2023 Alabama Beef Checkoff Referendum
Alabama Law (Act No. 280, Legislature of Alabama 1961) requires a statewide vote of cattle owners every five years to continue the voluntary Alabama beef checkoff program. On August 24, 2023, the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association will conduct this referendum from 8AM – 4PM at all County Extension Offices statewide. Learn more about the Alabama Beef Checkoff at www.BamaBeef.org/Vote.
Who can vote?
All Alabama cattle owners, no age restrictions apply.
When is the vote?
Thursday, August 24
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Where can I vote?
County Extension Offices
Click here to find your county office
The Alabama Beef Checkoff Program is a self-help program for cattle producers that works to increase consumer beef demand and provide opportunities for youth development, research and educational programs for cattlemen in the state. A perfect example of a state-checkoff funded program is the AJCA Round-Up, which welcomed 120 youth competitors to town for a week of educational and fun beef industry contests (read more below), and BEEF 101, which teaches culinary students, nutritionists and other consumer “influencers” about the beef cattle lifecycle through a live animal evaluation and carcass fabrication. Without the State Beef Checkoff, these programs would not exist.
The program is not mandatory as producers who do not wish to participate can request refund on the state beef checkoff assessment.
2023 AJCA Round-Up
A fun weekend was had by all for the 17th annual Alabama Junior Cattlemen’s Association (AJCA) Round-Up in Montgomery July 20th-23rd! One hundred and twenty competitors took to Garrett Coliseum to showcase their best agricultural skills through contests including livestock judging, salesmanship, essays, photography, record books, showmanship, cooking, team grooming and the main event – cattle showing. Youth also elected the 2023-2024 AJCA Board of Directors, who will work to plan the 2024 AJCA Round-Up and other educational events for the coming year.
The newly-elected officers and Board of Directors for the AJCA are:
President – Alyvia Watson, Mobile County
Vice President – Abby Burgess, Blount County
Secretary – Lyndee Meadows, Randolph County
Treasurer – Ashbee Norman, Montgomery County
Ex-Officio– Russell Jordan, Clay County
District 1 Director – Amelia Thrower, Marshall County
District 2 Director – Shae McCain, Clay County
District 3 Director – Gus Ashley, Montgomery County
District 4 Director – Annabelle Wesley, Pike County
At-Large Director – Rex Harrison, Cullman County
At-Large Director – Faith Dillard, Geneva County
If you are interested in getting involved with the AJCA, please visit the association webpage here: www.BamaBeef.org/AJCA
Membership Report
Following the June 30 “Over the Top” County deadline, we are THRILLED to report that we had 30 counties go “Over the Top” to earn their president an iconic ACA red coat! They are: Barbour, Bullock, Calhoun, Coffee, Colbert, Conecuh, Coosa, Crenshaw, Cullman, Dale, Elmore, Escambia, Geneva, Hale, Jackson, Jefferson, Lawrence, Limestone, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Monroe, Montgomery, Pike, Russell, Shelby, St Clair, Talladega, Wilcox, Winston counties.
Big congrats to these counties and THANK YOU for your incredible grassroots efforts! Membership is the lifeblood of our organization, and we wouldn’t be who we are without you. Don’t forget- if you’re one of the counties listed on the list above, be sure to get your president’s coat size and secretary’s shirt size submitted to Jessica Kennedy at our office.
In other membership news, Jessica is working diligently to upload archived membership files dating back, sporadically, to the 1970s. These are lists of state reports, by county, so if you ever need to access historical county data, Jessica just may be able to help!
On one final note, state board members, be sure to save the date and RSVP for the August 10 State Board of Directors meeting. Email Jessica
Alabama’s Congressional District Map in the Federal Court’s Hands
The Second Special Session of the 2023 Alabama Legislature occurred July 17-21, and your ACA lobbyist team were on site to keep an eye on legislative activities. This special session was a result of the June 8 U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding the ruling of a lower court claiming Alabama’s 2021 map— which features one majority Black district out of seven— violates the Voting Rights Act (VRA).
As of Friday, July 21, Governor Kay Ivey has signed a new map into law. It now lies in the hands of a federal courts to decide if it meets the strict requirements of the VRA. If not, a court-ordered demographer will draw Alabama’s congressional district lines on behalf of the State.
The new map, a result of a House and Senate conference committee — can be viewed here, alongside a comparison from the 2021 map. Most notable on the new map, District 7 remains the only majority Black district, while in District 2, the Black voting age population (BVAP) was increased from 30% to 40%, which Republican leaders believe will satisfy the court by creating an “opportunity district” in which Black voters have an opportunity to elect a candidate of their choice.
Another note worth mentioning, the new map— if approved— will not put any two incumbents in the same district in the next election cycle.
Bainbridge Block Party Brings Fun to Downtown
Almost 400 folks visited Bainbridge Street on Tuesday, July 11 for the Bainbridge Block Party. Live music, burgers, chicken wings, and a fantastic farmers market were enjoyed as attendees learned more about the agriculture entities housed on Bainbridge Street in Montgomery. This event would not have been possible without our co-hosts and friends from Sweet Grown Alabama, Alabama Poultry & Egg Association and the Alabama Forestry Association!
SLE News
Southeastern Livestock Exposition members have been busy this summer offering assistance with different Alabama Cattlemen’s Association events including the Bainbridge Block Party and AJCA Round-Up. Staffer Sarah Hunter is spending the last week of July out west visiting rodeos in Utah and Wyoming to network with contract personnel and take notes on how other rodeo committees structure their events.
The SLE is continually striving to improve and make the SLE Rodeo and Livestock Week the best it can possibly be. Mark your calendars and join us at the Garrett Coliseum next year: March 15-17, 2024!
Black Vulture Depredation Sub-Permit
Livestock producers experiencing depredation from black vultures may now apply for a no cost Black Vulture Depredation Sub-Permit through the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries. All approved applicants will be allowed to take up to three black vultures as long as the statewide take number has not exceeded 500. Approved applicants must report each take within 48 hours. If 500 vultures are harvested in the state, applicants will receive an email notifying them that no more vultures may be taken during the permit period. For more information, visit agi.alabama.gov.
AADA
The Alabama Agricultural Development Authority (AADA) is now accepting applications for low interest loans intended to support meat and poultry processing businesses in Alabama. Loans can be used to purchase or construct new facilities, expand existing facilities, purchase new equipment, cover start-up costs and hire additional employees.
Phase I applications are now open and will close September 14. For more information and loan application details, visit www.agi.alabama.gov/news/usda/mpilp.