80th Annual Convention success!
A big thank you to everyone who took time to attend the 80th Annual ACA Convention and Trade Show. It was a huge success with a large crowd of over 800, an active trade show and informative speakers for attendees to enjoy. The crew here at ACA was so proud of our auction on Friday night, which raised over $25,000 for the BEEF PAC! We appreciate all the donors and buyers who helped generate these funds. We also always appreciate Cracker Johnson auctioneering and his team of ring men which were Nathan Lipscomb, Jim Collins, Jason King, Ginger Gaines and Whit Lane this year.
We were thrilled to induct our new officer team into office during the 2023 Annual Membership Meeting, held Saturday at Convention. The 2023 officers are pictured left to right: Erin Beasley of Notasulga, executive vice president; Dr. Terry Slaten of Cullman, president-elect; Chuck Madaris of Hope Hull, president; Keith Glover of Greensboro, vice president; and Richard Meadows of Columbia, treasurer.
Also during the Annual Membership Meeting of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association, a new slate of Regional Vice Presidents were elected to serve a three-year term beginning in 2023. They are L-R: Junior Riner, Colbert County; Jeremy Pearson, Cherokee County; Chet Matthews, Elmore County; and Jack Robertson, Chambers County.
We look forward to working with these leaders in the years to come! The Cattlemen’s Heritage Banquet was also a fun evening of honoring our past and look forward to the future. First, we graduated 26 students of YCLP Class IX. Following, we had the opportunity to induct three deserving individuals into the Alabama Livestock Hall of Fame. They are: Rick Pate, Dr. Randy Huffman and Dr. Ken McMillan. Learn more about all these industry leaders in the April issue of the Alabama Cattleman magazine. Get to know ACA President Chuck Madaris by watching this video.
Last but certainly not least, we honored outgoing ACA president Jim Jordan for an excellent year of leadership. Jim is truly one-of-a-kind…an outstanding leader, advocate and friend! Thank you, Jim, for a job well done!
Best of Luck, Ali!
One hard thing about having such a close and involved staff is the toll is takes when one of the crew members decides to depart. After nearly five years on our team, Ali (Cantrell) Gotcher will serve her last day with the ACA this coming Tuesday, February 28. She won’t be going far, though, as her new venture will be as an Animal Sciences and Forages Regional Extension Agent (REA) in the northwest corner of Alabama. She will serve in the position that Paul Vining previously held which covered Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Lamar, Winston, Fayette, Marion and Walker counties.
Ali has played an integral role within our association in many capacities, but mostly in the realm of Beef Checkoff education. She has worked tirelessly with retail, foodservice, culinary, FACS, nutritionists, and many others to promote beef education and extend the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. campaign in Alabama. She is leaving behind big shoes to fill, and while we seek to fill them, we invite you to send any consumer-facing or educational Beef Checkoff questions or requests to Erin Beasley and/or Kayla Greer.
Ali, we tip our hat to you and wish you well in your next chapter! Thanks for all you’ve done for Alabama’s beef cattle industry and our association.
Montgomery County Farm RECEIVES REGIONAL RECOGNITION
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) announced that Carter Cattle Company, LLC, in Pintlala, Alabama, was selected as one of seven regional winners of the 2022 Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP). The farm was recognized during the 2023 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show in New Orleans. Established in 1991, ESAP celebrates outstanding land stewards in the cattle industry. The regional winners will compete for the national award, which will be presented during NCBA’s Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., April 24-27, 2023.
Sustainability began as a lifestyle more than a practice seven generations ago in the mid-1820s when the farm was established. Management decisions are made with the future in mind, with a forage-based feeding program through rotational grazing a priority. Rotational grazing has been vital to improving the overall health of the farm ecosystem, soil health, forage base, watershed, livestock and wildlife. Through conservation incentives offered under the Watershed Project and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Carters installed 2,000 feet of water lines to two new water troughs, protected 1,250 square feet of heavy use areas and built 1,300 feet of fence to exclude cattle from Pintlala Creek. These efforts help the Carters utilize the land in the most effective way for their cow herd while protecting natural resources. In addition, being good stewards doesn’t stop at the farm gate, as both Will and Monnie Carter are veterinarians who care for other animals in their community. “We are in the cattle business, but we are in the grass business first,” said Dr. Will Carter of Carter Cattle Company. “Our job is to manage the grass and allocate it to the cattle that then take the resource and produce something of greater value.” Learn more about the Carters with this video.
FEBRUARY 2023 MEMBERSHIP REPORT
The ACA is proud to represent 6,974 members thus far in 2023, Don’t forget our NEW membership benefits including perks at Big Mike’s Steakhouse franchises statewide, discounts at Great Wolf Lodge and deals from Trucker’s Warehouse. Check out the list of member benefits at www.BamaBeef.org/Benefits.
The ACA Winter Board of Directors Meeting was held at the ACA Convention & Trade Show on Friday, February 17. We awarded a host of Top Hand Club prizes and drew for the Priefert Squeeze Chute. CONGRATULATIONS TO BUTLER COUNTY CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION for taking home the grand prize, sponsored by Fuller Supply and Priefert Ranch Equipment. Congratulations are also in order for Mark Matthews of Elmore County, who was our 2022 Top Recruiter— recruiting 50 new members!! For this, Mark took home a check for $500 and 10 panels, sponsored also by Fuller Supply and Priefert Ranch Equipment. Geneva County Cattlemen’s Association was awarded the Priefert head gate for having the largest percentage membership increase in one year. We appreciate the grassroots efforts that went to work in 2022, and we look forward to awarding Top Hand Club again for 2023!
COUNTY MEETINGS UNDERWAY
Speaking of ACA Membership, the grassroots of the organization are at work this month hosting county annual meetings across Alabama. State officers and staff are enjoying the opportunity to attend these meetings, provide a state update, fellowship with local members, and enjoy delicious meals and impressive cake auctions! If you need supplies, postcards, or to notify the state office about an upcoming annual meeting, please contact ACA Director of Membership Jessica Kennedy or fill out this form.
SADDLE UP FOR THE SLE RODEO
The SLE Rodeo is right around the corner! The 2023 event will feature four PRCA rodeo performances March 17-19 at the Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery, AL. You’ll get to see Frontier Rodeo Company’s electric bucking stock as well as cowboys and cowgirls – all fresh off the Wrangler NFR dirt. John Harrison is sure to keep the crowd roaring with laughter as he currently holds the title of 2022 PRCA Clown of the Year, Barrelman of the Year, and Comedy Act of the Year!
This is an event you will not want to miss! Be sure to stick around after the rodeo on Friday night for a free concert on the dirt featuring Shackelford Lane. Visit www.SLERodeo.com for all event details. LET’S RODEO!
LIPSCOMB REAPPOINTED TO BEEF BOARD
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the appointment of 40 members to serve on the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board, including Bill Lipscomb of Prattville for Alabama. Thirty-nine members will serve three-year terms and one member will serve a one-year term. The term of board members appointed to three-year terms start February 2023 and end February 2026.
The board is authorized by the Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985 and is composed of 101 members representing 34 States and 5 units. Members must be beef producers or importers of beef and beef products nominated by certified producer organizations. More information about the board is available on the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Cattlemen’s Beef Board webpage.
Lipscomb has previously served on the Executive Committee for the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and will continue that role in 2023.
Alabama Beef Checkoff announces 2023 beef Influencers
Throughout February, we had the opportunity to unveil our three contracted Alabama Beef Influencers for 2023! They are: April Clayton, Muscle Shoals; Kathy Phillips, Dothan; and Ricky Albright, Troy. These three will partner up with the Alabama Beef Checkoff Program to promote beef in various ways on their social media platforms and at in-person events! Keep reading to learn a little more about each.
Kathy Adams Phillips of Kathy’s Southern Kitchen is a Dothan native and granddaughter to J.L. Adams— the man who helped put into motion the Alabama Beef Checkoff Program decades ago. Her family has farmed and raised cattle in the Wiregrass regional for generations, and her love of cooking came straight form her mother and grandmothers’ kitchens— where she claims to have learned to make anything from a buttermilk biscuit to a beef Wellington.
As a busy mother of four, Muscle Shoals native April Clayton knew the struggle to find the time to plan and prepare meals for her family. She dreamed of starting a business that would provide families with home-cooked meals, and when she was asked to make meals to sell, she jumped at the opportunity. What started as a take-home meal service quickly grew into event catering, and in February 2017, April and her business partner and husband, Kyle, opened Southern Skillet Catering in their hometown. Most recently, April competed on Season 2 of hit show, Next Level Chef. She describes it as “the experience of a lifetime.” Beef is April’s ingredient of choice, and she wants to share new ways to bring it to the family table. Follow April, and her journey on Next Level Chef, here — Chef April- Next Level Chef Season 2 and Southern Skillet Catering.
Troy native Ricky Albright has mastered the art of making mouthwatering food and social media reels. A first-generation cattleman, the self-taught grillmaster and award-winning BBQ champion has a great love for all things barbecue. His go-to style is open-fire cooking because he loves how it brings friends and family together in fellowship. His cooking journey began when he was a child watching his father grill on the Big Green Egg. Ricky has a deep appreciation for farmers and knows firsthand the hard work and labor that goes into growing produce and raising cattle. A lover of all meats, at the end of the day he says, “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.” Follow Ricky on his platform— Iron Fire Cooking.
County Spotlights
More than 300 sixth graders from five different Geneva County schools attended a cattle class on Tuesday— hosted by the Geneva County Cattlemen’s Association — and learned about cattle production, by-products of cattle, and the different career opportunities in the beef industry. Students also received lessons on tagging, sustainability, cattle breeds, and vital skills needed in the industry. Learn more about the event here.
Elmore County Cattlemen hosted a steak sandwich sale on Saturday, February 4 to benefit the Elmore County Disaster Relief Fund, which has been assisting victims of the recent tornadoes. The organization raised more $15,000 for the local fund. We are so proud of the charitable work Elmore County Cattlemen’s has done in its community!
YOUNG CATTLEMEN’S LEADERSHIP PROGRAM, APPS OUT NOW!
Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program (YCLP) Class X applications are now available online and will close March 15. The YCLP is funded by the Alabama Beef Checkoff and serves to develop young leaders in the state cattle industry. There will be six (6) YCLP sessions for a select group of young cattlemen between the ages of 22 and 40 looking to take on more leadership and responsibility within the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association and its county affiliates. Participants will network with other young cattlemen, tour diverse cattle operations, and develop advocacy and leadership skills as it relates to beef cattle production— all while learning more about the industry we represent. Applications and additional program details can be found at www.BamaBeef.org/YCLP, or by contacting YCLP Coordinator Reid McGuire at 334-265-1867.
The YCLP Advisory Council is also accepting applications for alumni of classes 4, 7 and 9. The application and further information can be found at www.BamaBeef.org/Council.
UPCOMING JUNIOR CATTLEMEN EVENTS
Registration is open for the 8th Annual Southeastern Livestock Exposition Youth & Collegiate Livestock Judging Contest on Wednesday, March 8 in Montgomery, AL. Interested teams can learn more and register online at www.SLERodeo.com/JudgingContest.
We also invite junior cattlemen from across the state to mark their calendars for our 2023 Spring Youth Field Day. The FREE educational event is sponsored by the Alabama Beef Checkoff Program and will be held on Wednesday, April 12 at Stockdale Farms in Munford, AL. Activities will include a farm tour, live cattle grading, weed identification and control, temporary fencing and more! Be on the lookout for registration, beginning in March!
2023 ALABAMA JUNIOR & SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL BEEF COOK-OFF
The Alabama Junior & Senior High School Beef Cook-off is in the works! The 2023 state contest will take place on April 14, 2023 at Jefferson State University in Birminham, AL. In order to qualify for the state competition, contestants must have won a county competition. Registration for the statewide cook-off closes Monday, March 20. More information, including rules and registration can be found here.
LMA Scholarship Opportunity
The Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) is pleased to announce the release of a new scholarship program. With the goal of investing in the next generation, the program is designed to award five (5), $2500 scholarships to individuals that are interested in or display knowledge of the importance of the agriculture industry and its supporting entities, with plans to use their career to advocate for or advance the livestock marketing industry.
Applicants must be a graduating high school senior and/or currently enrolled at an accredited, postsecondary institution and maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher. A letter of recommendation from an active LMA member must accompany the application at the time of submission. LMA members may not recommend more than two (2) applicants for the LMA scholarship in the same academic year.
Applications will remain open until March 31, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. Following the deadline, scholarship applications will be reviewed by a panel of LMA leadership, LMA membership and allied-industry relations. For more information on the LMA Scholarship Program, visit https://lmaweb.vercel.app/About/scholarships.
NCBA DC OFFICE SEEKING FALL 2023 INTERNS
NCBA is seeking public policy interns for the fall 2023 semester. This internship program is conducted in conjunction with the Public Lands Council (PLC) and offers interns an opportunity to support the advocacy work of NCBA and PLC in Washington, D.C. Successful applicants should have a minimum GPA of 3.0, be available for the duration of the internship (September 2023 – December 2023) in Washington, D.C., and have excellent research, writing, and communication skills. Applications are available on NCBA’s website and are due by Friday, March 24, 2023. Questions about the internship program may be directed to Justyn Tedder.
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