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LIVESTOCK ENTHUSIASTS “SOLD” ON CAREERS IN BID CALLING by Managing Editor Stevie Ipsen
For anyone who has been to a livestock production sold his first baby calf at 8 years old and at a age 11 was sale, an auction barn or even a swanky art or charity featured on the television show Real People. auction, the atmosphere is hard to beat. So much so in fact He says he lives and breathes work and it is as rewarding as he always hoped it would be. that it would be challenging to find someone who doesn’t “I make a living for my family by helping others make enjoy the heart-thumping rumble of an auctioneer’s voice. a living for their family. It doesn’t get better than that. The There are few, if any, careers that can generate icing on the cake is that I enjoy the ins and outs of my job adrenaline for onlookers like an auctioneer can. The hum as much or more than the cattlemen and women I work of a bid caller’s chant has the ability to create excitement, make palms sweat, conjure up memories and make people for do. The animals, the people and knowing we are all adding to the food production chain and helping families want to spend money they may or may not have. With abilities like that, it is no wonder why someone would want all over the world access our products is a great feeling,” Olvera explained. to be in charge of calling the bids at an auction. The job Having been in the auction business now for more on a livestock auctioneer never the same from one day to than three decades, Olvera, who is a World Livestock the next, making it an exciting way to earn a living. It is Auctioneer Champion said he and other colleagues have also rewarding to help others make a living as well. Not worked to educate and inspire the next generation of cattle to mention, taking on the title of “Colonel” brings a little merchandisers just like they were inspired as young people extra prestige to the profession. in the industry. The tradition of calling an auctioneer “Colonel” can be traced to the Civil War era when after a bloody battle, the winning side would scour the battlefield and collect all the equipment and personal belongings of the vanquished. These items were then displayed in a central area. The winning soldiers were allowed to view all these items. The items were then auctioned off. The person in charge of the auction had to hold the rank of a colonel. Now all auctioneers have the honorary title of colonel. According to Col. Max Olvera, of Turlock Livestock Auction Yard, becoming an auctioneer was a goal he had his sights set on from long before he was old enough to go out and get a job. “It all started because I enjoyed © SETTRINI going to the sale barn with my grandpa. I Grayson Haydn-Myer at the Champions Chant loved everything about seminar in Turlock. To learn more about Grayson, © SETTRINI it,” said Olvera, who find her on Instagram @graysonhaydnmyer. 16 California Cattleman May 2022
