February is in full blast, and we’re full steam ahead into convention and rodeo season. There’s not much time to spare on small talk, so keep reading to learn more about ALL the work your staff is up to in the Montgomery office this week!
NCBA Tailgating Tournament- Voting Ends Today!
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is hosting a tailgating tournament to highlight delicious beef recipes for the SuperBowl, NASCAR and the upcoming baseball seasons. Alabama Junior Cattlemen Mason and Mackenzie Smith of Marshall County filmed a video and THEY NEED YOUR VOTE. If announced the winners, the Smith Family as well as our association will be awarded a Traeger Pellet Grill for use at beef promotions across the state. Click THIS LINK and hit “Vote” to cast your ballot. Let’s support these excellent junior cattlemen in their beef promotion efforts!
ACA Convention & Trade Show
Join us at the Sheraton Hotel as we’ll be Branding Up Birmingham during our 76th annual ACA Convention & Trade Show. Please note, the event will take place at the Sheraton Hotel but housing will be provided by The Westin, due to COVID-19 procedures. We’ve got excellent industry speakers including Elanco’s Dr. Sara Place and the United States Meat Exports Federation President Dan Halstrom. They’ll be bringing you all the news on beef sustainability and global beef marketing. Aside from the education, our event will feature a jam-up trade show, youth contests sponsored by the Alabama Beef Checkoff Program and, of course, delicious beef meals.
Get your seat at the table and be sure to join us March 5-6 by registering online now, and don’t forget to book your stay at the Westin Hotel online or by calling (205) 307-3600 and using code ACA. If you would like to be a vendor in our trade show, contact ACA’s Ali Cantrell to reserve your space or register online by clicking here.
SLE Rodeo Tickets Now on Sale
We are 43 days out from the first performance of 2021! Buck on over to www.SLERodeo.com/Tickets now to secure your seats at the greatest show on dirt! This year’s show is sure to please as we’re featuring freestyle bullfighting, the best stock in the PRCA, all kinds of children’s events and hometown rodeo clown, Trent McFarland! We’ve got some awesome ticket deals available for you to take advantage of, so don’t wait. Get on over to www.SLERodeo.com or call 888-2RODEO2 to learn more about all that SLE Livestock Week offers and to purchase your tickets today!
ACA Director of Rodeo Programs Lauren Wilson is fervently on the hunt for new sponsors. If you, your business or your friend’s business would like to sponsor this year’s event, contact Lauren at the office at (334) 265-1867.
Membership Update
As of today, the ACA is home to 5,743 members and counting as county meetings are happening (in some form) across the state! Secretaries, be sure to get those new and renewed members updated in the system by February 15 in order for them to get the March magazine and PLEASE send your county leadership changes to Jessica Kennedy at jkennedy@bamabeef.org.
Farmers Now Eligible for PPP Loan
As part of the of the continuing COVID relief programs, individual farmers have recently been granted eligibility to participate in the Payroll Protection Program(PPP). The PPP is a loan that all or part can be forgiven. To determine the amount you are eligible to borrow, on your 2019 federal tax return find your Schedule F and take the amount on line 9 and divide by 12, then multiply by 2.5.
For example, if line 9 is $50,000.00.
$50,000.00/12 = $4166.67
$4166.67
X 2.5
$10,416.68
This loan is designed to be forgiven, but that it is not a guarantee. Please contact your local lender for more information.
Please share this information with your county members. U.S. Treasury Website with more information
Ag Board Gathers for a Meeting
The Agriculture and Industries Board, which oversees the Department of Ag and Industries, met yesterday. Of note for the cattle industry, a change to the state’s Trichomoniasis rule was approved by the board which gives the State Veterinarian a pathway for action should a bull test positive for Trich. The change will now be published for 60 days before becoming final rule.
In the Field- North Alabama
Staffers Morgan Desselle and Kayla Greer traveled north on Tuesday! The duo stopped by Arab Livestock Market to visit owners, buyers, and sellers. They then headed to Hollywood, Alabama for Clay Kennamer’s presidency photo shoot and video. The staffers enjoyed touring Clay’s unique operation and capturing him in his element!
SLE Rodeo Promotions Kick Off
Not only will radio commercials hit sound waves and billboards paint landscapes soon, but television and digital promotions have already kicked off! Today, staffers Ali Cantrell and Lauren Wilson will be filming interviews to promote the SLE Rodeo with Jack Galassini on “The Time of Your Life” WSFA segment. Ali will be promoting the Bama-Q SLE Rodeo Steak Championship with a Ribeye steak sandwich cooking demo while Lauren talks all things rodeo! Also in the works this week was the premiere of our first Central Alabama Business Break on WSFA news station and some early social media ads hitting the World Wide Web. Promotions will really amp up soon as we join forces with our many advertising partners to make the 2021 rodeo the best yet!
YCLP Update
The Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program Council had a successful meeting last week. During this meeting, the council had a hard task of selecting the next YCLP Class. We would like to thank each applicant for applying for the program. We look forward to traveling the state with the next 25 young leaders. Stay tuned for the announcement of YCLP Class VIII members in your March magazine and make sure to stop by YCLP booth at convention to learn more about the program. The YCLP Council will host a meeting on Saturday, March 6 at 3:00 during convention in Birmingham. Alumni, mark your calendars to attend this meeting. The Council will update alumni on upcoming events for 2021 and socialize with their class members. We look forward to hosting and planning an alumni meeting this year!
AJCA Update
The Junior Board has been hard at work planning events for 2021! Two events are just around the corner. We will open our Spring Production Field Day registration March 1. This year, Quail Valley Farms in Blount County will be hosting this event for all youth interested in the cattle industry. The field day will provide youth with the educational opportunities in judging, forages, and marketing! Mark your calendars to attend a day full of education on April 17. The deadline to register for spring field day will be March 31.
Speaking of deadlines, the convention contest deadline is approaching FAST! The AJCA Board of Directors are excited to host career-centered contest at Convention sponsored by the Alabama Beef Checkoff Program. Deadline to register for quiz bowl, career development, and public speaking in February 15! Register today at: https://www.bamabeef.org/Convention
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