Young auctioneer state winners - where are they now?

Several have stayed in the industry and gone on to build great careers. Others have found another path.

Across the next four days, ahead of the national competition - which will be livestreamed through ACM Agriculture - we're looking back.

Today, we're starting with the winners from 2008, 2009 and 2010.

While 2006 SA Young Auctioneer winner Stewart Bryant is still plying his trade as a stock agent, he is having a fair crack at making a name for himself in another pursuit.

After winning the title while working for Rodwells & Co, Millicent, Stewart moved to Mansfield, Vic, where he has been living, working and whipcracking for 14 years.

Now working as a stocky with Nutrien Mansfield, Stewart - and his family - have also been performing across Australia, showcasing a repertoire of whipcracking, horse handling and bush poetry.

"Whipcracking has always been a passion of mine, I started doing " Stewart said.

"Over the last seven or eight years, it has very much become a secondary income. We travel a lot these days to perform.

"Our show is based around whipcracking, but we also have a couple of horses that do tricks, and include some bush poetry and music.

"We aim to keep that bush heritage and culture going."

The Bryants are getting ready to embark on a Queensland tour in May.

Two of their three boys take part in the performance and are also excelling on the competitive whipcracking circuit, both boasting state champion titles in their respective age groups.

Work in the Victorian high country has also been keeping Stewart busy.

He says the last few years have been an especially good time in agriculture.

It was a case of third time lucky for Luke Schreiber when he won the state final in 2007 after being runner-up twice.

He says competing in the national final in Sydney gave him some great industry contacts and also a chance to sell on a big stage.

"The real benefit outside the auctioneering was the exposure and chance to connect with people from the other side of the country," he said.

And in the years since, the "townie from Port Lincoln" has become a respected auctioneer for Spence Dix & Co officiating at many on-property stud sales, clearing sales and off-shears sales.

Last year he sold one of the season's highest priced Merinos with the $51,000 sale topper at Moorundie Poll Merino stud, Keith, and added up some frantic bidding at Glenlea Park's ram sale at Brimbago, which averaged $4286 for 157 rams.

Another big highlight for Luke was Spence Dix & Co's first Keith off-shears sale in 2009.

"The pressure was huge because we were the new kids on the block and ex-Elders staff and had built our own saleyards, but the results were very good," he said.

Luke is often up the front at community fundraisers, including auctioning off yabbies for yabby racing at the Tintinara football club where the winner took a good sum home.

"At one charity auction I remember selling a stubbie holder for $50 to the bloke who donated it," he said.

Luke's interest in auctioneering was sparked while working as young jackaroo for the McGregor family at Willalooka Station in 2002 and 2003.

Willalooka's Merino stud had recently formed a joint venture with NSW New England fine wool stud Lorelmo and the Angus stud was also expanding.

"I was exposed to the likes of (Elders) Richard Cooper and Tom Penna at the ram sales and Paul Dooley came in for the bull sales. I remember the buzz they brought to the auction and atmosphere they created and how it had a positive impact on the prices," he said.

"I have always been an excitable person but I thought that is something that I want to do."

From there he joined Elders as an agent and worked for a few years before moving to Spence Dix & Co.

"I love the fact you can really make an impact with your selling and have a fair bit of control over the result for your clients," he said.

ALSO IN THE NEWS:

Josh Manser* has auctioneering in the blood, as the son of Mount Gambier auctioneer Chris Manser.

He started out his career at SAL Mount Gambier, winning the state competition, 2.5 years after first stepping up to the rails.

He is a two-time winner, also picking up the gong in 2010.

In the years since, he has relocated to PPHS Naracoorte where he has become the main auctioneer, working on some big selling days - with some high prices - including the blue ribbon first-cross ewe sales and the Christmas weaner sales.