It was a back to back victory for this year's SA Young Auctioneer winner. Nutrien Bordertown agent Jack Guy has claimed the state title of the Australian Livestock & Property Agents Association's Young Auctioneer competition for the second year in a row putting in a polished performance on the rail. The 22-year-old, who bought a new Akubra hat especially for the occasion, was in familiar territory selling the three steers he was allocated at the Naracoorte Regional Livestock Exchange during Tuesday's market. He has been selling the yearlings at Naracoorte every week in Nutrien's run along with the lambs and in the past month has also been a fill in auctioneer at the Mount Gambier Saleyards. Jack - who has been with Nutrien for six years - says he enjoys the chance to control the crowd and achieve the best prices possible for the company's clients. "It is a good feeling when people come up to you and say thank you for selling my stock and it is a talent that a lot of young people aren't chasing too hard, especially in SA so I thought it was worth a go," he said. He believes there are three ingredients to being a good auctioneer. "Getting the values right are key, a little bit of know how and knowledge of people and who is going to buy what lots goes a long way," he said. Since his first go in the national finals at the Sydney Royal Easter Show he says he has been finessing the descriptions of the animals he sells, especially at ram sales. "If you are looking over an animal take the time to assess them and not just rush in," he said. Excited about having another go on the big stage next year, Jack says it would be a dream come true if he could become just the second SA agent to win a national title. "I want to go as far as it will take me, Calgary (Stampede) would be the dream," he said. Joining him in Sydney will be runner-up Josh Pahl from SAL Livestock Naracoorte who, with only a year's auctioneering experience, has quickly progressed. The 23-year-old says former state winner Mat MacDonald, who is his work colleague, has been a fantastic mentor since his first time selling at a local clearing sale. "Last year at the competition was my first time selling cattle, Matty threw me in the deep end and said have a go, I picked up a bit of a technique and went to a few schools and have really tried to develop a pattern and control the nerves," he said. "I love getting the best results for the vendor and the company, creating an atmosphere and being a part of something special when you are on the rail." Also impressing in the SA competition was Austin Gerhardy from Nutrien Manjimup, WA, who had travelled more than 3000 kilometres for his chance to attend an ALPA competition. WA has no annual school so young auctioneers wanting to take the next step need to attend an interstate school to be assessed on their suitability to compete in the national finals. Austin who sells regularly at Boyanup, WA, yards said it was a "wonderful opportunity" to learn from some of SA's best auctioneers and he had gained a lot out of it. ALPA chief executive officer Peter Baldwin said they were thrilled with the enthusiasm of the entrants and their determination to give it their best shot. "We believe they acquitted themselves extremely well, ultimately it is about the price they can get for the vendor and we felt they did a very good job on that basis, especially their knowledge of values," he said. The previous day nine agents from across the SA, plus two from WA, participated in the Auctioneers School, which Mr Baldwin said had been the "launching pad" of many fine agents and auctioneers. "We are managing someone else's asset and we have this judicial obligation to the vendor so we want these young people equipped and skills in as many things as quick as they can be," he said. "Doubtless they are getting wonderful training in their own organisation but we can add another layer and an independent layer."