Following a very busy week in Montgomery last week, this week is one for playing catch up and turning our sights toward new projects and programs. Next week bring a whole host of beef promotion, new faces around the office and some last calls before deadlines. Take a break from the summer sunshine, cool off from a busy day on the farm and take a moment to learn about all you need to know to stay updated with the ACA.
Food Defense & Ag Security Meeting
The ACA took part in a Food Defense and Agriculture Security meeting today with the Department of Agriculture. Executive VP Erin Beasley and ACA Director of Industry Relations & Youth Programs Michael Agar attended the meeting to represent the beef cattle industry. The group discussed ways to improve food and ag security detail and educating producers on measures they can take to ensure a wholesome and safe food supply.
SLIM’S SUMMER PICNIC
We are excited to present the 2nd annual Slim’s Summer Picnic happening at The MOOseum on June 15 from 11 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 Justalil’ Rodeo Company 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!
Summer Grilling Campaign Launches on Pandora Radio
If you’re a Pandora Radio fan, you may just hear the sound of the 
sizzle on your next advertisement. As of Friday, June 15, the Alabama Beef Checkoff will be sponsoring a two-month-long summer grilling promotional campaign that puts beef on consumers’ minds. The ad is targeted to reach millennial consumers in Alabama’s four main media markets including Madison, Jefferson, Montgomery and Baldwin counties and those who are out and about doing all the fun activities of summertime. The ad features the voice of the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. campaign and the iconic “Hoedown” tune nostalgically humming in the background. Display imagery will accompany the radio ad and features steak, the BIWFD logo and the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association logo. It is projected to reach over 68,000 around twice weekly throughout the lifetime of the campaign.
MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
The membership total of the day is 9,750! Anyone who would like to have a list of non-renewed members from their county to call for renewals please let Membership Coordinator Jessica Kennedy know.
We are only 250 members away from 10,000. This is our last push for 2018, and we ask that you please send us any members you have. Please don’t hold them for 2019 because we want to make sure they start getting their magazine, and we definitely want to hit our goal of exceeding last year’s membership. Our strength is in numbers. Join the effort and call your counties’ non-renewed members before June 30.
Policy Update
Transportation is still the lead topic coming out of D.C. Two new developments this week:
- Yesterday, Senators John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) introduced the Modernizing Agricultural Transportation Act, bipartisan legislation to reform the Hours of Service (HOS) and Electronic Logging Device (ELD) regulations at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Further, the enforcement of the ELD rule would be delayed until the reforms required under the bill are formally proposed by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation.
- Congressman Ted Yoho of Florida and 38 bipartisan original cosponsors, including Congressman Mike Rogers from Alabama, introduced the House version of the Transporting Livestock Across America Safely Act yesterday. The only difference between the Senate bill- S. 2938 and the House version, is the House version includes those hauling live fish as well. (live fish includes fish not specifically for food) The hope is that this gathers even more support from our friends in the Southeastern part of the country.
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
Learn more about the Junior Pasture to Rail 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.
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