultimately, it's about becoming a better auctioneer for my customers," he said of what continues to fuel his passion for his work.
"If I can learn from every contest or convention I go to, and become a bit better for them, that is ultimately what it comes down to."
