Madden brothers inducted into LMA Hall of Fame

Torrington Livestock Markets Owners and brothers Lex and Shawn Madden will join other industry icons in the Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) Cattle Marketing Hall of Fame as two of the four Class of 2024 inductees. 

The Madden brothers, alongside Hedgers Edge Owner Andrew Gottschalk and LMA Chief Executive Officer Mark Mackey, will officially be inducted into the hall of fame on July 26 at the Boot Hill Casino and Conference Center in Dodge City, Kan. 

During the annual Cattle Marketing Hall of Fame ceremony, LMA recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to competitive marketing and true price discovery. 

LMA is North America’s largest membership organization dedicated to supporting, representing, communicating with and advocating for the entire livestock marketing sector. 

How it started

Born and raised in Lusk, the Madden brothers gained experience early on, as their father was a self-taught auctioneer who owned and operated two sale barns located in Lusk and Wheatland. 

Together, the brothers started their marketing career in the early 1980s while working for L.W. Maxfield at Torrington Livestock Commission Company. 

“In 1988, we leased and operated Stockman Livestock south of Torrington. Then in 1989, we partnered with the Maxfield brothers,” Shawn explained. “They owned Torrington Livestock Commission Company, and we merged the two sale barn companies to form Torrington Livestock Markets.” 

“We would not be where we are today if it wasn’t for the Maxfield family,” Lex stated. “They have been very good to us and gave us the opportunity to learn and grow in the cattle marketing industry.” 

Later, in 1999, Torrington Livestock Markets marketed enough cattle to become the nation’s largest independent livestock market, and in 2002 the Madden brothers became the sole owners of the operation. 

Shawn said, “Lex and I have been business partners for nearly four decades, establishing other entities throughout the years.” 

However, he added, “In July 2017, I stepped away from Torrington Livestock Markets to travel, spend time with family and pursue other adventures in real estate, but I am still involved in the ag industry.” 

Continued success

Today, Lex runs Torrington Livestock Markets with his partners Chuck Petersen and Lander Nicodemus.

The operation boasts Wyoming’s largest livestock market, offering cattle for sale daily via several marketing options including live auctions, video auctions and private treaty sales. 

Torrington Livestock Markets draws cattle from a nine-state region, including Nebraska, Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, South Dakota and Montana. 

During the fall, Torrington Livestock Markets offers multiple sales and sells up to 18,000 head per week. 

“It takes a village to run the operation,” noted Lex. “On sale days, we have up to 60 employees working. They make it possible for us to be successful, and we owe them many thanks.” 

He continued, “There are no words that can express the debt of gratitude we have for three groups of people – the sellers for trusting us, buyers for supporting us and our employees for supporting us.” 

Although well deserved, their induction into the Cattle Marketing Hall of Fame caught the Madden brothers off guard. 

“We were surprised and honored to be selected to the LMA Cattle Marketing Hall of Fame Class of 2024,” both brothers humbly stated. 

Melissa Anderson is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.