If someone told us that this week marked the first official day of summer…we’d absolutely believe it. WHEW! Someone turned up the heat and humidity here in Sweet Home, but that’s not anything to surprise us, right? Thankfully, fairly dry weather has allowed many-a hay bales to be rolled and stored away, and green grass and shady naps are keeping our cattle entertained most of the day. It can never be said enough, but we appreciate your work, especially during the dog days of summer!
Your ACA staff is at work, too. We’ve got a lot going on and even have a new face in the office as of this week. Keep reading to learn more and stay cool out there!
Welcome, Ali!
This week, ACA staff is thrilled to welcome Ali Cantrell to the Cattlemen’s team here in Montgomery. A recent graduate of Texas A&M University where she earned a masters degree in meat science, Ali comes to us by way of her home in Weatherford, Texas. She will take on the role as the new “Beef Girl” and fill the big shoes left behind by Erin Beasley as director of education and outreach. We are very excited to have Ali on the team and know she will fit into her new role nicely!
We encourage you to send Ali a welcoming email introducing yourself and your farm. She’s a long way from home and a big dose of that “Southern hospitality” we Alabamians are famous for could do a girl some good!
Foodservice & Culinary Introductions
Ali didn’t waste any time this week getting introduced to her new job! On Tuesday and Wednesday, Erin Beasley loaded her up and hit the road to visit several retail, foodservice and culinary partners that work with the ACA. Ali will be introduced to Sysco Central Alabama, Western Supermarkets, Wood Fruitticher, Drake State Culinary School and take part in a ladies program given by the Madison County Cattlemen’s Association.
CBS 42 Talks Tariffs
On Tuesday, Birmingham-based CBS 42 WIAT reporter Rashad Hudson called looking for a cattleman to interview about farmers’ concerns regarding the $200 billion worth of import tariffs on Chinese goods that was recently proposed by the Trump Administration. Past President Bill Lipscomb answered the call and represented Alabama’s farmers on a statewide evening news report where he spoke on the potential negative effects it could have on Alabama’s largest industry, agriculture. He was quoted saying, “The main thing we need is stability. We need to know where we are so can plan our inputs and costs.”
We appreciate Bill for his continued service to Alabama’s cattlemen. Hopefully a resolution will be made by July 6 as commodity prices are already reacting to the instability generated by these talks.
Additional Policy Update
Immigration is supposed to be voted on today in the House, and that should open up a pretty clear path for the Farm Bill to come back to the House floor for a vote later this week. The Senate is currently working on the bill as well. As many will remember, the House voted down the original Farm Bill proposal last month. The ACA is signed onto a letter, along with all other Cattlemen’s Associations across the nation, encouraging House members to vote YES when the bill reaches the floor.
Bama’s Best Beef Presentation
This afternoon, the Checkoff staff will gather at Smiley Brothers Specialty Foods in Pelham, Alabama along with Regional Vice President Jim Miller and Birmingham-based food critic Cassandra “Joy” King with Dining Out With Comedienne Joy. The group will visit with owners and chefs at the restaurant, present them with a plaque to commemorate the award and try out those delicious-looking filet kabobs. Be watching out for a photo in an upcoming issue of the Alabama Cattleman.
MADISON COUNTY CATTLEMEN’S LADIES NIGHT
Erin Beasley and Ali Cantrell enjoyed a night spent with the Madison 
County Cattlemen’s Association. On Tuesday, the chapter hosted a Ladies Night at Henry’s Mustang Cafe where Chef Henry cooked up some delicious beef recipes from the Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. website while Erin described the cuts used to create these appetizers. The night opened up with a great discussion about the nutritional benefits of beef and how to easily incorporate it into your tailgating menu.
SLIM’S SUMMER PICNIC
Last week’s 2nd annual Slim’s Summer Picnic at The MOOseum was a hit!! We welcomed over 340 visitors to our event where we had games, hamburgers and even a photo op with a bull named Silver. The MOOseum Coordinator Kara Harden would like to extend her gratitude to the Wyatt Sasser family of Convington County, Will Jordan and Silver the Brahman Bull of Clay County and Randy and Nancy Ray and the Justalil’ Rodeo Company team from Pike County for their help in making the event such a success!
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 is 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.
i4a Training Videos- Coming Soon to a Website Near You!
Still a little confused on how the new membership software works? Don’t worry. We’ve got your back! In preparation for the 2019 membership year heading our way July 1, ACA Member and Producer Contact Coordinator Jessica Kennedy began re-making i4a software tutorial videos. As many of you may remember, videos were made before then taken down because of necessary changes that had to be made in the program!
We’re over that hump now, though, and 4 new videos are in the works and include a software basics 101, how to add a new member, how to renew a member and a merging video. These will be handy to have once we start putting in ALL those new and renewed members in 2019!! As soon as they’re complete, Jessica will share the link with county leaders.
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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