May is here, and it’s brought along with it one delicious month ahead!
Summer Grilling Season. National Beef Month. National Burger Month. National BBQ Month. It’s a mouthwatering month to say the least, but that’s not all that’s happening around the ACA! We’re still keeping a sharp eye on politics, hosting meetings, planning upcoming events and promoting our favorite protein, beef, all while cattle producers across the state are managing the farm and getting prepared for baling season.
Take just a few minutes to learn about what’s happening in Downtown Montgomery this week.
MEMBERSHIP REMINDERS
ACA Membership Coordinator Jessica Kennedy wanted to make sure you all got the reminder that the year-end “Over the Top” deadline is the May 9th Board Meeting. Counties who have gone “Over the Top” and have at least 100 members will be included in the drawing for the Priefert Chute. We have 20 counties who are within an arm’s length of going “Over the Top,” and your chance at a $5,000 Priefert squeeze chute should be encouragement enough! If that’s not enough, county presidents who go “Over the Top” will receive an award at the 2018 ACA Convention and TWO free banquet tickets.
Make sure to send in all membership before the Spring Board Meeting that our reports are as current as possible. Following the Board Meeting, the state office will be mailing out the FINAL dues notices. Those renewals will be routed to the state office.
Bama’s Best Beef Contest Kickoff
It’s an exciting week for social media! The 2nd annual Bama’s Best Beef contest has kicked off in search of Alabama’s most unique beef dish! The contest starts out with a nomination round which will be open until midnight on May 13. Following a week of deliberation to select a finalist in the Asian, Hispanic, All-American and Other categories, the final four dishes will go head-to-head in Facebook Photo Challenges with the hopes of being crowned “Bama’s Best Beef.”
We are proud to host the second annual contest after the contest proved its potential in 2016. Last year’s contest boasted a 327,571-person reach and 7,956 reactions, comments and shares. “Zack’s Tot Roast” from West End Grill in Huntsville took home the crown , and we are excited to try out another delicious beef dish from our home state. The Alabama Restaurant & Hospitality Association has even joined in on the fun to help co-sponsor the prizes and feature the winning dish/restaurant in their magazine!
It’s great exposure for Alabama restaurants and BEEF! Be sure to submit your nomination today at www.bamabeef.org/bestbeef.
A Visit With the Governor
Monday afternoon took us to Goat Hill as ACA leaders Dr. Billy Powell and 
Erin Beasley enjoyed a nice visit with longtime friend of the Cattlemen’s Association, Gov. Kay Ivey. During the meeting, the trio discussed issues relating to the beef cattle industry and rural Alabama.
Welcome, Dr. Goodrich
On Tuesday, ACA Assistant Executive VP Erin Beasley met with the new Extension Ag Economist, Dr. Brittney Goodrich, who will begin her position in August at Auburn. Several industry stakeholders were invited to listen to her current research and provide input on key areas that she needs to concentrate on when she begins work. This position, previously held by Dr. Walt Prevatt, has been vital to cattle producers and we will work with Dr. Goodrich to ensure she is aware of our cattlemen needs as she goes forward with research and outreach.
YCLP Class IV
The Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program (YCLP) Class IV will officially 
kick off next Monday and Tuesday for the year. Twenty-five outstanding cattlemen between 21-40 years of age will commit to this program over the next year to learn more about the association, develop leadership skills and increase their overall knowledge of the cattle industry. Moving forward, this program will continue to show its worth by seeing graduates move into leadership roles at the county and state level.
AJCA ROUND-UP DATES AND INTERN
For those who may have missed the news last week, the ACA is excited to have Logan Strock in our office this summer as he has accepted an internship where he will lead the effort in putting on the 11th annual AJCA Round-Up. Logan is a current AJCA director and a student at Mississippi State University where he is studying agricultural education.
The dates for this year’s Fiesta-themed event are July 20-23 at 
Montgomery’s Garrett Coliseum. Stay tuned as rules and registration information will be made available late May. We can’t wait to see you there!
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Beef!
Speaking of Fiesta, we can’t leave you without un poco de inspiracion para el Cinco de Mayo…in other words, a little inspiration for Cinco de Mayo! this Friday is Mexican Independence Day, and we’re celebrating with beef! Here’s some delicious inspiration…