Rain, drought, scattered storm, drought, random monsoon, dry for a week..dusty trucks, can’t bale because the hay’s too wet, filling water troughs, creek’s flooded. Boy, oh, boy that sure sounds like an Alabama summer, don’t it? Bipolar and unpredictable. A farmer’s greatest tool is his faith, and trusting in the Good Lord’s provision of dry and wet weather is a mindset we’ve all had to accept…and, admittedly, some of us are probably still working on it! It reminds us of the verse from Deuteronomy 11:15, “I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied.” While we all work on our faith as we fight the whoas of summer weather, take a break to catch up on all that’s happening at your Alabama Cattlemen’s Association. We’re busy working for you while you’re busy working to feed the world.
Stopping at Stockyards
As you may have already seen on our social media, last week ACA Director of Field Services Morgan Pounds joined Extension Specialist Kent Stanford as the duo visited Sand Mountain Stockyard in Crossville. This week, the stockyard visits continue on as Morgan and staffer Kayla Greer head over to Livingston Stockyard and then Morgan will head south to Double A Auction in Brewton on Saturday! We’re hauling those big ole Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner signs with us, so look out for your favorite market on social media!
AL Auctioneer Named Reserve World Champ
We’d like to say congratulations to Montgomery Stockyard auctioneer 
Chuck Bradley for being named Reserve World Champion at the Livestock Marketing Association’s (LMA) World Livestock Auctioneer Championship held in Dinuba, Calif. at Tulare County Stockyard two weekends ago. Chuck is a Rockford, Ala. native and was joined on his journey by Dallas County cattleman, market owner and LMA Past President Jerry Etheredge. Look out for more info in the July issue of the Alabama Cattleman magazine.
State 4-H Livestock Judging Contest
Hogs, goats, sheep…and of course, cattle…youth from across Alabama competed on Tuesday in the 4-H State Livestock Judging Contest in Auburn. ACA staffers Morgan Pounds and Ali Cantrell were at the event to show support of our youth industry partner, help out where needed and cheer on junior cattlemen in the contest! We’re always so impressed with the caliber in which our youth compete, and yesterday’s event was absolutely no exception. Great job to all who came out, competed and/or placed!
Over the Top Deadline Passed
With the passing of Saturday came the end of our “Over the Top” county drive! ACA Membership Coordinator Jessica Kennedy is busy as she gets all that came in over the weekend uploaded to the system before she can announce what all counties went Over the Top! If you know your’s did….CONGRATS! Thank you for your hard work at the grassroots level. We can’t wait to give you your red coat! If you’ve got questions about membership, be sure to reach out to Jessica at 334-265-1867.
AJCA ROUND-UP REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
Registration for the 2019 “Christmas in July” AJCA Round-Up is now live at BamaBeef.org/RoundUp. We’ve got contest entry, animal entry and novice entry…so enter the site prepared with alllllllll the info you’ll need to successfully complete including AJCA membership number, EID tag numbers, premise I.D.’s, etc. You don’t want to miss this holly jolly youth development event riding in on its sleigh July 18-21 at Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery!
Round-Up Sponsorship, Now Available Online
If you believe the future of our industry in the hands of our junior cattlemen, show your support as they bring their best to the AJCA Round-Up. We now offer the opportunity to sponsor the event through an online option! Skip the paper checks and the visit to the post office…just grab your favorite card and hop over to www.BamaBeef.org/RoundUp. Whether you want to sponsor for $5 or $500, you can do it online and support Alabama’s premier youth livestock event! Just click the link above, scroll down until you see the “Sponsor” button and fill out the form adding any amount you’d like to sponsor. When you’re done, just visit your cart and check out. Your generosity WILL NOT go unnoticed!
The MOOseum- Closed for Renovation
It’s FINALLY happen
ing!! The MOOseum is shutting its doors and going under construction as we renovate throughout parts of June, July and August! Doors close tomorrow (Thursday), so you’ve got a few more hours if you want to check it out one more time. But don’t worry, we’ll have before-and-after shots to show off so you can really appreciate the fresh design when it’s all said and done! We’re excited to see this project coming quickly to a fruition and cannot wait to re-open our doors in August with a fresh, new look! You won’t believe what all we’ve got in store!!
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