Rain has finally graced our pastures, which seems like a foreign concept from the past month, but more along the lines of normal- things are staying busy as usual at the ACAl. With a big Memorial Day Weekend coming up, we can already hear the sound of the sizzle as steaks, burgers and bbq hit the grill. We hope you and your family enjoy a safe, long weekend full of delicious beef and family fun. We also want to take a minute to tip our hat to the soldiers who died protecting our many rights and freedoms. While they are gone from this life, they are never forgotten. We are humbled by their courage and sacrifice.
Keep reading to learn more about what’s happening at the ACA this week.
Board Meeting Wrap-Up & Membership Update
After a busy and successful Board of Directors meeting last Thursday, we are THRILLED to announce we had 45 counties represented and had an excellent meeting with many great questions asked and information taken back home. We were proud to have the opportunity to award 26 “Over the Top” county presidents with a commemorative padfolio, while the grand prize of a Priefert squeeze chute rolled home behind the leadership from Escambia County. Congrats to Escambia, and big thanks to Fuller Supply and Priefert Ranch Equipment for their generous support of our incentive programs.
Another major topic of business discussed at last week’s meeting was membership year dates. For 2018, the membership year ends June 30. The 2019 membership year changes to January through December in 2019. All membership entered after July 1 will be “grandfathered into” that transition period. Secretaries and recruiters- continue your work as normal and ACA Membership Coordinator Jessica Kennedy will work on the transition at the state office to soften the impact of the transition. Our goal is for the counties to not feel any heat from the transitional period! To help questions along the way, the state office developed a County Leader Handbook, which was passed out to presidents and secretaries at last week’s meeting. If you did not receive one, or should you need additional copies, you can email Jessica or call her at (334) 265-1867.
Membership total for the day is 9,514. Cold calling from the state office begins on June 1. Leaders- let us know if you’d like a list of numbers so you can join in on this initiative!
Policy Update
Policy work is always on task. This week, the transportation bill to address hours of service for livestock haulers looks to drop in Senate. We are working to get a co-sponsor on House side from Alabama delegation.
Stockyard Visits
This week, ACA Director of Industry Relations & Youth Programs Michael 
Agar was joined at Clay County Livestock by ACA President-Elect Chris Langley and Regional Vice President Jim Jordan. The trio enjoyed lunch with market owner Tad Eason who kindly took time out of his day to visit with the group. Clay County can take pride in having a great, well-kept facility to market their cattle as well as an owner who wants to help them do that best. Pictured are ACA President-Elect Chris Langley, AJCA District 3 Director Chelsea Langley, Agar, Clay County Livestock Owner Tad Eason and two of his children, Clay County Cattlemen’s Association Vice President Mike Morrison and Regional Vice President Jim Jordan.
On Thursday, Michael will travel to South Alabama Livestock in Brundidge to visit with market owner Ed Jones. This leaves Michael with only one more market to visit in the state before he wraps up his first full year on the job at the beginning of June. Visiting each of Alabama’s stockyards at least once annually is an initiative of Michael’s, and we are proud to see him reach his first-year goal!
Bama’s Best Beef- Finalists Announced!
We’re in the final round of the 3rd annual Bama’s Best Beef contest, sponsored by the Alabama Beef Checkoff Program! Our two finalists, Smiley Brothers Specialty Foods (Pelham) “Filet Kabobs” and Big D’s Butts ‘N Stuff (Monroeville) “Brisket Panini” need your vote to help them earn the title of Bama’s Best Beef! To date the contest has reached over 335,700 people and garnered over 22,900 reactions, comments and shares. These are great numbers!
The winner we be announced on Tuesday, May 29.
On the Search for Associate Dean of Extension
ACA Executive Vice President Erin Beasley is participating in a seminar today with a candidate for associate dean of Extension at Auburn. This candidate has a strong beef cattle background. We will participate in one more seminar next week.
Slim’s Summer Picnic
We are excited to present the 2nd annual Slim’s Summer Picnic happening at The MOOseum on June 15 from 10 AM – 2 PM. The MOOseum Coordinator Kara Harden has been hard at work lining up events for little buckaroos to enjoy, and she’s excited to announce that Lil Boots Rodeo will be here hosting all their fun Western-themed games and activities. We’ll also be grilling burgers and having a fun competition for whoever brings the biggest crowd! If you’ve got little ones that want to enjoy the cowboy fun, give Kara a call at (334) 265-1867!
ROUND-UP REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
Are you ready to rock?! Registration for the 12th annual AJCA Round-Up, 
happening July 19-22 is now open online at BamaBeef.org/Round-Up. Also on that site, you’ll find contest and show rules, a schedule of events and 2018-2019 AJCA director applications. The Round-Up is more than just a calf show! If you don’t show cattle, that’s okay! The great news about the Round-Up is that there’s a contest for anyone and everyone. Check it out:
- Photography
- Ad Design
- Record Book
- Poster
- Essay
- Public Speaking
- Skill-A-Thon
- Career Development
- Volleyball
- Carne Fiesta (Cooking Competition)
- Sales Talk
- Cattle Judging
- Team Grooming
- Showmanship
- Prospect Market Show
- Breeding Heifer Show
Don’t miss out on all the fun and awesome prizes! Join us in Montgomery to show what you know and make lifelong friends.
AJCA membership is required to participate in the AJCA Round-Up. If membership is not current by July 15, your credit card will be charged the membership fee of $15.
You can view the 2018 contest rules, a schedule of events or the director application by clicking the links below. Registration is now available online and closes June 29 at 11:55 p.m.
JUNIOR PASTURE TO RAIL PROGRAM- REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
Speaking of Junior Pasture to Rail, learn more about the program today by visiting www.BamaBeef.org/JP2R. The 2018 Junior Pasture to Rail program will be managed through the AJCA in conjunction with the current Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) Pasture to Rail program. Youth will learn how to retain ownership on their cattle and how to market cattle on the grid. There will be four (4) educational programs beginning in fall 2018 to educate the participating youth about the cattle industry from pasture to plate.
Cattle will be gathered at central locations around Alabama and shipped to Hy-Plains Feedlot in Montezuma, KS. Ear notches will be pulled for BVD-PI testing and calves will be tagged, weighed and graded at that time (frame/muscle score, BCS). Data/results will be provided at the awards presentation for the 2018 Pasture to Rail program. Awards will be given to the top three (3) youth based on profitability in two categories: individual profitability of one (1) calf and the average profitability of a pen of three (3) calves.
Data provided will include carcass data as well as feedlot performance, medical expenses, feed costs, etc.
Program Requirements:
- Youth must be of age 21 or younger by January 1, 2018 to participate
- Youth must be an AJCA, FFA or 4-H member
- Steers are preferred, heifers can be entered but will be at a disadvantage for the program.
- Cattle must be 600-lbs. at minimum on the day of shipment, be weaned and pre-conditioned for 60 days (castrated, dehorned and healed, dewormed) and be vaccinated/boostered for Blackleg, PI3, BVD, BSRV and IBR (modified live).
- A $200 participation fee will be incurred for pens of three (3) or less. A $75/head fee will be added for additional entries.
- Youth must attend a minimum of three (3) of four (4) educational programs to be eligible for any awards.
Calves will be shipped at specified dates between August 2018 to March 2019. In order to ship, calves must meet the aforementioned pre-conditioning requirements. Ship dates and locations as well as educational programs will be communicated as determined.
Registration will close August 31 at midnight.
This program is sponsored by the Alabama Beef Checkoff Program.
Bama Beef Membership Giveaway
Last week’s membership drawing giveaway winner was Daniel Wilhite of Cullman County. Daniel is the lucky winner of an ACA cap, a BEEF tag and an NCBA pocket knife. This week’s drawing features a prize package sure to amp up your “grilliance” this summer grilling season. The package includes an ACA Tervis Tumbler, an “I Love Beef” apron and a Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. silicon oven mitt. Those interested can enter the drawing by joining or renewing their membership throughout the week. The winner will be drawn Tuesday, May 29 during the lunch hour.
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. Paid for by Alabama Beef Farmers.