Month: September 2018

And just like that, September is riding off into the sunset. Time sure flies when you’re having fun, and promoting beef, attending producer events and planning ahead for big events sure make our top list of fun things to do on the job. This year is making a quick escape, but there’s still much left to do including October Beef Month, checking yes to the Alabama Beef Checkoff Program, planning for next year’s checkoff program and hosting another Board meeting. The last three months of the year sure keep us on our toes..just about as much as those calving mamas at your farm do you! Keep reading to learn more about what’s going on at the ACA this week and buckle up for a wild ride as we prepare to tackle the last quarter of 2018. 

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Checkoff Referendum Vote- October 24

Cattle owners across the state will vote on October 24, 2018 to continue the $1.00 Alabama Beef Checkoff Program. Voting will take place for the referendum in every county Extension office in the state and will be open from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on October 24. The Alabama Beef Checkoff Program is essential for beef promotion efforts, issues management, producer programs and youth involvement carried out each year throughout the state. The program has been in place since 1962 as one of the first in the country and was reactivated in 2004 as cattle numbers declined. To date, the program has contributed to thousands of youth being involved in the cattle industry, multiple generations of producers taking part in educational programs and enormous return on investment from research efforts focused on beef cattle production. The wide array of programs available for funding through the Alabama Beef Checkoff Program can be found at www.BamaBeef.org/Checkoff. For questions about how your dollars are used, contact the ACA office.

 

 

Membership Update

The Membership Task Force will meet in Montgomery on Thursday to further discuss details associated with the new membership year. These volunteer leaders have meet in-person and via conference call several times over the course of the last several months to hash out details associated with moving the membership fiscal year from July-June to January-December. We feel strongly that this move will be beneficial, but it will require transition as does any change. We ask that if you have any questions or concerns about this change to give us as call at the state office at (334) 265-1867.

 

Speaking of membership, the last of the membership cards have been mailed, so county secretaries should be on the lookout for their cards to hand out to renewed members at upcoming county meetings.  Keep in mind that on July 1, we began the 2019 membership year, so a majority of those members are not renewed yet. Secretaries, be sure to get a current report from the database before passing out 2019 membership cards. To access those reports, contact Jessica Kennedy at our office to get your report login and password.

 

Last but certainly not least, all of the i4a membership software training videos are uploaded to our website!! From software basics, to renewals, to printing mailing labels, there’s a step-by-step video to help you navigate this new system. To learn how to gain access to these videos, contact Jessica at jkennedy@bamabeef.org or call her at (334) 265-1867.

 

 

Food & Wine Festival in Birmingham

This Friday, the Jefferson County Cattlemen’s Association will join in the fun at the Birmingham Food & Wine Festival and assist Western Supermarkets by handing out beef samples at the consumer event. Dubbed the “Food Mecca of the South,” Birmingham has quite the booming foodie culture, and beef has a front row seat to the show. We appreciate the leadership of the Jefferson County crew as they stepped up to help on a weekend where staff is going in many different directions!

 

 

ALABAMA CATTLEMEN’S FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS- NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATION

The Alabama Cattlemen’s Foundation provides over $70,000 annually to qualified high school and collegiate students, courtesy of funds raised through the purchase of the Cowboy vanity car tag and generous endowments. Scholarship applications for the 2019-2020 school year are NOW AVAILABLE online at BamaBeef.org/Scholarship.

 

Applications will close at midnight on November 1. Visit www.BamaBeef.org/Scholarship to review application requirements and to apply today!

 

 

YCLP Class V Heads South

ACA Director of Education and Outreach Ali Cantrell will be traveling to Fairhope this weekend to head up the third session with YCLP Class V. On Friday, the class will earn BQA certification with the help of Extension Veterinarian and State BQA Coordinator Dr. Soren Roding  at the Gulf Coast Research and Extension Center. This certification course will include hands-on activities such as vaccinating and deworming heifers and the proper penning and handling of cattle. Following this, the class will tour the Research Center with Director Malcomb Pegues who was kind enough to host us for this meeting.

 

On Saturday, the group will begin in the classroom with a leadership lesson from Dr. Don Mulvaney before heading out to Mark Kaiser’s farm in Robertsdale for a tour of his diversified cattle and poultry operation. We look forward to a unique, hands-on learning opportunity with some of our future leaders in the cattle industry!

 

 

Sysco Fall Buying Expo

ACA Director of Education & Outreach Ali Cantrell has spent her day at the Fall Buying Expo with Sysco Foodservice in Birmingham. While there, she will be serving up Ribeye steak samples and promoting the kickoff of October Beef Month the upcoming Monday. Her goal today is to encourage salesmen to increase their beef sales and answer any questions they might have about our favorite protein, BEEF!

 

 

Auburn Ag Round-Up This Weekend

Calling all Auburn Ag Alumni: Head on out to Ag Heritage Park this weekend to celebrate Homecoming with a Taste of Alabama. Ag commodity groups, including beef, will be represented at the event and handing out samples of their foods. The ACA has teamed up with the AU Meats Lab in Auburn to offer brisket sliders to event attendees. If you’re going to be on the Plains this weekend, be sure to stop by and see us!

 

 

Alabama National Fair Livestock Shows

This weekend, ACA Director of Industry Relations and Youth Programs Michael Agar will work alongside industry leaders to put on the Alabama National Fair Youth and Open Beef shows. Best of luck to all the competitors competing throughout the weekend!

 

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

Well, we’re halfway through September, and it is still hotter than blue blazes. On the plus side, maybe that means we can enjoy fall temperatures that much more when they do arrive, right? Unlike fall weather, fall calves have arrived and are starting to hit the ground across Alabama. We so enjoy this time of year alongside you as their tiny silhouettes begin to paint Alabama’s farmscapes. It’s a beautiful time. 

We’re also gearing up for a delicious time as October Beef Month is just weeks away. There’s so much beefy goodness coming our way that we can’t wait to share with you, so stay tuned an continue to learn more about what’s happening at the ACA…

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ACA Hosts obesity task force

This week the ACA office hosted the Alabama Obesity Task Force to begin developing its State Nutrition and Physical Activity Plan. The day was filled with great discussion on what we as a state can do to combat obesity and educate consumers on how to live a healthy lifestyle. ACA Director of Education and Outreach Ali Cantrell welcomed the group, discussed beef’s role in a healthy lifestyle and had the opportunity to explain the role that the ACA plays within the beef industry and how our programs impact education in health and nutrition.

 

A Visit to North Alabama Stockyards

On Monday, ACA Director of Industry Relations & Youth Programs Michael Agar joined Phil Campbell High School agriscience students and their teach, Franklin County Cattleman Caleb Beason, on a trip to Northwest Alabama Livestock in Russellville where the group enjoyed the sale and heard from industry leaders including Agar on the ACA’s role in Alabama’s beef cattle industry. While at the yard, Agar also had the opportunity to present owners with customized Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner signage, sponsored by the Alabama Beef Checkoff Program. Great job to Caleb and his class for having such a beef-focused field day!

 

After leaving Phil Campbell, Michael headed east to Fort Payne Stockyard where he enjoyed the last sale to be hosted under its current owners, Glean and Mary Plunkett.

 

 

ALABAMA CATTLEMEN’S FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS- NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATION

The Alabama Cattlemen’s Foundation provides over $70,000 annually to qualified high school and collegiate students, courtesy of funds raised through the purchase of the Cowboy vanity car tag and generous endowments. Scholarship applications for the 2019-2020 school year are NOW AVAILABLE online at BamaBeef.org/Scholarship. To go along with last year’s addition of the Martha Davis Service Award, this year we are proud to introduce the John Williams Memorial Scholarship memorializing the life of a dedicated auctioneer to Alabama’s livestock industry.

 

Applications will close at midnight on November 1. Visit www.BamaBeef.org/Scholarship to review application requirements and to apply today!

 

 

Fall BEEF 101 Programs Kick Off

On Thursday, ACA Director of Education & Outreach Ali Cantrell will be traveling to Auburn to host a BEEF 101 for Lawson State University students and a group of our own cattlemen members. A little over 50 participants are expected to be there to learn more about raising cattle and the fabrication process.

 

In tow will be ACA Director of Social Media & Communications Kayla Greer as she joins in on the BEEF 101 program in the morning, then breaks away after lunch to lead a Bull Ad Workshop with the Beef Cattle Management class at Auburn. Special thanks to George Richburg and Dr. Sonia Bachamp for inviting us to participate in the discussion on how to market beef animals using print advertisements.

 

 

THE COUNTY LEADER RUN-DOWN

As we approach a busy time of year for counties, Membership Coordinator Jessica Kennedy wants to be sure you’re prepared and that all communication lines are open to make this the most successful year for county annual meetings and events yet!

 

County Meeting Scheduling

Please EMAIL JESSICA  your county meeting information (time, date, location, etc.) and anyone you request to speak/attend whether it be a staff member or state officer. If you would like for this information to appear in the magazine, it must be sent to Jessica by the 15th of the previous month!

 

Mailouts – Postcards/Letters

If you need a mailout done please let Jessica know 1-2 weeks prior to the actual date the mailout needs to go in the mail, not two weeks from the date of the meeting.

 

Supplies

If you need supplies such as napkins and placemats prior to your meeting, please email Jessica the number of members you anticipate, and she will ship them to you.  Local counties may pick them up here at the ACA building.

 

Reports

REPORTS ARE COMPLETED! If you are your county’s president or secretary and would like access to your county’s report, contact Jessica Kennedy to get your login and password information. We’re thrilled to have this project complete just in time for meeting season!

 

Leadership Changes

County secretaries, it is your responsibility to make sure you send Jessica Kennedy the changes to your county leadership after your county meetings.  Jessica has to change these on mailing lists, in the magazine, online, etc. and needs all contact information – name, address, phone number and the very important email addresses!  Email is how we send a majority of our information.  If this information is not updated here at the ACA, then those officers are not getting the information they need and we have no line of communication.

 

October Beef Month Supplies

ACA Director of Education and Outreach Ali Cantrell introduced the reading book for our Cowboys in the Classroom program called “My Family’s Beef Farm.” Cowboys in the Classroom is an opportunity for producers to visit their local classrooms and educate youth about the beef they consume and where it comes from. One book will be donated to the library of the school for future access to the students. There has also been an addition to the Cowboys in the Classroom program where county leaders can also provide a Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner Coloring and Activity Book. These are two separate books that you can provide to the classroom for the students to enjoy.  If you want to participate in the Cowboys in the Classroom Program in your county, please let Ali know how many schools you plan to attend so she can send you these books in time for October.

 

 

Beef Throughout Alabama in October

You may notice beef popping up everywhere throughout our great state in October. Whether it’s your magazine, your cell phone, your TV or your social media accounts, your checkoff dollars are going to work to get beef at centerstage throughout October Beef Month. We’ve been working this week with the popular consumer app, Ibotta, to develop a beef coupon for October. We’ve met with TV stations to have beef featured in news segments. We’ve typed up some beefy articles for the October Alabama Cattleman magazine, and we’ve got beef-centric events planned throughout the entire month. Be on the lookout next month, but you shouldn’t have to look too hard!!

 

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

September is zooming past and leaving a trail toward October in its wake. Before we know it, BEEF MONTH will be among us! All kinds of work centered around fall programs and planning are taking place around the state office, and your state staff is giddy with all the awesome events happening soon. While this week’s post may seem short, don’t be fooled. We are in planning and preparation mode, keeping us close to our desks this week! Keep reading to get your update from the ACA this week…

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Alabama Beef Checkoff Hosts Successful Youth Event

Youth in livestock from across Alabama gathered at BJR Summerford Charolais in Falkville, AL Saturday morning for a lesson from Extension Specialist and Auburn University Livestock Judging Coach Jason P’Poole on assessing cattle from head to toe based on breed qualities and characteristics. After reviewing the basics, the students then spent the remainder of the morning practicing their new skills by judging four classes of Summerford cattle- Angus bulls, Charolais bulls, Charolais females and commercial females. The top three competitors from each age division- senior, intermediate and junior- where then awarded prizes based on their judging card submissions. The winners from each division were:

Senior

• 1st Place: Michael Morrison, Clay County, AJCA president
• 2nd Place: Nicole Towe, Limestone County
• 3rd Place: Christian Meadows, Randolph County, AJCA District 2 director

Intermediate

• 1st Place: Trace Strock, Autauga County
• 2nd Place: Abbey James, Autauga County
• 3rd Place: Abby Ellison, Limestone County

Hello, September. Hello, Tropical Storm Gordon. Hello, football season.

Hello, busy fall season!! 

With the arrival of September brings the close out of another successful summer and the welcoming of a whole host of cattlemen’s events, beef promotion opportunities and cattle sales…and that’s not all! We’re excited to hit the road this fall to visit with you, our favorite cattlemen. Keep reading to learn about what’s coming up and to get an update from the state office this week. 

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Alabama Cattlemen’s Foundation Scholarships- Now Open for Application

The Alabama Cattlemen’s Foundation provides over $70,000 annually to qualified high school and collegiate students, courtesy of funds raised through the purchase of the Cowboy vanity car tag and generous endowments. Scholarship applications for the 2019-2020 school year are NOW AVAILABLE online at BamaBeef.org/Scholarship. To go along with last year’s addition of the Martha Davis Service Award, this year we are proud to introduce the John Williams Memorial Scholarship memorializing the life of a dedicated auctioneer to Alabama’s livestock industry.

 

Applications will close at midnight on November 1. Visit www.BamaBeef.org/Scholarship to review application requirements and to apply today!

 

 

Tropical Storm Gordon

In the wake of Tropical Storm Gordon, our thoughts and prayers are with our southwest Alabama cattle producers who have suffered loss or difficulty due to flooding and wind damage, as well as power outages. We pray damages are minimal and that all is restored quickly and safely following the storm! Please contact us at the state office if we can be of service in any way. Otherwise, know our prayers go with you in your work.

 

 

THE COUNTY LEADER RUN-DOWN

As we approach a busy time of year for counties, Membership Coordinator Jessica Kennedy wants to be sure you’re prepared and that all communication lines are open to make this the most successful year for county annual meetings and events yet!

 

County Meeting Scheduling

Please EMAIL JESSICA  your county meeting information (time, date, location, etc.) and anyone you request to speak/attend whether it be a staff member or state officer. If you would like for this information to appear in the magazine, it must be sent to Jessica by the 15th of the previous month!

 

Mailouts – Postcards/Letters

If you need a mailout done please let Jessica know 1-2 weeks prior to the actual date the mailout needs to go in the mail, not two weeks from the date of the meeting.

 

Supplies

If you need supplies such as napkins and placemats prior to your meeting, please email Jessica the number of members you anticipate, and she will ship them to you.  Local counties may pick them up here at the ACA building.

 

Reports

REPORTS ARE COMPLETED! If you are your county’s president or secretary and would like access to your county’s report, contact Jessica Kennedy to get your login and password information. We’re thrilled to have this project complete just in time for meeting season!

 

Leadership Changes

County secretaries, it is your responsibility to make sure you send Jessica Kennedy the changes to your county leadership after your county meetings.  Jessica has to change these on mailing lists, in the magazine, online, etc. and needs all contact information – name, address, phone number and the very important email addresses!  Email is how we send a majority of our information.  If this information is not updated here at the ACA, then those officers are not getting the information they need and we have no line of communication.

 

October Beef Month Supplies

ACA Director of Education and Outreach Ali Cantrell introduced the reading book for our Cowboys in the Classroom program called “My Family’s Beef Farm.” Cowboys in the Classroom is an opportunity for producers to visit their local classrooms and educate youth about the beef they consume and where it comes from. One book will be donated to the library of the school for future access to the students. There has also been an addition to the Cowboys in the Classroom program where county leaders can also provide a Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner Coloring and Activity Book. These are two separate books that you can provide to the classroom for the students to enjoy.  If you want to participate in the Cowboys in the Classroom Program in your county, please let Ali know how many schools you plan to attend so she can send you these books in time for October.

 

 

ACA Tents

If your county participated in the cost-share program to purchase a Cattlemen’s tent to use at events in your home county, be on the lookout for a very large shipment this week! Your tent is on its way, and we’re thrilled with how they turned out!! Elevated interest in this program has led us to start another list for a future order, so if you missed out on this order, don’t sweat it. Email ACA Director of Education & Outreach Ali Cantrell today to get on our list for the next go-round.

 

 

CATTLE JUDGING FIELD DAY

This Saturday, the Alabama Junior Cattlemen’s Association will host a Cattle Judging Field Day at Summerford Charolais in Falkville, AL. Extension Specialist and Auburn Livestock Judging Team Coach Jason P’Poole will be teaching our youth the basics of livestock judging beginning at 9:00 a.m., and after a brief how-to, the participants will judge three classes of livestock (bulls and heifers) and answer questions about them. Youth will then be treated to lunch by the Morgan County Cattlemen’s Association and then participate in a farm tour led by the crew at Summerford Charolais.

Thank you to our generous hosts, Robert and Alan Summerford, and to the cooking crew with the Morgan County Cattlemen’s Association!

 

 

BAMA’S BEST BURGER Final 4 announced

The Bama’s Best Burger contest has officially named its four finalists as a result of four weeks of successful Facebook poll challenges. The finalists are:

• Bentley’s Cheeseburger- Hartselle, AL
• R & R Burgers T-Rex Burger- Springville, AL
• Heard’s BBQ & Should Food Signature Burger- Maplesville, AL
• Our Place Diner’s Big Bopper Burger- Ozark, AL

With this announcement comes the Final 4 Taste Test Challenge where we have given a panel of industry judges marching orders to anonymously visit each joint to try out the finalist burgers. They’ll submit their picks back to us just in time for us to announce the winner to kick off October Beef Month in Alabama! To learn more about the contest, click HERE to check out our promotion on Southeast AgNet with Randall Weiseman.

 

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