Alabama Cattlemen's Association

What’s Going On Wednesday: January 9, 2019

Happy New Year!

With the first post of 2019 comes all sorts of updates from your Alabama Cattlemen’s Association. We hope you and your family had a blessed Christmas and New Year season and are settling back into a routine. For most of Alabama’s cattlemen, that routine is quite a muddy one. Yikes! Fortunately a few sunny days have re-brightened spirits and begun to dry things up. While we wait for the mud to dry, take a breather to catch up with all that’s happening at the ACA this week- it’s a busy start to a new, exciting year!

76TH ANNUAL ACA CONVENTION & TRADE SHOW

We’re beefin’ up the ‘Ham…Birmingham, that is! Join us at the 2019 ACA Convention & Trade Show at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC) February 15-16, 2019. There are endless activities, learning opportunities and networking experiences awaiting your registration including dynamic and educational Cattlemen’s Colleges, a trade show with the industry’s elite equipment, tool and nutritional names, a menu of delicious beef meals and fun for the whole family at Friday evening’s Boots & BBQ event and Saturday’s Awards Banquet!

We look forward to the 76th annual ACA Convention and Trade Show, and you should too! REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN at www.BamaBeef.org/Convention or call Jessica today at (334) 265-1867. EARLY BIRD PRICING EXPIRES TOMORROW AT MIDNIGHT…DON’T WAIT! Mail-in forms are also available in your recent issue of the Alabama Cattleman or on the site listed above.

*Note to vendors: Ali Cantrell is now your trade show contact! Email Ali

County Annual Meetings Going Strong

We’ve enjoyed seeing the highlights from all the county meetings and loveto see the hard work of counties executed in their annual meeting. We look forward to many more still to come, which can be found on the Bama Beef Events Calendar. As a reminder, leading up to your county’s annual meeting, please contact Jessica Kennedy in our office to infor her of the date, time and location and to request a speaker! Remember, the earlier you get those dates to us, the earlier we can get them on our website and in the magazine!! Following the meeting, send Jessica any officer updates in order to update our system with corrected contact information for 2019. RVPs, we encourage you to reach out to your counties to let them know you plan to attend their meetings! That way, they can account for your meal.

ACA officers and staff are traveling across Alabama to attend meetings and are looking forward to visiting with YOU! This week, ACA Director of Education & Outreach Ali Cantrell will be attending the Limestone and Madison County meetings. She’s excited to see our north Alabama members!

As you’re collecting membership information to put into the system, remember how important phone numbers and email addresses are! It is essential to county leaders and to us here at the state to be able to contact our members when needed. It helps everyone in the long run. Also, as a reminder, the three-year member dues have changed to $120 with $82 coming back to the state office.

Goodbyes and New Faces

This week brought about one sad event in our office as we said goodbye to a loyal and hardworking staffer. As of Tuesday, Michael Agar is no longer on staff at the association as he has accepted a new position in his career journey. Here’s a note from Michael from his Facebook account:

“Toward the end of the year, I accepted a position as an outside sales representative with Cargill Feed & Nutrition covering a territory from Birmingham south to the Florida panhandle. While I am excited to begin a new chapter with Cargill, it has been a bittersweet ending to my time with the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association. I am surrounded by a fun, hardworking staff in Montgomery that have become family and truly made this decision difficult. This association has so many volunteers across the state that have been a blessing to me and while those relationships will change, they will not end. I look forward to continuing to build on those relationships as I advance in my career. Thank you for letting me grow with this association, and I look forward to seeing everyone at ACA Convention – just in a different hat!”

With that said, to help fill in the shoes he left behind as well as the shoes left temporarily vacant by staffer Kayla Greer- who is out on maternity leave with her new baby girl who arrived on Dec. 21- we have hired a spring intern, Stephanie Fuller. Stephanie comes to the ACA by way of Auburn University’s Department of Agricultural Economics and her hometown of Valley in Chambers County. Expect to see Stephanie’s face out and about, especially at our upcoming convention! Send Stephanie a welcome!

Inaugural Events at the ACA

Inauguration Day is January 14 here in Montgomery! We will have a lot of folks trekking in and out of the building, and hope to see you. Our parking lot is open for members, and we invite you to stop into the lobby of The MOOseum for refreshments before you head toward the festivities happening in the downtown area. The beef truck and trailer will be in the inaugural parade, so look out for us! If you or your children would like to participate in the parade with us, contact Ali Cantrell!

SLE Rodeo- Coming to Town!

The 62nd annual SLE Rodeo will come bucking back to town March 14-16 for the best show on dirt east of the Mississippi! Early Bird ticket sales are now available, so give Kara Coplin a call at 888-2RODEO2. To learn more about this year’s SLE Rodeo & Livestock Week, visit www.SLERodeo.com.

New Year. New You.

Have you started a New Year diet? Are you trying to shed a few of those wintertime pounds? Are you trying to build muscle to gain that more tones look? Don’t forget to add plenty of protein to your diet. Learn ways to do that by reading this month’s article written by Alabama Beef Checkoff Contract Registered Dietitian Elesha Ergle now live on the Bama Beef Blog. She’s offering great tips and recipes to kick start your weight loss and healthy lifestyle goals. Read the Article

Thanks for reading this week’s post! Until we post again, we want to remind you that you can stay in touch with us by following us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Power Through Your New Year Resolutions With Protein-Packed Beef

By Elesha Ergle, RDN

Well, it’s that time of year again.

All of us searching frantically for the magic potion to make us exercise and eat healthier. I will admit…I did spend January 1 trying to figure out how to get more protein in my kids’ diets and trying to explain to my 10-year-old boy how peanut butter is not the best sole source of protein. Protein is an essential nutrient that our bodies need retain and build lean body mass (muscle). At only 173 calories per 3 ounce serving, beef has a whopping 25 grams of protein, which is almost half of our daily value in one serving! To get 25 grams of protein from peanut butter, you would have to eat 6.5 tablespoons that would equal 613 calories. Curious about what 25 grams of protein looks like? Check out this page from Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner.

Beef Up Your Breakfast

Our grandparents would say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and I would agree. Not eating breakfast can cause you to over eat at other meals throughout the day. Start your day with these Beef and Egg Breakfast Mugs. Quick, easy, and so versatile! Let the kids decide what they want to add to their creation, and feel confident you’ve started the day with 21 grams of protein and only 181 calories.

Snack Attack

It’s 10 a.m. and your lunch break is still a couple of hours away. How can you incorporate beef at snack times? Try keeping a bag of your favorite flavor beef jerky nearby, or go for these tasty Beef Jerky Granola Bars.

Lift Those Leftovers for Lunch

Lunch time can be especially difficult during the work day. Fast food isn’t always a good option, and often we don’t have time to search out a healthy place to dine. Make a resolution to pack your lunch with healthy, protein-filled beef options. Revive your leftovers! Use steak in Steak and Bleu Cheese Wraps that are tasty and portable or hamburgers in Burger on a Salad. Your coworkers will be jealous of your tasty lunch creations!

Dinner…and Dessert!

Like they say, Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner! Keep your dinnertime routine going with this simple recipe for Tender Juicy Skirt Steak, or try this Low Calorie Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry. Keep your grill going during the colder months and grill sirloins, filets or lean beef burgers. Don’t deny yourself a small sweet treat occasionally. Try these Peanut Butter, Hazelnut Spread and Beef Jerky Cookies for an after-dinner treat that has 5 grams of protein per serving.

The key to maintaining your New Year resolutions is planning. Plan and pre-prep meals on the days when you aren’t as busy. Don’t set yourself up for failure by making resolutions that are too difficult to maintain; start slow, and know your schedule and limits. For more lean beef recipes, and more information on beef from pasture to plate, visit Beef It’s What’s For Dinner. Happy New Year!

This article was funded by the Alabama Beef Checkoff Progam. Paid for by Alabama beef farmers and ranchers.

What’s Going On Wednesday: December 12, 2018

Only a few more blogs before the year’s end. Where, oh where, did 2018 go? As we prepare to settle in for the holidays and take on a busy Christmas season, we want to take what fleeting last opportunities there are to bring you all the updates with what’s happening at the ACA. Keep reading to learn more.

76TH ANNUAL ACA CONVENTION & TRADE SHOW

We look forward to the 76th annual ACA Convention and Trade Show, and you should too! REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN at www.BamaBeef.org/Convention. Mail-in forms are also available in your December issue of the Alabama Cattleman or on the site listed above.

Farm Bill Watch

The Farm Bill passed out of conference committee on Monday and should be on the floor this week. Now is the time to get it across the finish line before Christmas, and Congress is being urged to “vote yes” on this important piece of legislation. Of note for cattlemen, the bill still includes an authorization for a Foot and Mouth Disease vaccine bank.

Producer & Consumer Communications

Stay tuned as this month wraps up a series of communication pieces that target beef consumers and Alabama beef producers. On Thursday, the final consumer e-newsletter of 2018 will hit over 10,000 inboxes across the state. Titled “Home for the Holidays,” you can bet this piece is all about the many ways to incorporate beef into your holiday plans. After Christmas, the fourth and final “Cattle Call” producer communication e-newsletter will blast and bring a quarterly wrap-up of all that has gone on in the Alabama beef cattle industry since October. If you would like to receive these newsletters, contact ACA Director of Social Media & Communications Kayla Greer.

Tis the season for county meetings

Also, as you’re collecting membership information to put into the system, remember how important phone numbers and email addresses are! It is essential to county leaders and to us here at the state to be able to contact our members when needed. It helps everyone in the long run. Also, as a reminder, the three-year member dues have changed to $120 with $82 coming back to the state office.

ADT Working Group

The Alabama Animal Disease and Traceability working group will meet on Friday to further discuss the advancement of animal disease traceability in Alabama. This fall USDA announced that states would no longer has access to metal ear tags beginning in January 2019 but would implement a cost sharing program on electronic identification tags.

Beef on ABC

On Tuesday, if you were in the Birmingham area, you may have seen ACA staffer Ali Cantrell on the ABC cooking segment at 9am. She cooked up a hearty pot roast and some Mexican beef sausage cornbread muffins from BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com to beef up the holiday season.

A VERY MOOEY CHRISTMAS

Each Christmas season, The MOOseum and the Alabama Beef Checkoff Program looks forward to a time of giving back to the community with a cowboy-themed MOOey Christmas event! Local care centers bring their classes for Christmas cookies, The MOOseum tours, a look at live animals and, of course, a sit on Cowboy Clause’s lap. This year we are excited to host this event on Friday, Dec. 21 and invite you to bring your little ones out to experience the magic of Christmas…with a Western flare!

SLE RODEO TICKETS

The 62nd annual SLE Rodeo will come bucking back to town March 14-16 for the best show on dirt east of the Mississippi! Elite and Premiere ticket sales are now available, so give Kara Coplin a call at 888-2RODEO2. Give the gift of rodeo this Christmas!!

Thanks for reading this week’s post! Until we post again, we want to remind you that you can stay in touch with us by following us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Give the Gift of Delicious Family Meals

By Elesha Ergle, RDN

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The movies, magic, gifts and the biggest part of it all…the stress. I love Christmas, but the stress it can bring with cooking, traveling, gift-buying, elf moving and decorating doesn’t seem worth it. We all spend plenty of time in the kitchen during the holidays, so here are some beefy, time-saving and stress-relieving ideas to help you manage your holidays.

Crowd Pleasers and Stress Relievers

We spend a lot of time in crowds during the holidays. Whether it’s church socials, school parties, work parties or family traditions, there is always some kind of gathering that requires our attendance. I love to take finger foods to parties or have plenty on-hand when hosting a gathering, and beef is the perfect, versatile ingredient that can make it all possible. Make several batches of these Cranberry Meatballs and then you will only need to reheat when you need them. And who doesn’t love a good dip? This Slow Cooked Reuben Dip is sure to be a crowd pleaser…and with a prep time of only 10 minutes, it will lighten your cooking load!

Christmas Morning

The kids are up at the crack of dawn and you’ve been up half the night assembling a trampoline that you wish you had paid the assembly fee. We’ve all been there. The last thing you want is to spend the following morning cooking breakfast. Prepare for Christmas morning by prepping ingredients for these Beef Sticky Buns a couple of days in advance. Then, on Christmas morning, all you have to do is assemble the sticky buns and bake. A much easier task than the trampoline, I assure you.

Traveling Home for the Holidays

So many of us travel to family during the holidays and don’t want to show up empty-handed. It seems like such a chore to get something prepared that we end up volunteering to bring rolls. Make your life easier by choosing dishes that can be prepped ahead of time and then cooked in a slow cooker or an electric pressure cooker (EPC). If you plan to take something that requires an oven, it will likely be full of other dishes. Carry your EPC or slow cooker with you and impress your family by bringing beef this year! Make your dish center stage with this amazing roast recipe using an EPC and all your family will want the recipe. No EPC? No problem! Use this recipe for the slow cooker version.

Visit Beef It’s What’s For Dinner for even more recipes, nutrition information and to learn all about beef from pasture to plate. Here’s to hoping your holidays are filled with love, joy, peace and plenty of beef!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

This article was funded by the Alabama Beef Checkoff Progam. Paid for by Alabama beef farmers and ranchers.

What’s Going On Wednesday: December 5, 2019

And just like that, it’s December! As we roll into the last year of the month and prepare for the holiday season ahead, we want to take what few opportunities are left to keep you updated with association and checkoff happenings. Keep reading to learn more about what’s happening this week…and stay warm out there!

76TH ANNUAL ACA CONVENTION & TRADE SHOW

We look forward to the 76th annual ACA Convention and Trade Show, and you should too! REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN at www.BamaBeef.org/Convention. Mail-in forms will be available in your December issue of the Alabama Cattleman or on the site listed above.

FFA Joint Leadership Development Conference

AJCA President Michael Morrison and Clay County Cattlemen’s Vice President Mike Morrison joined staffer Michael Agar as they set up a booth in the FFA section at theJoint Leadership Development Conference (JLDC) in Birmingham. Michael engaged youth attendees by educating them on beef cattle retail cuts and where they come from on the live animal. He also discussed beef by-products and promoted AJCA membership and events.

NEW YEAR ADVERTISING SPECIAL

Listen up, advertisers! You’ll want to hear this! The Alabama Cattleman magazine is offering a discounted rate in the January and February issues if you reserve a full-page, four-color ad in both issues. The February issue is also our convention ssue and will be distributed at convention in addition to the regular mailing. If you are interested in reserving a full page color ad in both of these issues at the reduced rate of $850 per insertion, contact Production Coordinator Nicky Bechard by THIS FRIDAY, December 7th. P.S.- This is a $150 savings!

COUNTY MEETINGS NEAR & FAR

We’ve enjoyed seeing the highlights from all the county meetings and love to see the hard work of counties executed in their annual meeting. We look forward to many more still to come, which can be found on the Bama Beef Events Calendar. As a reminder, leading up to your county’s annual meeting, please contact Jessica Kennedy in our office to inform her of the date, time and location and to request a speaker! Remember, the earlier you get those dates to us, the earlier we can get them on our website and in the magazine!! Following the meeting, send Jessica any officer updates in order to update our system with corrected contact information for 2019.

Stay Tuned…for BEEF!

If you’re in the Birmingham area, tune in next Tuesday to the ABC station to see ACA staffer Ali Cantrell on the cooking segment at 9am. She will be cooking up a hearty pot roast and some Mexican beef sausage cornbread muffins from BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com to beef up the holiday season.

A VERY MOOEY CHRISTMAS

SLE RODEO TICKETS

The 62nd annual SLE Rodeo will come bucking back to town March 14-16 for the best show on dirt east of the Mississippi! Rodeo ticket sale open up for Elite Buyers on Tuesday, Dec. 4 so if you qualify, give Kara Coplin a call at 888-2RODEO2. Don’t forget to save the dates!

Thanks for reading this week’s post! Until we post again, we want to remind you that you can stay in touch with us by following us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

What’s Going On Wednesday: November 28, 2018

‘Tis the season for a very Merry Cowboy Christmas!

We are settling down for the holidays here at the ACA, but not before we check our list twice and make sure all is silent before the big night! Ok, ok….enough with the Christmas puns.

We hope you and yours had a wonderful, filling Thanksgiving Day celebration and have traded out your fall leaves and turkeys for garland and prime rib! It’s the most wonderful time of the year…because beef is the centerpiece at holiday tables everywhere! We’ll be promoting beef for the holidays and closing in on the 2018 year over the next month, so keep reading to learn more about what’s going on at the ACA this week.

76th annual aca convention & trade Show

New Year Advertising Special

Screenshot 2018-01-10 10.57.02 Listen up, advertisers! You’ll want to hear this! The Alabama Cattleman magazine is offering a discounted rate in the January and February issues if you reserve a full-page, four-color ad in both issues. The February issue is also our convention ssue and will be distributed at convention in addition to the regular mailing. If you are interested in reserving a full page color ad in both of these issues at the reduced rate of $850 per insertion, contact Production Coordinator Nicky Bechard by December 7th. P.S.- This is a $150 savings!

County Meetings Near & Far

Unknown-5 On Tuesday, Ali Cantrell attended the Blount County Annual Meeting about checkoff programs and Association updates. She reported a great meeting and one where she had the opportunity to meet and talk with new members of Blount County and explain how their checkoff dollars are being utilized. Ali will continue on her county meeting train on Thursday as she attends the Lowndes County Annual Meeting.

Unknown-6 We’ve enjoyed seeing the highlights from the Talladega, Clay, Lauderdale, Lawrence and Butler county meetings and love to see the hard work of counties executed in their annual meeting. As a reminder, leading up to your county’s annual meeting, please contact Jessica Kennedy in our office to inform herof the date, time and location and to request a speaker! Remember, the earlier you get those dates to us, the earlier we can get them on our website and in the magazine!! Following the meeting, send Jessica any officer updates in order to update our system with corrected contact information for 2019.

Transportation Update: Extending the Electronic Logging Devices Delay for Livestock Haulers

TRUCKS Contributed: NCBA

Livestock haulers across the country are currently exempt from implementing electronic logging devices (ELDs). The question is: For how much longer? A few months ago, NCBA worked closely with allies in Congress to secure a temporary exemption through December 7, 2018. With less than 10 days to go before that exemption expires, NCBA has been making the rounds on Capitol Hill to remind lawmakers that a further extension is necessary.

“The livestock industry needs additional time to work with Congress and the Administration on a long-term solution to overly-restrictive Hours of Service rules,” said Executive Director of Government Affairs Allison Rivera. “Extending the ELD implementation delay for livestock haulers will give us more breathing room while that process moves forward.”

A draft fiscal year 2019 government spending bill includes a provision that would delay ELD implementation for livestock haulers until September 30, 2019. Keeping that provision included in any spending bill is an immediate priority. NCBA is also looking forward to further conversations with the Department of Transportation (DOT) on the recent petition that requests flexibility for livestock haulers on Hours of Service (HOS) requirements. Authored by industry groups including NCBA and the Livestock Marketing Association, the petition asks for increased drive time for livestock haulers and includes a plan for working with the DOT on additional fatigue-management practices. The petition has already garnered bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress (read the letters of support here and here). As a next step, DOT is expected to open a public comment period on the petition.

A VERY MOOEY CHRISTMAS

SLE RODEO TICKETS

MARKETING PLAN

As a result of this month’s Checkoff Task Force, executive committee and board of directors meetings, we are proud to report that the 2019 Alabama Beef Checkoff Marketing Plan has been approved. You can check out the marketing plan on the website now at www.BamaBeef.org/Checkoff.

Thanks for reading this week’s post! Until we post again, we want to remind you that you can stay in touch with us by following us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

What’s Going On Wednesday: November 21, 2018

We cattlemen are in a unique position. In a time of year when others are slowing down enough to stop and be grateful for their many blessings, we cattlemen don’t have to do that. You see, we cattlemen practice gratefulness every single day already. It’s basically in our job description. We’re thankful for each newborn healthy calf and each mama with a full bag. We’re thankful for sunshine, and we’re thankful for rain. We’re even thankful when it stops raining. We’re thankful for a barn full of hay; heck, we’re even thankful for leftover baling twine when the old chain around the gate decides to finally break. We’re thankful for each generation of children who work beside us, and we’re thankful for those who have gone on before us and paved our way in this industry. We’re thankful when the market prices are strong, and we’re thankful when a day of working cows goes smoothly. We’re thankful for sunrises, for sunsets, for green grass and for the natural ponds and waterways that paint our farms. We’re thankful for leather gloves when rusty fence posts are downed on a hot, summer day, and we’re thankful for a warm coat on frosty mornings when the cows still need to be fed. We’re thankful for old farm trucks, loyal dogs, the kind of neighbors you can only find in the South…the ones who would give us the shirt off their backs…and mostly, we’re thankful for the opportunity to live and work on the land with the animals our Good Lord gave us. If we’re not in the business of gratefulness, then what are we in?

Just like your long list of daily thanks, we here at the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association are thankful, too. We are thankful for you. We’re thankful for your work. We’re thankful for your leadership, and most importantly, we’re thankful for the impact you have in feeding our world. No matter where you enjoy your meal- whether it be around the table, in the seat of a harvester or far from the comforts of home- we send you and yours our warmest Thanksgiving wishes!

2019 ACA Convention & Trade Show

We look forward to the 76th annual ACA Convention and Trade Show, and you should too! Registration opens online Monday, November 26 at www.BamaBeef.org/Convention. Mail-in forms will be available in your December issue of the Alabama Cattleman or on the site listed above.

Budgets & Marketing Plan

As a result of this month’s Checkoff Task Force, executive committee and board of directors meetings, we are proud to report that the 2019 Alabama Beef Checkoff Marketing Plan and all major budgets have been approved. Next year brings a whole new round of exciting projects, programs and procedures to act as a roadmap for staff here at the ACA to follow, thanks to the input of Alabama’s cattlemen and our outstanding volunteer leaders. We are grateful to all who played in a role in this month’s activities!

You can check out the marketing plan on the website beginning in January at www.BamaBeef.org/Checkoff.

Sec. Perdue Visits the Wiregrass

Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue visited Alabama last week to visit with farmers and assess damage from Hurricane Michael. ACA staffer Ali Cantrell filled in for Erin as she was with the officers in Georgia for another meeting of the Southeastern cattlemen’s associations. The Alabama Cattlemen’s Foundation is still collecting money for disaster relief and we are happy to report that the excavator has been moved into southeast Houston county to begin helping cattlemen in the area move debris and clear fence rows.

Fake Meat Update

Last week, USDA announced the following regarding lab-grown meat. “We have concluded that both the USDA and the FDA should jointly oversee the production of cell-cultured food products derived from livestock and poultry. Drawing on the expertise of both USDA and FDA, the Agencies are today announcing agreement on a joint regulatory framework wherein FDA oversees cell collection, cell banks, and cell growth and differentiation. A transition from FDA to USDA oversight will occur during the cell harvest stage. USDA will then oversee the production and labeling of food products derived from the cells of livestock and poultry. And, the Agencies are actively refining the technical details of the framework, including robust collaboration and information sharing between the agencies to allow each to carry out our respective roles.”

This announcement essentially means that USDA will have primary jurisdiction over the most important facets of lab-produced fake meat. It is certainly an important step in the right direction, but there’s still a lot of work to do on this issue to ensure that real beef producers and consumers are protected and treated fairly. We encourage cattlemen to file official comments before the new deadline of Dec. 26. Contact Erin for help on where to file a comment and how.

County Annual Meetings

County meetings are off to a very strong start! We’ve had the pleasure of attending serval county events lately and love to see the hard work of counties executed in their annual meetings. As a reminder, leading up to your county’s annual meeting, please contact Jessica Kennedy in our office to inform her of the date, time and location and to request a speaker! Remember, the earlier you get those dates to us, the earlier we can get them on our website and in the magazine!! Following the meeting, send Jessica any officer updates in order to update our system with corrected contact information for 2019.

A Very MOOey Christmas

SLE Rodeo Tickets

Thanks for reading this week’s post! Until we post again, we want to remind you that you can stay in touch with us by following us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Low & Slow: It’s Beef for the Holidays

By Elesha Ergle, RDN

Changing colors. Changing seasons. Changing wardrobes. Hallmark Christmas movies. Pumpkin-spice everything.

It’s that time of year where we embrace the coming of fall and winter holidays and the going of yet another year. Most of us cattle farmers in Alabama are done with calving season for the year and are busy preparing our herd to be bred back for fall calving next year while others prepare for spring calves soon to arrive.

While Thanksgiving may be dubbed “Turkey Day,” as a beef producer and dietitian, I wanted to change it up a bit and highlight some amazing, nutritious ways we can use beef during this holiday season. Let’s try some new things, bring up some memories and maybe even start some new traditions!

Baby, It’s Cold Outside!

In Alabama we may or may not experience a cold winter…but when it’s cold, it’s COLD (to us Southerners anyway). When the cold weather starts to come, there’s always the first pot of chili. Whether it’s stove top, pressure cooker or in a slow cooker, a good, hearty chili is the love language that will warm you up from inside out. Most of us have a chili recipe we love that might spark a childhood memory or two…maybe it’s grandma’s recipe, or maybe you remember it from your first Iron Bowl tailgate. I love to make chili in an electric pressure cooker (EPC) and keep it warm in a slow cooker as the flavors continue to marry. If you’re like us and have plenty of frozen ground beef, use you’re EPC to thaw and cook. Place the frozen meat (approximately one pound) in the EPC along with about one inch of water. Close the lid and seal, pressure cook on high for 22 minutes. Quick release the pressure and drain water. Turn the EPC on sauté, chop the meat into crumbles and continue cooking to 160 degrees. Now all you have to do is add the other ingredients and your chili will be ready to go! Don’t have a good chili recipe? Give this easy Chili Recipe from Beef It’s What’s For Dinner a try!

Cooking for a Crowd

Before sitting down to celebrate “Turkey Day,” as family starts to pile in, get a hearty pot of beef stew together. Whether you like the ease and quick cooking of the EPC or cooking it low and slow in the slow cooker, greet your family with the smell of a home-cooked beef stew. If you decide to go the EPC route, this recipe from Family Fresh Meals is a great one to try. Taste of Home has a great slow cooker Beef Stew recipe that you will want to use over and over again. I love to serve beef stew with a good crusty bread to top off a quick and easy meal. Stock your pantry with ingredients for these recipes and maybe even some disposable bowls for easy clean up! You can grab a quick bowl of stew while you’re still prepping items for tomorrow’s Thanksgiving Day meal.

Beefy Sides

It’s Thanksgiving Day. Your mom cooks the turkey, your grandma makes the dressing, Aunt Betty makes the pies. What are YOU bringing to the table? These easy beef recipes will give you time to sit down and watch the Macy’s parade or check the Black Friday sale papers. Try this easy One-Pot Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes Supreme in your EPC. Put everything in your EPC and let it do all the work. One-pot means little to no mess, which is a win-win if you ask me! Start a new Thanksgiving mac and cheese tradition with this Slow Cooker Beefy Mac and Cheese that you will want to add to your regular recipe collection or add a Shepherd’s Pie to the Thanksgiving spread that even the pickiest of kids will love! Set it and forget it in the slow cooker to have an easy, beefy and delicious dish that is sure to please even the biggest turkey lover.

Lasso Those Leftovers

The day after Thanksgiving is a coveted day for many. I have been Black Friday shopping one time…but never again. I have tons of friends who will deny themselves sleep and maybe even throw a punch to get a hand mixer for $5. Not me. I opt to stay home, watch a Christmas movie, shop online or go hunting. Whether you’re planning your shopping strategy or getting your camouflage ready on Black Friday Eve, look ahead to the morning with this easy slow cooker Cheesy Potato Breakfast Casserole recipe from Pillsbury, substituting the bacon for a pound of cooked Basic Beef Country Breakfast Sausage. Using lean beef instead of bacon will lower the fat and calorie content as well as giving it that beefy protein boost. Loaded with flavor and protein, it will be the perfect fuel after a long morning of power shopping, decorating or hunting.

War Eagle, Roll Tide

The end of Black Friday marks a State of Alabama tradition in two words…Iron Bowl. Those words inevitably stir up some sort of memory in all of us. It is said that we Alabamians declare at birth whether we will yell “War Eagle” or “Roll Tide.” My brother and I grew up in a house divided. As much as my parents loved each other, the Iron Bowl was the time that my dad was on one side of the house and mom on the other. With Eli Gold on the radio and televisions muted, watching the Iron Bowl was always fun no matter what side of the house we were on. My mom loved to cook, and beef was often a staple of our Iron Bowl gatherings. Beef is the perfect food for the Iron Bowl, providing 12 percent of our daily value of iron per 3-oz serving.

What beefy foods do you think about for the Iron Bowl? How about some beefed up cheese dip? Give this Slow Cooker Cheese Dip a try at your next tailgate- it is sure to be a keeper. Beef up your Iron Bowl party with this amazing recipe for Brisket Cowboy Nachos. Cook the brisket in a slow cooker instead of the oven and hold on low. Set up other toppings and ingredients for a delicious beefy nacho buffet that your friends will want a repeat for the playoffs. Finally, what could be better for the Iron Bowl than using some flat iron steaks!? Flat iron steaks are packed with flavor and plenty of protein to keep you going through the entire game. This recipe for Slow Cooker BBQ Flat Iron Steak Sandwiches will be your new Iron Bowl tradition. Serve as suggested on a hoagie roll, or grab some Hawaiian sweet rolls to serve in smaller portions for your guests to graze during the big game.

While the holidays are usually a time of indulging and often associated with packing on the pounds, you can cut down on calories and increase your intake of protein, vitamins and minerals by using lean beef. Lean beef is a protein powerhouse that provides 25 grams of protein per 3-oz serving with only 173 calories.

So let’s get this season started by grabbing some of these great beef recipes or visit Beef It’s What’s For Dinner for even more recipes and learn all about beef from pasture to plate. Happy Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Iron Bowl and Fall Y’all!

This article was funded by the Alabama Beef Checkoff Progam. Paid for by Alabama beef farmers and ranchers.

What’s Going On Wednesday: November 7, 2018

Just as quickly as it came, it left! October is now in our rear view mirror, and our sites are set on a big holiday season ahead. BUT WAIT! Before we get there, we’ve got two very important things that must happen first…(1) We have to have our November Board Meeting and (2) we have to pull together and have the board approve the 2019 Alabama Beef Checkoff Marketing Plan. No small feat, right?! Don’t worry. We’re up to the task. In fact, we’re up to many tasks, so while we work on that, we’ll be working on lots more so keep reading to learn what’s happening at the ACA this week.

Election Results are in!

Last night’s election results were fascinating to watch at the national level. The Democrats took control of the US House of Representatives and the US Senate grabbed a few mores Republican seats. In Alabama, the GOP held onto every statewide office and did so in an overwhelming fashion. The AL Congressional races were won easily by incumbents garnering anywhere from 62%-80%. The state senate kept a Republican super majority. The ACA would like to congratulate Governor Kay Ivey, Lt. Governor-Elect Will Ainsworth, Attorney General Steve Marshall, State Auditor Jim Zeigler and Secretary of State John Merrill for their convincing victories last night.

Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program Heads North

An exciting weekend is ahead as the YCLP Class V will meet for the fourth time this year in north Alabama for an industry tour. The group will be exposed to several different types of unique operations such as Lookout Mountain Genetics – a bull stud facility- Clay Kennamer’s backgrounding yard, Lake Majestik Farms and Tennessee River Music. We thank our hosts in advance for offering their time to visit with our young leaders and look forward to a weekend full of fun, leadership development and industry networking.

Hurricane Michael Relief Fund

The hurricane relief fund is still collecting donations and would like to thank all that have contributed so far. The funds are being used to rent equipment to help producers clean fence rows and debris left behind from the hurricane. To start, the equipment will be in southeast Houston County, which is the most severely affected area of the state. We are working with the county leadership and Extension to identify cattle farms in need. To donate, visit www.BamaBeef.org/HurricaneRelief.

American Cancer Society Wellness Forum

Today the ACA is hosting the American Cancer Society for their wellness forums on our third floor. They will be discussing workplace wellness programs as well as their legal requirements along with an overview of HIPAA, ADA and GINA Wellness Program Regulations. We’re proud to host these influencer groups and get beef on their minds as they walk through our doors!

November Board Meeting- Just Around the Corner

Next week brings in chilly weather, so come bundled up to our November Board of Directors meeting happened next Thursday, November 15 beginning at 10 a.m. Don’t forget to submit your RSVP to Jessica Kennedy. We will have a warm, delicious meal for you, and we’ll cover a lot of important business quickly in order to get you back home in time to feed! We look forward to seeing our Board members at next week’s meeting…and the last of 2018!

MEMBERSHIP CORNER

County leaders: county renewal statements have officially been sent out. Be on the lookout as renewals begin coming in and be vigilant to update them in the i4a system to ensure memberships are being renewed and kept us as the member expects! If you need to make secretarial changes or need a refresher on the i4a membership software program as we enter into county meeting season, contact ACA Membership & Producer Contact Coordinator Jessica Kennedy.

Speaking of county meetings, we’d love to hear about yours! Let us know when, where and what time your county annual meetings are, and we’ll add them to our online calendar and get a staff person or officer there in attendance. That’s the perfect time also to make your napkin and placemat requests, too! Following the meetings, send your updated officer information to Jessica (email above) so we can update that information in our system and ensure that the new president and secretary gets pertinent information they need.

BEEF 101

On Friday, ACA Director of Education and Outreach Ali Cantrell will join cattle producers Jason & Dr. Misty Edmondson as they work together to host another BEEF 101 program with culinary students from Wallace State Community College and Calhoun County Career Academy. This will be the last program of the the fall season, but spring programs are already in the works!

BEEF ON IBOTTA

October Beef Month may be over, but our Ibotta campaign is not! The popular consumer app now has a rebate for any fresh beef products at most Alabama retail chains that offers $0.25 back on your beef purchases. The Alabama Beef Checkoff Program is excited to offer this incentive for shoppers as a way to encourage increased beef sales throughout the holiday months. Download the app and start shopping today!

Thanks for reading this week’s post! Until we post again, we want to remind you that you can stay in touch with us by following us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

What’s Going On Wednesday: October 31

Happy Halloween! We hope this update is the least scary part of your day and that you can take just a few minutes to enjoy what all it has to say. With October Beef Month wrapping up, the checkoff referendum passed and ___, our sights are now set on sales, 2019 checkoff planning, the last board meeting of 2018 and the upcoming holiday season and all the beef promotion that comes with the most wonderful time of the year! We know you’re busy, too, with calving season, the beginning of feeding season and wrapping up a busy harvest for many of our diversified producers, so we’ll make this short and sweet. Keep reading to learn about what’s happening at the ACA this week.

Alabama Cattlemen Checked yes!

Thank you to all producers and volunteers that helped (and voted yes!) with the Alabama Beef Checkoff Referendum last Wednesday. We are thrilled to report that we successfully passed the referendum with over 97% of cattle owners in favor of continuing the program for another five years. The vote total was 662 YES to 23 NO votes. The referendum passed in all 67 counties! Thanks again for your hard work and for electing to continue the work of the beef checkoff in Alabama.

ACF SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS CLOSE TOMORROW!

The Alabama Cattlemen’s Foundation provides over $70,000 annually to qualified high school and collegiate students, courtesy of funds raised through the purchase of the Cowboy vanity car tag and generous endowments. Scholarship applications for the 2019-2020 school year are NOW AVAILABLE online at BamaBeef.org/Scholarship.

Applications will close at midnight on November 1- TOMORROW!. Visit www.BamaBeef.org/Scholarship to review application requirements and to apply today!

Hurricane Michael Relief Fund

The disaster relief money being collected through the Alabama Cattlemen’s Foundation will be used to rent heavy equipment to assist producers in the affected areas of Hurricane Michael. The equipment will help clear debris and fence rows for cattlemen to begin building back their farms. Please consider making a donation today at www.BamaBeef.org/HurricaneRelief. Thank you to all individuals and county cattlemen that have donated time and resources to help those in need!

MEMBERSHIP Corner

County leaders: county renewal statements go out Thursday, Nov.1. Be on the lookout as renewals begin coming in be vigilant to update them in the i4a system to ensure memberships are being renewed and kept us as the member expects! If you need to make secretarial changes or need a refresher on the i4a membership software program as we enter into county meeting season, contact ACA Membership & Producer Contact Coordinator Jessica Kennedy.

BEEF 101 Teaches About Beef From Pasture to Plate

Last week, ACA Director of Education & Outreach Ali Cantrell hosted two BEEF 101 programs with the help of cattlemen and the staff at the AU Meat Lab and Beef Teaching Unit. On Monday, FACS teachers from all over the state of Alabama attended to learn more about the beef industry, while on Thursday, salesmen from Wood Fruitticher and FACS students from Jefferson County High school came out as well. Fall BEEF 101 programs are quickly wrapping up, and the spring calendar is already in the works!

Cattle Sales

On Saturday, October 20, staffer Kayla Greer made the haul to West Point, MS to represent Alabama Cattlemen at the Town Creek Brangus & Ultrablack Sale. Over 130 Brangus and Ultrablack bulls averaged $5,108 while 244 commercial bred heifers averaged $2,004. Beautiful facilities, gracious hosts and fine cattle made for a great trip west. We enjoyed seeing so many familiar Alabama faces and meeting new ones, too!

Last Friday, staffers Michael Agar, Erin Beasley and Kayla Greer headed just south of town to attend the CK Cattle Headquarters Sale in Hope Hull. They were joined by a whole host of producers, but two special guests included ACA President Jack Batts and President-Elect Chris Langley. The livestock performed great as Angus bulls averaged $4,070, ChiAngus bulls averaged $4,129 and SimAngus bulls averaged $5,400. Congratulations to the Madaris/Evans families on successful sale!

ACA President-Elect Chris Langley and staffer Ali Cantrell attended the Debter Hereford Sale in Horton this past Saturday. With 103 bulls averaging $5,257, bred Hereford heifers averaging $2,932, open Hereford heifers averaging $1,756 and commercial bred heifers averaging $1,875, congratulations to the Debter family are in order for another successful cattle sale.

ACA staffers Erin Beasley and Michael Agar headed north to Fort Payne for Tennessee River Music’s High Cotton Angus and Hereford Bull Sale on Monday. Thirty-three Angus bulls averaged $3,660 while 21 Hereford bulls averaged $3,171 and one commercial Angus bull averaged $3,000. We would like to congratulate the TRM family for yet another successful sale and thank them for their hospitality.

Checkoff Task Force to Gather in Montgomery

Tomorrow the Alabama Beef Checkoff Task Force will meet at the ACA headquarters in Montgomery to begin working on the 2019 Marketing Plan. This group of 40 cattlemen, stakeholders and industry partners will brainstorm ideas for programming. Those ideas will then be put into a draft marketing plan for the Executive Committee and Board of Directors to approve later in November. We look forward to hearing the recommendations of producers about how they would like to see their checkoff dollars put to work!

BCIA Board Meeting

Last Thursday, ACA Director of Industry Relations and Youth Programs Michael Agar attended the Alabama Beef Cattle Improvement Association’s (BCIA) Fall Board Meeting. While there, Michael gave an ACA update to the board and discussed ways that the checkoff can further support producer education in the state. The ACA will look forward to hosting Alabama BCIA on March 30, 2019 in Montgomery for their annual meeting.

Save the Date- General Elections Nov. 6

Just in case you haven’t heard or seen enough political ads across Alabama, here is ONE MORE reminder to head to the polls next Tuesday and cast your vote in the Alabama General Election. As with any, this vote is very important as it will seat the political representatives we will work closely with over the next four years to protect the best interests of beef cattle producers in Alabama. Your vote matters, so take a short break from your work next Tuesday and head to the polls!

BEEF ON IBOTTA

Calling all Ibotta shoppers! The popular consumer app now has a rebate for any fresh beef products at most Alabama retail chains that offers $0.25 back on your beef purchases. The Alabama Beef Checkoff Program is excited to offer this incentive for shoppers as a way to encourage increased beef sales throughout October Beef Month. Download the app and start shopping today!

Thanks for reading this week’s post! Until we post again, we want to remind you that you can stay in touch with us by following us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.