Month: July 2021

Hey there, Alabama Cattlemen! While this week’s blog may look a little on the “slim pickins” side, fear not. We are simply in a turnaround week between busy times. The AJCA Round-Up is in our rear view, and we are in the quiet lull that always comes at the end of July prior to school starting back. While this week’s post may be shorter than usual, go ahead and saddle up for next week as we’ll be reporting on: two regional meetings, the new AJCA Board of Directors kickoff meeting, Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program Session II in west Alabama, NCBA Cattle Con in Nashville, and more! Until then, here’s some reminders to add to your calendar. Keep reading!

Membership Update

The statewide membership number ‘o the day is 8,435 members…but we’re not done yet! We are only halfway through the year, and we’ve got our sites set on 10,000. If you haven’t renewed, join us, and help your county president reach his or her goal and earn their signature ACA red coat. That deadline has been extended, but is coming soon— August 31, 2021. Let’s knock out those goals, cattlemen!

Board Memo

State Board Members: be sure to mark your calendars for August 19 to join us AT THE CATTLEMEN’S BUILDING in Downtown Montgomery! We are excited to be returning to our home port, and look to see you all there. RSVP to Jessica Kennedy if you plan to attend.

Fired Up for Cattlemen’s Cookouts

If you’re a member of the ACA, you’re invited to join us for a summertime cookout! We hosted our third of five regional cookouts last week in Alex City, and we enjoyed a great crowd and good fellowship! ACA officers and staff will be traveling to other parts of the state hosting membership meetings and meals so we can all catch up, also! If you have not renewed your membership, you’re still invited as we will be accepting membership dues on site. Come on out and enjoy an evening of good food and Cattlemen fellowship! The meeting dates and times are as follows:

WEST CENTRAL ALABAMA: August 2 at 5:30 p.m. at Big Mike’s Steakhouse (Moundville)

NORTH ALABAMA: August 3 at 5:30 p.m. at Tennessee Valley REC (Belle Mina)

There is no cost to attend this event. All we ask is that you RSVP with your name and the location of the meeting you would like to attend at least one week prior to the event date. This will ensure that we have enough food for all! Simply call or email us at: (334) 265-1867 or morgan@bamabeef.org

October Beef Month, in the works!

Staffers Ali Cantrell and Kayla Greer have already started to put their heads together for October Beef Month in Alabama. While there’s plenty left to be planned, one event is for sure- the Where’s The Beef Cook-Off at the Alabama National Fair on October 15. The Alabama Beef Checkoff is the exclusive sponsor of this year’s event, and registration for both the Youth and Adult Divisions is now open on the Fair’s Creative Living Center tab. Check it out.

Bama Beef Events Calendar

The online Bama Beef Events Calendar is getting a list of new events daily. As Extension begins to normalize, educational programs are popping up across the state. County cattlemen’s chapters are beginning to think about meeting. Sales are lining up. Steak sandwich sales are firing up, and Junior Cattlemen events eyeball those free summer months! Not only that, but summertime means grilling season. We all know that beef is king of the grill, so summer beef promotions are also firing up! Make it a daily task to check out our calendar and keep an eye on events coming near you!

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 or Instagram.

Our biggest event of the summer is now in our rearview mirror, and our eyes are turned to a BUSY fall season ahead. With the start of school comes the kick off of the “normalcy” we have all craved for so long. Our schedules are packed, and we are excited about it! Keep reading to learn more and be sure to keep an eye on the Bama Beef Events Calendar to make sure to get your calendar marked for all the upcoming fun.

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Round-Up Recap!

The 15^th Annual AJCA Round-Up is in the books! The Round-Up is more than a calf show. There are multiple educational contest that happen throughout the weekend. Friday was full of youth competing from grooming, sales talk, and cooking competitions— we had it all! Friday was wrapped up with fun for all at the Opening Ceremonies. Youth and families join us in the Teague and Lewis barns for food and entertainment, including a mechanical bull, boutique vendors, popcorn stand, candy shop, lemonade stand, bouncy houses, and finishing the night off with a volleyball tournament.

We would like to thank all the hands that played a part in making sure this weekend was a success for the youth! This event would not be possible without the sponsors and volunteers! We would also like to congratulate all the exhibitors on their achievements throughout the weekend! 

Junior Board of Directors & Officers

President: Corley Williams, Marshall County

Vice President: Russell Jordan, Clay County

Treasurer: Walker Johnson, Cullman County

Secretary: Victoria Thompson, Lee County

Ex-Officio: Hannah Maddox, Dekalb County

District 1: Abby Burgess, Blount County

District 3: Gus Ashley, Montgomery County

District 4: Jeremy Speros, Pike County

District 4: Alyvia Watson, Mobile County

At-Large: Rex Harrison, Cullman County

Congratulations to the Top 5 Market Animals:

Champion Market Animal – Greer Jones of Pike County 

Reserve Champion Market Animal – Annabelle Wesley of Pike County

Third Overall Market Animal – Avery Ruf of Limestone County

Fourth Overall Market Animal – Mackenzie Hornbuckle of Morgan County

5^th Overall Market Animal – Wyatt Johnston of Pike County

Congratulations to the Top 5 Showmen in Each Division

Senior Top 5:

Jewel Thompson, Audra Graves, Hannah Maddox, Walker Johnson and Hannah Grace Childress

Intermediate Top 5:

Abbeigh Jo Gibson, Lyndee Meadows, Annabelle Wesley, Sara Beth Faust, and Avery Ruf

Junior Top 5

Claire Smith, Lillian Smith, Greer Jones, Lou Lou Thompson and Allie Hembree

Congratulations to the Top 5 Breeding Heifers

Supreme Champion Breeding Heifer – Annabelle Wesley of Pike County

Reserve Supreme Champion Breeding Heifer – Russell Jordan of Clay County

Third Overall Breeding Heifer – Ansley Brown of Montgomery County

Fourth Overall Breeding Heifer – Hannah Maddox of Dekalb County

Fifth Overall Breeding Heifer –  Avery Ruf of Limestone County

Congratulations to the Top 5 Bred & Owned Breeding Heifers

Supreme Champion Bred & Owned – Audra Graves of Blount County

Reserve Supreme Champion Bred & Owned – Victoria Thompson of Lee County

Third Overall Breeding Heifer Bred & Owned – Russell Jordan of Clay County 

Fourth Overall Breeding Heifer Bred & Owned – London Steel of Baldwin County

Fifth Overall Breeding Heifer Bred & Owned – Amelia Thrower of Marshall County

Membership Update

The statewide membership number ‘o the day is 8,362 members…but we’re not done yet! We are only halfway through the year, and we’ve got our sites set on 10,000. If you haven’t renewed, join us, and help your county president reach his or her goal and earn their signature ACA red coat. That deadline has been extended, but is coming soon— August 31, 2021. Let’s knock out those goals, cattlemen!

Fired Up for Cattlemen’s Cookouts

If you’re a member of the ACA, you’re invited to join us for a summertime cookout! We hosted our first of five regional cookouts last week at Perdido River Farms in Atmore and WHOA what a turnout! We enjoyed a delicious steak dinner and state update with more than 100 members from Alabama’s southwest corner! ACA officers and staff will be traveling to other parts of the state hosting membership meetings and meals so we can all catch up, also! If you have not renewed your membership, you’re still invited as we will be accepting membership dues on site. Come on out and enjoy an evening of good food and Cattlemen fellowship! The meeting dates and times are as follows:

EAST CENTRAL ALABAMA: July 22 at 5:30 p.m. at Wellborn Musclecar Museum (Alex City, AL)

WEST CENTRAL ALABAMA: August 2 at 5:30 p.m. at Big Mike’s Steakhouse (Moundville)

NORTH ALABAMA: August 3 at 5:30 p.m. at Tennessee Valley REC (Belle Mina)

There is no cost to attend this event. All we ask is that you RSVP with your name and the location of the meeting you would like to attend at least one week prior to the event date. This will ensure that we have enough food for all! Simply call or email us at: (334) 265-1867 or morgan@bamabeef.org

Beef 101- Back in Session

Beef 101 programming is back in session! Wallace State Community college will be coming to Auburn on tomorrow, July 22^nd to learn more about the pasture to plate story from experts. If you or someone you know would like to attend this session or a later one, or if you would like to schedule your own, please contact Ali Cantrell. The next Beef 101 date will be October 29, but we hope to schedule more between now and then.

Sweet Grown Alabama

While some staff heads east for tomorrow’s regional cookout, others will head north to support our friends at Sweet Grown Alabama. Kayla Greer on the ACA staff sits on the Advisory Council for Sweet Grown Alabama to represent our organization and cattle producers. On Thursday, Kayla will attend the organization’s Annual Dinner at Scott’s Orchard in Hazel Green, AL where they’ll enjoy a Sweet Grown Alabama venue and an entirely locally-sourced meal. Then, on Friday, the organization will host a Farmer’s Market in Downtown Huntsville; Kayla will be on site for that event as well and looks forward to visiting with Cattlemen members.

Bama Beef Events Calendar

The online Bama Beef Events Calendar is getting a list of new events daily. As Extension begins to normalize, educational programs are popping up across the state. County cattlemen’s chapters are beginning to think about meeting. Sales are lining up. Steak sandwich sales are firing up, and Junior Cattlemen events eyeball those free summer months! Not only that, but summertime means grilling season. We all know that beef is king of the grill, so summer beef promotions are also firing up! Make it a daily task to check out our calendar and keep an eye on events coming near you!

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 or Instagram.

Well it seems to be the hottest week of the year, which can only mean one thing…it’s time for the AJCA Round-Up. This week’s blog may be a little short and sweet as “all systems are go” as we work to welcome 118 junior cattlemen to Montgomery for a hot weekend full of educational contests and calf shows. If you don’t have weekend plans, join us on the Garrett Coliseum Grounds in Montgomery to support the future of our industry— and don’t worry, the arena is air conditioned! Keep reading to learn more about what else is happening in a week deemed for the summer show!

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Welcome, Round-Up!

We look forward to welcoming 118 exhibitors and 170 animals to the 15^th Annual Alabama Junior Cattlemen’s Association Round-Up. The weekend is full of livestock shows, family fun and beef industry educational contest. We welcome all to come join us and support the youth of Alabama! Should you wish to see the weekend schedule you can visit www.bamabeef.org/round-up

Membership Update

The statewide membership number ‘o the day is 8,335 members…but we’re not done yet! We are only halfway through the year, and we’ve got our sites set on 10,000. If you haven’t renewed, join us, and help your county president reach his or her goal and earn their signature ACA red coat. That deadline has been extended, but is coming soon— August 31, 2021. Let’s knock out those goals, cattlemen!

Fired Up for Cattlemen’s Cookouts

If you’re a member of the ACA, you’re invited to join us for a summertime cookout! We hosted our first of five regional cookouts last week at Perdido River Farms in Atmore and WHOA what a turnout! We enjoyed a delicious steak dinner and state update with more than 100 members from Alabama’s southwest corner! ACA officers and staff will be traveling to other parts of the state hosting membership meetings and meals so we can all catch up, also! If you have not renewed your membership, you’re still invited as we will be accepting membership dues on site. Come on out and enjoy an evening of good food and Cattlemen fellowship! The meeting dates and times are as follows:

EAST CENTRAL ALABAMA: July 22 at 5:30 p.m. at Wellborn Musclecar Museum (Alex City, AL)

WEST CENTRAL ALABAMA: August 2 at 5:30 p.m. at Big Mike’s Steakhouse (Moundville)

NORTH ALABAMA: August 3 at 5:30 p.m. at Tennessee Valley REC (Belle Mina)

There is no cost to attend this event. All we ask is that you RSVP with your name and the location of the meeting you would like to attend at least one week prior to the event date. This will ensure that we have enough food for all! Simply call or email us at: (334) 265-1867 or morgan@bamabeef.org

ACA Tailgate Tents

Tents are in! If your county Cattlemen’s association ordered a tent at the Board Meeting, then you should have received an email from Ali with an invoice. They will be available at The MOOseum for pick up anytime, or you can wait and pick it up at the August Board Meeting. If you need it before then and can’t make it to The MOOseum, please contact Ali to let her know so she can coordinate getting it to you.

Cattlemen’s Communications Survey

Let’s chat. We want to hear from you!

We are currently reviewing our communication methods regarding membership and association business efforts to ensure that you are able to find the information you need from us in a timely, relevant and accessible way.

We also want to hear from you to learn what our members most value about a membership with the ACA.

We ask that you take a moment to complete this survey, and if you do, you’ll be entered into a drawing to receive one of 3 complimentary trade show passes— valued at $300— to NCBA’s Convention in Nashville, August 10-12, 2021. Please note that you will be contacted by the information you provide below, so ensure a working email and telephone number is entered properly.

Beef 101- Back in Session

Beef 101 programming is back in session! Wallace State Community college will be coming to Auburn on July 22^nd to learn more about the pasture to plate story from experts. If you or someone you know would like to attend this session or a later one, or if you would like to schedule your own, please contact Ali Cantrell. The next Beef 101 date will be October 29, but we hope to schedule more between now and then.

Bama Beef Events Calendar

The online Bama Beef Events Calendar is getting a list of new events daily. As Extension begins to normalize, educational programs are popping up across the state. County cattlemen’s chapters are beginning to think about meeting. Sales are lining up. Steak sandwich sales are firing up, and Junior Cattlemen events eyeball those free summer months! Not only that, but summertime means grilling season. We all know that beef is king of the grill, so summer beef promotions are also firing up! Make it a daily task to check out our calendar and keep an eye on events coming near you!

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 or Instagram.