Howdy from the Cattlemen’s Building in Downtown Montgomery! From freezing rain to springtime forecasts, this Alabama weather still has our heads spinning. Speaking of heads spinning, that’s the current state of your state officers and staff and we take on the busiest time of year! Convention planning, SLE Rodeo happenings, county meetings galore…there’s a lot going on! While all these happenings keep us worn out, we are always rejuvenated when we have the opportunity to hit the road and visit with Cattlemen from across the state at those county meetings and at the Convention. It’s busy no doubt, but it’s an exciting time as well!
Catch up on all things happening around the ACA this week by continuing to read our second update of the New Year…
CAPITAL CITY STAMPEDE- 74TH ANNUAL ACA CONVENTION & TRADE SHOW
Convention is only 35 days away!! Make sure to get registered (or call 265-1867) and to book your hotel room at the Renaissance Hotel and Montgomery Convention Center before the Cattlemen’s Block rates end on January 27. You can book your hotel now through this link or by calling 334-481-5000 and ask for the Cattlemen’s Block using the mini code “CAT.”
There are so many great reasons to register today and head on down to Montgomery February 15-16 to the ACA Convention & Trade Show. Just in case you need convincing, here’s the rundown…
(1) Outstanding Speakers
We have three headliner speakers this year. The first is 10-year veteran of CattleFax, Chad Spearman, who will be talking about “what lies ahead for the cattle market.” The Colorado State University graduate will discuss weather predictions and cattle price outlooks during one of the Convention’s sessions. Next on the lineup is NCBA’s Senior VP of Global Marketing and Research Alisa Harrison. Alisa comes with vast experience in the worlds of beef retail marketing and public relations, and she will be discussing marketing beef in a challenging environment. Last but certainly not least, NCBA Past President Steve Foglesong who is now serving as a member of President-Elect Donald Trump’s agricultural advisory team. He will be discussing what to expect from Washington D.C. under the Trump Administration.
(2) A SOLD OUT Trade Show
If you’ve got business that needs to be taken care of for the betterment of
your farm, it can probably be handled at our trade show. We’ve got over 65 national, state and local vendors bringing everything from heavy farm machinery, off-road vehicles, cattle working facilities, insurance, breed associations, nutrition and nutritional supplements…it’ll all be at our trade show for you to see and learn about.
(3) An Array of Cattlemen’s Colleges and Speakers
We’ve got four Zoetis Cattlemen’s Colleges coming your way at this year’s convention. Check them out:
- “Coping With Drought: Forage Management Strategies and Nutritional Needs for Winter Grazing” led by Dr. Kim Mullenix, AU Beef Cattle Specialist
- “Producing the Right King of Cattle and Marketing Strategies for Top Dollar” panel led by Jerry Etheredge, LMA president; Gene Lowry, JBS Feedlot; Jim Sealy, Alabama Livestock Market; Darryl Stokes, Montgomery Stockyard.
- “Effective Estate Planning and Reducing Tax Burdens” by ACES Specialists Ken Kelley and Robert Page
- “Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Training and Update” by Dr. Soren Rodning, Auburn Extension Veterinarian
Just confirmed! President Pro Tempore of the Senate Del Marsh and Speaker of the House of Representatives Mac McCutcheon will address the Board of Directors during their luncheon on Wednesday to update them on the Legislative Session that will be underway.
(4) Beef…of course…
That’s pretty simple. The meals with be worth the trip alone!
(5) Family Fun and Networking
There will be no shortage of networking at the convention’s many meetings and throughout the trade show. We also are offering family fun at the Wednesday night “Rotational Grazing” event where families can enjoy social time with good food and music provided by the Good Ol’ Boys, aka Ed Whatley’s crew! To wrap up Convention, the Sweet Young’uns will open up the dance floor with over 50 years of musical entertainment experience!
We will also be taking care of some business at convention! This week we sent letters to 51 deserving scholarship recipients representing over $60,000 in scholarships. We also Sent a ballot with five outstanding nominees for the Alabama Livestock Hall of Fame to living members of the HOF for voting. We look forward to learning about who our newest inductee(s) are!
Cullman County Hay Relief
We’re please to report that one of our county chapters has stepped up to
the plate to address the critical hay shortage in Cullman County. The Cullman County Cattlemen’s Association worked to help set up a local hay relief effort for cattle located in Cullman County. The groups involved are Cullman County Commission, local branch of Alabama Soil and Water Conservation, Cullman County Cattlemen’s, Alabama Farmers Federation, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Cullman County Farm Service Agency. The following are the steps involved in making this a reality for the cattle producers.
- A committee of representatives from groups involved was formed to organize the relief efforts.
- Cullman County Commissioner issued a grant of $12000 to the local branch of Alabama Soil and Water Conservation to be used in the transportation of hay to the Cullman Ag Center.
- Cullman County Cattlemen’s put up $5000 to purchase hay and Cullman County Farmers Federation matched the allotment.
- With this funding, committee representatives organized transport and the purchase of hay to be delivered to Cullman Ag Center to be dispersed to producers who qualify.
- Local FSA agreed to take the applications.
- Cattle must be located in the county, users will pay for hay at affordable rate and are to pick up hay from the Cullman Ag Center.
- Call Dr. Slaten for information on how he and his group got this project put into action for Cullman County. (334) 467-5043
We are pleased that our largest county (by cattle numbers) has taken this charge and are hopeful that other counties will follow this example to provide hay relief across the state. We appreciate Past RVP Dr. Terry Slaten for being the driving force behind this program and thank him for his continued leadership.
Northwest Alabamians Head South
We look forward when RVP Brian Smith of Lauderdale County will bring leaders from six northwest counties to the Cattlemen’s Building in Montgomery. They will tour the building and discuss ACA’s role and how county chapters are a vital part of our success. We commend Brian and ACA Vice President Jack Batts on organizing this trip, and we encourage other RVPs and counties to do the same! We’ll even provide lunch!
E.S.T.F.A.I. Program in Shorter
It didn’t take long for ACA’s new Director of Industry Relations and Youth Activities Matthew Pounds to get out of the office to attend workshops. On Tuesday, Matthew found himself in Shorter where he listened in on the Estrus Synchronization and Fixed Time Artificial Insemination Program lead by Regional Extension Agent Josh Elmore, Extension Veterinarian Dr. Soren Rodning and Beef Unit Manager Rob Peacock.
County Annual Meeting Season
Counties across the state are hosting annual meetings, and ACA officers and staff are working to attend each and every one! We can’t be there if you don’t let us know, so send your upcoming county meeting information to Jessica Kennedy at the state office. If you need ACA trinkets such as tags, membership applications, placemats, napkins, etc for your meeting PLEASE let Jessica know ASAP!
A few notes from the Membership Office:
- “Over the Top” Deadline – All membership needs to be in the state office or postmarked by February 28th to qualify for “Over the Top” awards.
- The 2nd Renewal Notice will go out by the end of the month so get payment in for pending membership!
- Several counties have entered membership but have not yet sent payment. This is a reminder that membership is processed when payment is received at the state office, so get that check sent in!
- Following your county meeting, send us your new officers so we can update them in our system! Simply email them to Jessica.
Ag Coalition Back in Action
The Ag Coalition will reconvene shortly as the Opening Day for the 2017 Legislative Session is Tuesday, February 7. The Ag Coalition, made up of representatives from the ACA, the Alabama Department of Agriculture, the Alabama Farmers Federation, the Alabama Poultry and Egg Industry, Alabama Forestry Association and Alabama Agribusiness Council, monitors activity that could have an effect on the agricultural industry in the state of Alabama. This group works together to protect the interests of Alabama’s farmers.
YCLP Class IV Nominations Underway
Do you know a young cattlemen who is ready to step in your county association? If so, nominate them for the Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program (YCLP) Class IV. Applications are available now on BamaBeef.org/YCLP.
SLE Rodeo- Don’t Miss It!
We are also getting ready for the 60th annual SLE Rodeo! Activities and meetings are underway to finalize advertising, corporate sponsorships, facilities, scheduling and the Junior Beef Expo. We will meet with the rodeo committee next week to finalize plans. It’s a busy time for the rodeo!
Ticket sales are also underway- have you purchased yours yet? Purchase them today by visiting slerodeo.com or calling 1-888-2RODEO2. We can’t wait to see you there!
Thanks for reading this week’s post! We’ll be back, same time, same place next week for this year’s third weekly update. Until then, stay in touch with us by following us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Have a great week and don’t forget to register for Convention and purchase your SLE Rodeo tickets!