Alabama Cattlemen's Association

What’s Going On Wednesday: November 29, 2017

It’s officially the most wonderful time of the year! Not only has the Christmas season arrived, but bright fall leaves are painted across our farmscapes, new calves are on the ground, hay fills the rings in our pastures and turkeys make way for delicious holiday roasts on our tables. Like we said, it’s the most wonderful time of year!! As your state staff prepares to tie up all the ends of 2017, we are also looking forward to a big year in 2018. Keep reading to catch up on all that’s been going on in Alabama’s beef cattle industry and to get a few very important updates.

Scholarship Application Deadline

Alabama Cattlemen’s Foundation scholarship applications are now available online at BamaBeef.org/Scholarships and the deadline to apply is THIS FRIDAY at midnight! 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 Friday, Dec. 1 at midnight!

Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program Industry Tour

The Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program (YCLP) Class IV took an industry tour of west Alabama cattle operations Nov. 10-11, and it was an excellent weekend of learning and networking. The tour started out at Alabama Livestock Auction, Inc. at the BCIA Fall Round-Up Bull Sale, headed west to tour Next Step Cattle Company’s bull development facility in Livingston with ACA Past President Jimmy Holliman and enjoyed dinner at Diamond Jims & Mrs. Donna’s. After a good night’s sleep in Demopolis, the crew toured Ralph Cole and family’s diversified cattle and catfish operation in Greensboro then rounded out the tour back in Uniontown where Jim and Jimmy Sealy offered marketing advice to the young cattlemen. Special thanks to all our hosts and all who attended!

Hot Topic Tuesday: YCLP Leadership Project Success!

Speaking of YCLP, Class IV students Matthew Brady and Blake Hamner completed their joint leadership project this week and did an excellent job! Sponsored by the Perry and Tuscaloosa Cattlemen’s Associations and Alabama Ag Credit, Blake and Matthew organized “Hot Topic Tuesday,” an event held at the Black Belt Experiment Center on November 28th. Extension Veterinarian Dr. Soren Rodning preformed a live estrus synchronization, a hands-on calving demonstration and presented on hot topics in the beef industry to around 25 attendees. After the program, lunch was provided by Alabama Ag Credit.

This is what the Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program is all about. Congratulations on a job well done to Matthew and Blake. Special thanks to all who helped make the event a success!

County Annual Meetings & Membership Update

It’s county annual meeting season, and our Bama Beef Events Calendar is bursting with meeting dates. Check it out, and be sure to send ACA Membership Coordinator Jessica Kennedy your county annual meeting dates for us to share!

Speaking of Jessica, she is still working to perfect the membership reporting process. Stay tuned with more information from her and remember that we’re all learning how this new program works together! Secretaries who will be inputting membership can email Jessica or call (334) 265-1867 for their logins and website links. Before beginning to enter membership, we encourage secretaries to sign up for a training webinar. Send Jessica a list of days and times that work for best for you: Mon-Sun 8am, 12pm, 3pm, 7pm.

A Quick Legislative Update

We have been working diligently with leadership in D.C. this week in regards to the Electronic Logging Devices (ELD) bill. Last week, a 90-day waiver was granted for the livestock hauling sector of the industry to allow more time to formulate solutions to this mandate. ACA has been working with Livestock Marketing Association along with producers to discuss with Sen. Shelby and Congressman Rogers offices the details as to why ELDs cause issues for our industry from the standpoint of animal welfare. Stay tuned for details as they unfold.

Last week we met with the Ag Coalition to listen to details about an Agribusiness and Rural Jobs Act that will be presented in the legislature in the upcoming session. The bill expands access for private financing for small rural businesses who are either expanding or starting from the ground up.

Additionally, the Alabama BEEF PAC Committee will meet next Wednesday, Dec. 6 to evaluate all candidates in the upcoming election. The PAC Committee will decide which candidates will receive financial contributions.

Alabama Forage Conference

ACA Director of Industry Relations & Youth Programs Michael Agar spent time in Eufala this week at the Alabama Forage Conference. Special thanks to Drs. Kim Mullenix and Leanne Dillard for spearheading this event designed to help cattle produce high-quality forages for Alabama livestock.

A Very MOOey Christmas

The MOOseum is hosting its 2nd annual MOOey Christmas at the Cattlemen’s Building on Dec 8 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Currently, we have 155 kiddos scheduled to come and give their Christmas wish list to our very own Cowboy Santa, Mr. Bill Lipscomb. We have partnered with the United States Marine Corps to host a Toys 4 Tots drive, and we are having a competition for the schools scheduled. The school that brings the largest donation will receive a $50 The MOOseum gift certificate to use for merchandise for their classroom. We will also be honored to have servicemen from the USMC to attend our event.

Also, could it be a “MOOey” Christmas without the “Moo?” AJCA President Cassidy Catrett and AJCA Past President Cameron Catrett are once again lending a hand and bringing live cattle to the building for the children to see. YCLP Class IV student and Lee County Cattleman Markie Hageman is bringing a few cattle reindeer props for photos, and of course, we will be serving cookies and milk! Come on out and celebrate with us…and don’t forget your Toys 4 Tots donations!!

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.

SEC Championship Recipe Inspiration

Alabama’s own Auburn Tigers are taking on the Georgia Bulldogs this weekend in the SEC Championship and no matter who you cheer for, we can all agree on one thing…Beef. It’s What’s For Gameday. Cheer on your team with yummy steak nachos!

Here are a Few Handy Links You May Enjoy:

Thanks for reading this week’s post! Until we post again next week , we want to remind you that you can stay in touch with us by following us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Choose Nutrient-Rich Beef for Your Holiday Entertaining

By Jessica Ivey, RDN

During the holidays, we all want to enjoy family, friends and food, but all the get-togethers and events can make it easy to get off track with healthy eating goals. Lucky for you, beef is a nutrient-rich protein source that can be incorporated into appetizers, entrees and even side dishes for festive and nutritious entertaining.

Beef tops the charts of protein-rich foods, providing 25 grams of high-quality protein and just 150 calories in each 3oz. cooked serving of lean beef. To put that into perspective, you’d have to eat three cups of trendy quinoa to get that much protein, which would pack a whopping 666 calories! Research shows that people who eat a higher-protein diet (about 30% of daily calories from protein) feel more satisfied, which may help prevent overeating (1), so if you’re making an effort to maintain your weight this holiday season, lean beef is a smart choice!

In addition to protein, three ounces of cooked beef provides 36% of the daily value of zinc, which helps maintain a strong immune system to keep you from getting sick during the busy holiday season. Feeling exhausted? Each 3oz. serving of lean beef provides 22% and 44% of the daily value of Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12 respectively, two nutrients that help give you energy. Beef is also a good source of iron, which helps transport oxygen in your blood.

If you’ll be attending or hosting a gathering with mostly appetizers and finger foods, be sure to include a source of protein to help satisfy hunger. These Mini Meatball Appetizers with Apricot Dipping Sauce can be made ahead and kept warm in a small slow cooker for an easy-to-transport option, or you can make these Spicy Steak and Avocado Bruschetta for a filling and flavorful twist on traditional bruschetta. For a foodie crowd, these Tapas-Style Pepper-Steak Parfaits are sure to impress.

We usually think of beef as being the star at the center of the plate, but have you ever thought about including beef in a side dish? This savory, sweet and tart Beef Stuffing with Apples and Cranberries is equally suited as a one-dish meal or a show-stealing side. Beef and Blue Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms deliver a punch of flavor in each poppable bite.

An elegant beef roast sets the stage for a special meal, no matter the occasion. Check back in December, when I’ll be sharing some fool-proof tips for the perfect holiday roast. Enjoy a happy and healthy start to your holiday season!

Leidy HJ, et al. Beneficial effects of a higher-protein breakfast on the appetitive, hormonal, and neural signals controlling energy intake regulation in overweight/obese, “breakfast-skipping,” late-adolescent girls. Am J Clin Nutr 2013;97:677-88.

Westerterp-Plantenga MS, Luscombe-Marsh N, Lejeune MPGM, Diepvens K, Nieuwenhuizen A, Engelen MPKJ, Deutz NEP, Azzout-Marniche D, Tome D, Westerterp KR. Dietary protein, metabolism, and body-weight regulation: dose–response effects. Int J Obes 2006;30:S16-S23.
Leidy HJ, Bossingham MJ, Mattes RD, Campbell WW. Increased dietary protein intake consumed at breakfast leads to an initial and sustained feeling of fullness during energy restriction compared to other meal times. Br J Nutr. 2009;101:798-803.

(Photo: Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. Funded by Beef Farmers & Ranchers.)

What’s Going On Wednesday: November 8, 2017

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

CATTLE SALE SEASON

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:

Thanks for reading this week’s post! Until we post again next week , we want to remind you that you can stay in touch with us by following us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

What’s Going On Wednesday: November 1, 2017

That’s a wrap on October Beef Month 2017 and WOW what a GREAT month it was for beef promotion across our state. County chapters did an outstanding job getting out in the community while your state office implemented big campaigns online to put beef on consumers’ minds. Keep reading to learn more about those online results!

This is the time of year when we shift focus here at the state office. We not only look back over the past year to evaluate which programs were successful or maybe need tweaking, but we also begin to think toward 2018, and the new membership year as it is now upon us! It’s a busy and exciting time in Montgomery, and we look forward to celebrating 2017 with you while making big plans for 2018.

2018 Membership Drive Kicks Off TODAY!

With the start of November comes the start of the 2018 membership drive, and we encourage every membership to re-up on their annual dues and to sign up a new member! Help us beat our 10,000 total membership from the 2017 membership year. Also- here’s some incentive…if you pay your dues by Dec. 31, you’ll be entered for an Early Bird Drawing for three cash prizes: $250, $150 or $100. Can you say return on investment?! Renew or Join Today

The new membership software is now complete, and ACA Membership Coordinator Jessica Kennedy has been working diligently to produce educational videos to help teach county leaders how to use the new program. County secretaries are encouraged to attend the November Board Meeting on Nov. 16 as Jessica will be assigning county login information and discussing where to access “how to” videos.

2018 Checkoff Marketing Plan…Under Construction

Speaking of return on investment…let’s talk checkoff. This week at the state office, our theme is Alabama Beef Checkoff as we are hosting the 2018 Checkoff Task Force Meeting tomorrow. During this meeting, cattlemen and industry influencers will gather to hear a recap of this year’s program successes, learn about national checkoff goals and perspectives from NCBA’s Season Solorio and offer input and desires for areas of the program such as producer communication and education, retail/foodservice, advertising and social media, youth and issues management. Stay tuned for big plans and ideas, straight from the minds of Alabama’s cattle producers!

October Beef Month Success

Online promotion was the theme of this year’s October Beef Month, and we’re proud to bring you the results of this year’s campaigns. Not only was every post centered around beef promotion and education, but we brought some big numbers to the board with digital advertising and couponing. Throughout the month we posted weekly carousel ads on Facebook that presented delicious beef imagery with direct links to recipes on the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner website. Each week, the ads reflected the theme of recipe/cooking techniques we presented on our online properties- burgers/grilling, weeknight meals/skillet cooking, tailgating with beef and stews/chilis/slow cooking. Those ads had excellent reach of over 82,000 Alabamians, driving over 4,500 clicks to specific recipes on the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner website. Post engagement and conversations were also very positive about beef, and Facebook users particularly enjoyed the stew/chili ads…which is expected this time of year!

On another digital front, our ibotta coupon- which offered $2 OFF a roast of any brand or variety purchased at most Alabama grocers- encouraged the sale of over 5,700 roasts, provided educational beef messaging to over 16,900 app users and reached more than 539,200 Alabama residents. This coupon featured prominent checkoff logos and well-represented Alabama’s beef cattle producers. Great work, team!

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. 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

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! This Friday ACA’s Kayla Greer and Michael Agar will be at Frank Turner and Sons in Hayneville while this past weekend, staff enjoyed heading out to the CK Cattle Headquarters Sale, Michael enjoyed a trip to The Oaks sale in Grantville, GA while ACA Executive Vice President Erin Beasley headed north to the Debter Hereford sale in Horton, AL.

View Our Cattle Sales Calendar Online Now

Auburn ANSC Students Learn About ACA and Checkoff Program

ACA Director of Industry Relations and Youth Programs Michael Agar was a guest speaker for Animal Science Orientation at Auburn last Thursday. Michael spoke about the national and state checkoff, BQA and about the work of our association. As a recent graduate himself, he also discussed what he did as a college student to prepare for a professional career in the cattle industry. Many of the students expressed interest in the presentation and stayed after class to ask him questions about the association.

Here are a Few Handy Links You May Enjoy:

Thanks for reading this week’s post! Until we post again next week , we want to remind you that you can stay in touch with us by following us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.