#52 Apr 23, 26

Southeast Cattle Marketing Strategy: Selling More Cattle to More Buyers

We're coming to you live from Hope Hull, Alabama, right out of the brand-new Elite Livestock Marketing Group facility. Ty sits down with Darrell Stokes and Jerry Etheredge of Elite Livestock ahead of their Grass Time Special sale on Thursday, April 23, reflecting on a year of partnership with LiveAg and everything that's been built along the way.

From the jump, Jerry and Darrell share what the partnership has meant for their operation — increased buyer base, expanded geographic reach, and load lot goals that weren't just met, but surpassed. Darrell even gave away a vacation to Hawaii to make good on a bold promise.

The conversation goes deep on what makes this partnership work: trust, people, and a shared foundation of faith.

Jerry wraps it up with something worth celebrating: this is the largest video cattle auction ever held in the state of Alabama. That's not a small thing — that's history being made right here at Elite Livestock and LiveAg.

If you're a producer looking to grow your program, expand your buyer base, or learn what a LiveAg partnership looks like in the real world, this episode is for you. Reach out to Darrell and Jerry locally, or connect with the LiveAg team wherever you are on www.live-ag.com

The We Live It podcast is proudly powered by BioZyme, the makers of VitaFerm® and Gain Smart®. Cattle health starts with proper nutrition, and that is why BioZyme® Inc., a leader in animal nutrition and health, is excited to partner with LiveAg, one of the fastest-growing livestock marketing firms in the country. Through LiveAg’s nationwide video auction platform and sale broadcast services, cattle fed VitaFerm and Gain Smart mineral are positioned in front of a national, competitive buyer base on sale day, often receiving premium returns. Learn more:

https://biozymeinc.com/blog/biozyme-partners-with-liveag/?utm_source=live_ag&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=live_ag_podcast_march

00:00 – Welcome & Live from Hope Hull, Alabama
00:56 – Jerry Etheredge on the LiveAg Partnership
01:26 – Exceeding Load Lot Goals & the Hawaii Vacation
02:10 – Rep Group Growth: Wesley, Mississippi, Louisiana & Florida
02:41 – What Makes the Partnership Work
04:48 – The People Behind LiveAg: Whitney, Mitch & Shawna
05:10 – Built on Faith: The Kingdom Vision
06:05 – Starting Every Sale with Prayer & the National Anthem
06:21 – The Grass Time Special Sale Overview
07:30 – Young Producers in the Stocker Business
08:46 – Breaking Down the Sale Lineup: Yearlings & Calves
09:33 – Cleveland Landing Cattle
10:26 – Florida Cattle & Drought Conditions
11:42 – Largest Video Cattle Auction in Alabama History
12:04 – How to Partner with LiveAg
13:41 – Closing Thoughts & God Bless

(00:00) - – Welcome & Live from Hope Hull, Alabama
(00:56) - – Jerry Etheredge on the LiveAg Partnership
(01:26) - – Exceeding Load Lot Goals & the Hawaii Vacation
(02:10) - – Rep Group Growth: Wesley, Mississippi, Louisiana & Florida
(02:41) - – What Makes the Partnership Work
(04:48) - – The People Behind LiveAg: Whitney, Mitch & Shawna
(05:10) - – Built on Faith: The Kingdom Vision
(06:05) - – Starting Every Sale with Prayer & the National Anthem
(06:21) - – The Grass Time Special Sale Overview
(07:30) - – Young Producers in the Stocker Business
(08:46) - – Breaking Down the Sale Lineup: Yearlings & Calves
(09:33) - – Cleveland Landing Cattle
(10:26) - – Florida Cattle & Drought Conditions
(11:42) - – Largest Video Cattle Auction in Alabama History
(12:04) - – How to Partner with LiveAg
(13:41) - – Closing Thoughts & God Bless

Episode Video

Creators and Guests

Host

Ty deCordova

Ty DeCordova is a seasoned professional with more than 25 years of experience in cattle marketing. He spent 20 years at Superior Livestock Auction, including his final years managing the Country Page as well as the block during video auctions. This allowed Ty to develop a deep understanding of the cattle industry's operations and build relationships with cattle buyers on a national level. Ty now oversees all operational aspects of the business, ensuring efficiency and excellence across all areas. Ty comes from a family with a long-standing history in the cattle industry. Growing up in Groesbeck, Texas, he and his brother started their own cattle business during their teenage years, purchasing and selling loads of steers. By the age of 17, Ty was actively involved in buying cattle at sale barns for his father, gaining hands-on experience. This early exposure to the sale-barn environment shaped his lifelong passion and expertise in cattle marketing. Ty continues to run cattle today and is committed to serving the agriculture industry.

Guest

Casey Mabry

Casey comes to Blue Reef following over a decade-long career with Cargill. Casey’s career in the industry started as a cattle buyer in Western Nebraska and Wyoming for six years. Casey then moved to Wichita, KS where he worked in boxed beef pricing with a focus on understanding out front prices and position optimization. Casey then took to cattle procurement as a Strategic Supply Manager where he focused on cattle formula and grid marketing arrangements working with Cargill’s largest suppliers. Casey’s experience in cash and value based marketing of cattle can be a valuable asset to your operation. He has a Bachelor’s Degree from Texas Tech University where he served on the Meats Judging team, and a Masters from Tarleton State University where he coached the Meats Judging team. Casey resides in Brock, TX with his wife Deidrea and daughters Reyse, Avery, and Brooklyn.

Producer

Katy Holdener

Katy Holdener's journey in agricultural communications began on her family's row crop farm in California's Central Valley, where she developed a deep appreciation for the industry. After earning a degree in Agricultural Communications and Economics from Oklahoma State University, Katy has been fortunate to work with respected organizations such as the American Hereford Association, American Angus Association, Superior Livestock Auction and BioZyme, Inc. These experiences have provided her with valuable insights into seedstock and commercial livestock marketing. Katy strives to create effective marketing strategies that support the company and its consignors.