On the right is 2021 ALPA Victoria Young Auctioneer Competition winner Joshua McDonald, with runner-up Ryan Bajada.

WARRNAMBOOL stock agent Joshua McDonald has won the 2021 ALPA Victoria Young Auctioneers Competition from runner-up Bairnsdale auctioneer Ryan Bajada.

Joshua works for Nutrien Ag Solutions at Warrnambool and Ryan represented Elders Rural Services at Bairnsdale in the final at the Victorian Livestock Exchange at Pakenham on Monday.

In winning the prestigious completion, Joshua collected the Graham Lanyon Shield, $500 cash, various prizes, and a place in the 2022 ALPA National Young Auctioneers Competition on 8 April at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. Ryan will also represent Victoria in the national competition.

The other 2021 ALPA Victoria Young Auctioneers Competition finalists were Ned Balharrie, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Ballarat; Jacob Brennan, Mulcahy Nelson Livestock, Tatura; Alister Bright, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Ararat; Ryan Carpenter, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Ballarat; Joshua Chiavaroli, Elders Rural Services, Korumburra; Harry Cozens, Elders Rural Services, Wodonga, and Jack Ginnane, Nutrien Leongatha SGL, Leongatha.

Australian Livestock & Property Agents Association chief executive officer Peter Baldwin said he knew from the ALPA Auctioneers School at Echuca that the finalists were a very good group of young auctioneers and they represented their employers, families and importantly themselves with distinction and pride.

“Nothing beats the sheer electric atmosphere of a livestock auction and these young auctioneers in not only inspiring the next generation and industry peers, delivered highest and best price outcomes for the producers who support the sale.

“This is living testament of the importance of selling livestock in saleyards and our unstinting commitment to professional development and education of our up and coming young women and men in this great industry,” he said after the final.

The 2021 ALPA Victoria Young Auctioneer Competition finalists.