sS—Lancaster^ 1 ; Ed Lachman, the only American photographed the three German film crews, focuses on the auctioneering competition for a film to be made fbr German audiences. The German film crew was interested in filming the Pa. Dutch ties to the Old Country. Paul Sanger of Lebanon, Pa., had the honor of being the oldest auctioneer at the World Cham pionship. He is 65 years old and has been auc tioneering for 50 years. Next summer he will attend the championships in Calgary, Alberta, to celebrate a half-century of dedication to his work. ,'June26Vl976 * STOCK AUC By JOANNE SPAHR NEW HOLLAND - It was a big event last Saturday at the New Holland Sales Stables, Inc., when the World Livestock Auctioneer Championships took place. A motley crew of cosmopolitan . auctioneers in white cowboy hats and business suits, farmers in their work-a-day jeans, women in high quality pantsuits and makeup, and Amish in their traditional garb all rubbed elbows and swapped' facts while a German movie crew looked on, filming the whole process for posterity and a TV audience back home. Why the excitement? “It’s the Miss America pageant of auctioneering,” drawled Ralph Waite, this year’s reserve champion sponsored from Coffeyville, Kansas, while awaiting his turn at the block. Waite was one of 53-con testants from across the United States who signed up to compete in this year’s annual event which has taken place for 13 years now. According to Gerry Nevins, coordinator of the contest and Advertising Business, manager of the Livestock Market Digest who conducted the affair, this year’s turnout was one of the best ever. Many of the participating auctioneers, returning for their, third and fourth times for a try at the coveted title, agreed with Nevins’ observations. Most said that there seemed to be more interest in auc tioneering in this area than in other parts of the country. This is part of the reason New Holland Sales Stables was chosen to host the event. Nevins said that when the Livestock Market Digest, Inc., was looking for a place for this year’s contest, the East Coast was chosen as the basic region. From there, it was a process, of elimination. “We knew competitive marketing was strong in the region, so we chose it, and there’s been a record crowd,” explained Nevins. “Abes” also been a great man to work with,” he ad ded. Abe Diffenbach, president of the New Holland Sales Stables, had prepared for 2000 to 3000 people, and his expectations were easily met. In fact, after the con test, he estimated that there were at least that many people in the arena alone, watching the sale. There’s no doubt that the arena was packed. Nor mally, according to Dif fenbach, it holds anywhere from 400-500, but during the auction it was crammed past its capacity. Not a single spot was vacant. Crowds were overflowing and pushing out onto the cat walks where the vision was limited, but word of mouth was good. Also, in the horse bam, Diffenbach had four closed circuit cameras set up - two facing each direction. Although it began at noon, to get a good seat most •^raaafc* -Tl Super affluence and old world hats 'and Cadillacs swapped ick traditions met and meshed on and opinions with local Amish f; Saturday as auctioneers in Stetson mers. people arrived early in the morning. “We got here at 9:30,” said Krall Hostetter and Ed Bowers, two interested local people'who planned to come to the event for over three weeks. “You never know when you’ll get to see something like this again,” they con tinued while snacking on the free lunch of ring bblogna, cheese, olives, pickles, potato chips, and pretzels set up by the New Holland Sales Stables. It will be some time before the event returns to Pa. Next year it will be held- in Calgary, Alberta. Sponsored every year by the Livestock Marketing Association and conducted by the Livestock Market Digest, Inc., a subsidiary company, in conjunction with the Livestock Marketing Congress, which was held at Hershey this year, the contest stresses professionalism in auc tioneering. (Continued on Page 60] Ron Bali, last year’s World Champion Auctioneer from Brush, Colo., the day’s festivities by auctioning off the first set of cattle at the Livestock Auctioneer Championships on Saturday. Seated beside him is Diffenbach, clerk at the stables. s* " v JP THE AUCTIONEERS By Wynn C. Walker, Sr, Written at New Holland Sales Stables June 19,1976 Thefans turned slowly in the summer breeze, Up dose the New Halland Sales Barn’s'.eaves While far below in the different pens The steers moved round and round again Waiting their turn to move through the gates To get on the scales for their sale weights. The auctioneers’ voices rose loud and dear Over the noise of cattle and people here At the National Livestock Auctioneering Contest Each giving his call his very best To the judges and buyers in the arena packed Who purchased the steers from the auction block Western hats, western jeans, sport coats, ties Colored shirts were seen, As the auctioneers moved down the wooden walk To reach the arena and have their say, Trying all his auctioneering tricks To be named the auctioneering Champion 1976. r S * ~ -