#65 Aug 20, 26

World Champion Auctioneer Jace Thompson on Carrying the Family Torch

In this episode of We Live It, Ty deCordova and Wade Leist sit down with Jace Thompson, the reigning World Champion Livestock Market Auctioneer, live at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming. Jace traces his family's three-generation cattle marketing legacy — starting with grandfather Warren Thompson, who built a sale barn legacy in Riverton, Wyoming, from nothing, through his father's 2009 World Championship and move to Billings working alongside Pat Goggins, and finally to Jace's own path from cattle work into auctioneering roughly five to six years ago.

The conversation gets personal: Jace opens up about growing up with an auctioneer father, the pivotal role his mom played in bridging that gap and keeping him in the business during a moment he nearly walked away, and what it meant to hear his name called as champion after years of watching from the crowd. Ty, who hired a 21-year-old Jace on the spot in Billings, shares his own side of that story. They also dig into what the title actually involves day to day — serving as a spokesperson for the Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) and its nearly 800 member markets, attending the Common Ground Summit in Fort Worth, and speaking to high schoolers about careers in the cattle and auctioneering business.

Whether you're a young producer figuring out your path, an aspiring competition auctioneer, or just someone who loves a good family story rooted in the cattle business, this conversation is one you won't want to miss.

Topics Covered:

- Three generations of the Thompson family cattle marketing legacy
- His mom's role bridging the gap and keeping him in the business
- Watching his dad win the 2009 World Championship
- Ty's story of hiring a 21-year-old Jace in Billings
- Duties of a World Champion: LMA spokesperson, nearly 800 member markets
- The Common Ground Summit and what's ahead for LMA
- Inspiring the next generation to get into the cattle and auctioneering business
- Winning the world title in just three tries — what changed
- Advice for anyone chasing a spot in a livestock auctioneering contest

🧬 Powered by BioZyme® The We Live It podcast is proudly powered by BioZyme, the makers of VitaFerm® and Gain Smart®. Proper cattle nutrition is the foundation of livestock health. Through LiveAg's nationwide video auction platform, cattle fed BioZyme minerals gain exposure to a national buyer base, often resulting in premium returns. 🔗 Learn More: https://biozymeinc.com/blog/biozyme-partners-with-liveag/

Interested in marketing your cattle or advertising on We Live It? Contact Jean at jean@live-ag.com or Keith at Keith@Live-Ag.com. Don't forget to subscribe and hit the bell so you never miss an episode!

00:00 Introduction — Live from Cody, Wyoming
02:43 Meet Jace Thompson, World Champion Auctioneer
03:37 Three Generations: Warren, Ty & Jace
04:33 Building the Family Cattle Marketing Business
05:33 Growing Up Under a Demanding Father
06:25 Watching His Dad Win the 2009 World Championship
08:20 Joe: The Great Auctioneer Who Never Got the Buckle
09:42 His Mom's Role: Bridging the Gap
11:04 The Ledge Moment — Almost Walking Away for Motorcycle Racing
11:18 Ty's Story: Hiring a 21-Year-Old Jace in Billings
15:01 Duties of a World Champion: LMA Spokesperson
15:54 Nearly 800 Member Markets & the Common Ground Summit
16:45 Inspiring the Next Generation of Auctioneers
18:11 Goals for the Next Year
19:19 Winning the Title in Just Three Tries
19:54 What Changed: Turning Everyday Work Into Contest Prep
21:38 Advice for Aspiring Competition Auctioneers
23:44 Thank Yous and Closing Thoughts

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.