THE HAWKEYE AUCTIONEER

Quarterly E-Newsletter

FALL 2024

Inside This Issue:

• State Convention Updates and Information - Rod Backes
• Save the Date and Reserve your Room for the Upcoming Convention
• Exciting Announcement: Iowa Auctioneers Association Annual Scholarship
• Market update - Doug Head
• State Fair, Website, and FFA Updates - Corey Fraise
• Thank You to Our IAA Sponsors
• Industry Calendar
• Officers & Board Members

View past newsletters on the IAA website:

https://iowaauctioneers.org/news/

Greetings, Fellow Auctioneers!

I hope you’ve all had a productive summer filled with successful auctions, while also finding time to relax with family and friends. I wanted to provide you with a quick update on the Annual Convention and some exciting upcoming competitions.

Annual Convention Updates:

The Annual Convention is shaping up to be an incredible event! Mark your calendars for Thursday, January 30th, when we kick things off with two real estate classes. The first will focus on Buyer Representation, taught by Greta Hass, followed by Chris Snider’s session on technology, photography, and possibly a touch on AI.



We’re also thrilled to announce that John Schultz, current NAA President, will be our main instructor. John is renowned for his expertise in marketing and AI, and you can expect some mind-blowing insights from his presentations.

Additionally, we’ve lined up a Q&A panel on the Agricultural Land & Equipment Markets, featuring at least four auctioneers from different regions of Iowa. On Friday afternoon, there will be a special Bid Calling class for Rookies, FFA members (see below), and Open competitors. This is a fantastic opportunity to receive last-minute tips from a panel of past champions. More classes will be added soon, so stay tuned!

Exciting New Competitions:

We’re introducing a brand-new TEAM Bid Calling Competition on Friday night! This event will be limited to the first 15 teams this year as we gauge interest. It’s sure to be a night packed with fun and entertainment, as we’ll also be hosting the Ringmen’s Competition, the Fun Auction, and the President’s Party on the same evening.

Link: FOR RULES ON THE TEAM COMPETITION CLICK HERE

That’s all for now! It’s shaping up to be a fantastic convention, so make sure to mark your calendars for January 30th – February 1st. We can’t wait to see you there!

Best regards,

Rod Backes

Backes Commercial Auctioneers

IAA Vice President

Event Summary:

Iowa Auctioneers Association

Start Date: Wednesday, January 29, 2025

End Date: Sunday, February 2, 2025

Last Day to Book: Wednesday, January 1, 2025

Hotel(s) offering your special group rate:

Sheraton West Des Moines Hotel

Link: Book your group rate for Iowa Auctioneers Association

Dear Members,

We are thrilled to announce the establishment of the Iowa Auctioneers Association (IAA) Annual Scholarship, a new initiative designed to give back to our members and support their families. Each year, we will award a $1,000 scholarship to a child of an IAA member, helping to further their educational aspirations in college or trade school.

This scholarship is open to any child or grandchild of an IAA member who is enrolling in college or trade school, or who is already enrolled, provided they have not previously received the scholarship. The application and detailed rules will soon be available on our website, with all submissions due by March 15 each year. We will proudly award the scholarship during the State Fair Bid Calling Contest, celebrating our recipient in a fitting and festive environment.

To ensure a fair selection process, we will form an independent Scholarship Selection Committee composed of three individuals. We are seeking members and/or spouses of our members to join this committee, and those with teaching backgrounds are particularly encouraged to apply.

If you are interested in serving on the Scholarship Selection Committee, please reach out to IAA President Corey Fraise at 319-470-0115 or cfraise@mchsi.com.

Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing how this scholarship can make a difference in our members' lives!

Best regards,

Iowa Auctioneers Association

Let me introduce myself to all the readers who don't know me. I am Doug Head, owner/Auctioneer of Head Auctions in Derby, IA. I also work out of Humeston Livestock Exchange as a field rep/backup auctioneer. Market prices in my immediate area are down on newer, high-dollar, large AG equipment because interest rates are higher, and we've been under $5/bu. corn and $10/bu. soybeans, paired with high input costs.

This spring, two large implement dealers liquidated several million dollars worth of equipment ranging from ag attachments to high-dollar planters and tractors. Primary sales were through the online-only auction method—not anything against the method, but due to the ag economy, it brought 50 to 75% of what asking prices were on the lot.

Last year, the cattle market reached an all-time high in every aspect of the weighing from cows/bulls to feeders and finished cattle. In the last few weeks, they have dropped $10 to $15 a hundred, though it remains a strong market. Also, with a higher feeder market, very few replacement heifers have been kept back for reproduction. I would say with today's market, if you were buying heifers to breed and sell for bred heifers, they probably would have to bring roughly in the vicinity of $3,000 per head to break even.

The antique market is softer depending on exactly what it is, and a lot of the younger generation isn't really interested. Now the collector coin auction is still pretty good, but with lots of variations from mint stamp, year, condition, etc. And last but not least! Your usual pots, pans, table settings, Christmas decorations, etc. Well, it's like a lonely, broken heart full of love—you can't even give it away!

Doug Head

Head Auctions LLC

Two Year Director

Dear Members,

I hope this message finds you well. I am thrilled to share some exciting news as we celebrate a significant milestone in our association's history—Our 75th Anniversary!

First and foremost, congratulations to Quest Flesner, our 2024 Iowa Auctioneer Bid Calling Champion! Quest showcased incredible talent during this year's State Bid Calling Finals, held in August at the Iowa State Fair. The competition was fierce, with six finalists vying for the coveted title. Our judges noted that it was a tightly contested race, with each contestant delivering their best performances. Ultimately, it was the question-and-answer session that determined our champion.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to the Bob Larkey Family for their generous contribution of an additional $500, bringing the total payout for this year’s champion to $1,500. This support underscores the spirit of our community and the importance of recognizing excellence in our field.

I’m also excited to announce that the Iowa Auctioneers Association, in partnership with the Iowa Beef Expo, has finalized plans to host the First Annual Iowa FFA Bid Calling Championship! This event will be open to all Iowa FFA members in grades 8 through 12 and will take place at the Iowa State Fairgrounds during the Iowa Beef Expo in February 2025. Information will be sent out soon to all Iowa FFA chapters, members, and their instructors so they can sign up to participate. I encourage you to motivate any students you know to take part in this exciting event, where scholarship funds will be awarded.

To support these young competitors, the Iowa Auctioneers Association is also working on details to provide workshops in various districts across the state. These workshops will focus on mentoring students in the art of auction chant and enhancing their technique. Jason Halberg of Continental Auction School will provide instructional materials to aid in their development. If you would like to assist with these efforts, please reach out to our Vice President, Rod Backes at 319-269-7110.

To sign up for the Iowa FFA Bid Calling Championship, please REGISTER HERE

Lastly, I’m excited to announce that the Iowa Auctioneers Association website has been completed, and an auction calendar has been added. Each association member must claim their membership on the website to update their profiles with headshots, marketing images, and business information.

A tutorial is available on the website to assist you in navigating this information.

To claim your membership on the website, CLICK HERE

Great things are happening with the Iowa Auctioneers Association, and I encourage all of you to stay engaged as we promote the art and profession of auctioneering in our great state.

Thank you for your dedication and support.

Best regards,

Corey Fraise

Fraise Auction & Real Estate

IAA President