CODY LOWDERMAN
5 MINUTES WITH...
WORLD CHAMPION AUCTIONEER AND DEDICATED HEREFORD BREEDER
by Meg Drake
When Cody Lowderman isn’t busy accepting awards for his great talent as an auctioneer, he’s playing an integral role in his family’s two businesses: Lowderman Livestock Auctions and their purebred Hereford operation. Even though he’s charted many profession-related accomplishments like being named the 2017 Reserve World Champion Livestock Auctioneer, Cody said his greatest achievement is being a father. We were excited to catch up with Cody to chat about his two passions: auctioneering and helping producers market and sell their purebred cattle. What was the path like to becoming an auctioneer? I grew up listening to my dad’s auctioneer chant. I would often go to a weekly livestock market he sold, as well as a weekly consignment auction and always enjoyed the auction atmosphere, but I honestly didn’t picture myself being an auctioneer until later on. My first public auctioneer experience was as a student at Michigan State University serving as an auctioneer for a marketing class showpig sale. Following graduation, I attended World Wide College of Auctioneering in Mason City, Iowa, then returned home to the family auction and cattle business. Aside from auctioneering, Are there other business ventures you participate in? I am closely involved in my family’s Hereford cattle operation. We have been fortunate enough to be recognized on the national level, including several national champions the past few years. We run approximately 200 cows and host an annual production sale each September. I am also a partner in Lowderman Auction Options, an online marketing business primarily focused on Hereford cattle. I have also had the honor and privilege to judge numerous county, state and national cattle shows. What’s your favorite thing about the Hereford breed? The people! Many of the people I have had the opportunity to meet in the Hereford breed have helped shape and guide me throughout my career. The networking and friendships gained within the Hereford breed are really priceless. There are many of those people who I work with in my profession today and others that have remained good friends. In many senses, it becomes a small world as you look back and see how the dots have been connected. What’s it like juggling an auctioneer service with raising Hereford cattle? There’s no doubt it can be challenging at times, but my family and loyal employees are major attributes. I’ve always had the motto “surround yourself with good people and good things will happen.” My wife, along with my parents, my brothers and their wives, all play an intricate part in this operation. We each have our own “click” or spoke in the wheel, and sometimes I wonder how, but the wheel keeps turning. What is your favorite type of sale to auctioneer? I have a true passion for selling purebred and commercial cattle auctions. There is not a better feeling than climbing in the auction block before a big cattle sale. Do you have any weird pre-sale rituals you do before taking the auction block? I always take three deep breathes, say a small prayer to the good Lord, and make sure I have my cherry flavored Halls cough drops on hand. -RHJ 144 | Ranch House Journal