Dean Edge Wins World Livestock Auctioneer Championship
Jun 15, 2025 | 3:09 PM
Canadian bid-caller came out on top against tough competition in Dunlap, Iowa
DUNLAP, IOWA—The week of June 2 was an emotional one for Dean Edge.
On Tuesday, he celebrated the life of Blair Vold, the mentor who gave him one of his first chances to sell. By Saturday night, Edge was named the World Livestock Auctioneer Champion.
Hailing from Rimbey, Alberta, Edge became only the third Canadian to win the contest, which debuted in 1963.
In his acceptance speech and comments after, he was quick to credit the support of his family — wife, Jeanine, and children Erin, Lexie and Lane.
He also shared the spotlight with his fellow competitors.
“This world championship might be connected to my name for the next year, but it’s not mine,” Edge said. “It’s ours. I’m going to be working for us for the next year to the very best of my ability to get out there and promote what we do.”
As the reigning World Livestock Auctioneer Champion, he will spend the next year driving the custom-wrapped World Livestock Auctioneer Championship pickup all over the country to showcase his talents and promote the livestock industry. Edge can’t wait.
“I’ve always loved the travel, and especially the chance to see so many livestock auction markets and learn how they do things,” he said. “While they have a lot of differences, they’re all working hard for producers, providing true price discovery and a reliable, transparent marketing method.”
In addition to the truck, Edge, a 1999 graduate of Western College of Auctioneering, went home with several prizes, including $6,000 in cash and custom items like a belt buckle, champion’s rifle, bronze sculpture, world champion ring, golden gavel and money clip.
Brennin Jack, Virden, Manitoba, was named reserve champion, and Preston Smith, Imperial, Nebraska, was runner up. Steve Goedert, Templeton, California, was recognized for the highest score in the interview portion of the contest.
Other top 10 finalists were: Neil Bouray, Webber, Kansas; Justin Mebane, Bakersfield, California; Jace Thompson, Billings, Montana; Ryan Konynenbelt, Fort Macleod, Alberta; Andrew Sylvester, Westmoreland, Kansas; and Barrett Simon, Rosalia, Kansas.
Tyler Bell, Anderson, Texas, was the Audrey K. Banks Rookie of the Year.
A one-hour highlight show from the 2025 competition will air on RFD-TV July 2. The 2026 World Livestock Auctioneer Championship will be held June 17-20 in St. Onge, South Dakota.
Dean Edge selling during the World Livestock Auctioneer Championship in Dunlap, Iowa
2025 WLAC Champion Dean Edge (Center) Pictured left to right with 2024 WLAC Champion Wade Leist, 2022 WLAC Champion and WLAC host Will Epperly with Dunlap Livestock Auction, and LMA President Mike VanMaanen.
2025 World Livestock Auctioneer Championship Top 10 Finalists. Left to Right: Jack Riggs, Brennin Jack, Dean Edge, Jace Thompson, Justin Mebane, Preston Smith, Barrett Simon, Andrew Sylvester, Neil Bouray, and Steve Goedert.
Championship sale day at the Dunlap Livestock Auction, Dunlap, Iowa.
About the Livestock Marketing Association
The Livestock Marketing Association (LMA), headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, is North America’s leading, national trade association dedicated to serving its members in the open and competitive auction method of marketing livestock. Founded in 1947, LMA has more than 800 member businesses across the U.S. and Canada and remains invested in both the livestock and livestock marketing industries through member support, education programs, policy representation and communication efforts.
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