News
WLAC semi-finalist, auction veteran Cheechov says cattle sales move the fastest
April 3, 2009
From LMA Website: April 3, 2009
WLAC semi-finalist, auction veteran Cheechov: cattle sales move the fastest Auctioneer Jake Cheechov works all kinds of sales: art, benefit gala's, vehicles and heavy equipment -- but when it comes to which auction moves the fastest, there's no question, "Cattle auctions are the fastest, because you're not only usually dealing with professional bidders, but also with so much livestock," he said in a recent story in the Eugene, Ore., Register-Guard. "Sometimes I have 2,700 animals to sell in a day, usually in groups of 10 or 15, so you really have to move it and you have to get through the whole lot while the buyers are still there."
The paper profiled Cheechov, 34, one of the qualifying contestants for this summer's World Livestock Auctioneer Championship -- and how, as the writer put it, he's preparing for June 13, when he will take his limber lips and eagle eyes to the stage of the Fergus Falls Livestock Auction Market in Minnesota, and put his skills up against 32 other silver-tongued contestants from all over the country. That preparation includes saying tongue-twisters over and over again, while he's on the road from his home in Eugene to the Klamath Falls, Ore., Livestock Auction, his sponsor for the WLAC.
The paper noted that Cheechov feels a particular responsibility when he's selling livestock. "It's important to work really hard and do a good job as an auctioneer; for many farmers and ranchers, it's how they get paid - it may be one of only 2 or 3 paychecks they get all year." He added, "Its how they feed their family, its how they make their ranch payment, you may be holding their entire livelihood in your hands."
This will be his first year competing in the June championship. He qualified at Kingsville, Mo., last December and he told the paper that while he doesn't expect to win in his first attempt, he's game to try. "Every region has its own style, and a lot depends on who's doing the judging. I just have to go in there, figure out who the real bidders are, and do my best."
