A Family Tradition

a family

tradition

Jack and Sherry Lowderman share a family history of farm auctions and raising cattle. They have passed both passions to the next generation, as sons Monte, Brent and Cody are all actively involved in the auction business and cattle industry.

by Betty Haynes

The Lowderman family can trace their roots in the auction business back to 1963, when Jack Lowderman graduated Mason City School of Auctioneering, and formed L&W Auction Service with his friend Tommy Williams. It was the start of a partnership between the two that thrived for more than two decades until the Williams family moved to Oklahoma in the 1980s. During this transition, Lowderman Auction and Real Estate Company was officially established outside of Macomb, Ill. Since then, the Lowdermans and the Williams have remained close friends, as the Illinois-based auction business has grown into a full-time family business. Today the company includes Jack’s sons Monte, Brent, and Cody, but the founding principles of honesty, integrity and sincerity remain.

“We’re probably one of the oldest auction firms in the state,” says Jack. “How does that saying go? We aren’t the best because we’re the oldest, we’re the oldest because we’re the best.”

Although the family business presents its share of challenges, it’s always worth it. Jack describes working with his sons as hectic and difficult at times, but he wouldn’t change it for the world.

“Last year has brought on a lot of changes to our lives,” he says. “If it’s brought out anything, it is our belief in God and family. Everything else is secondary.”

Family Legacy in the Auction Business

“I never want to retire,” says Jack Lowderman, patriarch for the Lowderman family. “I want to slow down, but I never want to retire. You have to have something to get out of bed for every day.”

The Lowdermans pride themselves in being honest, fair and always doing what is right for their customers.

“Each one of us grew up in the auction business as kids and we don’t take that for granted,” says oldest son, Monte. “We are very fortunate that each of us has a knack we accel at.

We each are a piece of the puzzle.”

Second-oldest brother, Brent, explains that he is does pasture and manure management around the farm, while Cody excels at cattle breeding and Monte serves as an auctioneer and is largely responsible for the auction and real estate company decisions.

Their business is backed by four generations of experience in the marketing industry with a tradition of results. The family has extensive history in the business, which has made them one of the most respected and recognized auction firm in the Midwest. Those are attributes that brother Monte credits as very significant to their future, citing the importance of integrity, experience and results to their continued success in the future.

“I told the boys, whenever you think you know everything in this business, you better quit,” explains Jack. “I’m still being educated at the age of 76 years old. One thing about auctions is there are no two alike.”

The legacy Jack first established back in the 1960s has continued with his sons and their families to be a trusted name in auction and professional arenas for more than 50 years. They have travelled extensively, conducting over 15,000 auctions for customers in 49 states.

“My great-grandfather owned a sale barn and my father sold at different livestock markets five days a week,” adds, Brent. “Instead of sitting at home on Saturday watching cartoons I was going to sale barns.”

Brent and wife, Kris, were approached in 2003 to purchase Carthage Livestock, Inc., which they now own and operate. In 2007, they initiated their first annual Greater Midwest Hereford Influenced Feeder Calf Sale. Brent and Kris were presented the Hereford Industry Innovation Award by the AHA in 2013 for their efforts.

“I’m fortunate to be able to do something I love so much that I would do it for free, says youngest of the brothers, Cody. “Here I am making a living doing it.”

This year, Lowderman family was approached to host both the Illinois Performance Tested Bull Sale and MidAmerica Simmental Sale for the Illinois Beef Expo. They successfully hosted both events, lending a hand to the industry.

“There was a need, and we were more than willing to help and host however we could,” Cody says.

Lowderman Cattle Company

Jack’s parent’s, Wayne and Eloise Lowderman, began a livestock trading business in 1942 which started the family’s interest in the cattle industry.

“Jack and I were gifted two Hereford heifers from my dad when we were married,” says Sherry, matriarch of the Lowderman family. The wedding gift later turned into 4-H projects and has since grown into Lowderman Cattle Company.

Sherry is the daughter of Wayne “Smiley” and Betty Moore, Hereford breeders and owners of Whispering Meadows Farm. Sherry is the granddaughter of Chet and Lucy Jennings who owned Jennings Sales Co. outside of Macomb. In 1979, the family moved to the farm where Sherry was raised. The farm serves as the cattle headquarters today. www.illinoisbeef.com

Reid Suddeth, Monte, Cody, Jack, and Sherry

LLC Special Ops

Cody, Sherry, Jack, and Monte

Cory at his second Hereford Junior National in 1979.

Seven-time national champion, RJL LCC Miss Poker Face 5C ET

“Both of my grandfathers have definitely influenced where I am today,” explains Brent. “So many sayings from my grandfather stick in my heart and I live by them today.”

From there, the family became heavily involved in 4-H and FFA, showing cattle across the state and later across the country.

“Showing cattle has given our kids and grandkids responsibility,” says Jack. “It helped them to interact with other kids and they have made life-long friends.”

All three sons are now married with children of their own. Showing cattle continues to be a passion for the next generation.

“Showing instilled honesty, dedication, hard work and fairness in all of us,” says Monte, “Showing cattle in 4-H and FFA taught us work ethic and how it felt to get rewarded for hard work.”

Cattle have played a tremendous role determining the fate of the Lowderman family. Not only is it a business, but cattle provide an opportunity to share time together as a family and make memories.

“There is no better place to raise your family than on the farm,” says Cody. “I’m so thankful to be able to do this with the rest of family. There are definitely challenges that come with that dynamic, but the positives far outweigh the negatives.”

From their humble beginning, the Lowderman family has built a legacy within the cattle industry as an elite Hereford program. Their operation has bred, owned and showed dozens of national and world champion animals.

“Years ago, we couldn’t even win a county fair,” recalls Brent. “We always had passion for the Hereford breed and for showing cattle. If you have a dream, stick to that dream; be honest, work hard, say a few prayers along the way, and soon that dream will become a reality.”

Strength in Family

The Lowderman family is no stranger to heartache. In June of 2000, Jack and Sherry’s son, Cory, was in a fatal car accident at age 29. Family describe Cory as a talented livestock evaluator and show pig enthusiast who loved his family.

“We used Cory’s death to really put things into perspective,” says Cody, who was a student at Michigan State University when Cory passed. “A lot of times people don’t realize that your greatest weakness is your greatest strength. The weakness of losing a sibling made us stronger as a family. It gave us all of the feelings and emotions that come with it.

Since then, the Lowdermans have adopted “Believe” as their family motto.

“Believe traces back to Cory,” says Sherry. “Both to believe in Christ and to believe in the truth and honesty of what you are doing. We re-entered as seedstock Hereford breeders on a new level to honor Cory.”

“A lot of times people don’t realize that your greatest weakness is your greatest strength. The weakness of losing a sibling made us stronger as a family. - Cody Lowderman

Cory’s death renewed the Lowderman family’s commitment to produce Hereford cattle that would excel both in production and in the showring. The Lowdermans decided to honor Cory through an investment in nationally renowned Hereford genetics. The investment has since made their herd a seedstock source for many around the country.

In 2003, the Lowderman family held their first Illini Top Cut Sale, which has become an annual event held the third Sunday in September. Animals featured in the sale have been named champions at local, state and national cattle shows.

“It’s been fulfilling to grow from where we started,” recalls Monte. “We’ve been very blessed.”

Today, the enterprise consists of approximately 200 cows and features 15 proven donor cows with over 50 embryo transfer calves born annually.

Celebrating Success

Legacies are plentiful in the beef industry. Celebrating successes like the Lowdermans highlight what makes the beef industry worth fighting for: family, perseverance, integrity, humility and pride in raising quality cattle.

“I’ve seen this industry change tremendously over the last 50 years,” recalls Jack. “The kind of cattle that we’re producing today is pretty much ideal for the industry. We change all the time to make ourselves better. We’re always trying to produce better cattle.”

Although the cattle industry has changed over several decades, farmers like the Lowdermans are committed to preserving their land and way of life to keep their farm sustainable for the next generation.

“As cattle farmers we’re trying to raise a superior protein product on our family farm,” says Cody. “It’s important for us to provide a good, safe product to feed both consumers and for our family. We have to produce what the consumer is wanting, and today’s consumers want safe and consistent quality.”

Consumer expectations may be evolving but cattle farmers are dedicated to raising safe high-quality protein.

“Agriculture today needs spokespeople to tell our story to the consumer so that they know where their products originate,” explains Sherry. “It’s safe and well cared for. Those that are responsible for raising cattle are dedicated to their way of life. We have a continuing challenge as producers with consumer resistance so we must continue to highlight the value and safety of our product.”

For more information on the Lowderman family, visit www.lowderman.com.

Today the Lowderman businesses are truly family-owned and operated:

• Monte and his wife, Carrie, and their son,

Rhett • Brent and his wife, Kris, their children, Blake and Morgan • Cody and his wife, Abby and their sons, Nash and Tuck • Cory is always in their hearts

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