Whew, it’s another warm one out…not a typical thing to say in the middle of January, but it’s what we all can expect with living in Alabama. It’s safe to assume that our cattlemen would probably prefer working in 70-degree weather versus freezing temps anyway, right?
The weird weather certainly isn’t the only thing happening right now. We are gearing up for our busiest time of year. February and March are SLAM PACKED with events and activities including our State Convention, National Convention and the SLE Rodeo. Your state staff is busy handling all the fine details of those events while still managing the day-to-day tasks that come across our desks at the office. Keep reading to learn what’s going on at the ACA this week…
CAPITAL CITY STAMPEDE- 74TH ANNUAL ACA CONVENTION & TRADE SHOW
You may recognize this article because we keep posting it each week. That’s because it’s all the same info that we intend to keep reminding our producers and county leaders about. We want to see you at Convention, so don’t dawdle…register now!
Convention is only 28 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. Read More about our keynote speakers by visiting our Facebook Event Page.
(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
Also, 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! We are very excited to award 51 deserving scholarship recipients representing over $60,000 at the Thursday evening Awards Banquet. Voting is also now underway for five outstanding nominees for the Alabama Livestock Hall of Fame. We look forward to learning about who our newest inductee(s) are!
Membership, County Meetings and a John Deere Gator
Counties across the state are hosting annual meetings, and ACA officers and staff are working to attend each and every one! Many staffers and staff officers enjoyed attending the many county meetings that occurred last weekend and were excited to see the scholarships given, awards presented and to meet and mingle with producers from across the state. Not to mention the great steak dinners we were all able to enjoy! Elmore County even hosted National FFA Southern Region Vice President Abbey Gretsch to speak and hosted over 60 youth at their meeting! Kudos to Elmore County!! Unfortunately, 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, place mats, 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.
To check out information on your county meeting, visit our Bama Beef Events Calendar today. If your meeting isn’t posted or there’s any important information missing, give Jessica a call at (334) 265-1867.
John Deere Gator Information: YOU can win a John Deere Gator XUV 560 one of 
two ways…
- Recruit a new member, and their name as well as your name is entered. For each new member you recruit, that’s an extra chance, so recruit, recruit, recruit!
- Buy a raffle ticket! Tickets sales kick off to ACA MEMBERS at the ACA Convention and Trade Show on Feb. 15-16. Members can purchase one ticket for $10 or three for $20. Did we mention that the Gator is a $10,000 value…
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.
DYW at ACA
Each year, the ACA has the distinct honor of hosting 67 of Alabama’s top teens. On Thursday, the ACA will open its doors to the Distinguished Young Women of Alabama for a luncheon, tour of The MOOseum and a presentation on the beef cattle industry in Alabama. These ladies are in the Capital City staying with host families as they prepare for their state pageant this weekend. DYW, formerly known as Jr. Miss, is a scholarship pageant based on brains rather than beauty. These high school seniors are smart, talented and serve as leaders in their schools and communities. ACA is pleased to have them by to fuel them up with protein before the big show!
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.
Cowboy Cookoff Registration
Cowboy Cookoff registration is open online, and we are recruiting teams 
to participate in the steak cookoff on Saturday, March 18 in conjunction with the SLE Rodeo. Contact Erin with any questions and click here to view rules and registration information.
Spring Beef 101’s Lining Up
Spring BEEF 101 programs are being planned with culinary schools and
foodservice companies in the state. We plan to host between 4-6 programs in April for about 50 participants each 
time. Remember, if your county is interested in coming to a BEEF 101, contact Erin. Also, if you are interested in seeing what BEEF 101 is all about, we always like to have cattlemen along to say hello to participants.
The View From Accounting
This week, ACA Director of Accounting Cynthia Dondrea is working with Carr, Riggs & Ingram on the annual audit of the General Fund, National and State Checkoff and Foundation. She is also working on year-end tax reporting and officially closing the books on 2016. NCBA has executed a new software for National Checkoff reporting called BARN and Cynthia is also working to wrap her head around that new program. All the while, she’s keeping up with the normal association accounting!
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. The Rodeo Committee is meeting this weekend at Dr. Billy Powell’s farm in Leroy to make final 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 next week- same time, same place. 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!