The word of the week is BEEF! Between the BEEF Cook-off, BEEF 101, the BEEFit 5k and Bama’s Best BEEF…you could say we are amping up springtime BEEF promotions here at the ACA. Not to mention the upcoming youth field day, an ongoing legislative session and membership activity on the move. It’s a busy time here at the Cattlemen’s office, so keep reading to learn more about all the exciting events taking place in Downtown Montgomery this week!
ACA’s newest Staffer
We’re excited to announce that Morgan Pounds has joined Team ACA as Director of Field Services. A River Region native, Morgan will complete her degree in communications at Troy University next month and begin work full-time at the association on May 13. She will be working part-time throughout the month of April.
Morgan is a product of the AJCA program as she was an active showman in the state and very involved in the American Junior Brahman Association. She is passionate about youth leadership development and has some innovative ideas for the Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program. She is no stranger to stockyards and sales as she grew up attending these events with her family, notably her grandfather Dr. Robert Barlow of Mathews in south Montgomery County. She brings passion, enthusiasm and an outgoing personality to our team. If you would like to welcome Morgan to the staff she can be reached at mpounds@bamabeef.org.
ALABAMA JR. AND SR. HIGH SCHOOL BEEF COOK-OFF
We enjoyed hosting over 30 students from all over the state of Alabama to 
come and show off their best culinary skills. The cook-off took place this past Saturday morning at Carver High School in Montgomery. The students brought a cooked recipe to present to the judges, and WOW did they impress! While judging took place, the students participated in learning activities with Chef Loren Lunde from Trenholm Community College and Alabama Beef Checkoff- contracted Registered Dietician Elesha Ergle. Check out this year’s winners and view their dishes by clicking here.
Overall Best in Beef
Dylan Dozier, Russell County, Ribeye Steak with Baked Potato
Junior North
- First Place: Abby Grace Tuck, Jefferson County, Rosemary Thyme Filet Mignon
- Second Place: Lauren Jones, Chilton County, Beef & Bean Roll Up
- Third Place: Alexia Mugovero, Shelby County, Creole Steak Sheet Pan Supper
Senior North
- First: Genesis Smoke, Jefferson County, Korean Braised Beef Short Ribs
- Second: Anna Gunderman, Franklin County, Low Carb Mexican Stuffed Bell Peppers
- Third: Allison King, St. Clair County, Italian Beef Salad
Junior South
- First: Savannah Loper, Washington County, Taco Rings
- Second: Elise Belmar, Baldwin County, Cheesy Ground Beef Pasta Skillet
- Third: Jalan Jenkins, Montgomery County, Pancake Burgers
Senior South
- First: Dylan Dozier, Russell County, Ribeye Steak with Baked Potatoe
- Second: Acadia Thomas, Dallas County, “Philling” Philly Cheesesteak
- Third: Shelby Singleton, Washington County, Shelby’s Pot Roast
CATTLEWOMEN’S 5K
The Alabama CattleWomen’s BEEFit 5k is THIS SATURDAY, April 13 in downtown Montgomery, and we’re excited to launch Team Bama Beef at this event. Team Bama Beef will be comprised of beef-loving fitness enthusiasts and will be supported by the beef checkoff. We’re looking for people who are committed to living an active, healthy lifestyle and who love eating beef! If you’re interested in being a part of Team Bama Beef, contact Ali Cantrell by phone or email to get some more information.
Registration for the event is now live on the CattleWomen’s website, http://alabamacattlewomen.com/beefit/.
Bama’s Best Beef Kicks Off
Know of a beef dish that’s worth writing home about? WE WANT TO HEAR 
ABOUT IT during this year’s Bama’s Best Beef contest. We kicked off our nominations round on the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Facebook page, this Monday, and we want to hear about your favorite unique beef dish served up at an Alabama restaurant or food truck. Submit those nominations by commenting on the post link above. You have until this Sunday, April 14 at midnight!
A Busy Beef 101 Season
Staffer Ali Cantrell hosted a BEEF 101 yesterday for Coastal Community College Culinary students and Junior Pasture to Rail participant, Jay Collins. The Junior Pasture to Rail program had 26 feeder calves that were sent to Hy-Plains Feedyard back in November and should be getting results from that program in the next couple of months. As part of the program, the participants are asked to attend a Beef 101 and a BQA session in order to enhance their knowledge of cattle production in all sectors.
There will be two other BEEF 101 programs on this Thursday, April 11 and on Monday, April 15 with Bishop State Community College Culinary Program and Trenholm Community College Culinary department. Chelsea and Chandler Langley who are also Junior Pasture to Rail participants will be in attendance at the April 15 program.
MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
The membership count of the day is 7,401 members and counting! County secretaries, be sure to be submitting that information to the i4a membership software or here to our state office! Be on the lookout for more renewals as dues statements will be sent to all non-renewed members soon. BIG congrats to our Early Bird Drawing winners:
- Prize of $250: Bryan Cooper of Flat Rock, AL
- Prize of $150: TJ Riner of Tuscumbia, AL
- Prize of $100: Cole Cranford of Auburn, AL
ACA Executive VP Erin Beasley looks forward to traveling to Sumter County Thursday evening for its annual meeting at the Livingston Community Center! She’ll get to enjoy a Diamond Jim’s steak and catch up with a few of our west Alabama Cattlemen!
2019 SPRING YOUTH PRODUCTION FIELD DAY
We’re proud to announced that the Alabama Beef Checkoff will be hosting 
its Spring Youth Production Field Day on Friday, April 26 at Perdido River Farms in Atmore! The event will be held this year on a weekday as voted on by the Junior Board as a way to be more inclusive to FFA groups and agriscience classes who have a hard time obtaining permission and/or logistics for weekend field trips.
Join us for a day of interactive, hands-on learning about timely topics including hay testing, soil sampling, figuring stocker capacity, annual cow checks, handling and administering vaccines and a farm tour of Perdido River Farms! Registration is now open online for this FREE event at www.BamaBeef.org/FieldDay.
Working with Wood Fruitticher
Ali will also be traveling to South’s Finest Meats in Tuscaloosa on Friday to learn about the Beef products that they provide to the Foodservice company, Wood Fruitticher. This is in order to create a Beef 201 program for Foodservice reps that have already graduated from the Beef 101 program. This will be a program that goes into more detail about the different cuts of beef and how their sales reps can market their product in more versatile ways.
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