Ally Spears – Bryan, Texas | Beef Loving Texans

Meet Ally Spears, a rancher, beef advocate, and podcast host primarily based in Bryan, Texas who has been aptly described as a “wearer of many cowboy hats.” 

Ally’s roots run deep in ranching, tracing again to her family’s purebred Angus operation in Northern California which, at present, additionally options Simmental cattle with a deal with genetics. As we speak, with the household herd nonetheless thriving in California and along with her personal small Texas herd underway, Ally embodies the spirit of a fourth-generation rancher working to steadiness household heritage with the evolving beef business – all whereas performing as an advocate connecting shoppers with the reality of the place their meals comes from.

Ally’s journey started on her family’s California ranch, the place she spent weekends balancing livestock exhibits, sports activities, and ranch chores. Throughout this time, she was closely concerned with exhibiting cattle on a neighborhood, state, and nationwide stage. When it got here time for faculty, she headed to Texas A&M, her first-ever expertise within the Lone Star State.

After graduating with a bachelor’s diploma in Agribusiness, Ally was employed by Texas A&M College and formally made Texas her residence. Her journey as a bona fide Texas rancher started unexpectedly in 2020 when, on a fishing journey along with her boyfriend, the pair rescued a calf that had fallen off a financial institution and was stranded precariously on a small patch of dry land.

“We loaded the calf up into the boat, introduced her residence, and named her Willow, launching my Texas cattle journey,” says Ally. “After Willow saved following me round, I made a decision we’d higher get her a herd of her personal. Since then, the herd has grown, and we’re in our third calving season.”   

Whereas Ally is a small rancher in Texas, her major connection to the business is thru her in style podcast and social media platform, Ag Chicks. By means of Ag Chicks, she highlights and tells the true tales of girls inside agriculture, aiming to attach with shoppers naturally whereas highlighting the unimaginable issues accomplished by people within the beef group. Episodes unfold like an off-the-cuff and fascinating dialog between two associates and Ally has a knack for making friends really feel snug sharing the nice and not-so-good features of life in agriculture. 

“I deliberately spotlight girls on my podcast as a result of I consider they’re the turning level for the business,” Ally explains. “Moreover, girls are sometimes the choice makers of family meals purchases, making a compelling contact level for shoppers within the business.” 

“Ag Chicks has grown over the previous a number of years, not solely as a podcast however as an advocacy model,” she elaborates. “This has allowed me to achieve people by means of social media, talking engagements, and business alternatives just like the NCBA Trailblazer Program. By means of these platforms, I’ve been in a position to share my expertise as a generational rancher and advocate for the agricultural business.”

It’s no shock that Ally has been named a Cowgirl 30 Under 30 (2022), acknowledged by the Texas FFA Basis as a Chief in Agriculture, and featured speaker at a number of occasions throughout the nation highlighting girls in agriculture and the meat business. 

Ally’s advocacy extends to her tutorial pursuits as effectively. At present working towards a Doctorate in Agricultural Communications at Texas A&M, she focuses on how the meat business can use social media to bridge the hole between producers and shoppers. Her objective is to assist the subsequent technology of agricultural professionals successfully share their tales and have interaction with shoppers in an more and more digital world. She hopes to develop Ag Chicks right into a consulting enterprise, assist the business talk with shoppers, and develop her Texas cattle operation.

Challenges and Joys of Ranching

Ally’s life in agriculture isn’t with out its challenges. Her weeks common round 80 hours, balancing a number of tasks between the ranch, Ag Chicks, college, and her enterprise, Junk ‘N Disorderly. On the ranch, the unpredictability of the industry—like managing excessive working prices and coping with unpredictable weather—retains her on her toes. Ally jokingly compares working with younger heifers to wrangling moody youngsters, as they have a tendency to check the energy of fences, wander, and alter behaviors unpredictably. But, she notes that even the hardest seasons convey rewards, reminding her why the demanding work is so significant.

For Ally, probably the most rewarding facet of ranching is being a part of the cycle of life, particularly throughout calving season. The expertise of serving to convey new life into the world and figuring out that her work will assist feed others is a deeply fulfilling a part of her job. With Ag Chicks, Ally finds satisfaction in listening to from listeners who’ve gained new insights or appreciation for agriculture by means of the tales she shares.

Life Classes from Ranching

“Anytime I’m working with my household or there are cows concerned I really feel like the chance for humorous or teachable occurrences is countless,” laughs Ally.

Her tales of ranch life replicate the humor and resilience required to thrive in agriculture. One memorable evening concerned rounding up escaped calves after a storm, solely to seek out one calf who had taken an unintended swim within the family’s pool! After guiding him out, the calf returned to the herd unfazed, reminding Ally of the sudden moments that make ranch life so memorable.

Hobbies, Targets, and Good Eats

When she’s not working, Ally has developed a ardour for images and videography, utilizing an actual digital camera to seize the great thing about the Western life-style she loves. Cooking, although restricted by her packed schedule, has change into one other focus, particularly studying to include beef into fast, simple meals. Her air fryer has change into a go-to for whipping up burgers, tacos, and even steaks.

A few of her favourite beef meals convey her again to childhood, like Tri-Tip sandwiches, though in Texas, Brisket has shortly received her over and she or he loves an excellent Ribeye. Usually crunched for time, she depends on her sluggish cooker or air fryer to prep beef meals. When heading out for a fast chew, she recommends Prime of the Hill in Bryan for burgers. 

Ally’s imaginative and prescient for the long run is rooted in each the educational and agricultural realms. Within the subsequent 5-10 years, she hopes to proceed educating at Texas A&M, rising Ag Chicks, and increasing her cattle operation in Texas. Together with her Ph.D., she’s desirous to proceed educating in Agribusiness, bridge the patron hole, and join her audiences with the agricultural business in a approach that highlights the dedication, innovation, and laborious work behind the meals on our tables. Ally’s story, ardour, and dedication to agriculture replicate the evolving face of the meat business, one which honors custom whereas adapting to satisfy the wants of the long run.