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.
Round-Up Recap!
The 15th 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
5th 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 22nd 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!
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