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…
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
Junior
- 1st Place: Jayden P’Poole, Lee County
- 2nd Place: Ella Prince, Elmore County
- 3rd Place: Layla Caver, Morgan County
Following the judging portion of the field day, the youth gathered inside the Summerford sale facility for hot-off-the-grill ribeye steak sandwiches, which were prepared by the cooking team of the Morgan County Cattlemen’s Association. After the meal, Summerford talked to the students about his family’s operation and bull marketing program. Special thanks to all who helped make this event successful!
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!
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.