The Driscoll, McIllree & Dickinson Horsham auctioneer went head-to-head with 10 other young auctioneers from across the state at Shepparton on Tuesday, February 23.

It was an amazing feat consider Mr Schilling has little experience in selling cattle.

"The first time I sold cattle was in this competition the year prior," Mr Schilling said.

The 25-year-old joined DMD Horsham in February 2018 a few years after leaving school to become a shearer.

"I was living on the land but I thought I would start thinking with my brain and not be back," he said.

Within two months of joining the agency, he was "thrown" up onto the rail to mutton at Horsham.

"It's very different selling sheep because with cattle I find it's more drawn out," Mr Schilling said.

"When we sell sheep in Horsham you often call out a price and either knock them down quickly or a buyer will shout out another price."

Mr Schilling said having a loud, deep, clear voice helped command the direction of a sale.

"When you go to a sale and have an agent that really knows how to project their voice well, it can suck you in as soon as you hear them," Mr Schilling said.

"When you first start selling though it is daunting because you're dealing with blokes who want them as cheap as they can get them but you just have to give it a crack."

Mr Schilling said among his mentors was DMD Horsham manager Stephen Kelly.

"Stephen's not only a work mentor but also a life mentor and he's had a huge influence not only on my career but also who I am as a person," Mr Schilling said.

Incredibly, South Gippsland livestock agent Jack Ginnane won competition only four months after he started selling cattle.

"I only started selling fat cattle back in early-November," Mr Ginnane said.

"I was thrown onto the rail by (Nutrien Leongatha livestock manager) Brian McCormack who grabbed the book out of my hand, put the stick in it and said 'you are selling'."

Auctioneers were judged on their voice, diction, price and manner and had the opportunity to sell three pens of cattle.

ALPA chief executive Peter Baldwin said the organisation was determined to ensure the Victorian competition went ahead albeit later than originally scheduled due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The Mr Schilling and Mr Ginnane will travel up to Sydney in April to compete for the national title at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.