A passion for working in agriculture led Devon YFC member Ben Slawson to a career in auctioneering and a win in the national competition.
The fast-talking 23 year old from Culm Valley YFC won NFYFC’s Auctioneering national final at the Staffordshire County Showground in July, which was supported by IAE.
On leaving school, Ben chose to pursue a career as an auctioneer in Devon selling livestock and machinery and hasn’t looked back.
“I grew up on the family farm and got to that age when you think about what you’re going to do when you leave school. I realised that farms weren’t coming my way and how can you stay in agriculture but still earn a good income from it,” explained Ben.
“I fell in love with auctioneering by working in the markets at a younger age and slowly climbed up through the ranks and to the point I’m now selling.”
Ben, who joined his club when he was 13, shied away from the competition at first but says ‘gut instinct’ and confidence are all you need to compete.
“I took part in the competition because I was an auctioneer. It was one of those ones at Field Days that was always well supported, and I sort of cowered away and then as you grow into it with work you think I might probably give it a chance.
“It’s one of those ones that gut instinct and the ability to stand up and say yes will get you so far in this competition, whether you’re a professional, a farmer, a mechanic.
“We’ve seen in this year’s competition that there have been so many people with different job vocations taking part that have all gone on and done really well. It’s just a case of give it a go and you’ll be amazed at where it leads you.”
Competitors had to value pieces of equipment at the Showground and then auction them off to a live crowd during the competition. Former Cumbrian YFC member Joe Bowman, who is also an auctioneer, judged the competition.
“Joe did give us a good bit of group feedback and said the standard was really high, and when I heard that I thought I’ve not got a chance here,” said Ben about his result.
“It feels brilliant to win. I was sat at the back of the room, and they said third and second and then they were leading up to it and I thought it was somebody else. I said: ‘that’s not me’ and my heart rate calmed down. I sat back in my chair and then all of a sudden, my name came out, and then real panic, and I still can’t believe it!”
Ben is no stranger to succeeding – after supporting his club to get back on its feet following the pandemic.
He has taken on numerous top table roles to ensure the club’s success over the last few years. He credits the club with transforming him too.
“I started with Culm Valley YFC when I was 13, the shy kid at the back of the room who wouldn’t put his hand up. Then Covid came in and the club was struggling and it took a few of us who had just turned 17/18 to really pull the club up by the boot strings and get it back going again.
“I’ve taken on almost every role on the top table. It’s just really about turning your hand to everything you can and getting as much out of Young Farmers as possible.”
With a national trophy under his belt, Ben would recommend the competition to others.
“It was just being calm, complacent and thorough with the descriptions and the evaluations and really trying to use that knowledge on it to help me over the line.
“I’d recommend doing the Auctioneering competition to anyone. It gets you all the way from a little village in Devon all the way to the bright lights of Stafford!”
See all the Competitions Day results.
