As cattle, lambs, hogs and goats weave through the show ring at The National Western Stock Show, John Korrey calls rapid-fire bids, his voice driving thousands of dollars in sales while keeping the crowd on edge.
“I work hard for every exhibitor — every child — every piece. I try to sell it like my own,” said the 73-year-old Colorado native. Korrey has been involved with the stock show for 25 years, auctioning junior livestock to raise funds for scholarships.
Korrey’s path began on a farm in Iliff, just northeast of Denver, where he was born, raised and still lives today. As a child, he spent countless days at the nearby livestock sales and farm auctions with his father, absorbing the sights, sounds and energy that would shape his future.
“I was just fascinated with the auctioneer and how he or she conducted themselves, and I wanted to do that,” he said.
Inspired, Korrey began practicing at a young age. Around the age of 16, he recalled his first auction, a lumber yard sale.
“I was scared to death,” he said, but that fear didn’t hold him back.
He soon attended auctioneer school, setting the stage for a lifelong career. Since then, he has auctioned across the country and abroad, including Dubai, Germany, Spain, Mexico and the Netherlands, selling equipment for Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers.
Korrey said auctioneering requires more than a fast chant, it demands a mix of natural talent, years of practice and integrity.
Each auctioneer’s chant is unique, and no two sound the same. He said out of 100 people who attend auction school, only two or three are likely to succeed in the business.
“If you can’t communicate with somebody like we are talking here today, you’re probably not going to be a very good auctioneer, because what you’re doing is communicating numbers to the buying audience,” he said.
Korrey said success depends on clear and honest communication with buyers, understanding the value of the product being sold, reading the room and creating a sense of urgency to bid while maintaining trust.
A family legacy
Justin Stout, a 46-year-old auctioneer from Overland Park, Kan., shares Korrey’s dedication. Stout grew up in the purebred livestock industry, following in his father’s footsteps as an auctioneer.
“Our business is working for individual families and individual ranchers that may have one sale a year, and that is their biggest payday of the year.”
“For them to hire us to come in and conduct that for them is a very humbling experience and and it kind of gives you, no matter how many times you do it, a little shot of nerves as you’re getting ready to start because you want to have a successful day for those people.”
Stout said a mentor once told him that the day you stop feeling any nerves before starting an auction is the day you no longer care, and thatap when itap time to quit.
“There’s a lot more to the job than just crawling up there and counting numbers for a couple of hours. There’s a professional manner in which to conduct yourself,” he said.
Stout first became involved with the stock show in 2015, conducting a frozen genetic sale auction.
At this year’s stock show, he will handle the frozen sale, featuring semen and embryo lots from cattle, followed by the Hereford sale and the national Charolais sale.
Stout said there isn’t anything else out there that even comes close to the stock show, and the community is what makes him come back every year.
“You’re catching people always at their very best, which makes it a heck of a lot of fun,” he said.
Last year’s event also held special significance as it marked the for livestock exhibitors on the prestigious green carpet in the historic 1909 Stadium Arena.
Korrey said the stock show is preparing for a move into a new facility this year, the , promising an even more exciting experience for participants and spectators alike.
When asked what he hopes people understand about auctioneering and the work they do, Korrey became emotional.
Korrey said you have to have confidence in what you’re going to do. He said he works just as hard for the last-place animal as he does for the champion.
“Every year is unique. Every year is so exciting,” Korrey said. “I give it my all for the kids and the community.”
For Korrey and Stout, the Stock Show is more than a job, itap a tradition, a community and a chance to make a difference in the next generation of ranchers, auctioneers and livestock enthusiasts.
“The profession has been great for me, and I just want to give back and I really enjoy what I do,” Korrey said.
“I have a lot of young auctioneers that have been hanging around me that are doing a good job. So when I decide someday to step down, I’m in good hands.”
A showcase event
has been a cornerstone of Denver’s livestock industry for more than a century, fueling the ranching economy and showcasing Western heritage.
The 16-day event, held each January, is also a hub of entertainment, featuring one of the world’s richest regular-season professional rodeos, world-class horse shows, family educational activities and Colorado’s largest Western trade show.
At the heart of this tradition are the auctioneers, whose skill can determine not only the outcome of a sale but also the livelihoods of the exhibitors.
Youth participation is a major highlight at the stock show, with young exhibitors from across the country competing for prize money, national recognition and college scholarships.
In 2024, the Auction of Junior Livestock Champions saw 98 animals sell for a , the highest total in stock show history.
The auction’s proceeds directly support the National Western Scholarship Trust, which funds scholarships for students pursuing agriculture and rural medicine careers.
“Thanks to these events and the incredible generosity of our supporters, we’re able to fund 120 scholarships annually, ranging from $2,500 to $15,000 per student,” said Paul Andrews, former President and CEO of the National Western Stock Show, in a news release.
“These scholarships represent an investment in the future of agriculture, helping students pursue their dreams and make meaningful contributions to their communities.”
