18th Annual AJCA Round-UP
The 18th Annual AJCA Round-Up was held July 18-21 at the Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery. More than 125 youth competed in educational contests and exhibited 143 head of cattle. The event also featured industry-renown agricultural spokesperson Amanda Radke with an inspiring talk on preparing young people for the workforce and life. This event is sponsored by the Alabama Beef Checkoff, Alabama Cattlemen’s Foundation, as well as funding from the Alabama Legislature and generous donors throughout the state. Thanks to all who made this premier youth livestock event happen! Look for extended coverage in the September issue of the Alabama Cattleman magazine.
For now, we would like to highlight the show champions and the newly-elected AJCA Board of Directors. Congrats to all!
Bred & Owned Top 5 Heifers:
Supreme: Lou Lou Thompson, Pike County
Reserve Supreme: Brooklyn Price, Lee County
3rd Overall: Makayla Waler, Madison County
4th Overall: Amelia Thrower, Marshall County
5th Overall: Brooklyn Price, Lee County
Top 5 Heifers:
Supreme: Camden Upchurch, Clay County
Reserve Supreme: Annabelle Wesley, Pike County
3rd Overall: Laura-Landers Franklin, Marshall County
4th Overall: Olivia Maddox, DeKalb County
5th Overall: Claire Smith, Chilton County
Top 5 Prospect Market:
Champion: Kane Fallin, Blount County
Reserve Champion: Mason Smith, Marshall County
3rd Overall: Jessi Maples, Lee County
4th Overall: Caleb Cook, Autauga County
5th Overall: Mason Smith, Marshall County
Progress Market:
Champion: London Steele, Mobile County
Reserve Champion: Emma King Armstrong, Dale County
Bulls:
Grand Champion: Brooklyn Price, Lee County
Reserve Champion: Camden Upchurch, Clay County
2024-2025 AJCA Board of Directors:
President- Amelia Thrower, Marshall County
Vice President- Annabelle Wesley, Pike County
Secretary- Lyndee Meadows, Randolph County
Treasurer- Abby Burgess, Blount County
Ex Officio- Alyvia Watson, Mobile County
District 2- Shae McCain, Clay County
District 3- Lily Smith, Chilton County
District 3 – Gus Ashley, Montgomery County
At-Large- Rex Harrison, Cullman County
At-Large- Cooper Burgess, Blount County
Trash Pandas Ag Night
ACA Director of Consumer Outreach Josie Jones joined members of the Madison County Cattlemen’s Association to promote beef as part of the Alabama Farm Credit Ag Night at the Rocket City Trash Pandas’ baseball game on July 11. Fans had the opportunity to visit with a variety of agriculture groups from across Alabama to learn about local farms and food production during this home run event!
Mullenix Named Head of AU Department of Animal Sciences
Contributed: Auburn University
Dr. Kim Mullenix will serve as the next head of the Auburn University Department of Animal Sciences, effective Aug. 19. She has been a member of the department’s faculty since 2014, currently serving as an associate professor, Extension beef systems specialist and program team coordinator for the Alabama Extension Animal Science and Forages Team.
Mullenix said her goals for the department include seeing it become a regional leader in animal agriculture research and a premier information source for animal science practices. She also plans to work with the department to foster a dynamic learning environment for students while engaging alumni, stakeholders and students throughout the department, the College of Agriculture and the university.
Mullenix earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in animal sciences from Auburn and a doctorate in agronomy from the University of Florida.
As department head, she will succeed Wayne Greene, who has served in the role since 2005 and is returning to a research and teaching position in the department.
OVER THE TOP Membership Update
We are proud to report that we are OVER THE TOP, representing 10,078 members! We are grateful for the grassroots efforts of our county organizations and look forward to another year of membership advocacy alongside you!
Congratulations to the counties who went Over the Top by deadline, earning their presidents an iconic ACA red coat: Bibb, Bullock, Butler, Chambers, Cherokee, Choctaw, Clarke, Coffee, Conecuh, Covington, Crenshaw, Cullman, Dale, Dallas, Dekalb, Franklin, Geneva, Greene, Hale, Henry, Jefferson, Lauderdale, Limestone, Lowndes, Madison, Marengo, Mobile, Pike, Randolph, Russell, St Clair, Sumter, Washington, Wilcox and Winston counties!
2024 REGIONAL CATTLEMEN’S COOKOUTS
The 2024 Regional Cattlemen’s Cookouts kicked off in June, and the ACA and its officers would like to thank everyone who joined us in Scottsboro, Oxford and Greensboro, Wetumpka, Russellville and Ozark! In addition to dinner and a state office update, this year’s events featured the 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.
The last remaining meeting will be held in southwest Alabama in conjunction with the Gulf Coast Cattlemen’s Conference on August 9 in Atmore. Beginning at 8AM, attendees can enjoy an excellent conference agenda, then lunch will host the Cattlemen’s Cookout and Producer Profitability Initiative.
It’s not too late to register. Visit the conference website and sign up today!
Educators Conference
ACA Director of Field Services Reid McGuire and Director of Consumer Outreach Josie Jones enjoyed time spent with Alabama culinary, nutrition, and agriculture educators at the Alabama CTE Summer Professional Development Conference in Mobile July 24-26! During this event, staffers led Alabama Beef Checkoff Program resource sessions, participated in a workforce development panel, and provided beef education materials before teachers head back to the classroom in August.
CMOR
While we are fortunate to have received a great deal of rain across the state in recent weeks, in Alabama, we are never more than 10 days away from a drought. The Alabama State Climate Office needs your “boots on the ground” data to ensure your area’s drought status is accurately represented on the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) Map. These maps are crucial for producers, because some USDA relief funding is contingent upon the USDM. Start capturing that data now to avoid being up against deadlines this fall!
Submit feedback through the Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) software now by visiting https://tinyurl.com/CMOR-2024
AGA Conference
ACA Director of Consumer Outreach Josie Jones attended the 2024 Alabama Grocers Association Annual Show in Destin, July 29-30, to network with retail partners and provide beef resources for consumer education, marketing support, and employee training. This event is always a highlight of the summer not only because of its fun atmosphere, but because it is a great platform to visit with the grocery retail sector of the beef industry from across the state all in one, convenient location!
Beef 101
The Beef 101 program for this fall semester opened for registration on July 24 during the Alabama CTE Summer Professional Development Conference and over 280 students are already enrolled to participate in the pasture to plate educational sessions over the next four months! If you know any culinary or nutrition classes, agriculture educators, or others interested in this program, please contact ACA Director of Consumer Outreach Josie Jones at josie@bamabeef.org for more information.
October Beef Month
October is Beef Month in Alabama, and the festivities are quickly approaching! This year marks 60 years of Beef Month, so we want to celebrate BIG across the state. The county associations are encouraged to begin considering how they can promote beef consumption this October in their communities. If ideas or promotional items are needed, please contact ACA Director of Consumer Outreach Josie Jones at josie@bamabeef.org for assistance.
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.
CATTLE CONNECT PODCAST, TUNE IN TODAY!
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, and at www.BamaBeef.org/Podcast. Tune in on your favorite streaming platform today to catch up on the first 23 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 filling up with county cattlemen’s, youth and Extension activities as we look toward the summer months. Check it daily to make sure you don’t miss an event near you!
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