Junior Breeder: Jody Spears

What better way to kick off this New Year then by having a bullish new perspective on the industry, through the joyous eyes of a junior bucking bull breeder.

For Jody Spears, it’s all about heart and the pure love of his bulls. The 10-year-old has an admirable approach for handling his young buckers; do it with passion and enjoy what you’re doing.

Jody and his family have 40 head of cattle, including seven bulls spread, across four pastures in Lenoir, North Carolina. They are 70-miles from Charlotte and enjoy their bucking bulls immensely, but they treat it more like a hobby than a business.

“We don’t do it for the money. We just like watching our cows. We don’t brand ‘em. We treat them and all our pets like family,” the fifth-grader explained.

“We know our bulls inside and out, and can tell if one is sick or something is wrong by the way they walk and act,” Jody added.

Jody’s father Chris is a Lenoir firefighter. He is used to putting out fires on the job and in life. “I don’t ever get mad about things. If you’re going to be stupid – you better be tough. Everyday’s a challenge, but if you ever get a flat tire, just remember there are people who don’t even have a car,” Chris observed. “Just like the bulls—they count on me here. I just never think about the paycheck.”

He and his son do, however, both think about bull—and often. “We love these animals. We’d like to turn it into a business someday, to put money back into it, but our goal isn’t so much money. Our goal is to see one of our bulls on TV one day,” Chris said.

The Spears started their breeding program in 2005. “We watched bull riding on TV and thought it’d be cool to own some bulls,” Jody said. They got advice from North Carolina breeders Doug and Chad Brinkley, who know the ropes. “They made me, and especially Jody, feel like family,” Chris shared.

The Spears’ bloodlines include Panhandle Slim, Playboy Skoal, Rooster, Mr. T and Skat Kat. Jody’s favorite cow is Big Girl. The Spears believe their 2-year-olds and 3-year-olds have great potential.

So does Jody. A student at Oak Hill Elementary School in Lenoir, Jody studies bloodlines and bulls in his free time. He also studies bull riders like fellow North Carolinian J.B. Mauney, who finished second in the 2009 PBR standings. Jody got to chat with Mauney in August at a Futurity in Archdale, N.C.

When the Spears go on bull buying trips, sometimes Jody’s mom Melissa and his new baby sister Kara go along for the ride to make it a family outing.
Jody is chomping at the bit to enter their bulls in futurities, but geography is a factor. “There aren’t many events on these coasts, especially the Carolinas,” Chris admitted.

Meanwhile, they’re excited about what they can do. “We take stock over to the Brinkley’s Double B Arena,” Jody said. He likes de-flanking, loading, and feeding his livestock. The Spears also handle most of the bulls’ medical needs, including vaccinations and de-worming.

Jody has ridden sheep, but his mom and grandma overrode that decision. “To keep my dad and me from sleeping with the cows, we follow their instructions!”
Jody, a straight-A student, also plays baseball and basketball. However, bull breeding is paramount.

“We jumped in with both feet and never looked back,” admitted Chris. Although a rugged cowboy, Jody’s dad encourages everyone to truly live and feel what’s in their hearts. “When one of your herd dies, it’s ok for the little ones to cry as well as the adults,” offered Chris. “Jody has shed tears for this sport but never gives up. He’s just 10 but he’s my hero.”