Alabama Cattlemen's Association

What’s Going On Wednesday: March 28, 2018

Just like that, the busy month of March is quickly riding off into the beautiful springtime sunset and making room for April. It’s an exciting time of year for your state staff as we are getting geared up to put your checkoff dollars to extra hard work. With the Bama’s Best Beef contest, a slew of springtime BEEF 101 programs, Junior Cattlemen events and online promotion, we’ve got quite the lineup of checkoff-funded programs coming in hot! While we’re busy promoting our favorite protein, you’re going to be busy producing it and the forages they need to thrive throughout the year. We know the bold green landscapes that are covering Alabama are a welcomed sight for you producers, and we hope you know how much we appreciate your hard work and involvement in Alabama’s beef cattle industry. Keep reading to learn more about what’s going on in Montgomery…

Good Friday HOLIDAY

The Alabama Cattlemen’s Association and The MOOseum will be closed this Friday, March 30 in observance of the Good Friday holiday. State staff will observe the religious holiday from home among family and appreciate your willingness to allow us to do so. While the phones will be down, our emails are always up…or you can give us a call as of normal business hours on Monday, April 2. We hope your family has a blessed Easter weekend. Don’t forget to add some beef to that Sunday dinner spread!

Youth Production Field Day

Registration is now available for our upcoming Youth Production Field Day happening at Langley Farms in Chambers County, Alabama on April 21. We’re going to cover a variety of topics using the expertise of Alabama Extension personnel including forages, assisted calving, Beef Quality Assurance and body condition scoring. Following a morning of learning and lunch, attendees will have the opportunity to tour Langley Farms with ACA President-Elect Chris Langley and family.

This event is FREE and open to all Alabama youth. If you have any questions, please contact Michael Agar at (334) 265-1867. To register, visit BamaBeef.org/ProductionFD.

PRoducer news- coming to an inbox near you!

Thanks to outstanding input from Alabama’s beef cattle producers, the 2018 Alabama Beef Checkoff Marketing Plan budgeted for four quarterly producer communications pieces to be generated and email blasted to member’s inboxes throughout this year. We’re very excited to have the first of these producer communication newsletters in production, and we are even more excited that it will be sending out soon. This newsletter takes important tidbits from the Bama Beef Blog that highlight overall activities from the first few months of 2018 and summarize them in an easy-to-read format that can be read on your phone, tablet or desktop computer!

This is just one more way we are keeping Alabama’s cattle producers connected to their state association. We want you to be informed because there is as much strength in knowledge as there is in numbers! If you want to be sure you’re on the list to receive this newsletter, send ACA Director of Social Media & Communications Kayla Greer your preferred email address today!

A Watchdog For You

As the legislative session wraps up, your ACA Executive Vice President and registered lobbyist Erin Beasley has been spending ample time at the Alabama State House where she is acting in a watchdog role protecting cattlemens’ interests and your right to farm. She has worked closely with agricultural industry stakeholders throughout this session to protect cattle producers, with the largest win being that of a national ELD mandate extension, which was lobbied extensively for among the Alabama government.

Should you have any questions regarding legislative happenings and their effects on the cattle industry, don’t hesitate to contact Erin Beasley by calling (334) 265-1867.

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

After recovering from convention wrap-up, ACA Membership Coordinator Jessica Kennedy is back at her desk and hard at work inputting membership. Her stack is growing- which is a great problem to have- but county secretaries can help out by calling her at 334-265-1867 and scheduling a webinar so they can learn how to input county information! This will help greatly as we approach our Over the Top deadline which is APRIL 15! Yes, the deadline has been extended!

VISIT THE MOOSEUM

As spring arrives, school groups are heading out to enjoy the beautiful weather in downtown Montgomery. With that comes a full scene at The MOOseum! County chapters- we encourage you all to reach out to local fourth grade classes and sponsor their trip to The MOOseum. It’s free to attend, but some assistance in gas costs could go a long way toward teaching our young people about Alabama’s very important beef cattle industry! We’d even love to see you tag along on their trip and enjoy a day with us. To learn more about The MOOseum, visit BamaBeef.org/TheMOOseum!

Thanks for reading this week’s post! Until we post again next week , 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: March 21, 2018

Welcome back! After a few busy week’s here in our home office, we’re excited to be back at blogging to keep our cattlemen and leaders informed about all that’s happening at the ACA. Saddle up for a big read this week as we’ve got LOTS to report on and even more to look forward to as we head into spring! Before we get started on all the news, we’d like to pause momentarily to say- from the bottom of our hearts- thank you for the involvement and passion you bring our association. Our staff has been humbled by the outpouring of support in the wake of a very busy season, and so we tip our hat to each of you for simply being you.

Now, let’s get to the meat of the matter…

We Hoof’d It in Huntsville!

Where to even begin with convention? Wow what a wonderful time of fellowship, updates, education, family fun and networking we had in Huntsville. From the changing of the guard to dancin’ at the Blue Jeans Ball we covered a lot of ground at the 75th annual Convention & Trade Show. After an outstanding year of leadership, Richard Meadows has officially become an “x,” as the past presidents jokingly refer to themselves, and Limestone Countian Jack Batts has officially taken his seat as the 74th president of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association. Serving in supporting state officer roles are President-Elect Chris Langley, Chambers County; Vice President Larry Reeves, Coffee County, and Executive Vice President Erin Beasley, Macon County. We also installed three new regional vice presidents to serve a three-year term- Thornton Stanley, Rodney Logan and Ronnie Joe Jordan- and one to fulfill a one-year term, Jim Miller. For an updated list of the counties they cover, visit BamaBeef.org/RVP. We were also proud to install Washington County cattleman Tommy Fuller as a lifetime director of our association. Congrats to all of our outstanding leaders!

Besides the many important business matters handled at convention, we had lots of fun and received great education. Over 600 cattlemen hoof’d it to Huntsville to enjoy over 90 trade show vendors, four Zoetis Cattlemen’s Colleges, two general sessions, a PAC auction and our annual awards banquet where over 70 students were awarded over $75,000 in scholarships by the Alabama Cattlemen’s Foundation. We were also pleased to celebrate the induction of Dallas County cattleman and national Livestock Market Association President Jerry Etheredge and Limestone County cattleman and ACA Past President Donna Jo Curtis to the Alabama Livestock Hall of Fame. Last but certainly not least, we also awarded Booger Brown, Bubba Thompson and Cody Harris of INSP’s Cowboy Way: Alabama with “TV Personality of the Year” awards for their outstanding portrayal of the cowboy lifestyle and family values on a national television show.

Whew- if that only began to cover it! But it doesn’t, and that’s because we cannot seem to type out the fun, passion and genuine goodness of our cattlemen. HUGE thanks to all who joined us and helped make the 75th annual convention and trade show one of the best yet! Now, grab your pen and mark your calendars for Feb. 15-16, 2019 at the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center for the 76th annual Convention & Trade Show! We’ll see y’all there!!

SLE Rodeo Rides Away

Just like the convention, the 2018 SLE Rodeo has also ridden off into the sunset for another year. It doesn’t head out without leaving a mark, though, as we celebrate increased attendance, big laughs and a great show with high-caliber competition! Special thanks to all who came out, attended and helped make our 61st consecutive rodeo a success.

29315275_10156175039833972_2093956041820602368_n — Photo: Jeff Helms, Alabama Farmers Federation

We also celebrate a great week of spotlighting Alabama’s youth in livestock. From an outstanding showing at the 2018 Jr. Beef Expo to awarding scholarships to two youth in each of Alabama’s 67 counties, we are so proud of our next generation! Special thanks tot he Alabama Farmers Federation and Beef Commodity Director Nate Jeager for putting on an excellent state show, and congratulations to Limestone County Junior Cattleman and Grand Champion Market Steer exhibitor Ashlyn Ruf and Coffee County Junior Cattleman and Grand Champion Heifer exhibitor Dow Boyd on two fine animals you raised!

We’d also like to offer a very special thanks to the Poarch Band of Creek Indians (PBCI) who do so much to support our youth in livestock. Each year, two young people from each of Alabama’s 67 counties are awarded a scholarship from the PBCI to aid in future participation in youth livestock events or further education during the Jr. Beef Expo. We proudly presented those scholarships at a Saturday luncheon and are now working to spread the news through statewide press releases in our home office!

Membership Update

Coming off the heels of convention and rodeo, ACA Membership Coordinator Jessica Kennedy is back at her desk and hard at work inputting membership. Her stack is growing- which is a great problem to have- but county secretaries can help out by calling her at 334-265-1867 and scheduling a webinar so they can learn how to input your county’s information! This will help greatly as we approach our Over the Top deadline which is MARCH 31!

Cattlemen Praise ELD Mandate Extension

U.S. Department of Transportation announced that the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) mandate will be delayed another 90 days for agricultural haulers:

“This is obviously good news for America’s cattle haulers and producers, and it will provide FMCSA (the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) more time to educate our livestock haulers on the ELDs while industry works on solutions to the current Hours of Service rules that simply do not work for those hauling live animals. We would like to thank Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao and FMCSA Administrator Ray Martinez for listening to our concerns and working with us to find a permanent, workable solution.”

Now we continue in our efforts to find a commonsense approach to fix this problem that could have detrimental effects on the livestock sector.

Spring BEEF 101s Firing Up

With the arrival of spring comes a new set of BEEF 101 programs held in conjunction with the staff at the Auburn University Meats Lab and Beef Teaching Unit, sponsored by the Alabama Beef Checkoff. While this is being typed, a big group from McAdory Middle School Family and Consumer Sciences and Agriscience programs are enjoying a pasture to plate experience at our first of SIX spring programs!

Are you interested in joining in on this program? Give us a call at (334) 265-1867 or email us to see how you can get involved and learn more at BamaBeef.org/Beef101.

Youth Production Field Day

If BEEF 101 doesn’t sound exciting enough, then keep reading! We are excited to host a Youth Production Field Day at Langley Farms in Camp Hill, AL on April 21 from 9 AM- 3PM. Educational topics will include body condition scoring, forages, Beef Quality Assurance, assisted calving and even a farm tour of President-Elect Langley’s farm! This event is FREE and open to all Alabama youth. We invite you to register now at BamaBeef.org/ProductionFD. If you have any questions or would like more information, call ACA Director of Industry Relations and Youth Programs Michael Agar at (334) 265-1867 or email him today!

YCLP CLASS V APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE

The Alabama Cattlemen’s Association recognizes the need to cultivate our future leaders of the association and industry. The Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program (YCLP), funded in part by the Alabama State Beef Checkoff, aims to do just that by identifying the state’s top young cattlemen and developing them into leaders of the future.

The three primary goals of the YCLP are:

Provide participants with a “pasture to plate” experience of Alabama’s beef industry
Equip participants with the tools necessary to become an effective leader and to share their beef story with their peers
Create a network of young cattlemen who the ACA can depend on to help with beef promotion and issues management as well as become industry leaders in the future

The YCLP consists of six meetings dispersed across Alabama over the course of a year. The class will be selected by a committee based on applications submitted. Preference will be given to those nominees who are between the ages of 20 & 40, but do not be discouraged to nominate yourself or someone else who falls out of that range.

If you’re interested in the program or would like to nominate someone, find the form in the December issue of the Alabama Cattleman magazine or print the application.

Visit The MOOseum

As spring arrives, school groups are heading out to enjoy the beautiful weather in downtown Montgomery. With that comes a full scene at The MOOseum! County chapters- we encourage you all to reach out to local fourth grade classes and sponsor their trip to The MOOseum. It’s free to attend, but some assistance in gas costs could go a long way toward teaching our young people about Alabama’s very important beef cattle industry! We’d even love to see you tag along on their trip and enjoy a day with us! To learn more about The MOOseum, visit BamaBeef.org/TheMOOseum!

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

The Truth about Grain-Finished vs Grass-Finished Beef

By Jessica Ivey, RDN

Raising cattle is a community effort! Did you know that beef cattle often change ownership up to our times during their lives? This process is in part guided by the cattle’s changing nutrition needs, and cattle producers along all points of the process are committed to raising cattle in a safe, humane and environmentally-sustainable way that results in a delicious and nutritious beef product. The difference between grass-finished and grain-fed beef begins during the life of the beef animal.

The beef lifecycle begins at a cow-calf operation where cattlemen care for a herd of cows that calve annually. Those calves then graze on grass and are nourished by their mother’s milk until they are weaned around six months of age. At weaning, a typical calf weighs anywhere between 450 and 700 pounds.

After weaning, many calves are sold at auction and move to stocker and backgrounder operations. The stockers and backgrounders are responsible for ensuring the calves receive a sound, veterinary-prescribed immunization protocol to maintain good health and are fed a high-energy, forage-based diet to maintain a high average daily gain in weight. Calves continue to graze on grass while receiving supplemental forages and grains, such as flaked corn, fermented corn stalks (or silage), soy hull pellets, distillers’ grains or cottonseed, as well as supplemental feed that may contain vitamins and minerals that help the calves grow and stay healthy.

Once the cattle reach a mature weight, they then head to to a cattle feeding operation, also known as a feedlot. At feedlots, the cattle are free to graze on a scientifically-balanced diet comprised of roughage grass, hay, grain (such as corn, wheat and soybean meal) and local renewable feed sources, like potato hulls or sugar beets. During their stay at the feedlot, cattle have plenty of room to roam and eat while receiving watchful care from veterinarians and nutritionists until the time that they reach market weight.

When it comes to grain-finished vs. grass-finished beef, the truth is all cattle spend a majority of their lives grazing on grass. Most beef is grain-finished and comes from a cattle that has spent time at a feedlot receiving a grain-based diet as described above. Grass-finished beef comes from cattle that spend their whole lives eating grasses or forages, although they may spend time at a feedlot eating a diet comprised only of grasses and other forages. Many claims have been made that grass-finished beef is more nutritious than grain-finished beef, but most experts agree that both provide high-quality nutrition. Grass-finished cattle tend to be leaner, but there are a number of additional variables that impact leanness, including breed, age, grade and cut. Thanks to enhancements in cattle breeding and feeding, as well as improved trimming practices, the number of beef cuts that qualify as “lean” has increased sixfold from 1989 to 2013. So whether you chose grain-finished or grass-finished beef, you can be sure that you are feeding your family a safe and nutritious high-quality protein food.

So why not cook up some lean beef for your family? Nothing is more delicious to me than a grilled tenderloin or sirloin steak, so this weekend, I’m going to let my husband cook the steaks while I prepare this delicious champagne pan sauce and risotto. Yum!

What’s Going On Wednesday: February 21, 2018

The Good Lord has blessed us this week with some beautiful sunshine, warm temperatures and the first sight of spring as trees begin to flower and rye grass bursts out of the ground. Cattlemen…and their cattle…are proud for a break in the rain and feed bills and schedules. While you’re enjoying life on the farm, your state staff is busy at work planning our many upcoming events, being a watchdog for you in the legislative session and scheduling several upcoming beef promotion programs. Keep reading to learn more and stay up to date with the ACA!

ACA CONVENTION & TRADE SHOW

Hoof It to Huntsville for the 75th annual ACA Convention! We’ve got a record number of pre-registrants, almost 70 and counting vendors for the trade show and the Embassy is booked full. (Keep reading for hotel information!)

This year’s convention schedule is packed with great speakers, an engaging and interactive trade show, junior cattlemen activities and live entertainment. Here’s the run down!

On Friday, March 9, get ready to kick off the convention with Cattlemen’s College 1 which is all about “Cattle Handling and Disease Prevention,” followed by our Opening General Session led by Ranch House Designs Chief Marketing Officer and Alabama-native Ashley Grant. After that, grab your dancing’ boots and head on over to the trade show where Tim Tyler’s Piano Experience will bring the toe-tapping tunes, and we’ll have a delicious menu ready for you to graze around. During that nightly social, we’ll also host our annual PAC Auction with some awesome items including a 2-day, 2-night hunt at “The Swamp Whitetails,” a Winchester Commemorative leaver action rifle, a black baldy oil painting, bull credits, a registered Brangus bull, Stetson boots and SO many more neat items you’ll want to take home! If you’re interested in donating an item to the PAC Auction, give Erin Beasley a call at (334) 265-1867.

Now that’s just the Friday fun. Saturday will bring a whole host of exciting educational events starting with the ACA Annual Membership Meeting where you’ll elect your new state officers. After the changing of the guard, Cattlefax Senior Market Analyst Kevin Good will lead our General Session 2 as he discusses market, weather and import/export outlooks. After the Cattlemen’s Luncheon with featured speaker Gov. Kay Ivey, the trade show- with over 75 vendors- will open up and our afternoon of Cattlemen’s Colleges will commence. Topics include estate planning, pasture management and nutrition and information on Extension’s “Pasture to Rail” retained ownership program. Last but certainly not least on the convention agenda is our awards banquet where we’ll induct new members to the Alabama Livestock Hall of Fame and award over $65,000 in scholarships to deserving students. Following the awards banquet, grab those dancin’ boots again as the Rexton Lee Band amps up our Blue Jeans Ball!

Junior Cattlemen are not left out of the fun. Your checkoff staff has made up an elaborate and educational scavenger hunt for those junior cattlemen to enjoy and build those teamwork skills. They’ll also have their own speaker and get to participate in leadership games and activities with ACA Director of Industry Relations & Youth Programs Michael Agar.

We sure hope you’ll Hoof It to Huntsville to the 75th annual ACA Convention & Trade Show! It’s sure to be a great time of education, networking and getting involved with your association.

Click Here to Register Now! Or call us at (334) 265-1867 to register by phone. The Embassy Suites is BOOKED full. We have an Alabama Cattlemen’s Association block at the neighboring Homewood Suites. Click here or call 256.539.1445 to book your room at the Homewood Suites by Hilton Huntsville Downtown.

Trade Show Vendors- The list keeps growing!

We’re bringing you the BEST trade show we’ve ever had to offer at the 75th annual ACA Convention and Trade Show! Check out this list of vendors now!

ABS Global Inc.
ADM Animal Nutrition
Agri-AFC, LLC
Alabama Ag Credit/Alabama Farm Credit
Alabama BCIA
Alabama Beef Systems Extension
Alabama CattleWomen’s Association
Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries
Alabama Farmers Cooperative
Alabama Soil & Water Conservation Committee
Allflex USA, Inc.
American Angus Association
AU College of Agriculture
Bayer
Bayer Animal Health
Boehringer Ingelheim
Burns Farms
Cargill
Cargill/SSC Feeds
Cavenders Western Outfitter
CK Cattle
CK Cattle Equipment
Datamars, Inc.
Deep South Livestock Equipment
DowDupont Agrosciences
EZ T Post
First South Farm Credit
Genex
Haney Equipment Co.
Huntsville Tractor & Equipment
Hy Plains Feedyard
Kilgro & Associates, Inc.
Lake Majestik Farms
Landers McLarty Chysler Dodge Jeep Ram
MERCK Aniimal Health
Mix 30 by Agridyne
NCBA
No Bull Enterprises
NuTech Biosciences
OreGro Seeds
Peachtree Planning
PNC Bank
Premier Angus Genetics
Ridley Block Operations
Smoky Mountain Cattle Co.
Southeast Select Sires, Inc.
Southeastern Land Group, Inc.
Southern Silage Supply
Stay Tuff Wire
StockAde/Schwarz Equipment Co.
Stocker Supply, LLC
Sumner AG Services, Inc.
Tennessee Livestock Producers
The Richadson Agency
The Wax Company
TMKE LLC/Hapy Feet USA
Town Creek Farm
TriGreen Equipment
USDA NASS
VitaFerm
Walter Moss Seed Co.
Westway Feed Products
Zoetis
Alabama Cattlemen’s Association
Graham Livestock Systems
Art by Allie
Postive Feed
Ag-Pro Companies
Woody Anderson Ford
Alabama Senepol Breeders Association
Alabama Charolais Association
Pennington Seed Inc.
Will Ainsworth for Lt. Governor
Small & Rural Services
SweetPro Premium Feed Supplements
Giant Rubber Water Tanks, Inc.
Tucker Milling, LLC
Genetix Cattle Plus

SLE RODEO TICKETS ON SALE NOW- Media luncheon this week!

The 61st annual SLE Rodeo is coming to town March 15-17 at Garrett Coliseum. PRCA 2017 Stock Contractor of the Year Frontier Rodeo Company’s elite bucking stock, PRCA Xtreme Bullfights and hometown funny man Trent McFarland are sure to combine to make one excellent show for the whole family! Kids events will be available where your little buckaroo can play in the dirt like a real rodeo cowboy. SLE Rodeo tickets are on sale now! Call us at 888-2RODEO2 or visit us online to order tickets to the show and to learn more about the 2018 SLE Rodeo!

Speaking of the rodeo, we’ll host Montgomery’s most-loved media personalities at the Cattlemen’s Building this Thursday for the annual SLE Rodeo Media Luncheon. There, the media will get a flavor for what the rodeo is bringing to town while enjoying a delicious steak lunch. This is always a fun event and a great way to inform the media about our upcoming show!

Policy Update, Rep. Mike Rogers & PAC Reception

The association is continuing to work on the national level regarding the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) law. This past week, a petition was submitted to the DOT in Washington D.C. outlining the concerns for livestock haulers and was signed by organizations that make up the Ag Coalition in Alabama. Additionally, the ACA submitted a letter before the comment deadline signed by a majority of county cattlemen’s associations. Thank you for engaging on this issue. We are continuing to look for solutions to the law as the March 18 deadline for exemption approaches.

Also in the world of politics, the Alabama BEEF PAC Club hosted its annual PAC Reception last evening at the Cattlemen’s Building in downtown Montgomery. BEEF PAC Club members welcomed legislators for a night of good fellowship and, of course, beef. We were also pleased to host Congressman Mike Rogers at our building for a luncheon yesterday as he gave an update from his office in D.C. and offered insight on federal policy coming down the pipeline.

The MOOseum Welcomes all

What we’re hearing from The MOOseum Coordinator Kara Harden downstairs is that The MOOseum has attracted quite a diverse audience as of late. Our children’s educational center has had an increase of out-of-state traffic and even had a family from Australia visit while they were touring around downtown Montgomery. We’re excited to welcome out-of-towners in to learn about Alabama’s beef cattle industry. Just today, we are expecting over 100 kiddos from Sylvania Elementary School.

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

As ACA Membership Coordinator Jessica Kennedy works diligently to put in county memberships, we encourage county leaders to help her out by setting aside 30-45 minutes to complete a training webinar for the new membership software, i4a. Software training webinars are still happening! If you have not signed up for training please send Jessica the days that are best for you and if you want a 12pm, 3pm, or 7pm slot. Please choose multiple times and days of availability. If you’re not a big emailer, give her a call at (334) 265-1867.

On that note, we also want to encourage you to keep an eye out for renewal notices as the second renewal mailout is hitting mailboxes this month! Be sure to get those memberships sent to the state office. Over the Top deadline is set for March 31st.

MEETINGS HAPPENING ACROSS ALABAMA

Stay updated with the “when” and “where” of upcoming educational events and meetings by visiting our Cattlemen’s Calendar. If you’re county annual meeting isn’t on the list, be sure to send that information to Jessica.

Jessica is also anxiously awaiting your county leadership updates and county annual meeting photos. She needs the names and contact information of the newest county leaders in order to organize the updating of the magazine and website as well as provide the correct correspondence for important letters and emails pertaining to Board Members. Please send those updates to Jessica! She is also looking out for information on your upcoming county meetings. Send those dates, times and locations her way to get them included on our online calendar and to line up a state representative to attend the event. If you’d like a county meeting mailout done, please give Jessica TWO WEEKS notice. Those mailouts take a good bit of time to design, print and label, so please give us plenty of notice to do a clean, thorough job for your county.

YCLP CLASS V APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE

The three primary goals of the YCLP are:

Provide participants with a “pasture to plate” experience of Alabama’s beef industry
Equip participants with the tools necessary to become an effective leader and to share their beef story with their peers
Create a network of young cattlemen who the ACA can depend on to help with beef promotion and issues management as well as become industry leaders in the future

If you’re interested in the program or would like to nominate someone, find the form in the December issue of the Alabama Cattleman magazine or print the application.

Thanks for reading this week’s post! Until we post again next week , 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: February 14, 2018

Happy Valentine’s Day! Your state staff sure LOVES Alabama’s beef cattle industry and all its wonderful cattlemen!! We’re closing in on a busy season here at the ACA as convention, SLE Rodeo, the legislative session and springtime beef promotions head our way at lightning speed. There’s lots to do and little time, but we’re excited for next month and all that comes with it. Keep reading to learn more and stay up to date with your ACA.

ACA CONVENTION & TRADE SHOW

This year’s convention schedule is packed with great speakers, an engaging and interactive trade show, junior cattlemen activities and live entertainment. Here’s the run down!

We sure hope you’ll Hoof It to Huntsville to the 75th annual ACA Convention & Trade Show! It’s sure to be a great time of education, networking and getting involved with your association.

SLE RODEO TICKETS ON SALE NOW

The 61st annual SLE Rodeo is coming to town March 15-17 at Garrett Coliseum. PRCA 2017 Stock Contractor of the Year Frontier Rodeo Company’s elite bucking stock, PRCA Freestyle Bullfighting and hometown funny man Trent McFarland are sure to combine to make one excellent show for the whole family! Kids events will be available where your little buckaroo can play in the dirt like a real rodeo cowboy. SLE Rodeo tickets are on sale now! Call us at 888-2RODEO2 or visit us online to order tickets to the show and to learn more about the 2018 SLE Rodeo!

Playing Watchdog

While the legislature is heating up in Montgomery, your Cattlemen’s lobbyist Erin Beasley has been spending time at the State House and planning our upcoming PAC Reception and reception for Congressman Mike Rogers. She is on the forefront of the discussions about the impending ELD extension expiration and is fighting to protect Alabama’s cattle producers from the effects of mandatory electronic logging devices. Learn more in here column in the upcoming March magazine!

ACA FIeld Man hits southwest corner

ACA Director of Industry Relations and Youth Programs Michael Agar has a busy week happening in southwest Alabama. Today, he headed down to start his journey with his first destination at Frisco City Livestock Market where he attended the sale, visited with owner and operator Michael Jordan and presented Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. checkoff signage and ACA sorting flags. The rest of the week has him visiting the Baldwin, Jackson and Choctaw counties annual meetings before he heads back north to Montgomery.

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

MEETINGS HAPPENING ACROSS ALABAMA

YCLP CLASS V APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE

The three primary goals of the YCLP are:

Provide participants with a “pasture to plate” experience of Alabama’s beef industry
Equip participants with the tools necessary to become an effective leader and to share their beef story with their peers
Create a network of young cattlemen who the ACA can depend on to help with beef promotion and issues management as well as become industry leaders in the future

If you’re interested in the program or would like to nominate someone, find the form in the December issue of the Alabama Cattleman magazine or print the application.

Valentine’s Day Inspiration

If you need just the right thing to post on your social media for Valentine’s Day, here’s a few beefy options!

Thanks for reading this week’s post! Until we post again next week , 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: February 7, 2018

Ok, ok. This weather is truly out of hand. In true Alabama fashion, the weather has us on a roller coaster ride. Sub-freezing temps to mid-70s in February to “drought” conditions and heavy rainstorms that leave us cattlemen in mud up to our knees. The rye grass is coming in slow while the feed sacks are emptying fast. It’s wintertime in Alabama (we think?) and as temperatures are looking to turn north, so are we as we prepare for our biggest event of the year. Keep reading to get an update on Convention and to learn more about what’s going on at the ACA this week.

ACA CONVENTION & TRADE SHOW- EARLY BIRD ENDS NEXT WEEK!

This year’s convention schedule is packed with great speakers, an engaging and interactive trade show, junior cattlemen activities and live entertainment. Here’s the run down!

Now that’s just the Friday fun. Saturday will bring a whole host of exciting educational events starting with the ACA Annual Membership Meeting where you’ll elect your new state officers. After the changing of the guard, Cattlefax Senior Market Analyst Kevin Good will lead our General Session 2 as he discusses market, weather and import/export outlooks. After the Cattlemen’s Luncheon with featured speaker Gov. Kay Ivey, the trade show- with over 75 vendors- will open up and our afternoon of Cattlemen’s Colleges will commence. Topics include estate planning, pasture management and nutrition and information on Extension’s “Pasture to Rail” retained ownership program. Last but certainly not least on the convention agenda is our awards banquet where we’ll induct new members to the Alabama Livestock Hall of Fame and award over $55,000 in scholarships to deserving students. Following the awards banquet, grab those dancin’ boots again as the Rexton Lee Band amps up our Blue Jeans Ball!

Junior Cattlemen are not left out of the fun. This week, your checkoff staff has been working on an elaborate and educational scavenger hunt for those junior cattlemen to enjoy and build those teamwork skills. They’ll also have their own speaker and get to participate in leadership games and activities with ACA Director of Industry Relations & Youth Programs Michael Agar.

We sure hope you’ll Hoof It to Huntsville to the 75th annual ACA Convention & Trade Show! It’s sure to be a great time of education, networking and getting involved with your association.

SLE RODEO TICKETS ON SALE NOW

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

COUNTY MEETINGS HAPPENING ACROSS ALABAMA

County annual meetings are in full swing, and your state staff is excited to buzz all around visiting those meetings. If a state staffer isn’t in attendance, then one of our outstanding officers are. This week alone we’ve hit Clarke, Henry, Pickens and Crenshaw counties. Stay updated with the “when” and “where” of meetings by visiting our Cattlemen’s Calendar. If you’re meeting isn’t on the list, be sure to send that information to Jessica.

Scholarship Notification

If you’re favorite student applied for an Alabama Cattlemen’s Foundation scholarship, be on the look out for a letter and an email THIS WEEK. We’re proud to award over $60,000 in scholarships this year to deserving students across the state. This year’s applicant pool was extraordinary as we had a plethora of students with superb grades and loads of agricultural involvement.

We are thrilled to award scholarships to Alabama’s finest cattle kids!

Hosting Large Animal Bovine Vet Students

The ACA is looking forward to hosting Dr. Misty Edmondson’s large animal bovine veterinarian students this Friday at the ACA building. While visiting along with State Veterinarian Dr. Tony Frazier, the students will tour our building, enjoy lunch and learn more about Alabama’s beef cattle industry and our association. This group stops by for a visit each year, and we appreciate the leadership of Dr. Edmondson to introduce her students to our association.

AL Cattlemen Blazed a Trail to Phoenix

Alabama Cattlemen’s had quite the showing at the 2018 Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show in Phoenix last week. Your state officers, collegiate cattlemen and others had a successful trip out west to visit the largest industry trade show in the nation and participate in all the meetings and events! We’re proud to announce that ACA Past President Jimmy Holliman was elected to serve as your Region II policy vice president where he’ll represent the Southeast at the policy roundtable.

We’re already looking forward to a trip to the bayou next year as convention comes to New Orleans!

Staffers Head North

ACA staffers Michael Agar and Kayla Greer enjoyed the opportunity to travel across north Alabama last week to visit with and present the owners at Tennessee Valley Livestock, Fort Payne Stockyard and Sand Mountain Stockyard and with BEEF signage and ACA sorting flags. They also stopped by former Regional Vice President Clay Kennamer’s operation in Hollywood, Alabama and ACA President-Elect Jack Batts’ homeplace in Athens. We appreciate the hospitality shown and the time everyone took to meet with us. Look for more in the March issue of the Alabama Cattleman magazine. Great sales, fine facilities and nice folks along the way!

Legislature Heating Up

YCLP CLASS V APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE

The three primary goals of the YCLP are:

Provide participants with a “pasture to plate” experience of Alabama’s beef industry
Equip participants with the tools necessary to become an effective leader and to share their beef story with their peers
Create a network of young cattlemen who the ACA can depend on to help with beef promotion and issues management as well as become industry leaders in the future

If you’re interested in the program or would like to nominate someone, find the form in the December issue of the Alabama Cattleman magazine or print the application.

Thanks for reading this week’s post! Until we post again next week , 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: January 24, 2018

After a bitter cold week, who all is enjoying these warmer temperatures!? Cattle…and cattlemen…across the state are getting the opportunity to thaw out and accomplish tasks on the farm in preparation for the spring months that are quickly headed our way! Now, that’s something to be excited out! Speaking of spring, our spring calendar is filling up quick. The two most important events are the ACA Convention & Trade Show and the SLE Livestock Week. Be sure to keep reading to learn more about these events and get important deadline information!

ACA Convention & Trade Show- Early Bird Ends Next Week!

First thing’s first. If you want to attend convention AND save $20/ attendee, be sure to get registered by NEXT WEDNESDAY! Beginning February 1, Do-It-All and One-Day Package pricing will increase by $20/attendee. No exceptions! Also be sure to get your room at the Embassy booked by visiting this link or calling (256) 327-7838 and giving the block code “ACA.” This will ensure you get a room on the Cattlemen’s Block!

Click Here to Register Now! Or call us at (334) 265-1867 to register by phone.

Now- for the fun stuff. This year’s convention schedule is packed with great speakers, an engaging and interactive trade show, junior cattlemen activities and live entertainment. Here’s the run down!

On Friday, get ready to kick off the convention with Cattlemen’s College 1 which is all about “Cattle Handling and Disease Prevention,” followed by our Opening General Session led by Ranch House Designs Chief Marketing Officer and Alabama-native Ashley Grant. After that, grab your dancing’ boots and head on over to the trade show where Tim Tyler’s Piano Experience will bring the toe-tapping tunes, and we’ll have a delicious menu ready for you to graze around. During that nightly social, we’ll also host our annual PAC Auction with some awesome items including a 2-day, 2-night hunt at “The Swamp Whitetails,” a Winchester Commemorative leaver action rifle, a black baldy oil painting, bull credits, a registered Brangus bull, Stetson boots and SO many more neat items you’ll want to take home! If you’re interested in donating an item to the PAC Auction, give Erin Beasley a call at (334) 265-1867.

Now that’s just the Friday fun. Saturday will bring a whole host of exciting educational events starting with the ACA Annual Membership Meeting where you’ll elect your new state officers. After the changing of the guard, Cattlefax Senior Market Analyst Kevin Good will lead our General Session 2 as he discusses market, weather and import/export outlooks. After the Cattlemen’s Luncheon with featured speaker Gov. Kay Ivey, the trade show- with over 75 vendors- will open up and our afternoon of Cattlemen’s Colleges will commence. Topics include estate planning, pasture management and nutrition and information on Extension’s “Pasture to Rail” retained ownership program. Last but certainly not least on the convention agenda is our awards banquet where we’ll induct new members to the Alabama Livestock Hall of Fame and award over $55,000 in scholarships to deserving students. Following the awards banquet, grab those dancin’ boots again as the Rexton Lee Band amps up our Blue Jeans Ball!

We sure hope you’ll Hoof It to Huntsville to the 75th annual ACA Convention & Trade Show! It’s sure to be a great time of education, networking and getting involved with your association.

SLE RODEO TICKETS ON SALE NOW

The 61st annual SLE Rodeo is coming to town March 15-17 at Garrett Coliseum. PRCA 2017 Stock Contractor of the Year Frontier Rodeo Company’s elite bucking stock, PRCA Freestyle Bullfighting and hometown funny man Trent McFarland are sure to combine to make one excellent show for the whole family! Kids events will be available where your little buckaroo can play in the dirt like a real rodeo cowboy. If you’re in the market for an awesome stocking stuffer idea, you’re in luck. SLE Rodeo tickets are on sale now! Call us at 888-2RODEO2 or visit us online to order tickets to the show and to learn more about the 2018 SLE Rodeo!

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

COUNTY MEETINGS HAPPENING ACROSS ALABAMA

County annual meetings are in full swing, and your state staff is excited to buzz all around visiting those meetings. If a state staffer isn’t in attendance, then one of our outstanding officers are. This week alone we’ve hit (or will hit!) Shelby, Jefferson, Tallapoosa, Lee and Colbert counties. Stay updated with the “when” and “where” of meetings by visiting our Cattlemen’s Calendar. If you’re meeting isn’t on the list, be sure to send that information to Jessica.

International Army Wives Visits aca

We had an interesting group stop by The MOOseum this week. The Maxwell AFB International Officer Wives, a group representing over 50 ladies, stopped by to learn more about the beef cattle industry. What’s interesting about this group is that they’re from all over the world. Group members from Romania, Egypt, Brazil, India and even the U.S. brought great questions to their tour. They and their little ones enjoyed exploring The MOOseum, and they even got to visit the Alabama Livestock Hall of Fame and donor booths on the third floor. We had the unique opportunity to answer their many questions about beef and cattle production while touring. We appreciate this group stopping by to learn about an industry that’s so important in our home state.

YCLP CLASS V APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE

The three primary goals of the YCLP are:

Provide participants with a “pasture to plate” experience of Alabama’s beef industry
Equip participants with the tools necessary to become an effective leader and to share their beef story with their peers
Create a network of young cattlemen who the ACA can depend on to help with beef promotion and issues management as well as become industry leaders in the future

If you’re interested in the program or would like to nominate someone, find the form in the December issue of the Alabama Cattleman magazine or print the application.

Alabama Junior Cattlemen Pacific Tour 2018

Lauderdale County Cattleman Brian Smith and his county Junior Cattlemen are at it again as they headed west on their Alabama Junior Cattlemen Pacific Tour 2018! While on this trip, they visited with the California Cattlemen’s Association located in Sacramento, Cal. and visited the ranch of Tim Koopman where they learned about his California cattle operation and his efforts in environmental management. Look out for more information in the February issue of the “Alabama Cattleman” magazine.

Thanks for reading this week’s post! Until we post again next week , 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: January 17, 2018

This cold weather is NOT playing around today, folks. We hope you’re able to stay safe and warm while caring for your cattle in these unforgiving conditions. After the hay is put out and the water troughs are busted out and you’re back in the house thawing out, take time to read about what’s happening at the Cattlemen’s Building this week. You’ll even get a checklist of reminders to help you stay on top of all the events and programs soon happening across the state. Your state staff is always just a phone call away, so stay warm and always remember that we are here to help you be the best cattleman you can be.

ACA Office Closed- It’s a Snow Day!

The Alabama Cattlemen’s Association office is closed today due to road conditions. State staff is available by email throughout the day and will return to the office when safe passage can be guaranteed.

We hope you stay safe and warm while taking care of your cattle, and if you’re fingers aren’t too cold, be sure to snap a few photos and post them to our Facebook page or tag us on Instagram or Twitter at @alcattlemen. Click here to post your photos now!

Membership Update

To date, we are at 5,700 members and counting! As ACA Membership Coordinator works diligently to put in county memberships, help her out by setting aside 30-45 minutes to complete a training webinar for the new membership software, i4a. Software training webinars are still happening! If you have not signed up for training please send Jessica the days that are best for you and if you want a 12pm, 3pm, or 7pm slot. Please choose multiple times and days of availability. If you’re not a big emailer, give her a call at (334) 265-1867.

County Meetings Happening Across Alabama

County annual meetings are in full swing, and your state staff is excited to buzz all around visiting those meetings. If a state staffer isn’t in attendance, then one of our outstanding officers are. This week alone we’ve hit (or will hit!) Cullman, Marshall, Hale, Houston, Mobile, Franklin, Coffee and Russell counties. Stay updated with the “when” and “where” of meetings by visiting our Cattlemen’s Calendar.

Jessica Kennedy is anxiously awaiting your county leadership updates and county annual meeting photos. She needs the names and contact information of the newest county leaders in order to organize the updating of the magazine and website as well as provide the correct correspondence for important letters and emails pertaining to Board Members. Please send those updates to Jessica! She is also looking out for information on your upcoming county meetings. Send those dates, times and locations her way to get them included on our online calendar and to line up a state representative to attend the event. If you’d like a county meeting mailout done, please give Jessica TWO WEEKS notice. Those mailouts take a good bit of time to design, print and label, so please give us plenty of notice to do a clean, thorough job for your county.

CONVENTION REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

We hope you’ll “Hoof It to Huntsville” on March 9-10 to join us at the 75th annual ACA Convention & Trade Show. Featured speakers include Ashley Culpepper Grant, chief marketing officer at Ranch House Designs, Inc., CattleFax Senior Market Analyst Kevin Good and Wilcox County native Gov. Kay Ivey herself. We will also have the largest cattle industry trade show in the state, Cattlemen’s Colleges featuring a variety of educational topics related to the beef cattle industry, our annual awards banquet and fun for the whole family. (Junior Cattlemen events are also scheduled!) Registration, a schedule of events and hotel information is now available at www.BamaBeef.org/Convention or by calling (334) 265-1867. Early Bird Pricing ends Jan. 31! DON’T MISS OUT!

Check out your January Alabama Cattleman magazine for more information, including a schedule of events and a mail-in registration form! P.S.- Early Bird Prices are good though January 31. Don’t miss out!

Consumer Newsletter Hit Inboxes

Beef. A Pleasurable Protein., the first of many consumer newsletters blasted out to over 10,000 recipients last week. This month’s edition featured lean beef as part of a healthy lifestyle to fulfill those new year resolutions! An article by beef checkoff contract dietician Jessica Ivey, a recipe collection featuring well-balanced meals on the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. website, cuts information and a recipe for a protein-packed breakfast are just a few of the highlights of the January newsletter. We hope this year to send 12 consumer newsletters highlighting everything from summertime grilling, to tailgating with beef and even how to create some flavorful infusions. Stay tuned, and if you’re interested in receiving these newsletters, visit our website homepage and fill out the “Get Updates” box in the top, right corner!

SLE RODEO TICKETS ON SALE NOW

The 61st annual SLE Rodeo is coming to town March 15-17 at Garrett Coliseum. PRCA 2017 Stock Contractor of the Year Frontier Rodeo Company’s elite bucking stock, PRCA Freestyle Bullfighting and hometown funny man Trent McFarland are sure to combine to make one excellent show for the whole family! Kids events will be available where your little buckaroo can play in the dirt like a real rodeo cowboy. If you’re in the market for an awesome stocking stuffer idea, you’re in luck. SLE Rodeo tickets are on sale now! Call us at 888-2RODEO2 or visit us online to order tickets to the show and to learn more about the 2018 SLE Rodeo!

YCLP CLASS V APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE

The three primary goals of the YCLP are:

Provide participants with a “pasture to plate” experience of Alabama’s beef industry
Equip participants with the tools necessary to become an effective leader and to share their beef story with their peers
Create a network of young cattlemen who the ACA can depend on to help with beef promotion and issues management as well as become industry leaders in the future

If you’re interested in the program or would like to nominate someone, find the form in the December issue of the Alabama Cattleman magazine or print the application.

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

Resolve to Eat Lean Beef

By Jessica Ivey, RDN

With the New Year in full swing, many Americans have made resolutions, particularly ones focused on improved health. This year, make a resolution to eat more nutrient-rich lean beef to combine delicious flavor with the power of protein. Beef is a nutritional powerhouse, providing 10 essential nutrients your body needs to be fueled optimally. Notably, beef supplies more nutrition in a smaller package than other protein foods. Each three-ounce serving of cooked lean beef contains 25 grams of protein (that’s 50% of the Daily Value) packaged in just around 150 calories. You would have to eat three cups of cooked quinoa to get that same amount of protein, and you’d take in 666 calories. Research shows that people who eat a higher-protein diet feel more satisfied, which may help prevent overeating, and that exercise is more effective when paired with a high-protein diet.

Concerned about heart health? The Beef in an Optimal Lean Diet (BOLD) Study, a checkoff-funded research effort, found that people who consumed lean beef daily as part of a heart-healthy diet saw a 10 percent decrease in their LDL, or “bad” cholesterol. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend adults consume about 5.5 ounces of protein foods each day, and beef can be incorporated at any meal to help meet the recommended intake. In addition to protein, beef’s nutrient package includes iron, zinc, and vitamins B12 and B6, which play a role in immune and brain function.

Lean beef gives you fewer calories to help with weight control. Lean beef choices have less than 10 grams total fat, 4.5 grams saturated fat and 95 milligrams of cholesterol per three-ounce cooked serving. There are many lean beef choices available, and thanks to advancements in breeding technology, nutrition programs and trimming practices, more than 60 percent of the whole muscle beef cuts available in grocery stores today meet the criteria for lean when trimmed of visible fat. As a rule of thumb, go for cuts with the words “round” or “loin” in the name. Some common choices include SsirloinSteak, Tenderloin Steak, Strip Steak (or New York Strip), Top Sirloin Roast, and 95% ean Ground Beef.

While pursuing your New Year resolutions, be sure to enjoy lean beef as part of your new low-calorie, heart-healthy diet. Visit BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com to find thousands of delicious recipes that are sure drive your weightloss goals without sacrificing fullness or flavor.

Follow Jessica Ivey, RDN on Facebook today!

What’s Going On Wednesday: January 10, 2018

Hi there, cattlemen! It’s a busy time of year as we begin all the activities, events and programs that come along with the new year. We hope you all survived the bitter cold weather and are thawing out for a few wet and warm days here in Alabama. We’ve got all kinds of information you need to be aware of, so keep reading to stay in touch with your state cattlemen’s association. Board members, be sure to read that membership report real closely and hop on over to our Convention page to get registered today. A little bird told us that Early Bird pricing ends on January 31, and prices will increase by $20 on Do-It-All and One-Day packages. Don’t miss out on a steal of a deal!

MEMBERSHIP REPORT

ACA Membership Coordinator Jessica Kennedy is anxiously awaiting your county leadership updates and county annual meeting photos. She needs the names and contact information of the newest county leaders in order to organize the updating of the magazine and website as well as provide the correct correspondence for important letters and emails pertaining to Board Members. Please send those updates to Jessica! She is also looking out for information on your upcoming county meetings. Send those dates, times and locations her way to get them included on our online calendar and to line up a state representative to attend the event. If you’d like a county meeting mailout done, please give Jessica TWO WEEKS notice. Those mailouts take a good bit of time to design, print and label, so please give us plenty of notice to do a clean, thorough job for your county.

Also- keep an eye out for renewal notices as the second renewal mailout is hitting mailboxes this month! Be sure to get those memberships sent to the state office.

Last but certainly not least, the i4a membership software training webinars are still happening! If you have not signed up for training please send Jessica the days that are best for you and if you want a 12pm, 3pm, or 7pm slot. Please choose multiple times and days of availability. If you’re not a big emailer, give her a call at (334) 265-1867.

CONVENTION REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

We hope you’ll “Hoof It to Huntsville” on March 9-10 to join us at the 75th annual ACA Convention & Trade Show. Featured speakers include Ashley Culpepper Grant, chief marketing officer at Ranch House Designs, Inc., and CattleFax Senior Market Analyst Kevin Goode. We will also have the largest cattle industry trade show in the state, Cattlemen’s Colleges featuring a variety of educational topics related to the beef cattle industry, our annual awards banquet and fun for the whole family. (Junior Cattlemen events are also scheduled!) Registration, a schedule of events and hotel information is now available at www.BamaBeef.org/Convention or by calling (334) 265-1867. Early Bird Pricing ends Jan. 31!

SLE RODEO TICKETS ON SALE NOW

The 61st annual SLE Rodeo is coming to town March 15-17 at Garrett Coliseum. PRCA 2017 Stock Contractor of the Year Frontier Rodeo Company’s elite bucking stock, PRCA Freestyle Bullfighting and hometown funny man Trent McFarland are sure to combine to make one excellent show for the whole family! Kids events will be available where your little buckaroo can play in the dirt like a real rodeo cowboy. If you’re in the market for an awesome stocking stuffer idea, you’re in luck. SLE Rodeo tickets are on sale now! Call us at 888-2RODEO2 or visit us online to order tickets to the show and to learn more about the 2018 SLE Rodeo!

Session in Session

The Alabama Legislative Session started Tuesday, January 9 in Montgomery. Preceding the kickoff, the Ag Coalition began its weekly meetings at the Cattlemen’s Building. This group is comprised of ACA, the Alabama Farmers Federation, Alabama Poultry and Egg Association, Alabama Forestry Association, Alabama Agribusiness Council and the Department of Ag and Industries. The group discussed bills of importance to agriculture and rural Alabama. Tonight, the House Rural Caucus will meet at the Cattlemen’s Building for a steak dinner sponsored by the ACA, the Alabama Farmers Federation, Alabama Poultry & Egg Association, the Agribusiness Council and the Alabama Rural Electric Cooperative.

Welcome, Mike!

Mike Winstead joined the ACA team on January 4, 2018 as our staff accountant. Mike is a native of Southwest Louisiana and a graduate of McNeese State University where he earned a BS in Accounting. Mike and his wife, Carol, have lived in Deatsville, Ala. for the past 18 years and have two daughters and three grandchildren. Join us in welcoming Mike to the ACA team!

YCLP CLASS V APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE

The three primary goals of the YCLP are:

Provide participants with a “pasture to plate” experience of Alabama’s beef industry
Equip participants with the tools necessary to become an effective leader and to share their beef story with their peers
Create a network of young cattlemen who the ACA can depend on to help with beef promotion and issues management as well as become industry leaders in the future

If you’re interested in the program or would like to nominate someone, find the form in the December issue of the Alabama Cattleman magazine or print the application.

New Year, New Magazine

Have you seen the new Alabama Cattleman?! Who loves the new look and feel of the magazine? New features include a change in fonts, perfect bind edging, a new finish on the front and back covers, a mast head redesign and a modern, new look to template pages such as the Alabama Report and Cattlemen’s Sale Calendar pages. Kudos to Alabama Cattleman Production Coordinator Nicky Bechard on her design vision and handiwork. Let us know what you think the comments!

The Land Show

On Wednesday morning, ACA Exec Erin Beasley taped The Land Show with Randall Upchurch of Chambers County to air Saturday morning on stations across Alabama. For thirty minutes, Erin discusses the association and its role in Alabama, our upcoming convention and beef checkoff programs.

The Land Show with Dave and Johnny can be heard throughout the state of Alabama Saturday mornings in the locations and stations listed below.

101.1FM WYDE – Cullman, AL – 9:00-10:00AM
93.1FM WACV – Montgomery, AL – 9:00-10:00AM
104.9FM ESPN – York-Livingston, AL – 6:00-7:00AM
101.5FM KIX – Selma, AL – 9:00-10:00am
97.5FM WKGA – Alexander City, AL – 9:00-10:00am
107.7FM WHSL – Butler, AL – 6:00-7:00am
1470AM WPNS – Evergreen, AL – 6:00-7:00am
1240AM WEBJ – Brewton, AL – 6:00-7:00am
1140AM WNWF – Destin, FL – 6:00-7:00am

Stay tuned on social media for a link to the recording!

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