California hosts Livestock Marketing Association events

<p>2018 World Livestock Auctioneer Champion Jared Miller, left, Leon, Iowa, and Russele Sleep, Bedford, Iowa, during live auction competition at the Tulare Sales Yard.</p>

<p>It was standing room only at the annual World Livestock Auctioneer Championship in Tulare, Calif. The event, held this year at the Tulare Sales Yard, featured the first-ever 100 percent dairy sale at the annual competition.</p>

<p>Buyers and spectators came out to see the 2019 World Livestock Auctioneer Championship in Tulare, Calif. in early June.</p>

<p>The World Livestock Auctioneer Championship was televised live from Tulare, Calif.</p>

<p>Buyers watch intently for a chance to buy dairy cattle at a sale in Tulare, Calif.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Spectators at the 2019 World Livestock Auctioneer Championship in Tulare, Calif.</p>

<p>Contestant Jim Settle of Arroyo Grande, Calif. right, calls an auction at the annual World Livestock Auctioneer Contest in Tulare, Calif. Seated next to him is 2018 World Livestock Auctioneer Jared Miller, Leon, Iowa.</p>

<p>Russele Sleep, left, is congratulated by 1982 World Livestock Auctioneer Champion Dan Williams, Boone, N.C., after being announced the 2019 World Livestock Auctioneer.</p>

<p>World Livestock Auctioneer host champion David Macedo, right, with 2019 World Livestock Auctioneer Champion Russele Sleep. Macedo is the 2006 world champion and owner of Tulare Sales Yard in Tulare, Calif.</p>

<p>Among other prizes, 2019 World Livestock Auctioneer Champion Russele Sleep will get to drive this new Chevrolet pickup during his year-long service as a champion spokesman for the Livestock Marketing Association.</p>

<p>USDA Undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Greg Ibach chats with Livestock Marketing Association members during the organization's annual meeting in Visalia, Calif.</p>

<p>Livestock Marketing Association members from across the United States gathered in Visalia, Calif. to attend the annual LMA Conference and World Livestock Auctioneer Championship.</p>

<p>Livestock Marketing Association members from across the United States gathered in Visalia, Calif. to attend the annual LMA Conference and World Livestock Auctioneer Championship.</p>

<p>Chelsea Good, LMA's vice president of government and industry affairs, standing, talks packers and stockyards issues with Livestock Marketing Association members during the industry's annual regulatory affairs update. Members also heard from Pierce Bennett, LMA's government and industry affairs associate, seated left, and Jara Settles, LMA general counsel.</p>

<p>LMA staff member Chelsea Good, left, answers board member questions on regulatory and policy issues at the annual LMA meeting in Visalia, Calif.</p>

<p>Livestock Marketing Association leadership, from left, Chairman of the Board Jerry Etheredge, Montgomery, Ala.; LMA President Tom Frey, Creston, Iowa; and, LMA Chief Executive Officer Mark Mackey.</p>

<p>Livestock Marketing Association members heard discussions on issues including animal handling, dealer statutory trust, transportation and regulatory issues affecting packers and stockyards at the association's annual meeting in Visalia, Calif.</p>