The Lowderman Family Bond

A long history…

The Hereford Story

Jack and Sherry Lowderman, of Macomb, Ill., come from families steeped in the business of selling. Both had grandparents who were successful in the livestock and farm auction business in central Illinois for more than 40 years. With their lifetime focus and a primary component of their livelihood, Jack and Sherry have now passed this interest on to their children. It’s truly a family centered around the family businesses.

They, along with their children, don’t find too much downtime with the demand they have developed in the Midwest and even nationally as an esteemed auction family. But another passion the family has developed is their interest in the Hereford business.

Jack and Sherry were gifted one Polled Hereford cow as a wedding gift from Sherry’s dad, Smiley Moore, of Whispering Meadow Farm, which grew out of a 4-H beef project. This cow started a base that fueled a passion, belief, and a desire that has built a program.

Always focused on family, Jack and Sherry got their sons involved in 4-H, showing locally and at the Illinois State Fair in both the youth and open class divisions. As son, Cody, grew through the Junior program he became the one at the halter representing the family, but it was a family affair to prepare the cattle at home and at the shows. Like many families, they continued to strive to place well at the shows, and over time, they achieved that goal. The Lowderman businesses are truly family-run, and each family member plays a part: son, Monte, his wife, Carrie, and their son, Rhett; son, Brent, his wife, Kris, their son, Blake, and their daughter, Morgan; and son, Cody, and his wife, Abby, and twin boys, Tuck and Nash.

“We took 5 heifers one year to the Junior National, and we won all 5 classes,” says Monte. “That was a tremendous accomplishment, especially when we knew it was possible because we worked together as a family to achieve that success.” The family also knew what it was like to stand at the bottom of the class so working hard to achieve this was a special accomplishment.

In the beginning they were not considered a seedstock source. However, over the last several decades with hard work, determi- nation, and never giving up the family has learned and understands what it took to become a seed- stock source.