A goal that started years ago on the lap of his grandfather came true as Will Epperly from Dunlap, Iowa was named the 2022 World Auctioneer Champion.

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Epperly’s journey to be the world champion is unique. Typically people learn through taking courses, Epperly taught himself.

I listened to so many world champions. I listened to the 2007 world champion Trent Stewart, the 2008 world champion Matt Lowry, and Ralph Wade, and I kind of built my chant around those three gentlemen; but I made it my own. When people hear my chant, they think of me rather than the three gentlemen

This year is Epperly’s 12th year competing at a World Livestock Auctioneer Championship-affiliated event. He earned his spot in this year’s competition by winning Runner-Up honors at the Midwestern Qualifying events.

Epperly works at Dunlap Livestock Auction where he gets to practice his art every day.

And honestly, it's something that I love to do and just I wake up every morning giddy as my wife says, to come to these things and get the opportunity to sell.

So, what does it take to become a World Champion Auctioneer?

Epperly explains the first step is to just sell at a livestock auction. He says that when you start competing, you are getting yourself entered into a whole new brotherhood.

It's a family we're all friends in this contest, and we make jokes. I don't know how many short jokes I got this year, but I counted them up and think there were at least 13 short jokes. So, it's a camaraderie that we have here but something you should expect it.

As champion, Epperly will spend the next year traveling the country, sharing his auctioneering skills with other livestock auction markets, and acting as a spokesperson on behalf of the livestock marketing industry and Livestock Marketing Association.

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