For Iowa State University alumni Abby Greiman, agriculture has always been more than just a field of study. It’s been a way of life. Growing up in central Iowa on her family’s cow-calf operation, Abby developed a passion for the livestock industry at an early age. Her family raised Angus and Hereford cattle, and she spent much of her childhood working alongside them and showing cattle. With an older sister and younger brother who also followed the Cyclone path, attending Iowa State felt like a natural next step. 
At Iowa State, Abby pursued a double major in Animal Science and Agricultural Communications, combining her interest in livestock production with a talent for storytelling and communication. While balancing academics, she also competed as a student-athlete on the university’s volleyball team, an experience that shaped her leadership skills, discipline, and time management throughout her college career.
Abby fully embraced the opportunities available to her at Iowa State, becoming involved in a wide range of organizations and experiences. She was an active member of Block and Bridle, helping with the organization’s well-known summer sausage and cheese fundraiser, and participated in the Ag Communicators of Tomorrow club. She also contributed her writing skills to CALS Connections, sharing stories from within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. In addition, Abby served on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and the Athletic Director’s Advisory Committee, where she represented fellow student-athletes and contributed to decision-making within the athletic department.
Her academic experiences were just as impactful. Abby’s favorite class, ANS 3310: Animal Reproduction, sparked her interest in the complexity of livestock breeding systems and the science behind them. She also explored potential career paths through internships. Working with Dr. Stephanie Hansen in the nutrition lab allowed her to gain hands-on experience both in the lab and on the nutrition farm, helping her evaluate whether pursuing a master’s degree in nutrition was the right fit. Ultimately, she realized her interests lay elsewhere, but the experience provided valuable clarity in her career interests – an important aspect to internships, she noted.
Another key internship with Aimpoint Research proved to be a turning point. The role gave her exposure to the business and analytics side of agriculture and led directly to her first full-time position after graduating in 2023. Abby began her career with Aimpoint, gaining experience in research and industry insights before transitioning to a new opportunity with Ever.Ag about two years later.
Today, Abby serves as a Livestock Market Advisor at Ever.Ag, where she works directly with beef producers to help them navigate an increasingly challenging marketplace. In her role, she leads market analysis and spends much of her time communicating with clients about supply and demand trends, cash cattle trade, and retail beef prices. She also dives into the technical side of the market, analyzing charts and global market influences. Abby holds both a commodity trading license, allowing her to execute trades, and a livestock insurance certification, enabling her to provide producers with price-risk insurance and broader risk management strategies. Much of her work is centered on understanding each producer’s unique operation and developing tailored strategies to support their success.
Beyond her professional role, Abby has continued to stay involved in unique ways. She began commentating for ESPN+ last year, bringing her knowledge and enthusiasm for sports to a broader audience. She also gives back to her community by coaching volleyball at her former high school, continuing to impact young athletes the same way her experiences shaped her.
During her time at Iowa State and even after graduation, Abby has played a role in shaping the future of the Animal Science program. She was involved in early discussions surrounding the development of the new Animal Enterprise and Innovation major. As part of an initial meeting that included students and alumni from across the industry, Abby shared her perspective on the skills needed for success in today’s workforce. Drawing from her internships and early career experiences, she emphasized the importance of practical, industry-relevant skills. Her insight helped contribute to a program designed to better prepare students for the evolving demands of the animal agriculture industry.
Reflecting on her time at Iowa State, Abby credits her willingness to get involved and try new things as key to her success. She encourages current and future students to take full advantage of everything the university has to offer: “Immerse yourself in different opportunities that the university has to offer. Class is important, but so is getting involved outside of class to make those connections. Give yourself the opportunity to get a wide range of experience even if you think you know what you want to do.”
From her roots on a cow-calf operation to her role advising producers across the beef industry, Abby Greiman’s journey highlights the value of hard work, involvement, and staying open to opportunity. Her story is a powerful example of how Iowa State Animal Science graduates are making an impact across all areas of agriculture.