We Live It | LiveAg's Livestock Marketing Podcast

Join hosts Ty deCordova and guest host 2024 WLAC Wade Leist as they sit down with Alabama cattle producer Eric Smith, one of 40 stakeholders in the Livestock Marketing Association's Common Ground Coalition.

Eric breaks down the historic summit that brought together diverse livestock leaders to tackle the industry's biggest challenges with one unified voice. Discover the 5 key priorities that could reshape America's livestock future:

✅ Ag-friendly tax policy 
✅ Effective risk management tools
✅ Improved labor access 
✅ Livestock hauler flexibility 
✅ Support for young producers

From preserving family farms to ensuring America's food security, thi...

Join hosts Ty deCordova and Wade Leist as they sit down with 2025 World Livestock Auctioneer Champion Dean Edge in this special episode recorded ahead of our September 11 Video Auction. Edge claimed the top prize at the World Livestock Auctioneer Championship in Dunlap earlier this summer, sharing his emotional journey and the mentors who shaped his career.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

Ty and Casey are back together after Casey's busy summer away from the podcast, and boy, do they have some catching up to do! From video auctions and steers in the show barn, to Casey's entertaining tale of a potential truck break-in while shopping for show pigs in South Texas – it's been quite the summer.

But let's talk about what's really got everyone's attention: this absolutely smoking hot cattle market that has ranchers stopping and staring. Casey brings his risk management perspective on how he's advising clients to handle hedging and margin calls in these wild market co...

Join host Ty deCordova (yes, that's really him without the beard!) and 2024 World Champion Auctioneer Wade Leist as they sit down with Katie Martin, Director of Communications at the Red Angus Association of America, for an in-depth look at the exciting transformation happening in Red Angus marketing.

Katie walks us through the evolution from the Feeder Calf Certification Program to the newly launched Angus Access program, explaining how this rebrand better positions Red Angus cattle in today's marketplace. Discover what the shift to EID tags means for producers and buyers, and learn about the groundbreaking collaboration between...

What does it take to run one of the West's most respected Angus operations? Hosts Ty deCordova and Wade Perks (stepping in for Casey Mabry from Blue Reef AgriMarketing) sit down with Rob Thomas from Thomas Angus ranch in Baker City, Oregon to find out.

Rob pulls back the curtain on how his ancestors made the bold move from New York to Oregon's high desert and built an operation that's setting the standard for regional adaptation in Angus cattle. You'll hear about the massive scale of their embryo transfer program, how they've navigated recent market changes that...

Hosts Ty deCordova and Casey Mabry conclude the Livestock Marketing series with the ultimate guide to video auction success. In this comprehensive finale, learn the complete video auction process from start to finish, including the stress-reduction benefits for cattle (no hauling to sale barns) and the financial advantages of forward contracting - selling your cattle on video in summer for fall delivery.

Ty steps out of his COO role to share insider knowledge as a seasoned video auction rep, breaking down consignment contracts, explaining what documentation earns premium prices, and revealing how hand-selected reps ensure transparent transactions...

Join host Ty deCordova and guest host Wade Perks from Blue Reef Agri-Marketing for a LIVE recording of the We Live It podcast, featuring Logan Ipsen from the Western Livestock Journal. This episode dives deep into what really drives success in the cattle industry - family legacies, strong relationships, and building the right teams.

Logan shares insights on how relationships remain the backbone of cattle marketing, the importance of hiring quality people, and how his rep team and editorial staff make the difference. The conversation explores family backgrounds in ranching, how personal connections still matter in today's...

From Startup to Success: Building America's Fastest-Growing Livestock Auction Company with LiveAg CEO Jason Barber

Join hosts Ty deCordova and Casey Mabry as they sit down with LiveAg CEO Jason Barber for an exclusive look inside America's fastest-growing livestock auction company. Since launching last fall, LiveAg has successfully marketed over 190,000 head of feeder cattle, transforming how ranchers buy and sell livestock across the nation.

In this episode, discover the story behind LiveAg's founding partners, their mission to revolutionize livestock marketing, and the team driving this groundbreaking company that's taken the industry by storm. Jason shares...

Tune into our Livestock Marketing Series! In this first episode, hosts Casey Mabry and Ty deCordova sit down to discuss proven strategies for managing risk and maximizing profitability in cattle marketing. Casey shares his expertise on building effective teams, leading young hires in the livestock industry, and working directly with ranchers to navigate critical marketing decisions. Learn about Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) programs and other risk management tools that can help protect your operation's bottom line.

This episode covers:

In this special We Live It episode, host Ty deCordova goes live ahead of the June 26 LiveAg video auction featuring 15,000+ head of quality feeder cattle. He’s joined by 2024 World Champion Auctioneer Wade Liest and LiveAg rep Jimmy Lambert — two Michigan natives with deep roots in the livestock world. From family connections that span decades to hilarious stories from the road, Wade and Jimmy talk camaraderie, cattle marketing, and the friendships that fuel the auction business. Don’t miss our cattle market outlook, plenty of customer shout-outs, and behind-the-scenes banter from two of the best in the business.

Inte...

Join the We Live It team we they dive deep into the evolving world of livestock marketing with guest Jared Wareham of Horizon Venture Management. Discover how the new Sustainable Beef Angus Beef Brand Program (G-161 Specification) is creating premium opportunities for cattle producers through the recently opened North Platte, Nebraska packing plant.

In this comprehensive episode, we explore the evolution of beef certification programs, starting with the pioneering Certified Angus Beef G-1 Specification and how it paved the way for hundreds of similar programs now available to producers. Jared breaks down the specific requirements for the...

Fresh from the World Livestock Auctioneer Championship, Jace Thompson joins us on the We Live It podcast to discuss his journey from Montana ranch kid to world-class auctioneer. Born into an auctioneering family and raised in the beef cattle industry, Jace offers insights on carrying forward generational traditions while embracing new perspectives. Hear about his eye-opening travels through South Asia, how international exposure changed his view of global markets, and Casey's analysis of where cattle markets are headed. This conversation captures the intersection of family legacy, global awareness, and market intelligence from one of the industry's most promising young...

In this episode of We Live It, hosts Casey Mabry and Ty deCordova sit down with Colorado rancher Levi Grove for a fun, wide-ranging conversation on all things cattle. Raised on the Kansas plains and now managing commercial livestock across Colorado, Levi shares his journey from buying and raising stock to navigating today’s cattle market. Whether you're new to the livestock game or a seasoned producer, you'll enjoy this candid talk about market trends, getting started in trading cattle, and what it really means to live the ranching lifestyle.

🎧 Tune in for real-world advice, laughs, and authe...

In this episode of We Live It, hosts Ty deCordova and Casey Mabry sit down with legendary rancher Monty Younglund of New Raymer, Colorado to talk cattle, family, and the evolving beef industry in the High Plains. From his family’s early days homesteading the region to running modern cow-calf operations with innovative genetics, Monty shares a lifetime of wisdom, humor, and heart. They discuss changes in the Colorado beef industry, raising cattle in today’s environment, and how to bring the next generation back to the ranch.

Whether you're in the saddle every day or just love...

This week on the LiveAg Ranch and Livestock Marketing "We Live It" Podcast, we're joined by Cassie Lapaseotes from Bridgeport, Nebraska. Cassie is a fourth-generation rancher who's helping revolutionize cattle processing in the Midwest. As a founding member of the Sustainable Beef packing plant set to open its doors in late May 2025, Cassie walks us through the five-year process to bring local processing back to Nebraska ranchers. From managing family dynamics at the Lapaseotes Feedyard to planning for future generations, this conversation showcases the grit, vision, and collaboration that defines today's agricultural pioneers.

Learn more about Sustainable...

In this episode, we go behind the smoke with Barry Cooper, the man behind Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que, to explore how a small BBQ joint in Mason, Texas grew into a statewide icon - feeding Texans and travelers from New Braunfels to the Fort Worth Stockyards. 

We cover: 
🔥 How Cooper’s BBQ built its legacy—serving 50 head worth of beef per location, per day 
🔥 The evolution of the Fort Worth Stockyards from cattle exchanges on Exchange Ave to today’s tech-driven auctions 
🔥 The importance of consistency, community, and giving back, including daily donations to local sh...

This week, we're honored to feature three brilliant young women from the Texas Youth Livestock Ambassador program who are changing the face of agricultural advocacy! From their inspirational mentors to heartfelt gratitude for their supportive families, these future leaders share how they're bridging the gap between consumers and producers in a world that's now three generations removed from the farm.

As these young women prepare for college next year, they reflect on how the program has shaped their career goals and provided them with collegiate-level training and hands-on experience in the livestock industry.

Whether you're...

Join us LIVE from Montgomery, AL as host Ty deCordova sits down with Alabama Cattlemen's Association Executive Director Erin Beasley to discuss our April 24 video auction and get an insider's look at the passionate team driving Alabama's beef industry forward. Don't miss this opportunity to hear directly from the leadership shaping the ranching community in Alabama.

#AlabamaCattle #BeefIndustry #WeLiveIt #livestockauction

In this essential episode for Texas cattle producers, host Ty deCordova brings you an exclusive conversation with the current leadership team of the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association from the 2025 Cattle Raisers Convention in Fort Worth.

President Carl Ray Polk Jr. (Lufkin), First Vice President Stephen Diebel (Victoria), and Second Vice President, Secretary & Treasurer Dan Gattis (Georgetown) share their firsthand experiences fighting for ranchers' property rights and livelihood in the Texas legislature.

The discussion delivers practical insights on pressing issues directly impacting your ranch operations: combating aggressive eminent domain threats, strategies to address the widening...

Step into the action of LiveAg's April 11 Video Auction as hosts Ty deCordova and Casey Mabry break down the day's market outlook ahead of our auction at the TSCRA Convention in Fort Worth, Texas. Whether you're marketing cattle or building your program, this conversation offers real-world market intelligence from folks who live the livestock business every day. 

In this practical follow-up episode, Ty and Casey continue their conversation with John Sloan of AgTexas Farm Credit, diving deeper into the nuts and bolts of agricultural lending. Walk step-by-step through the entire lending process - from application to acquisition to marketing your cattle and planning for the next season. Whether you're running a stocker operation, looking buying wheat pasture cattle, or just starting out in the business, this episode delivers actionable advice you can take straight to the bank.

Learn what paperwork you'll need, how to navigate each stage of the financing journey, and hear candid...

Part one of a two part series! Join Ty and Casey as they welcome John Sloan of AgTexas Farm Credit for an insider's look at agricultural lending. Through real-world role-play scenarios, they break down exactly how to approach your banker, structure your operation for maximum credit potential, and build the relationships that keep your cattle business growing. Whether you're looking to expand your herd or navigate market volatility, this episode delivers practical strategies straight from a lending expert who understands the cattle industry from the inside out.

Interested in sponsoring the show? Have a topic or guest...

From dash cam auction chants to competitive swimming and selling unusual items (think deer...genetics?), this episode delivers insights on perseverance, mentorship, and the unique world of livestock auctioneering. Join Ty deCordova and Casey Mabry as they sit down with Wade Leist, the reigning World Champion Livestock Auctioneer from Boyne City, Michigan. Wade shares his unconventional path from a decade in law enforcement to the auction block, revealing how skills from both professions overlap in surprising ways. The trio explores regional differences in cattle marketing between the northern and southern states, while trading stories from their 20+ years of friendship...

Step into the action of LiveAg's March 13 Video Auction as hosts Ty deCordova and Casey Mabry break down the day's market outlook and sit down with special guest Wesley Granthum of Mississippi. Whether you're marketing cattle or building your program, this conversation offers real-world market intelligence from folks who live the livestock business every day.

Whether you're a seasoned rancher or new to the industry, this episode delivers actionable insights from one of the most respected voices in livestock marketing. Join hosts Ty deCordova and Casey Mabry as they sit down with cattle marketing legend Dennis Metzger to explore his remarkable journey from Charolais field rep to video auction management at Western Video Market, and now Rep Relations Manager at LiveAg. Dennis shares wisdom gained under mentor Ellington Peek and offers his perspective on today's cattle market while discussing his new mission—hiring and mentoring young reps entering the business. This conversation dives deep in...

In the debut studio episode of "We Live It," hosts Ty deCordova and Casey Mabry reveal their unlikely journeys from growing up at the horse race tracks to becoming cattle industry innovators. Discover how their unique perspectives - from spending years in the sale barn to now raising kids in the show livestock industry - have shaped their approach to the cattle business.

Our hosts share candid stories from their mentors, buying and trading cattle, navigating market volatility and passing their passion to the next generation. Casey then shifts gears to deliver essential market insights for spring...

Join host Ty deCordova on the We Live It podcast as he sits down with Elite Livestock Marketing Group legends Darrell Stokes and Jerry Etheredge ahead of a 5,000+ head auction at the Alabama Cattlemen's Association Convention on Feb. 21. With decades of experience connecting top-tier southern cattle producers with buyers nationwide, they share insider insights on livestock marketing, industry trends, and what makes Elite Livestock Marketing the trusted choice for ranchers from Alabama to Florida and the states in between. Don’t miss this deep dive into the business from those who truly live it!

Step into the action of LiveAg's February Video Auction as hosts Ty deCordova and Casey Mabry break down the day's market outlook and sit down with special guest Jeff Peck of Sandhollow Trading. Based in Boise, Idaho, Jeff brings valuable perspective from the buyer's side of the gate, sharing insights on what drives value in today's cattle market and what he looks for when bidding. Whether you're marketing cattle or building your program, this conversation offers real-world market intelligence from someone who lives the livestock business every day. Recorded live during our February 13th Video Auction.

Join us at Coors Field in Denver for a historic moment in cattle marketing. Your hosts Ty deCordova and Casey Mabry sit down with industry innovators to discuss the future of livestock marketing and share stories from the cutting edge of the cattle business. Recorded live before LiveAg's groundbreaking stadium auction event on Jan. 16.