Livestock auctioneer from Mitchell, Ont. fast-talks his way to national championship

Doug Jacob (left) and his son Dave Jacob (right) on May 14, 2026. (Karis Mapp/CTV News)

Dave Jacob of Mitchell, Ont. has always known he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps as an auctioneer.

“I started the first time when I was about 12 or 13 [years old],” he recalled. “My parents made me stop because they were afraid I’d become an auctioneer instead of being a student.”

Jacob still has a passion for the profession. The 40-year-old is now the president of his family’s auctioneering business, Jacob Auctions Ltd., and he recently returned from the 2026 Canadian Livestock Auctioneering Championships in Medicine Hat, Alberta, where he took first place.

“There were 41 contestants this year,” he told CTV News. “There were, I believe, four of us from Ontario, and I’m the fifth auctioneer from Ontario to win this title.”

The competition focused on livestock, but his company auctions everything from farm equipment, cars and even estate sales.

Jacob’s father, Doug, was an auctioneer for almost 50 years.

“It’s been in my blood, and it’s just always been what I wanted to do,” Jacob said. “I’m thankful to be living my dream.”

Doug is thrilled by his son’s success.

“There’s a lot to it,” the elder auctioneer said. “You got to know what you’re seeing. You should be a people person. You got to be honest and straightforward with everyone.”

The Livestock Markets Association of Canada (LMAC) hosted the championship in Medicine Hat. CTV News spoke to CEO Rick Wright about what the judges wanted to see from competitors.

“Control of your voice, control of your breathing. You have to have product knowledge. You have to know what you’re selling, and what [the cattle] are worth on the market that particular day,” Wright said. “It was a very close competition, but Dave [Jacob] came out on top and he’s a very good-quality auctioneer.”

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Jacob will next compete at the International Livestock Auctioneers Championships, at the Calgary Stampede, in July.

“It’s humbling and I love what I do,” he shared. “The camaraderie amongst the auctioneers is fantastic and the passion we all bring to the table and watching that come out is really second to none.”