Tyler: ‘People’s Choice’ winner

: In full flow: Maple Creek auctioneer Tyler Cronkhite in Round 1 action on Friday CANADIAN LIVESTOCK AUCTIONEER CHAMPIONSHIP: S.A.L.E. Cowtown Livestock Exchange.

By Marcus Day

Maple Creek News

Two Tylers made it into the top 10 at Friday’s Canadian Livestock Auctioneer Championship. Unfortunately, neither one was Maple Creek’s Tyler.

Hopes had soared after Tyler Cronkhite’s bid-calling performance in round one, which observers say met judging criteria.

He was described as pitch-perfect – fast, smooth, clear, and informed about the livestock – and engaged the audience.

“I thought he was fantastic,” one seasoned rancher told The News-Times.

Tyler’s dad, Wayne, who has watched his son develop his skills since Grade 12, before perfecting them at auctioneering college in Missouri, was also impressed, while acknowledging parental bias.

“I thought he did very well,” he said.

However, when it came to announcing the top 10 in a showdown for the title, the hometown favourite’s name was conspicuously missing.

Medicine Hat’s Jared Pancoast, one of eight rookies in a super-strong field, also didn’t make the cut, nor did Swift Current’s Brett Jensen.

The finalists were: Christian Von Platen, from VJV Westlock, Camrose, Alberta; Rob Bergevin, Foothills Auctioneers, High River, Alberta;  Kyle Soderberg, Northern Livestock Sales, Lloydminster, Spiritwood, Saskatchewan; Russell Allison, BC Livestock, Kamloops, British Columbia; Kirk Goldsmith, VJV Ponoka, Veteran, Alberta; Dave Jacob, Brussels Livestock, Mitchell, Ontario; Rhett Parks, Whitewood Livestock Sales, Saskatchewan; Tyler Rosehill, Olds Auction Mart, Olds, Alberta; Dean Lawes, Provost, Alberta; and Tyler Slawinski, Gladstone Auction Mart, McCreary, Manitoba.

On Saturday evening, at a banquet in Medicine Hat, the much-anticipated results were announced … and Dave Jacob was crowned the 2026 champion, winning a one-year lease of an Eby stock trailer, cash, a belt buckle, a championship ring, a whole lot of bragging rights, and a free pass to the international competition.

Two Tylers, Slawinski and Tyler Rosehill, came second (Reserve Champion) and third (First Runner-up) respectively, while Von Platen won the Rookie of the Year award. .

Maple Creek’s Tyler – applauded throughout the weekend for his pivotal role in helping to organize the championship – earned the People’s Choice award.

Forty-one competitors battled it out in the 27th Annual Canadian Livestock Auctioneer Championship at Maple Creek’s S. A. L. E. Cowtown Livestock Exchange, which was part of the 45th Annual Livestock Markets Association of Canada (LMAC) Convention in Medicine Hat, running from May 7 to 10.

They came from Saskatchewan, Manitoba, British Columbia, Quebec, Ontario, and Alberta.

For more than nine hours, they tested themselves against some of the best in the business as nearly 2,700 of Western Canada’s finest cattle was released into the ring.

This wasn’t a fake auction for the purposes of a contest. It was real.

Each competitor sold seven drafts of cattle, finishing his session with a donated black box item provided by a local business. Items ranged from trucking vouchers, beef packages and meals, to free brand inspections, gift cards, golf passes, and tires.

The bleachers were packed to overflowing from 9.30am to the final chant shortly after 7pm, with barely a pause for breath. To accommodate the influx of participants, former champions, families, media crews, and interested observers, and give them somewhere to socialize over Rafter R brewery’s craft beer, a huge tent was erected outside.

The event opened with a ceremonial parade, with delegations from each competing province represented. It was headed by an RCMP officer in red Serge and flag-bearers, including Nekaneet’s Dale Mosquito.

The national anthems of Canada and the United States were sung, recognizing the presence of top officials from America’s Livestock Marketing Association, a sister organization to the LMAC.

Maple Creek’s Jason Heistad played the fiddle as Janice Sanderson sang The Star-Spangled Banner.

After opening speeches, 2025 champion Casey Lawes, of Provost, Alberta, gave a demonstration of his auctioneering skills before the competition started at 10am with Jesse Campbell, from Manitoba, called to the microphone.

Cronkhite was the 13th auctioneer, a number that might have caused the superstitious to raise an eyebrow.

According to the program, his drafts began with a red heifer, followed by cows and steers from Bar JB, JTS Cattle, and Basin Land & Cattle, and his black box item was “5L Bimectin” donated by Maple Creek Veterinary Service.

He received a glowing introduction from the Master of Ceremonies Danny Skeels, an LMAC champion and world champion.

“I don’t know if there is another contestant that has put in as much effort into putting on a contest as this guy right here. He’s representing S.A.L.E. in Maple Creek, Saskatchewan.”

After taking his seat, Tyler said: “Ladies and gentlemen, I just want to say a huge thank you to my crew, S.A.L.E. Cowtown livestock in Fort Macleod here. Without you guys here the last few days, boy, I don’t know if we could have got it done. I want to say on behalf of our producers thank you, our order buyers, our judges, the LMAC board of directors. It’s been a good long hard year, but it’s been a great one, so ladies and gentlemen, further that let’s get under way with your red heifer …”

As he wrapped up, Cronkhite lifted his hat.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I’m Tyler Cronkhite and thank you once again for coming here this year to the LMAC in Maple Creek, Saskatchewan.”

Pancoast, who lives in Dunmore and works for JP Productions & Team Roping Cattle, was auctioneer #26.

As he waited his turn, he told the News-Times that he had been selling livestock for the last two years.

His pathway into the cattle business was created by hard work and a love for auctioneering. There was no family history to help him.

“My parents were not in the cattle business. I ended up in it on my own.”

Pancoast said he had a good idea what the judges were looking for.

“There are numerous things. The biggest thing as a cattle auctioneer is looking after the producer that you are selling for. Do the best job you can for the person you are selling for.

“You want to be smooth and fast; speed is definitely a factor. You also want to be clear, so, everyone can know where you at and understand what is happening.”

Although a rookie, Pancoast said he was up for the challenge.

“I am more excited than anything to get up there and show what I can do.”

Back in Dunmore, Cypress County, his wife and two little girls, one two and the other two months, will be cheering him on.

“They are always supporting me,” he said. “They are following the championship, and are excited too.”

The 6pm projected finish time for the championship proved optimistic. At 7pm, the finalists were still doing their stuff. By about 7.15pm, Tyler Slawinski was wrapping up his second stint with the microphone, bringing the event to a close.

Afterwards, the competitors and LMAC representatives were treated to a steak dinner and entertainment at The Armoury, another example of Cowtown hospitality.

It was then back to Medicine Hat in anticipation of the awards banquet.

On Monday, S.A.L.E Cowtown Livestock Exchange reflected on an “incredible day”.

“On behalf of everyone at Cowtown Livestock, we would like to extend a sincere thank you to all the buyers, consignors, bidders, sponsors, staff, volunteers, ringmen, auctioneers, and everyone who helped make this year’s event such a tremendous success. The support shown from across the livestock industry truly highlights the strength and pride of the Canadian cattle business.

“A huge congratulations goes out to the 2026 Canadian Livestock Auctioneer Champion, Mr. Dave Jacob from Brussels Livestock, Ontario.

“Congratulations to our very own People’s Choice Recipient, Tyler Cronkhite! Your passion, professionalism, and dedication to the customers in Cowtown is noticed and appreciated!”

Cowtown Livestock Exchange said that Jim Wilson was inducted into the LMAC Memorial Honor Roll in recognition of his outstanding contributions and dedication to the livestock industry in Canada.

“A well-deserved honour for a true supporter of the cattle business and the Maple Creek community.

“We were honoured to host such a great group of competitors and visitors here in Maple Creek, and we appreciate everyone who attended, or viewed online, and helped showcase the future and tradition of the livestock auction industry.”

• The national LMAC auctioneering championship rotates annually across provinces. Last year’s competition was in Virden, Manitoba, while next year’s is scheduled for Ponoka, Alberta.

RESULTS

Champion:

Dave Jacob

2nd Tyler Slawinski

3rd  Tyler Rosehill

4th Kyle Soderberg

5th Kirk Goldsmith

Remaining Top 10 (Listed Alphabetically by Last Name)

Russell Allison

Rob Bergevin

Dean Lawes

Rhett Parks

Christian Von Platen

LMAC Rookie

of the Year

Christian Von Platen

LMAC Most Improved Auctioneers

Josh Poland

LMAC High Point Interview

Tyler Rosehill

LMAC People’s Choice

Tyler Cronkhite

LMAC Hall of Fame Inductee

Brock Taylor

LMAC Memorial

Honour Roll

Drillon Beaton

Lorraine Klepper

Charles Ménard

Jim Wilson

Man-Sask Auctioneer Champion

Ty Cutler

Bob Wright Memorial Man-Sask Rookie Auctioneer

Jonathan Stratuliak