FOR Hamilton livestock agent Brady Hicks, preparing for the Young Auctioneers Competition (YAC) at Sheepvention began years ago when he was drafting sheep in the saleyards.
The Kerr & Co Livestock, Hamilton, agent says the best auctioneers' talents lie in knowing the value of livestock and having market knowledge rather than speaking quickly.
"To be the best, you need to know the value of the livestock you are selling, because if you ask way too much or not enough, you miss the market," Mr Hicks said.
"It is important because you get the respect of the buyers, and the way I see it, if the buyers trust you, you can better guide the market and with that accuracy you can help lift values."
Mr Hicks has been an agent for five years and selling stock for three.
He is mentored by colleagues and champion auctioneer Craig Pertzel and skilled draftsman Shaun Mansbridge.
"From what they've told me, talking quickly isn't the most important skill," he said.
"When you sell sheep or cattle it is about being professional all the time so when I am on the road I pretend to sell signposts to try to get the patter and tempo right and to keep practising."
He strengthens his skills by putting values on livestock when drafting and then comparing those with the auction results.
"I put a price on them and then follow the market to see how close I was – it gives me confidence that I know my stock," he said.
"That is what we've been taught: keep putting values on our stock to keep as close to the market as we can.
"I've jumped at every opportunity I can to practice selling so I've definitely improved over the years."
Audiences shouldn't expect to hear any popular selling catch-phrases replicated by Mr Hicks, who plans to introduce some fresh sales pitches of his own.
"I really just try to mix it up all the time and don't repeat myself, with every lot bringing something new to the table," he said.
He will compete against five other young livestock agents from western Victoria and eastern South Australia who will all vie to receive a prestigious nomination into the State YAC finals.
Mr Hicks said the calibre of agents this year was "high and handy", all with good auctioneer mentors who sold at south-east Australian sales.
"I first entered for experience, and it is good publicity for me and my company – now I really enjoy it," he said.
"A lot of people watch the event and see me up there selling wearing my company name.
"The talent is good so it is more or less about having fun and catching up with other agents."