Meet Cody Lowderman: Why the Best Auctions Have World-Class Auctioneers

Cody Lowderman grew up in a family of auctioneers. Land, livestock, estates, real estate — you name it, they sold it. In college, Lowderman decided auctioneering should be his future, and he started making strides to bring that career path to fruition. He followed his family legacy.

Today, Lowderman is revered as one of the best chanters in the nation, and he continues to build upon an incredible resume of achievements. Follow along for an exclusive Q&A with Ranch & Farm’s esteemed auctioneer.

Editor’s Note: This is not financial, investment, legal, or real estate advice. Consult with a financial planner, investment specialist, real estate lawyer, and real estate professional before buying or selling land at auction.

Ranch & Farm: Who is Cody Lowderman? What is your professional background?

Cody Lowderman: I was born and raised in Macomb, Illinois. I’m a lifelong resident there, and I grew up on a cattle operation. My dad and older brothers were involved in the family auction business, including estates, real estate, machinery, cattle, etc. I was very active in cattle growing up and still am.

After college, I took to the auction business. I wasn't really sure what I was going to do. But I got a degree and realized the auction deal wasn’t so bad after all. So, I dug into that and started on a local level with my family. I've always had a passion for cattle and got into selling cattle. I had an opportunity to work for some firms in real estate and land auctions. That snowballed and turned into a great thing for me. Obviously, it led to where I am today with Ranch & Farm Auctions and Whitetail Properties. 

R&F: Why did you get into auctioneering?

C.L.: I don't want to say it fell into my lap, but going through high school and college, I wasn't 100% sure that I wanted to go down that path. I'd been around it with my dad and older brothers growing up. You know, I helped out a little bit with auctions by putting signs up, moving furniture, and setting things up.

As far as chanting or bid calling, I never really got into that until my college years. There was a marketing class at Michigan State University, where I went to college. They had a livestock marketing class, and we put on a pig auction for this class. The farm had some pigs, and I served as the auctioneer for that. That probably gave me some confidence that I lacked. Then, I started messing around with the chant.

When I was back home with the family, I got into some of the local estate auctions. I’d sell the typical box of miscellaneous — the shovels and pitchforks or furniture — whatever the case might be. That progressed and my dad was partnered with a gentleman. They started a real estate auction company. They worked together a lot and the company grew rapidly. They got into a lot of different real estate ventures. I was fortunate enough to get hired there as a contract auctioneer to sell real estate for them. That opened the door on the real estate side of things.

Plus, always having a passion for cattle, and my connections from college, opened some doors for me to start selling a few cattle sales.

I don't want to say the rest of history, because I still consider myself young. There’s a lot of future left in my career, but it kind of snowballed from those beginnings.

R&F: What are your proudest auctioneering competition moments?

C.L.: I think competition is a great thing. Everybody's life has competition involved in it. But from the auction contest or competition standpoint, I think it makes you better. But just as importantly, or perhaps more importantly, the connections and friendships you make with those people that you connect with matters most.

I was fortunate enough that, on the state level, I was Illinois state auctioneer champion. I competed in the National Auctioneers Association IAC competition. I was a finalist four times. In 2017 and 2018, I tried my hand at the world livestock auctioneer championships, and I was fortunate enough to be reserve champion both years.

R&F: What are your fondest auctioneering career highlights?

C.L.: One comes to mind immediately on the land auction side of things. It was 1,100 acres in Missouri. We had 250 people on hand and standing room only. That was divided up into 17 or 18 different tracts. It was a very fun atmosphere to have an auction. It was land that was desired by multiple people, especially by the size of the crowd there. We had online bidding too, and it was very active. When you have something on the marketplace, particularly in an auction setting, and you know it's marketable, a lot of people wanting it creates a positive atmosphere.

On the cattle side of things, I sell a lot of seed stock cattle and show bulls. But, in particular, there was one heifer calf that was purchased to be a show heifer that brought $400,000. So, that would be the highlight on the cattle side of things.

R&F: What is the auctioneer’s role?

C.L.: I think the first term that comes to mind is negotiator. That might sound generic or bland, but you are actually in the middle between the seller you're working for that day, and the buyers. Obviously, you're there to get top dollar for the seller. So, you're the middleman or negotiator between that seller and the buying public, who no doubt wants to buy as cheap as they can. So, there's some middle ground there that you have to work with. But ultimately, first and foremost, I’m there to work for the seller (exclusively), but by all means, I'll work with the buyer.

R&F: What makes a good auctioneer, and what qualities should good auctioneers possess?

C.L.: I think honesty and integrity are the first things that come to mind. You know, when people see you're an auctioneer, they say, “Oh, you're the guy who talks fast.” And a lot of them do. That chant plays a very important role in being an auctioneer. But being an auctioneer encompasses not only your chant, but more importantly, your honesty, integrity, and your ability to connect and work for those sellers and with the buyers. There are multiple things that go into what makes a good auctioneer.

R&F: What separates average auctioneers from great ones?

C.L.: It's just like everything else in life. There are lots of good athletes, but what makes them great, and the same thing goes for auctioneers, are the little things. That's the difference between an average, good, or great auctioneer. Professionalism is something that gets overlooked. Your behavior and actions speak louder than your words. How you present yourself matters. Plus, your chant has to be up to par. People get caught up in your chant, how you sound, and how fast you can go. But if people don't understand you, they aren’t going to bid. So, be clear, precise, and have some momentum and rhythm to you. Those are factors that separate yourself from the pack.

R&F: What’s the secret to a great auctioneer chant?

C.L.: Clarity is No. 1. The ability to understand the auctioneer. Knowing where you're at with the bidding. The ability to engage with that crowd and the buying public. A lot of times, when I go to an auction, that's the first time I've ever seen these people, and vice-versa. Your ability to connect with, and ease those people, are important. We're there to do business with you. Yet, we understand that we all need to be comfortable and on the same page. That's very important.

From the chant standpoint, clarity and rhythm are vital. I'm a big proponent of momentum. There are different ways that you can build momentum. Obviously, speed, rhythm, and clarity make auctioneers unique. Some aspiring auctioneers want to sound like an instructor or someone they looked up to. I've borrowed pieces from a lot of different auctioneers to build with, but I make my chant my own. I'm not going to say I have the absolute best chant in the world, but I pride myself in the fact that I have a chant that nobody else does.

R&F: How do you juggle the chant, presentation, sale execution, etc.?

C.L.: It is a juggling act. It requires multi-tasking. And I think it’s in your ability to command the room. Work your chant, have control, and work for those sellers in the best way possible. It comes from practice and repetition.

R&F: What are some of the biggest challenges of auctioneering?

C.L.: Depending on what kind of auctioneer you are, or the type of auctioneering you're into, there can be a multitude of different challenges. If you asked me this question 10 years ago, it’d probably be a different answer. But, as it stands now, I'm a proud father of twin boys. I have a loving wife. And I travel a lot. So, that’s a juggling act of trying to be a father, spending family time, being a good husband, and having a career to look after. So, the travel time, and that juggling act, is front and center for me.

R&F: Why is it important to have an exceptional auctioneer for successful land auctions?

C.L.: It's pretty simple. From the seller standpoint, they want top dollar. Hiring a top auctioneer doesn't necessarily guarantee that, but it definitely gives you an advantage and a way higher percentage of achieving it. (As opposed to what you’d call a middle-of-the-road auctioneer.)

Another big component of this is the auction company. It's not just one person. A good auctioneer is surrounded by a lot of good people, and Ranch & Farm Auctions has that going for it. From top to bottom, the staff and the people help the company, and me as an auctioneer. It’s the behind-the-scenes and the front-line work as well.

R&F: Why should a seller work with Ranch & Farm Auctions?

C.L.: Ranch & Farm is the first choice for sellers, plain and simple. It’s the people and employees. Honesty and integrity are required to work for this company. I think what's unique about Ranch & Farm and Whitetail Properties are the Land Specialists they have all over the United States. These people have their own territories, and they have a connection with those sellers and buyers. That relates back to their database and marketing power that they use to market your land and assets. Their graphic design, marketing, advertising, and more, reflect in the bottom line. It’s as good as it gets. At the end of the day, the people that stand behind it prioritize their honesty and integrity. I can't think of a better company to work for or work with.

R&F: Why should a buyer attend an auction held by Ranch & Farm Auctions?

C.L.: These auctions are fair and honest. One thing I like about auctions in general, but in particular when working with a company like Ranch & Farm Auctions, is we're transparent. Everybody's going to have the same fair shot or chance at that land — whether you're there in person or online bidding. If that's more comfortable, you can sit in your home office, somewhere on vacation, or come right there to the venue. That puts everyone on the same playing field. Everybody knows where they stand. We achieve fair market value for our sellers and offer the buying public a chance to buy good land.

For landowners looking to sell at auction, contact Ranch & Farm Auctions. We can answer questions and help with your auctioneering needs. For buyers hoping to purchase land, check out some of the upcoming Ranch & Farm auctions near you.

Published on 2025-07-31