Well, hey there! It has been awhile since we updated our blog, but boy has it been a busy month! Now that March is nearly in our rearview, we can look back and celebrate the fantastic month that it was. Convention was a hit of an event— we had a great crowd, good food, an excellent trade show and educational sessions and hosted a PAC auction that earned over $12,000 in PAC proceeds. Then we rolled right on into the SLE Rodeo which brought down the barn with its many successes! A PRCA ProRodeo Tour stop with two sellout performances, air time on national television and more than $168,000 in payouts. Folks, that’s big league, and we were thrilled to have it in Montgomery!
Now we shift our eyes to all that’s coming. It’s spring sale season. Grills are getting ready to fire up for summertime grilling. Youth events line the calendar. The legislature is still in session. There’s so much yet to do, so keep reading to tap into this week’s update. Oh, and don’t forget to wish our Head Heifer (aka Erin Beasley) a big ole HAPPY BIRTHDAY. We’d also like to wish you and yours a Happy Easter!
Sponsor Day at Baron’s Stadium
Staffers Erin Beasley, Ali Cantrell, Kayla Greer, and Morgan Desselle will be heading to home plate today at Birmingham Barons stadium to tour the facilities and get a partnership sneak peak for Baseball season! The Beef Checkoff program is sponsoring the home games at the Barons stadium this summer so that baseball fans will have beef on the mind as they watch their favorite minor league. The Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner campaign will be featured on the jumbotron for every home game so go buy your tickets to a game this summer!
More CFAP Payments to Come
Late last week, the US Department of Agriculture released details about the next round of CFAP payments. USDA will begin making CFAP payments for cattle producers starting next month. Below is some additional information on the announcement, and more detailed information can be found on www.farmers.gov/cfap.
CFAP 1
USDA is implementing an increase in CFAP 1 payment rates for cattle based on the number of cattle in inventory between April 16, 2020, to May 14, 2020. Cattle producers with approved CFAP 1 applications will automatically receive these payments. Eligible producers do not need to submit a new CFAP 1 application form or take any action.Only producers who previously applied for CFAP 1 are eligible to receive this additional payment.
The following payment rates will be used:
| Class of Cattle | Payment Rate |
| Feeder Cattle: less than 600 lbs | $7.00/head |
| Feeder Cattle: 600 lbs or more | $25.50/head |
| Slaughter Cattle: fed cattle | $63.00/head |
| Slaughter Cattle: mature cattle | $14.75/head |
| All Other Cattle | $17.25/head |
CFAP 2
The original application period for CFAP 2 was September 21 through December 11, 2020. However, beginning April 5, FSA will begin accepting new and modified CFAP 2 applications. While this is unlikely to impact a great number of cattle producers, it will benefit any individuals who may have missed the original signup deadline.
- As a reminder, CFAP 2 cattle assistance payments are equal to the highest owned inventory of eligible livestock – excluding breeding stock – on a date selected by the eligible producer from April 16, 2020, through August 31, 2020, multiplied by a payment rate of $55/head, up to $250,000 or 4,546 head per producer.
- Operations can qualify for up to three payment limitations if they provide at least 400 hours of active personal labor, active personal management, or combination thereof with respect to the production of 2020 commodities.
- Two payment limits = $500,000 or 9,091 head.
- Three payment limits = $750,000 or 13,636 head.
More information on CFAP 2 eligibility and payment details related to livestock can be found at www.farmers.gov/cfap2/livestock.
Annual Beef Cookoff, Coming Right Up!
The Annual Alabama Jr. & Sr. High School Beef Cook-Off will be on April 24 at a new location! Jefferson State Community College has been gracious enough to host the Beef Cook-Off and we thank the culinary education staff for the support. If your county has hosted a local beef cook-off, be sure to get your winners registered on our website at https://www.bamabeef.org/cookoff ! We are extending the deadline for those counties that have not been able to host a cookoff yet. This event will be held at Health Sciences and Culinary Institute building at Jefferson State and registration is FREE! Please contact Ali Cantrell if you have any questions.
Youth Production Field Day- Blount County
The Junior Cattlemen’s Board of Directors will meet virtually tomorrow to discuss and finalize Spring Field Day. We look forward to having youth come from all across the state to this educational event! If you would like to learn more about this checkoff-funded youth event please visit www.bamabeef.org/fieldday and register.
All the News for YCLP
The YCLP Council will meet virtually at the beginning of next week to review open council seat applications from Class IV and VII. If you are an alumni from either of those classes and would like to serve on the council please email morgan@bamabeef.org for the application. Applications are due on TODAY by 5:00 pm!
If you are an YCLP Alumni we invite you to participate in the YCLP Reunion! We are hosting an alumni event for all of the graduated classes. Join us May 21-22 at Kick Back Ranch for a chance to catch up with your classmates and meet other young cattlemen. Kick Back Ranch is a family-friendly destination featuring swimming pools, fishing, canoeing, water slides, playgrounds and much more in addition to a variety of western-themed, unique lodging for your family to enjoy! They have offered us a great weekend rate for this event, and we encourage you and your family to make a trip of this reunion. Register today at https://www.bamabeef.org/reunion
Membership Update
Our membership today is home to 6,963 members and counting as several county chapters have meetings coming up! Jessica Kennedy is working to get statements prepared to go to print next week to attract the latest in non-renewed members. County leaders, be on the lookout for a list verifying the return address!
Summertime Grilling Hits Billboards
Staffer Kayla Greer has been working on an advertising package to promote summertime grilling on, that’s right…billboards! As Alabama’s beaches attract so much travel in the summer months, BEEF will plaster up on popular roadways headed to the Gulf. From Huntsville to the Foley Beach Express and many miles in between, we hope to highlight the Beef. It’s Whats For Dinner message at the big signs along with digital promos this summer.
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