Alabama Legislative Session Update
April held two key events for the association as it pertains to the legislature. First, on April 9, members of the Alabama BEEF PAC Club gathered for our 2024 “Steak & Spirits” Legislative Reception. A great turnout from both the House and Senate, the night buzzed with great fellowship between cattlemen and lawmakers. Then, in the morning hours of April 24, the Legislative Breakfast hosted a crowd for beef tenderloin prepared by ACA, omelets whipped up by our friends at Alabama Poultry & Egg Association, homemade biscuits by Sen. Gerald Allen and pancakes by Sen. Jack Williams and Sen. David Sessions.
Now, with only six more days to convene in the 2024 Alabama Legislative Session, here are some updates on legislation your ACA governmental affairs team has been following.
Livestock Fencing Tax Exemption
SB 73— which would exempt fencing materials purchased with the intent to contain livestock from sales and use taxes— has received final passage and is headed across the street to the Governor’s office for signature into law. The bill made it through the process with a few friendly amendments. Those amendments would (1) require purchasers to sign an affidavit at the time of sale verifying they are, in fact, livestock owners (2) cap gross sales to $25,000 per livestock owner annually and (3) place a sunset on the bill to review its overall impact in five fiscal years and either continue its function or “sunset it.” Thank you to our bill sponsors for their effort to see this through! They were Sen. Jack Williams in the Senate and Rep. Danny Crawford in the House.
Carcass Disposal
SB 202, sponsored by Sen. Josh Carnley, has moved quickly through the hallways of the State House. The legislation would amend disposal laws relating to deceased livestock to allow the Department of Agriculture and Industries Board to adopt rules for disposal as new technologies— such as composting and incineration— emerge. The Senate version now awaits a pick on the House Special Order Calendar, while its companion (HB 297 sponsored by Rep. Matthew Hammett) has also passed House Ag Committee and is awaiting its time on the House floor.
Livestock Liability
SB 164 sponsored by Sen. Randy Price would provide protections against liability for cattle producers who host events on their farm and opt to display defined signage, in the event of an accident. SB 164 has passed through the Senate and is moving through the House.
Real Property Tax Assessment
Rep. Phillip Pettus’ HB 73 and Sen. David Sessions’ companion bill, SB 110, are designed to cap ad valorem tax hikes on Class III (agricultural) properties in a given year during the county reappraisal process. Originally written with a 3% cap on Class III properties, a House floor amendment raised the cap to 7%, and it passed out of the House. Work is being done to negotiate amendments that would make this legislation more friendly to property owners.
As 2024 Alabama Legislative Session Sine Die approaches, the ACA governmental affairs team will have an eye on these pieces of legislation, and others, to protect the business climate of the beef industry in Alabama. If you ever have questions or concerns, please call our office and ask to speak with Erin Beasley or Kayla Greer.
BEEF 101
Beef 101 was attended by almost 100 high school students from seven different schools across Alabama during April! During this one-day, free class (thanks to the Alabama Beef Checkoff Program), attendees learn about beef production from pasture to plate, current industry hot topics and the role the cattle industry plays in Alabama’s economy. Additionally, a carcass fabrication demonstration educated students and teachers about where beef cuts come from and how to prepare them correctly. If you are a teacher or parent interested in bringing a group during the fall 2024 semester, please contact Director of Consumer Outreach Josie Jones at josie@bamabeef.org or (334)265-1867 to get on the waitlist for fall dates.
MEMBERSHIP REPORT
The ACA is aiming to go Over the Top again in 2024— help us get over 10,000 members! We are proud to report that as of today, we represent 8,647 members. We are grateful for the grassroots efforts of our county organizations and look forward to another year of membership advocacy alongside you!
Membership Deadlines to Remember
Remember, the Over the Top County Chapter deadline to earn your president a coveted ACA red coat is June 30. Also, the Spring Board is May 9. Board members, be sure to RSVP by May 3 to Director of Membership Jessica Kennedy.
County Meetings
As most counties across Alabama have held local chapter membership meetings, we encourage county leaders to send in updated officer information following the meeting. Submit the names and contact information of your county president and secretary to Jessica Kennedy so they can be added to our correspondence list for upcoming meetings and pertinent membership information!
Membership Mail Outs
The second (of three) membership remittance mail outs has hit mailboxes! County secretaries are encouraged to be on the lookout for those coming in and input them promptly to ensure that members continue to receive their exclusive benefits without lapse!
NCBA Legislative Conference
Cattlemen leaders trekked to our nation’s Capitol this week to attend the 2024 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Legislative Conference and participate in federal advocacy efforts. While on the Hill, ACA officers Dr. Terry Slaten, Keith Glover and Wyatt Sasser joined staffer Erin Beasley and NCBA/ACA member Jim Riddle on office visits with Sen. Katie Britt, Sen. “Coach” Tommy Tuberville, Rep. Mike Rogers, Rep. Gary Palmer, Rep. Robert Aderholt, and the staffs of Rep. Terri Sewell and Rep. Barry Moore. While visiting, ACA leaders discussed current funding packages, Farm Bill priorities and tax policies important to cattlemen.
Alabama Junior and Senior High School BEEF COOK-OFF
20 students from across Alabama gathered to represent their counties during the 2024 Alabama Junior and Senior High School Beef Cook-off at the Riverchase Career Connection Center on April 12. While the judges sampled dishes, participants enjoyed two educational sessions pertaining to the beef industry. Chef Kenneth Moore of Jefferson State Culinary Institute welcomed students to the kitchen as he demonstrated methods of preparing a beef tenderloin while Regional Extension Agent Ali Gotcher gave a Pasture to Plate Beef Industry Overview. Jacob Fales of Fairview High School in Cullman County took home the Overall Best In Beef award with his dish – Best Filet Mignon.
Congratulations to all of our winners! If you are interested in hosting a county contest to determine a representative for the 2025 contest, please contact Director of Consumer Outreach Josie Jones at josie@bamabeef.org or (334) 265-1867 for more information and resources.
2024 Regional Cattlemen’s Cookouts
Save the date for 2024 Regional Cattlemen’s Cookouts, coming to a location near you this summer! In addition to dinner and a state office update, this year’s events will feature Livestock Marketing Association’s Producer Profitability Initiative, a grassroots movement started and led by cattle producers who have a vision to create a sustainable future for the American livestock industry. Learn more and find the meeting nearest you: tinyurl.com/2024CattlemenCookouts
Meals are FREE to current ACA members. Guest plates are $25/adult, $15/child. RSVP now at tinyurl.com/Regional-Cookout-RSVP or by calling (334) 265-1867.
Southeast Alabama Agriculture Career Expo
Over 600 high school students from Geneva, Coffee, Houston, Dale, Covington, Crenshaw, Barbour, Henry, and Pike counties learned about the many occupations within the cattle industry and had the opportunity to discuss the importance of beef with an ACA representative as a part of the Southeast Alabama Agriculture Career Expo hosted by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System at Landmark Park in Dothan on April 18.
ALABAMA BEEF CHECKOFF COUNCIL
The Alabama Beef Checkoff Council gathered for their first meeting of 2024 on April 4. During this meeting, council members learned more about the function of the national and state beef checkoff programs and received an update from staffers on the programs approved for 2024.
Youth Production Field Days
The Alabama Junior Cattlemen’s Association (AJCA) held its North Alabama Spring Field Day on Wednesday, April 10 at the North Alabama Agri-Plex in Rainsville. Youth attendees enjoyed a BQA certification course, a roping demonstration and hands-on herd health activities. The south Alabama version of that same field day will be held in Andalusia on May 8 at the Covington Center Arena. Hop online and and get registered today! BamaBeef.org/FieldDay
Extension Workshops & Updates
Our friends at the Alabama Cooperative Extension System have quite the lineup of springtime and summer workshops. The East Alabama Beef and Forage Field Day will be held May 3 at EV Smith. This program is sponsored by the Alabama Beef Checkoff and will feature topics such as Cool Season Annual Ryegrass, Forage Variety Testing, Herbicide Options for Pastures and Hayfields, Weaning Research, Drought Monitoring for Cattlemen, and Invasive Wildlife.
On April 18th, ACA hosted the Southeast Beef Quality Assurance “Train the Trainer” event. Extension educators from five states and Puerto Rico came to the ACA building for lectures, followed by a trip to CK Cattle for training on teaching BQA.
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. 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 II applications are now open and will close June 14. For more information and loan application details, visit www.agi.alabama.gov/news/usda/mpilp.
CATTLE CONNECT PODCAST, TUNE IN TODAY!
The Cattle Connect podcast is proud to report that in less than 10 episodes, it has more than 1,000 listens! In January of this year, the Cattle Connect podcast hit streaming platforms to launch the 2024 season, and it airs weekly on Friday mornings at 7AM. Listen is as staff discusses beef industry news and explores the many facets of the ACA! This podcast is available on Apple Podcast, Spotify, YouTube and at www.BamaBeef.org/Podcast. So far this season has featured information on the history of the ACA, The MOOseum, ACA’s 2024 Legislative Priorities, a convention recap, the SLE Rodeo’s unique mission, Spring culinary activities, youth event highlights and introductions to some of our association leaders. Tune in on your favorite streaming platform today to catch up on the first 12 episodes and subscribe to get notifications when a new episode airs!
BAMA BEEF EVENTS CALENDAR
The Bama Beef Events Calendar (www.BamaBeef.org/Events) is beginning to fill up with county cattlemen’s, youth and Extension activities as we look toward the spring months. Check it daily to make sure you don’t miss an event near you!
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