Month: October 2020

What a week! Events, meetings, cancellations and now a hurricane. It has been a little busy around these parts! While October is soon coming to a close, the Beef Month 2020 chapter will close, and will will drift into year-end projects and start rolling on SLE Rodeo. The fun never really stops around here, not even in a year like 2020! Keep reading to learn more.

---

Checkoff Meeting Postponed

In true 2020 fashion, yet another one of our meetings as been rescheduled! The Checkoff Marketing Plan Task Force meeting that was set to be held tomorrow, October 29 at the ACA building has now been rescheduled for Thursday, November 19. We came to this decision following news of the potential impacts of Hurricane Zeta. If you would like to attend the meeting on November 19 to help us brainstorm ideas for 2021 checkoff programming, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office at (334) 265-1867.

YCLP Recap

YCLP Class VII spent their weekend in North Alabama for their third session. This year’s class has only two session remaining, believe it or not! They have toured numerous cattle producers all across the state.

This past weekend they toured ACA President-Elect Clay Kennamer’s backgrounding yard and cow-calf operation. They also had the opportunity to tour Lookout Mountain Genetics. We appreciate John Starnes, Stephanie Turner, and Tristan Tilley for being great hosts. The class also stopped by Lake Majestic to catch their cowboy auction sale. Lake Majestic is owned by one of our YCLP alumni, Nic Cornelison. We would like to give a special thanks to Jackson and DeKalb County Cattlemen’s for cooking a steak dinner on Friday night for the group.

The class will graduate at Convention in March. If you are interested in the program or participating next year please contact YCLP Coordinator Morgan Desselle at morgan@bamabeef.org!

AL.com Email Marketing

October Beef Month may soon be coming to an end, but our promotions are running strong. This afternoon, we deployed an October Beef Month email marketing campaign through AL.com that featured beef imagery, recipes and nutrition information. This email was targeted to nearly 200,000 Alabama parents, the target audience of the checkoff promotion. We are excited to learn the results of this campaign after ample time is allowed for opening!

Membership Update & Board Memo

We have surpassed our membership from last year- YAY! But we still haven’t reached that big 10,000…help us get there! Board members, please RSVP to the upcoming Board meeting to be held November 12 at the RSA Activity center in downtown Montgomery. Send your RSVP to jkennedy@bamabeef.org.

FACS Advisory Board

ACA Director of Education and Outreach Ali Cantrell was asked this week to sit on the new Family and Consumer Sciences Advisory Board Committee. She attended her first meeting here in Montgomery on Tuesday, October 27 and was included in discussions on how to expand the FACS program and how ACA and the checkoff program can impact the culinary arts. This committee will meet twice a year but will be in close contact throughout the year in order to market different educational programs.

Bull Sale Season

ACA Staff will head to the CK Cattle Headquarters Sale this Friday. Sale Session is in full blast around the state. Head over to our online sale calendar to view the sales going on around the state, you are sure to find one that fits what you are looking for!

ACA Hosts Regional Meeting

ACA will host Region 2 (LA, MS, TN, AL, GA, FL, SC, NC) state executives and leadership next week on November 4-5. The agenda will include policy and beef checkoff topics as well as give states some time to discuss holding events with the challenges of COVID-19. ACA officers will attend the meeting as well as Jimmy Holliman who serves as Region 2 Policy VP and Eric Smith, Region 2 PAC General.

USDA’s CFAP 2 Program

Late in September, the U.S. Department of Agriculture opened application for a second round of COVID assistance relief through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), or CFAP 2. Key details include: 

Cattle Payments: The CFAP 2 payment rate for eligible beef cattle is $55 per head. Payments will be based on the maximum owned inventory of eligible livestock, excluding breeding stock, on a date selected by the producer, between Apr. 16, 2020, and Aug. 31, 2020.

Signups will run through December 11, 2020. 

More CFAP 2 details are available on USDA’s website: https://www.farmers.gov/cfap/livestock.

Foundation Scholarships : Deadline Soon!

Applications for the 2021-2022 Alabama Cattlemen’s Foundation Scholarships are now open online at www.BamaBeef.org/Scholarships. The ACF is proud to award over $65,000 in scholarships annually to Alabama’s youth in livestock and those who are the children or grandchildren of longtime members. We offer a variety of scholarships with a range of requirements— there’s truly something to fit any student! We appreciate those who purchase the Cowboy vanity car tag that help fund these scholarships, as well as the generous families who have endowed scholarships through our foundation. Applications CLOSE on November 6 at midnight, so be sure your favorite student(s) submits today!

Thanks for reading this week’s post! Until we post again, we want to remind you that you can stay in touch with us by following us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

After a very busy week out of the office, staff are enjoying some much needed time at the desk this week as we look toward plans for 2021. The checkoff team has its eye on the 2021 Checkoff Marketing Plan while the rodeo team is working on the 2021 SLE Rodeo. It’s business as usual— plus some— as we are busy with fall months!! Keep reading to learn more about what we are up to in the bottom half of October Beef Month.

---

Beef Up the Blood Supply Wrap Up

In partnership with county Cattlemen chapters, LifeSouth Community Blood Centers and local restaurant partners, the ACA promoted October Beef Month through a weeklong series of blood drives across the state. Beginning on Monday, October 12 state staff partnered with the Houston County Cattlemen’s Association and Conestoga Steak House, owned by cattleman Ted Toole, to secure 30 donors in the Dothan area. Volunteer donors were given a burger for lunch, prepared by Houston County Cattlemen, and a $10 gift certificate for a steak dinner at Conestoga— a prize generously donated by the restaurant. 

Then on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Blood Mobile and the Beef Truck met at Decatur Morgan Hospital in Decatur where over 90 blood donations were secured. Donors in Decatur were met with a ribeye steak sandwich, prepared by the Morgan County Cattleman Cook Team, and a voucher for a free Backyard Brisket Burger from SUCH n SUCH Burgers & Tacos, former finalists in the Bama’s Best Burger contest. 

On Thursday, October 15, ACA staff partnered with Commissioner Rick Pate and the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries as we hosted a blood drive at the ACA headquarters in downtown Montgomery. Thirteen donors were given a burger to-go and a voucher for a free brisket sandwich from Fat Boy’s Bar-B-Que Ranch in Prattville, owned by Danny Loftin. 

Then, to close out the week on Friday, the Beef Truck and Blood Mobile set up shop in Troy at Pike County Cattlemen’s Park and Arena. Donors received a burger to-go, prepared by Pike County Cattlemen & CattleWomen, as well as a $2 off voucher for a ribeye steak dinner at Mossy Grove School House Restaurant. 

Throughout the week, this October Beef Month celebration helped secured nearly 150 blood donations and promoted beef across Alabama. Special thanks to our county Cattlemen’s chapters for their help and to all our donors who made this event a success! 

YCLP Class Prepares for Another Session

YCLP Class VII will be headed to North Alabama this weekend for their third session. This year’s class is halfway through the program. They have been to numerous cattle producers all across the state. This weekend they will be touring ACA President-Elect Clay Kennamer’s backgrounding yard and cow-calf operation. They will also have the opportunity to take a tour at Look Out Mountain Genetics and Lake Majestic. Lake Majestic is owned by one of our YCLP alumni, Nic Cornelison.

The class will graduate at Convention in March. If you are interested in the program or participating next year please contact YCLP Coordinator Morgan Desselle at morgan@bamabeef.org

Staff Gets Out & About

Staffers will be out and about this weekend traveling to county cattlemen’s picnics, sales and the young cattlemen’s tour. Morgan Desselle will be touring farms, coordinating YCLP, enjoying Lake Majestic’s sale and catching Tennessee River Musi’s sale on Monday. Ali Cantrell will be stopping by Marshall County Cattlemen’s picnic, while Erin Beasley will be headed to Debter Hereford Farm 48^th Bull Sale in Horton, Alabama. Stop by and say hey to staffers if you will be in area!

Call to Attend: Beef Checkoff Task Force Meeting

The Alabama Beef Checkoff Task Force meeting will be held Thursday, October 29 at the Cattlemen’s building in Montgomery. ANY cattlemen in Alabama interested in attending this meeting is welcome to do so by contacting the ACA office at (334) 265-1867. It is a way to get completely involved in the process and having a say in how beef checkoff dollars are spent in the state. The ideas that come out of the task force meeting will be put into a marketing plan and presented to the Beef Checkoff Council for approval and budgeting. Contact an ACA officer or the office today to get more information on the meeting.

USDA’s CFAP 2 Program

Late in September, the U.S. Department of Agriculture opened application for a second round of COVID assistance relief through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), or CFAP 2. Key details include: 

Cattle Payments: The CFAP 2 payment rate for eligible beef cattle is $55 per head. Payments will be based on the maximum owned inventory of eligible livestock, excluding breeding stock, on a date selected by the producer, between Apr. 16, 2020, and Aug. 31, 2020.

Signups will run through December 11, 2020. 

More CFAP 2 details are available on USDA’s website: https://www.farmers.gov/cfap/livestock.

Foundation Scholarships : Deadline Soon!

Applications for the 2021-2022 Alabama Cattlemen’s Foundation Scholarships are now open online at www.BamaBeef.org/Scholarships. The ACF is proud to award over $65,000 in scholarships annually to Alabama’s youth in livestock and those who are the children or grandchildren of longtime members. We offer a variety of scholarships with a range of requirements— there’s truly something to fit any student! We appreciate those who purchase the Cowboy vanity car tag that help fund these scholarships, as well as the generous families who have endowed scholarships through our foundation. Applications CLOSE on November 6 at midnight, so be sure your favorite student(s) submits today!

Thanks for reading this week’s post! Until we post again, we want to remind you that you can stay in touch with us by following us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Happy October Beef Month! We’re halfway through the best, most beef-tacular month of the year, and the fun times are rolling! The fall months have no disappointed thus far, and we’re excited to bring you an update of ALL that has gone on. Keep reading and don’t forget to ENJOY BEEF!

---

Beef Up the Blood Supply SUCCESS!

As of today, we are halfway through our Beef Up the Blood Supply event, and WOW what a success! So far, we’ve helped collect 120 pints of blood from donors who all received a beef meal to-go from county Cattlemen cook teams AND a beef voucher to a local restaurant. In Dothan, Houston County Cattlemen helped serve up burgers to 30 donors who also received $10 gift cards for a steak dinner at Conestoga Steak House. Big shoutout to Ted Toole of Conestoga for this generous promotion and for hosting our event in his parking lot! In Decatur, the Morgan County Cook Team did not disappoint with their steak sandwiches as they served the 45 donors who came to the Tuesday event at Decatur-Morgan Hospital. They’ll be there again today with another 45 expected donors! On Thursday, the Blood Mobile and the grill will head back to the ACA office in downtown Montgomery as we host a Montgomery event with vouchers to Fat Boys Bar-B-Que for all donors. Then on Friday, we’ll head to Troy to set up shop at the Pike County Cattlemen’s Arena where we’ll be serving up burgers and offering $2 OFF vouchers for a steak dinner at Mossy Grove School House Restaurant. Join us!

Links to sign up for a slot are below, or just walk-in!

Deactur (Wednesday): http://ow.ly/wtUj50BM9QQ

Montgomery (Thursday): http://ow.ly/H56w50BM9SQ

Troy (Friday): http://ow.ly/YzMj50BM9WD

Checkoff Team “Attends” Virtual PIA

Each year in October, national Beef Checkoff staffers Erin Beasley, Ali Cantrell and Kayla Greer attend the Partnership in Action (PIA) Conference in Denver where they explore consumer market research, new campaign initiatives and learn about what to expect from the national Beef Checkoff in the coming year and how to implement those same tactics in our home state. Due to COVID, the event is all virtual this year, but so far it has not disappointed! We can’t say too much yet, but be prepared to see big work coming from your checkoff dollars…beginning with the holiday season! We are excited to implement these new marketing programs in Alabama. Stay tuned for more!

Save the Date- Beef Checkoff Task Force Meeting

Speaking of checkoff planning, the Alabama Beef Checkoff Task Force meeting will be held Thursday, October 29 at the Cattlemen’s building in Montgomery. ANY cattlemen in Alabama interested in attending this meeting is welcome to do so by contacting the ACA office at (334) 265-1867. It is a way to get completely involved in the process and having a say in how beef checkoff dollars are spent in the state. The ideas that come out of the task force meeting will be put into a marketing plan and presented to the Beef Checkoff Council for approval and budgeting. Contact an ACA officer or the office today to get more information on the meeting.

Fair Season

ACA’s Director of Field Services Morgan Desselle will be out at Alabama National Fair all weekend helping working the beef shows. Hats off to the Alabama Farmers Federation and National Fair show crew for continuing to host several species livestock shows during the pandemic. We know here at ACA first-hand that this is not an easy task to undertake from our experience with the AJCA Round-Up this summer, BUT our youth need this! If your county is hosting a show for youth, be sure to let us know so we can add it to our Youth Livestock Events calendar. Email Morgan with your event information

Membership Update

As of today, our statewide membership number is at 9,502 members. We can almost taste that 10,000….so keep recruiting! Board members are encouraged to save the date for November 12 as we plan to host our Fall Board of Directors meetings. Notices will be mailing out soon. We look forward to seeing you all there. 

Day of the Cowboy

This weekend ahead, ACA Director of Rodeo Programs Lauren Wilson will be hosting a booth at Falkville’s Day of the Cowboy Ranch Rodeo event. The SLE is proud to sponsor the hospitality chuckwagon meal, and Lauren will be there selling ACA and SLE swag. Be sure to stop by and tell her hi! Speaking of rodeo, save the dates for the 2021 SLE Rodeo- March 18-20, 2021 at Garrett Coliseum.

USDA’s CFAP 2 Program

Late in September, the U.S. Department of Agriculture opened application for a second round of COVID assistance relief through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), or CFAP 2. Key details include: 

Cattle Payments: The CFAP 2 payment rate for eligible beef cattle is $55 per head. Payments will be based on the maximum owned inventory of eligible livestock, excluding breeding stock, on a date selected by the producer, between Apr. 16, 2020, and Aug. 31, 2020.

Signups will run through December 11, 2020. 

More CFAP 2 details are available on USDA’s website: https://www.farmers.gov/cfap/livestock.

Foundation Scholarships Now Open

Applications for the 2021-2022 Alabama Cattlemen’s Foundation Scholarships are now open online at www.BamaBeef.org/Scholarships. The ACF is proud to award over $65,000 in scholarships annually to Alabama’s youth in livestock and those who are the children or grandchildren of longtime members. We offer a variety of scholarships with a range of requirements— there’s truly something to fit any student! We appreciate those who purchase the Cowboy vanity car tag that help fund these scholarships, as well as the generous families who have endowed scholarships through our foundation. Applications CLOSE on November 6 at midnight, so be sure your favorite student(s) submits today!

Thanks for reading this week’s post! Until we post again, we want to remind you that you can stay in touch with us by following us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Happy Beef Month! It’s an exciting and busy time as our office is buzzing with all sorts of calendar events to attend and execute. We won’t waste anytime here, as there is plenty to read about in this week’s update. Enjoy!

Bama’s Best Beef Winners Announced

Gather, a restaurant in Atmore, has been named the winner of the 2020 Bama’s Best Beef contest with its dish, the Train Wreck. Bama Buck’s Trophy Mount Ribeye in Sardis City took home the title of “People’s Choice.”

Twin filets of beef paired with Nueske’s bacon, fried green tomatoes, pimento grits, Conecuh crab sauce and a fried egg, the Train Wreck is one that one a contest judge said would be “hard to beat.” The dish is the brainchild of chef and owner, Chris McElhaney.

Gather’s owners will receive a plaque presentation and media conference from the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association staff this evening, bragging rights for one year and an influx of customers looking to try Alabama’s best beef dish. Staff and officers will visit Bama Bucks later this month to explore their venue and try our that ribeye!  

Beef Up the Blood Supply

In celebration of October Beef Month, next week the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association is hosting blood drives across the state! In exchange for your donation, we’ll give you a beef meal and/or a voucher for a discounted meal from a local restaurant partner! Donors will also receive a courtesy COVID antibody test. Sign up today!

Monday (Dothan): http://ow.ly/HVCd50BM9JF

Tuesday (Decatur): http://ow.ly/SufZ50BM9MD

Wednesday (Decatur): http://ow.ly/wtUj50BM9QQ

Thursday (Montgomery): http://ow.ly/H56w50BM9SQ

Friday (Troy, Cattlemen’s Park): http://ow.ly/YzMj50BM9WD

Staffers Morgan Desselle and Ali Cantrell will head south on Friday to promote the blood drive happening in Troy next week. Staffers will stop at local restaurants, stores, South Alabama stockyard, and the University to spread word about Beef Month and the blood drive in that area.

Staffers Morgan Desselle and Ali Cantrell will head south on Friday to promote the blood drive happening in Troy next week. Staffers will stop at local restaurants, stores, South Alabama stockyard, and the University to spread word about Beef Month and the blood drive in that area.

Hitting the Fall Rodeo Circuit

Last weekend, staffers Lauren Wilson and Ali Cantrell attended the Odenville rodeo to promote October Beef Month and sell ACA and SLE merchandise to the crowd. Then, on October 16-18, Lauren Wilson will be hosting a booth at Falkville’s Day of the Cowboy event. The SLE is also proud to sponsor the hospitality chuckwagon meal.

Speaking of rodeo, save the dates for the 2021 SLE Rodeo- March 18-20, 2021 at Garrett Coliseum. Erin Beasley and Lauren Wilson will be meeting with the new SLE officers next Wednesday to begin setting plans for the big event!

AASP Deadline Soon!

Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded $26 Million of CARES Act Funds to assist Alabama Agriculture impacted by COVID-19. Funding will be used to establish the Alabama Agricultural Stabilization Program (AASP). No funds may be utilized for salaries, building projects, or capital improvements.  Commissioner Rick Pate reminds everyone that the Cattle Producer Applications for the Alabama Agriculture Stabilization Program (AASP) are now available and close soon on October 9, 2020. Applicants should visit crf.alabama.gov or agi.alabama.gov to apply. 

In order to be eligible for cattle relief funds:

• You must be an Alabama resident
• You must be able to provide documentation that you sold cattle during the date range of April 16, 2020 through May 15, 2020. Slaughter cattle and bulls do not qualify for payment.
• If claiming payment for Dairy Production, you must have been eligible for USDA’s CFAP program for Dairy Production and you must provide the total amount of the CFAP payment you received for Dairy Production.
• Need a copy of your W-9
• Require successful submission of this application and signed certification and assurances form
• Must submit bank account information for electronic payment
• Must provide of a voided check or a memo from your bank with account number and routing number.

Maximum “per head” payments for beef cattle:

Less than 600 lbs. x $69/head

600-900 lbs. x $106/head

Fed cattle (Fats) (over 900 lbs.) x $181/head

If you have any questions regarding eligibility, please call 334-240-7100 or email: aasp-questions@agi.alabama.gov

USDA Releases CFAP 2 Program

Late in September, the U.S. Department of Agriculture opened application for a second round of COVID assistance relief through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), or CFAP 2. Key details include: 

Cattle Payments: The CFAP 2 payment rate for eligible beef cattle is $55 per head. Payments will be based on the maximum owned inventory of eligible livestock, excluding breeding stock, on a date selected by the producer, between Apr. 16, 2020, and Aug. 31, 2020.

Signups will run through December 11, 2020. 

More CFAP 2 details are available on USDA’s website: https://www.farmers.gov/cfap/livestock.

Foundation Scholarships Now Open

Applications for the 2021-2022 Alabama Cattlemen’s Foundation Scholarships are now open online at www.BamaBeef.org/Scholarships. The ACF is proud to award over $65,000 in scholarships annually to Alabama’s youth in livestock and those who are the children or grandchildren of longtime members. We offer a variety of scholarships with a range of requirements— there’s truly something to fit any student! We appreciate those who purchase the Cowboy vanity car tag that help fund these scholarships, as well as the generous families who have endowed scholarships through our foundation. Applications CLOSE on November 6 at midnight, so be sure your favorite student(s) submits today!

Talking ACA with AU Students

Speaking of college, on Thursday, Director of Field Services Morgan Desselle (check out that name change!!) will be talking to the Auburn University Animal Science class. This class is largely made up of freshman. The purpose of Morgan’s talk with the class will be to educate them on what ACA does and how she prepared for a job in the agriculture world. The instructor has asked Morgan to present to the class ways to prepare for jobs in the ag field. A large part of her talk is how to network, build resume, and prepare for a career. She also spends time discussing what she does as an ACA staffer and working closely with the Beef Check-Off programs. This will be Morgan’s fourth semester giving this talk.

Membership Update

As of today, our statewide membership number is at 9,497 members. We can almost taste that 10,000….so keep recruiting! Board members are encouraged to save the date for November 19 as we plan to host our Fall Board of Directors meetings. Notices will be mailing out soon. We look forward to seeing you all there.

Save the Date- Beef Checkoff Task Force Meeting

The Alabama Beef Checkoff Task Force meeting will be held Thursday, October 29 at the Cattlemen’s building in Montgomery. ANY cattlemen in Alabama interested in attending this meeting is welcome to do so by contacting the ACA office at (334) 265-1867. It is a way to get completely involved in the process and having a say in how beef checkoff dollars are spent in the state. The ideas that come out of the task force meeting will be put into a marketing plan and presented to the Beef Checkoff Council for approval and budgeting. Contact an ACA officer or the office today to get more information on the meeting.

Thanks for reading this week’s post! Until we post again, we want to remind you that you can stay in touch with us by following us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.