And just like that, May is heading to our rear view mirror, and it’s evident in those rising temperatures and that unforgiving humidity. Hello, summertime! Welcome to the season of hay baling, preparing feeder calves for market, managing forages and pesky weeds, fighting flies, endless mowing and the infinite job of keeping water troughs full. Each season comes with its challenges, but the cattleman breed is tough, full of grit and can take the heat. THANK YOU for your work.
Speaking of work, your state ACA staff is always busy representing you and keeping association and checkoff programs on a roll. Keep reading to find out what’s happening at the ACA this week.
hb 518 passes
ICYMI: House Bill 518— the association’s meat labeling bill— received final passage last Thursday morning, May 23. Special thank you’s are in store for Sen. David Sessions (R-Grand Bay) and Rep. Danny Crawford (R-Athens) for the support and sponsorship of this bill. The bill ensures that the definition of “meat” only applies to products sourced from livestock on farms and ranches and harvested through processing. It also clarifies that laboratory-grown products cannot be labeled as meat. “This is proactive legislation to ensure clarity in food labeling. Around the country, there are more and more companies trying to market lab-grown products as meat, which is misleading since they aren’t derived from actual livestock production,” Sessions said. “The passage of this bill is a win-win for the consumers who love to buy beef, and the cattlemen who work hard to produce a high-quality product,” ACA Executive VP Erin Beasley concluded.
House Bill 518 now goes to Governor Kay Ivey’s desk for her consideration.
Ag in the Classroom Summit
You won’t find ACA Director of Education & Outreach Ali Cantrell in Montgomery this week, nope! Ali is is helping with Alabama Ag in the Classroom (AITC) Summit in Florence, AL where over 90 ag teachers are in attendance to learn more about incorporating ag-related activities to the classroom and participating in farm tours across the northwest corner of Alabama. The workshops and tours are meant to enhance the learning environment in Alabama Ag classrooms and provide resources- including beef cattle swag- to teachers.
MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
The membership count of the day is 8,187 members and counting! HELP US GET TO 10,000+!! If you are a county president or secretary who did not receive your 2019-2020 leadership handbook at the May Board Meeting, please email Jessica to have your copy mailed today. It’s packed with officer and staff information and resources you need in your county such as an Regional Extension Agent map, a by-laws template, ACA merchandise and postcard service information and much more. Contact Jessica Kennedy today to get your copy sent the in mail!
Visiting Opp Stockyards
On Tuesday, ACA Director of Field Services Morgan Pounds headed south to visit Opp Stockyards. She is working with the goal of introducing herself to all of the yards in the state in an effort to build mutually beneficial relationships at each yard. Morgan delivered Opp their “Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner” sign and got to speak to the crowd. Be on the lookout for Morgan at your local yard, and be sure to say hi if you see her!
AJCA Board Meeting
This Friday, staffers, led by Morgan Pounds, will welcome the Alabama Junior Cattlemen’s Board of Director’s for a quick Board of Directors meeting. At the meeting, Morgan will have the opportunity to introduce herself and meet the juniors that serve in leadership roles. The board will prepare for the 2019 Round-Up and other upcoming AJCA events.
AJCA Round-Up and 4-H State Judging Contest
Speaking of Round-Up and other upcoming AJCA Events, we’ve got the 
scoop! Registration for the 2019 “Christmas in July” AJCA Round-Up is now live at BamaBeef.org/RoundUp. We’ve got contest entry, animal entry and novice entry…so enter the site prepared with allllll the info you’ll need to successfully complete including AJCA membership number, EID tag numbers, premise I.D.’s, etc. You don’t want to miss this holly jolly youth development event riding in on its sleigh July 18-21 at Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery!
Before the Round-Up, though, staffer Morgan Pounds is looking forward to attending the 2019 State 4-H Livestock Judging Contest on Tuesday, June 18 at the Auburn University Beef Teaching Unit. Registration for the event closes THIS FRIDAY. To learn more and register, you can follow the links below.
- Information Packet: Click here
- Entry for the Contest is at 4-H Online available at: Click Here
Consumer E-Blast Hits Inboxes
A summer grilling consumer e-newsletter shipped out to over 10,000 inboxes on Friday just in time for the Memorial Day holiday, which also happens to be the kickoff of summer grilling season! This digital newsletter featured recipe collections, a doneness chart, rub and marinade inspiration, tips for delicious side dishes to serve alongside beef and a quick grilling guide. It also featured information on grilling provided by Registered Dietitian Elesha Ergle, whose summer grilling information can be found by clicking here. If you’d like a copy of the newsletter to share, email ACA Director of Social Media & Communications Kayla Greer.
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