SOUTH DAKOTA — Jace Thompson captured the 2026 World Livestock Auctioneer Championship (WLAC) title, earning the coveted championship crown following this year’s finals competition.
Thompson, from Billings, Montanta successfully held off a talented field of livestock auctioneers to claim the championship. Along with the title, Thompson received a prize package that included $10,000 in cash, a one-year use of the world champion truck, a Gist belt buckle, a hand-tooled leather briefcase, a bronze WLAC sculpture, a world champion ring, a custom engraved Henry Original rifle, the Golden Gavel Award, and a sterling silver money clip.
Troy Robinett finished as the Reserve Champion, while Barrett Simon claimed Runner-Up honors.
Additional awards were presented during the championship ceremony. Simon earned recognition for recording the highest interview score during the competition, while Austin Schaben was named the Audrey K. Banks Rookie of the Year.
The World Livestock Auctioneer Championship annually recognizes excellence in the livestock marketing industry, testing contestants on auctioneering ability, industry knowledge, professionalism, and communication skills.
The top 10 finalists entering the World Finals were:
- Jace Thompson
- Ryan Konynenbelt
- Josh Jasper
- Jerran Miller
- Leon Caselman
- Andrew Sylvester
- Barrett Simon
- Garrett Nunn
- Troy Robinett
- Austin Schaben
Organizers announced that the 2027 World Livestock Auctioneer Championship will be held in South Lake Tahoe, Nevada, and Galt, California.
The World Livestock Auctioneer Championship is considered one of the highest honors in the livestock marketing profession, drawing top auctioneers from across North America to compete for the industry’s most prestigious title.