As we near the end of July, our eyes turn to a busy fall season ahead. Schools return in session, and all the activities that come with the school time season do also. While it may look different in 2020, the fact still remains the same…beef can fuel you through it! The fall focuses on ramped up beef promotions and producer events, and we look forward to putting our boots on the ground for both. While we look ahead, we are also keeping our heads down on the work at hand. Keep reading to learn more about what your ACA staff is up to this week!
ACA LEADERS IN DENVER
Clay Kennamer, Jim Jordan and Erin Beasley are in the Denver this week while President Larry Reeves joins in virtually for the NCBA Summer Meeting. The group will be voting on new policies, resolutions and receiving an update from the Denver office and staff. They took the opinions of Alabama Cattlemen received during our virtual round-ups and aim to represent cattlemen from our home state in their voting efforts!
ATTENDING THE ALABAMA GROCERS CONVENTION
On July 27- 29, ACA’s Ali Cantrell will be headed to Destin, FL to meet with retailers and wholesalers at the Alabama Grocers Association Convention. The convention will have a small trade show during the lunch hour of each day for exhibitors to meet with retailers and host a booth with promotional material. Ali will be speaking with attendees about Beef promotion in the retail sector as well as future educational opportunities with staff and sales such as a BEEF 101.
JUNIOR LEADERS COME TO TOWN
ACA Director of Field Services Morgan Pounds welcomed the newly-elected AJCA Board to Montgomery Monday and Tuesday for their first meeting of their term. This meeting was heavily focused on leadership and team building. The group conducted meetings discussing upcoming events, officer responsibilities, and goals as an overall board for 2021. The AJCA Board also evaluated the 2020 Round-Up and decided to release another survey to get feedback from participants. If you participated in 2020 Round-Up or where in attendance please take the survey here to help us plan for next year.
THE MOOSEUM AND ONLINE GIFT SHOP STAYING BUSY
The MOOseum is open for business for small groups. Masks and temperature checks are required, but that’s not stopping visitors from walking through our doors! We’ve had several tour groups stop by to learn about Alabama’s beef cattle industry as our indoor educational facility is a welcomed stop to parents and childcare leaders looking to keep their kiddos entertained.
Also, online sales have not stopped! In fact, they have revved up tremendously and we are proud to now offer Alabama Junior Cattlemen’s Association (AJCA) T-shirts for sale on the store, so purchase one to support our youth organization today! www.BamaBeef.org/Store
BAMA’S BEST BEEF NOMINATIONS FIRE UP
Get ready to nominate your favorite hometown beef dish THIS WEEK as nominations for the 2020 Bama’s Best Beef contest open up on Friday. This year’s contest combines our spring and fall promotions and will have an added bonus of a People’s Choice contest, in conjunction with the actual tasting round featuring a panel of industry judges. Nominations will be live on www.BamaBeef.org/BestBeef so be on the lookout and nominate, nominate, nominate!
MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
As of today, the ACA is proud to represent 8,780 members of our state association and counting as counties continue to recruit new and renewal members. County leaders- don’t forget the new “Over the Top” deadline is THIS FRIDAY, July 31. Help us get to 10,000 members strong while earning your iconic ACA red coat! We also encourage ONE representative to save the date for August 13 as we will be hosting a very limited audience Board of Directors Meeting in Montgomery at the RSA Activity Center.
ACES TO HOLD SHORT COURSES THIS FALL
Producers new to the cattle business should attend Alabama Extension’s new Beef Systems Short Course. The short course is a multi-night lecture series covering the fundamentals of beef production and is geared for new and limited experience producers.
Producers can take the course at different locations around the state, including Jasper, Hayneville, Texasville and Centre. These are regional meetings and producers should select the location and dates most convenient for them. Over four nights, producers will learn critical information on profitable beef production.
There is a $40 registration fee, and all participants will receive a copy of Extension’s recently updated Alabama Beef Handbook.
Alabama Extension animal scientists developed a concentrated curriculum that is most vital for new cattle producers to master. The course will be taught by Extension regional animal science agent. Learn more and register at www.ACES.edu.
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