MARCH 2023 MEMBERSHIP REPORT
The ACA is proud to represent 8,014 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.
As many county meetings have happened across the state, we’d like to remind county leaders to send in updated leadership names and contact information to Jessica Kennedy. This is an important step in leadership transition as new presidents and secretaries need to be added to our mailing and emailing lists for important state updates and news! For example, the second membership dues notice will go out the first part of April. Please check your email to confirm your county contact information for those remittances. We encourage you to input any memberships you’ve already gotten in the system so that they don’t receive another notice on the next round!
Legislative Update
The month of March brought the start to the 2023 Legislative Session, convening with over 30 new members between the two chambers. To begin the session, Governor Kay Ivey called a special session during her “State of the State” address to Alabamians to address how the state would spend the 2nd traunch of funds allocated by the federal government from the American Rescue Plan Act. The more than $2 billion was approved for sewer and water infrastructure, broadband and public health.
Following the special session, the legislature reconvenes for the remainder of the regular session. They finished up three legislative days last week and were on spring break this week. The Governor’s budgets were released with the Education Trust Fund starting in the Senate and the General Fund starting in the House of Representatives. Both budgets include several programs that are focused on agriculture including funding for a livestock judging coach and youth livestock specialist at Auburn University. The ACA will also be working on a bill related to tax exemption of fencing materials this session which will be dropping in the coming weeks.
Beef Checkoff Council, Set to Meet
The Beef Checkoff Council holds the 1st quarter meeting tomorrow. The group will be reviewing and approving the 2022 audited financials for the National Beef Checkoff and State Beef Checkoff. The council will also receive updates from the staff on beef checkoff activities. Being that this is the first meeting of the quarter, the members will get an orientation to review the flow of the beef checkoff dollars and how programs are funded. The following people serve on the council this year either by appointment or by position with an entity:
- Terry Slaten, Federation Chair
- Richard Meadows, ACA Treasurer
- Michael Jordan, ALMA Presdient
- Henrietta Gibson, ACWA President
- Chris Prevatt, ALFA
- Bob Plaster, ADAI
- Brenda Glover, Producer
- Nathan Lipscomb, Producer
- Erin Duke, Producer
- Chris Bell, Producer
- Steven Smith, Producer
- Barney Wilborn, At-Large
- Linda Godfrey, At-Large
- Teresa Long, At-Large
- Rob Renfroe, At-Large
SLE Rodeo- What a Year!
The Southeastern Livestock Exposition held it’s 66th annual SLE Rodeo March 17-19 at the Garrett Coliseum. This event ranks in the top 60 of over 700 rodeos in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), making it part of the NFR Playoff Series! John Harrison (reigning PRCA Clown of the Year) brought the laughs, and Frontier Rodeo Company (8X and reigning PRCA Stock Contractor of the Year) brought their top-notch bucking stock. Cowboys came from all over, including Australia and Canada, to compete at the SLE Rodeo. Among the almost 23,000 rodeo fans who bought a ticket to come, we even had fans from Ukraine and Ireland in attendance! This was definitely a can’t-miss event. To learn more about the payout for these cowboys and cowgirls, check out this link: Southeastern Livestock Exposition | PRCA Sports News (prorodeo.com)
The SLE Rodeo and Livestock Week, from March 8-19, hosted a number of events including the Junior Livestock Judging Contest, Miss SLE Rodeo pageant, PRCA youth rodeo clinic, two-day SLE Youth Rodeo Showdown, three-day Alabama Stock Horse Show and Clinic, three-day SLE Team Roping, Junior Beef Expo, Junior Dairy Expo, Junior Swine Expo, Miracle Rodeo, Shackelford Lane concert, and several children’s events which were open to the public. The Southeastern Livestock Exposition is incredibly proud of the impact made on Alabama’s youth who are involved in agriculture. To learn more about the SLE history and mission, visit History (slerodeo.com).
We want to say a sincere THANK YOU to everyone who was involved in the SLE Rodeo and Livestock Week. We can’t wait to do it again in 2024!
Youth Events During the Rodeo
You may not know this, but the Southeastern Livestock Exposition exists to support Alabama youth in agriculture! They do this in a variety of ways throughout the year, but nothing shines more brightly than the events during SLE Livestock Week. It all kicked off with the 8th Annual SLE Livestock Judging Contest. More than 330 contestants competed across four age divisions— from junior high to collegiate. Congratulations to all winners and thanks to volunteers from SLE, Auburn University, FFA, and ACES for making this event a success!
Also, youth from across Alabama competed in the Junior Beef Expo, Junior Swine Expo and the Junior Dairy Expo— a new event to the SLE Week line-up. We paused on Saturday from the show ring to recognize the 91 youth from 46 counties who were awarded a $250 scholarship from the Poarch Band of Creek Indians (PBCI). This monetary prize recognizes their involvement in youth livestock activities.
Chairman Mike Rogers Fundraiser
On March 14, we were honored to host a brunch for U.S. Representative Mike Rogers at our headquarters in downtown Montgomery. During the fundraising event, Chairman Rogers updated those in attendance on what to expect with the 2023 Congress. He reported on federal budgets, armed services and fielded questions from the crowd. We continue to be proud to have a venue that can host our legislators and friends when they’re in town!
2023 AJCA Spring Youth Field Day
The 2023 AJCA Spring Production Field Day will be held Wednesday, April 12 at Stockdale Farms in Munford, AL. Topics will include live cattle grading, weed id and control, and temporary fence. Attendees will also get a tour of Stockdale Farms. Alabama Farm Credit will be on hand with information and giveaways as well! Register by April 7 for this FREE educational event at www.BamaBeef.org/FieldDay.
Beasley Named 2023 Woman Who Shapes the State
For 10 years, This is Alabama— an affiliate of Alabama Media Group— has honored women who are shaping our state in big ways. This year, 25 honorees were celebrated at a luncheon on March 8 at The Club in Birmingham. Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Executive Vice President Erin Beasley was named in the cohort of 2023 honorees.
“When I think about the one thing I wish I’d known earlier in my career, my mind goes straight to the importance of your network,” she said. “I can remember hearing this all of the time in college, but it did not really sink until I started my career. Everything revolves around your network and who you know. In my world, we do a lot of problem-solving and issues management for our membership. The best thing I have in my toolbelt is knowing who I need to call to try and help our members. Your network can also really help you when looking for a job or if you are in a position to hire people. As you build out your network, it is very important to leave people with a good impression of your work and never burn a bridge if you can help it.”
Congratulations, Erin, on this achievement! Thank you for all you do for Alabama’s beef cattle industry.
ACA- Now Hiring!
The Alabama Cattlemen’s Association is seeking to hire a Director of Consumer Outreach. Learn more about the position and how to apply at www.BamaBeef.org/Staff.
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.
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