The waters are rising, the trees are blooming and the grass is turning greener and greener across Alabama. Yep, springtime is coming in hot! Calves are hitting the ground, the hay barn is getting low and cattlemen— while bogged down in knee-deep mud— are soon to catch a break from the rigorous feeding schedule that comes with wintertime.
Things are firing up here, as well, as we are on the downslope of county annual meeting season and, of course, the convention. But if what they say is true, “What goes up must come down,” in the association world, the opposite rings true. What goes down WILL go back up! Looking toward the spring months, we’ve got our eyes on beef promotion, the legislative session and many meetings and events to attend. Stay tuned and keep reading to learn more about what’s on the Cattlemen radar this week!
Convention Wrap-Up
Over 400 Alabama Cattlemen “beef’d up the ‘ham” with us at the 76th annual ACA Convention and Trade Show, and WHEW, what an event! Would would like to thank all in attendance, our vendors and all the many wonderful sponsors who helped make this year’s event a roaring success! We would also like to give a shoutout to our new state officer team consisting of Chris Langley, president, Chambers County; Larry Reeves, president-elect, Coffee County; Clay Kennamer, vice president, Jackson County, and LD Fitzpatrick, treasurer, Lowndes County. Also joining the state leader team are four new regional vice presidents including Donald Means (Greene County), Randy Slay (Fayette County), Jim Miller (Jefferson County) and Johnny Gibson (Choctaw County). We also tip our hat to newly-installed Honorary Lifetime Director Dr. Lisa Kriese-Anderson, outgoing RVPs Jay Buckley, Eugene Fernandes and Dr. Mike Wells. Our biggest applause, however, goes to Mr. Jack Batts for his year of outstanding leadership and devotion to our association!
Until next year, save the dates for the 77th annual Convention & Trade Show happening in Montgomery February 14-15. What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your true love than at the Bama Beef Meet?!
Torrential Rainfall Hits North Alabama
We received the updated rainfall totals on Monday following several days 
of heavy rainfall and know our northern-most counties experienced many consequences of this weather event. Please let us know if your county is in need of any assistance or if you have heard of any cattlemen in great need. Our friends at the Alabama Department of Ag reminded us that producers can visit their local USDA-FSA office about the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) for cattle mortality compensation and the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) for compensation on clean up once flood waters recede.
Gearing Up for our Watchdog Role
Yesterday ACA Executive VP Erin Beasley attended a legislative seminar at the Capitol to preview the session which starts next week. Several speakers including Gov. Kay Ivey, leaders of the Senate and House, state superintendent and financial leaders were in attendance to address the pressing issues for the state. Next week the Ag Coalition will begin meeting each Tuesday at the Cattlemen’s building to discuss the interworkings of the session. The coalition is comprised of the Department of Ag & Industries, Alabama Farmers Federation, Alabama Poultry and Egg, Alabama Forestry Association and Alabama Agribusiness Council. Stay tuned as we welcome the start of the session!
FACS & Dietitians Conference Comes to the Capital
This Thursday, ACA Director of Education and Outreach Ali Cantrell will also be attending and setting up a spice rub booth at the 2019 Annual Conference of Alabama Association of Family and Consumer Sciences in Montgomery. She will have brochures to share with FACS teachers about beef’s contribution to heart health, along with the new beef checkoff sponsored publication, Strength: The Field Manual.
Next week, Ali will also be attending the Alabama Dieticians Association Meeting in town to talk with registered dietitians about beef in a healthy lifestyle. NCBA and ACA will also be sponsoring the guest speaker, registered dietician, Judy Barbe, on that Thursday to talk about confident cooking techniques!
Membership Report
The membership count of the day is 6,005 members of the ACA…and 
counting as Membership and producer Contact Coordinator Jessica Kennedy and our county leaders are steady inserting renewals and new members or NEED to be! With that, we are at 59% of last year’s total with three-year members accounting for 33% of the membership. Firm membership deadlines are as follows and must be delivered (not postmarked) by the dates below:
- Early Bird Drawing: March 31
- “Over the Top” Red Coat: June 15
- Top Hand Recruiting Club: Dec 31
We’re also proud to announce a new membership benefit. Thanks to our friends at Conestoga Steak House in Dothan, members can now get $2 off their meal (excluding alcoholic beverages)!
Beef Promo Firing Up
ACA’s Ali Cantrell is preparing for several events coming up in the next couple of months to highlight beef as part of a healthy lifestyle. One big event to watch out for will be the Alabama Jr. & Sr. Beef Cook-off on April 6! County leaders, make sure that the winners from your county beef cook-off are registered to compete by March 15 through our website at www.BamaBeef.org/Cookoff.
ProStart Invitational Presentation
Speaking of cook-offs, Ali will also be presenting an award for the “Best Beef Entrée” at the Alabama ProStart Invitational in Huntsville on Monday. The ACA will be sponsoring this cook-off and will award $100 and a brand new beef cut chart to the classroom of the student with the best beef dish. We’re excited to be a part of this event!
Save the Dates: 2019 AJCA Round-Up
Deck the barns with boughs of shavings fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la. Yep that’s right! This year at the 13th annual Alabama Junior Cattlemen’s Association Round-Up, we’re bringing the heat to Christmas in July! We’ll return to the Teague for three jammed-packed days on July 18-21 as we take on the show ring and all our many other career development and beef educational contests! Save the dates for the most wonderful (and hot!) time of year- July 18-21 at the Garrett Coliseum Livestock Barns in Montgomery.
SLE RODEO- COMING TO TOWN!
The 62nd annual SLE Rodeo will come bucking back to town March 14-16 
for the best show on dirt east of the Mississippi! Ticket sales are now available, so give Kara Coplin a call at 888-2RODEO2. To learn more about this year’s SLE Rodeo & Livestock Week, visit www.SLERodeo.com.
*NOTICE* Cowgirls, take note of the new “Clear Bag Policy” at the Garrett Coliseum. Regular purses are no longer allowed for security reasons, so grab those clear stadium bags before heading to this year’s show!
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This year’s auction is shaping up to be the best yet! With tons of unique, handcrafted or collectors items, you’ll want to bring your wallet this year. Remember, all contributions benefit the Alabama BEEF Political Action Committee. Check out this list of items!
young leaders from the Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program Class V. With their graduation comes a new season for the program beginning in May- Class VI. Applications for YCLP Class VI will be accepted until February 28, 2019. If you are or know a young person eager to expand their knowledge and networking in Alabama’s beef cattle industry, please submit a nomination to Ali Cantrell by email or mail. Applications are available online, just