News & Articles

Local Auctioneer Named Runner-Up World Champion by Livestock Marketing Association

June 24, 2009 (KANSAS CITY, Mo.) – Kyle J. Shobe, sales associate with United Country – Shobe Auction & Realty of Lewistown, Mont., was named runner-up world champion at the Livestock Marketing Association’s 46th Annual World Livestock Auctioneer Championship this month at the Fergus Falls Livestock Auction Market in Fergus Falls, Minnesota.

Also named the Audrey K. Banks “Rookie of the Year” as the highest-scoring first-time entrant to make the semi-finals, Shobe, 26, said he felt “blown away” by his success as a first-time entrant.

“I was surprised to make the finals, and I certainly didn’t think I had a chance to make the top three,” he said.

Shobe was sponsored by the Lewistown Livestock Auction, owned by Lyle and Jan Allen of Lewistown, Mont. As part of the awards, Shobe earned cash prizes, a custom belt buckle, a crystal gavel and a windbreaker.

Ty Thompson of Billings, Mont., was named the world champion, and Tom Frey of Creston, Iowa, was named the reserve world champion.

An actual sale, the championship is held each year to spotlight competitive livestock marketing and the auctioneer’s continuing vital role in that process. Six judges score the semi-finalists on vocal clarity and quality, talent at keeping the sale moving, bid-catching ability, and by answering the question, “Would I hire this auctioneer?” A portion of the contestant’s score is determined by a pre-contest interview, where he or she is judged on several criteria, including clarity of expression/articulation, knowledge of, and the ability to act as a spokesman for the livestock marketing sector.

“I couldn’t be more proud of Kyle,” said Jayson Shobe, owner/broker of United Country – Shobe Auction & Realty. “He is an asset to our team, offering not only impressive auctioneer skills to our buyers and sellers but also outstanding marketing and customer service skills.”

United Country – Shobe Auction & Realty can be contacted by phone at 406-538-5125, by e-mail at jayson@shobeauction-realty.com, or online at www.shobeauction-realty.com.

United Country Real Estate is the largest integrated real estate and auction company in the U.S. Based in Kansas City, Mo., the company has been an innovator in real estate marketing since 1925. United Country is the only national franchise specializing in country properties. The company supports nearly 675 offices nationwide with a unique, comprehensive marketing program that includes one of the largest portfolios of property marketing web sites (more than 750 separate sites), publishes seven proprietary real estate catalogs with a cumulative distribution of 1.5 million, an extensive, current buyer database and national advertising of properties to more than 90 million potential buyer prospects a week. United Country has been recognized as a Top 25 Franchise by the Wall Street Journal and among Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500®.

Share |