View From The Auction Block

Growing up on our small ranch, my biggest thrill was being with my dad. We'd build fence, feed the cattle, ride horses, work on tractors and do the things fathers and sons do in rural America. It was the day-to-day values that stuck with me.

I really enjoyed it when we took cattle to the local sale barn or when we would go to pick up some stocker cattle. Life at the sale barn was fun. The food was good. The pace was quick and the people were friendly. Like any kid I was mesmerized by the auctioneers and the magical, rythmic way they spoke. At first it was a foreign language, but after a while I began to understand.

I wanted to become an auctioneer. Like the famous LeRoy Van Dyke song about becoming an auctioneer, I practiced day and night out behind the barn. I started working at the sale barn when I was just a kid. In doing so I learned more about the thrill of being an auctioneer. People looked up to the guy on the mic.

When I got to high school, my boss, the famous Hoke Evetts let me sell baby calves and goats. I probably wasn't very good, but I got along just fine. The backyard buyers didn't seem to mind a young budding colonel on the block. The order buyers had little patience for a rookie.

In college, it became my job. It put me through school. I didn't have to have a real job like the other students. I made money talking fast. I learned the trade. Got a silver belly hat, some lizard boots, starched monogrammed shirts and Wranglers. Hey, if I was gonna be an auctioneer, I wanted to make sure I looked like one. I knew there was a uniform. Yea, a real big shot.

In the more than thirty-five plus years since I stepped up on the auction block I have sold tens of millions of dollars of farm equipment, purebred and commercial livestock and my share of country bizaars. I've been able to travel all over the country. It has been a good ride. I have been paid a good wage and met lots of interesting people. Each auction is different, yet the same. I have enjoyed keeping track of market conditions in a variety of areas. It helps keep me connected to the industry and the people I love.

There have been times I thought about auctioneering full time, but I'm selfish. I get the best of all worlds. I get to teach about agriculture during the week and chase auctions on the weekends. I did three last weekend. Got a few more in the coming weeks.

In all this, the coolest thing is my youngest son Kyler is now becoming an auctioneer. Like my dad did with me, I take him to auctions. He loves it when he gets to call a few bids. Otherwise he is happy spending hours as a talented and persuasive bid spotter. He is getting pretty good. In time, he may be a champion - a path I never chased. He is 10 years-old.

He told me today, "Dad, I'm gonna buy a ranch with my auctioneer money." That's great. "Then I'll buy my plane."

My view from the auction block is different now, I get to watch over the shoulder of a fearless kid who talks fast, wears a big silver buckle, a silver belly hat, starched jeans and snap button shirt. Lil' Colonel Kyler is on his way.

Thanks dad.


Scott