You could say it's in the genes.

This spring, Jesse Lawes, Class of 2013, business administration, earned the title of Canadian Livestock Auctioneer Champion for 2023.

It's quite an accomplishment but for anyone who knows the family, it comes as no surprise. Lawes comes from a long line of established auctioneers. His family is also well known in the livestock industry.

“My grandfather, Jack Lawes, was an auctioneer in the Lloydminster area and worked in the cattle business for years,” says Lawes. “In 1974, he moved to Provost and purchased the livestock exchange there. Together with my dad, along with a few other partners over the years, they ran the business and since then, the whole family became involved. My mom worked as the office manager, my dad ran the auctions. As kids, including my brother, Casey (Class of 2011, agribusiness), and my sister, Taylor, we pretty much grew up at the auction mart. It was like our second home. We were there before and after school most days."

The 24th annual national competition that Lawes won is hosted by the Livestock Market Association of Canada (LMAC). This year's competition was held in Olds, Alta. After competing in previous competitions in 2022 and 2019, Lawes hoped the third time was the charm. On a competition stage that was an actual live auction, Jesse had nine lots of cattle to sell to the highest bidder, all while trying to impress a panel of judges that consisted of fellow professional auctioneers, past champions, cattle buyers and producers. Despite feeling some pressure at the beginning, it didn't take long for him to find his rhythm.

“I've been on a lot of big stages in my career, including the Canadian Finals Rodeo and such, but I have to say that this competition was a little nerve-wracking,” says Lawes. “But once I got into it, I was able to settle right down. I also felt I had something to prove as my brother, Casey, won the title of top rookie in 2019.”

Lawes also says the experience of taking part in the national competition has helped him develop his own skills in the industry. The feedback he received and being able to learn from other professionals in a comfortable setting just can't be beat.

“The people in the competition are the best of the best,” says Lawes. “Someday I hope to be able to pass on the lessons that I've learned to others.”

That might happen sooner than he thinks. Like many other multigenerational family traditions, there appears to be another Lawes champion auctioneer in the making.

“My two-year-old son, Westin, comes with me to the livestock exchange in Provost as much as possible. I guess he watches me a lot; he's definitely not afraid to pick up the microphone. It's like déjà vu.”

With the success and experience of the auctioneering competition under his belt, a new venture with his dad and the Lakevold family from Provost as business partners is also putting his business administration credentials to work. Together, they purchased North Central Livestock, now known as the Vermilion Livestock Exchange. Jesse is heading up its management operations.

“There's been a lot of growth on the business side of things and in our family. In addition to the Provost and Vermilion livestock exchanges, we also run a 500-head Black Angus cattle operation,” says Jesse. “On the personal side, my wife, Jenna (Dudding Class of 2011, university transfer), who I met at Lakeland, is gearing up to write her CPA exams, and we also have another baby on the way. So that's quite a bit on the go right now.”

Photo: Jesse Lawes and his son Westin in front of his livestock trailer.