At the 25th Annual Canadian Livestock Auctioneering Championship of Canada Gala last month, 19-year-old Lars Deleeuw received the Rookie of the Year Award and the Grand Championship Award, something no other livestock auctioneer has achieved in its 25-year history.

When Deleeuw was 6 years old his family immigrated from the Netherlands to Burford, Ontario.  Growing up on a dairy farm, Lars knew his calling to follow a career in cattle.  He has become passionate about the beef cattle industry, having his own herd of purebred Angus.

But, what's interesting about Deleeuw is that he's a self-taught auctioneer!  The rookie auctioneer works at the Ontario Livestock Exchange and so learned the control of the sale and knowledge of the cattle business.  But to perfect the rhythm of his chant as a caller takes special skill and lots of practice.   Deleeuw learned the art of auctioneering through studying UTube videos!

In 2023, Deleeuw placed ninth overall in the International Auctioneering Championship in Olds, Alberta meaning he had to really up his game to be a contender for the 2024 national championships in Waterloo, Ontario.  The competition saw 11 rookies compete against veterans with Lars Deleeuw and Ty Cutler running neck and neck.

It was a close race, but the 19-year-old Rookie of the Year landed the Grand Championship title all in one sweep!

Killarney Auction Mart's Allan Munroe received the highest points in the Interview portion of the competition, now for the second year in a row.

Please listen to more of my conversation with Rick Wright below!  Wright was the MC for the awards gala that took place May 25th in Waterloo, Ontario.