Sweet talk wins national title for young auctioneer

Logan Moore, of Lake Mahinerangi, won the recent 2017 Heartland Bank Young Auctioneer title at the Canterbury A&P Show. Photo / Supplied

The gift of the gab and quick thinking on his feet paid off for Rural Livestock Ltd's livestock agent and auctioneer Logan Moore, writes Yvonne O'Hara.

Formerly of Millers Flat, Mr Moore, now 26, won the 2017 Heartland Bank Young Auctioneer title at the Canterbury A&P Show last week.

Mr Moore, who is based at Lake Mahinerangi, said the competition included an interview with the judges in the morning and stock-selling later in the day.

"I had to do two mock auctions of stud stock and sell a prime heifer," Mr Moore said.

"I just had to do it like a normal sale, and was marked on voice, patter and how I described the stock."

He said there were eight contestants, five of them from the South Island. Part of his prize is a trip to the Sydney Royal Show next year, as well as a trophy, ribbon and medal.

"I will be involved in a charity sale at the Sydney show."

He has been with Rural Livestock for four years, three of those as an auctioneer.

"I have done a couple of training courses and picked it up as I went, and the people around me also trained me."

He said selling livestock required special techniques, as well as a knowledge of animals and their pedigrees and attributes.

"You can't be shy and you have to be outgoing."

He said for him auctions were exciting, but he particularly enjoyed getting the best possible results for clients.

"I just try to get the best price and the best value for the seller."

He wants to work his way through the ranks of the company and eventually sell stud stock.