It’s a whirlwind time at the ACA as we are in the midst of the 2018 membership drive kickoff, board meeting preparations and in assembly mode on the 2018 Beef Checkoff Marketing Plan. Important tasks are in the works, but in a season when we pause to focus on all we are thankful for, we’d like to simply say how thankful we are for Alabama’s cattlemen. We’re thankful for your hard work to make this industry what it is. We’re thankful for those that came before us and paved the way to make our industry and association what it is today. We’re thankful for today’s cattlemen who take risks, aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty, stay involved and work hard day in and out to raise a safe, wholesome and sustainable product. We’re thankful for our young people, for it’s in them that we have hope for tomorrow’s industry. It is clear that we have a lot to be thankful for this year, but before we head into the holidays, we need to pause to keep our producers informed on what your cattlemen’s association is doing for you this week. Keep reading to learn more…
Membership Update
Membership renewal statements for 2018 went out November 1st! If a member is in question, please call Jessica at (334) 265-1867 as we will be working out the kinks with members who have held memberships in multiple counties in previous years.
Board members: RSVP for the November board meeting! At this month’s meeting, secretaries will receive their login information for the new software as well as some other useful training information. For those who are not able to attend, you will receive information after the board meeting.
Don’t forget this renewal incentive–> Anyone who renews for 2018 by December 31st will be entered into a drawing to win one of three cash prizes – $250, $150 or $100. All county memberships will need to be in the state office no later than December 31st to qualify for this drawing.
2018 CHECKOFF MARKETING PLAN…OFFICIALLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Last week at the state office, the state beef checkoff team hosted the 2018 Checkoff Task Force Meeting, and it was a day full of great ideas, planning, brainstorming and exploring areas of growth for the beef checkoff program. During this meeting, cattlemen and industry influencers gathered to hear a recap of this year’s program successes, learned about national checkoff goals and perspectives from NCBA’s Season Solorio and offered input and desires for areas of the program such as producer communication and education, retail/foodservice, advertising and social media, youth and issues management. Staff is now busy typing up all the new ideas, budgeting and preparing our more important presentation of the year for the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Executive Committee and Board of Directors. Look forward to all to come and thanks to all who took time out of their busy schedules to contribute their input on the Alabama beef checkoff program.
Franklin County Youth Field Day
On Saturday, the Franklin County Junior Cattlemen hosted their first-ever 
field day. The juniors were educated on proper selection criteria when judging cattle, showing cattle in a pen show setting, took a skill-a-thon test indicating their basic knowledge about cattle, learned about the importance of farm safety and how to work as a team and enjoyed some great burgers. ACA Director of Industry Relations and Youth Programs Michael Agar was in attendance and offered his insight about cattle judging based on his experience with the Mississippi State University Livestock Judging Team. Special thanks to all involved and to Franklin County Junior Cattlemen Adviser Caleb Beason who planned and executed this event. Great work, Franklin County! We look forward to watching to event grow in the future.
ALABAMA FORAGE CONFERENCE & OTHER EXTENSION PROGRAMS FOR CATTLEMEN
The Alabama Forage Conference will be held at Lakepoint State Park in Eufala on Nov. 28-29. Registration is now open for this conference on our website, and we encourage you to learn more and sign up! While you’re exploring through our online events calendar, be sure to check out all the many great Extension educational opportunities for cattlemen that are coming up. From QuickBooks for Farmers to Calving Season Emergencies to the Fall Beef-Forage Update and information on Silvopastures, there’s a class out there for everyone! This calendar is updated weekly with new events, courses, county meetings and cattle sales.
Be sure to follow it and stay up-to-date with all that’s happening in Alabama’s beef cattle industry.
SCHOLARSHIPS NOW AVAILABLE
Alabama Cattlemen’s Foundation scholarship applications are now 
available online at BamaBeef.org/Scholarships and the deadline to apply is less than a month away! We encourage you to visit the site and explore the many scholarship opportunities for high school and college students in Alabama. Each year, the AFC awards over $50,000 in scholarships to deserving students whose parents or grandparents are members of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association.
Check out the many scholarship opportunities, and don’t forget- the deadline is Dec. 1 at midnight!
AUBURN UNIVERSITY COLLEGIATE CATTLEMEN & CATTLEWOMEN SAUSAGE BOXES
Are you looking for the perfect Christmas gift for the meat eater in your life? The AU Collegiate Cattlemen and Cattlewomen have got JUST what you need in their jam-packed with goodness sausage boxes. For only $30 you can 2-lbs of summer sausage, 1-lb. of jalapeño summer sausage and 1-lb. of a perfectly-paired cheese. Who wouldn’t love a gift like that?!
Proceeds from the sale of this year’s sausage boxes will aid in sending our collegiate cattlemen and cattlewomen to the 2018 NCBA Convention in Phoenix, Arizona. This is an outstanding educational and networking opportunity for our young people who will soon enter the industry. If you’re interested in ordering a box, call (334) 674-0569, email clb0012@auburn.edu or mail in this printer-friendly order form.
CATTLE SALE SEASON
We are in the midst of cattle sale season in Alabama, our your state officer team and staff have been burning up the roads visiting the sales and networking with cattlemen from across the state. We’ve enjoyed the sites, the impressive cattle, strong prices and, of course, the hospitality shown by sale hosts. We hope to see you at one soon! View Our Cattle Sales Calendar Online Now
Stock Show U & BEEF U
We’ve got two exciting youth events headed to Alabama, and we want to be sure you’ve got them on your calendar! Coming up on the calendar first is Sullivan Supply’s Stock Show U with instructors Taylor Harrison and Tad Harper. This event will be held at the Cullman County Ag Trade Center and is FREE to attend, compliments of Sullivan Supply. Be sure to register to attend by clicking here. Next up on Saturday, Dec. 9 is BEEF U led by Extension Specialist Jason P’Poole. This educational and hands-on workshop is for young people ages 5-18 and will be held at the Stanley P. Wilson Beef Teaching Unit at Auburn University. Learn more here
Here are a Few Handy Links You May Enjoy:
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