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What Round-Up. Those masks were hot, and the sunshine was hotter…but boy oh boy, what a weekend it was! Despite all the curveballs COVID-19 threw our way, ACA Director of Field Services Morgan Pounds handled the changes with grace and pulled off an awesome youth event! We hope you all enjoyed it as much as we did. But, now that the 2020 Round-Up has ridden off into the sunset, we are turning our eyes to the fall months and all the fun that brings os saddle up for this week’s update and let us know if we can do anything to help you!

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ROUND-UP WRAP UP

We were thrilled to welcome over 115 youth and 150 cattle to the Garrett Coliseum fairgrounds this weekend for several youth educational contests and three cattle shows. Congrats to all who competed, won and took home big prizes. This year’s overall Top Junior Competitor was Mackenzie Smith of Marshall County. The Overall Intermediate Competitor was Victoria Thompson of Lee County, while her big sister Jewel Thompson took home the Overall Senior Competitor buckle. The Supreme Champion Breeding Heifer was exhibited by Annabelle Wesley of Pike County, while Caleb Fields of Morgan County took home the Grand Champion Market Animal buckle. The Bred & Owned Champion was Audra Graves of Blount County. Stay tuned for the September issue of the Alabama Cattleman magazine for a line-up of ALL the weekend’s winners.

We are also thrilled to introduce you to the 2020-2021 Board of Directors.

President: Hannah Maddox, Dekalb
Vice President: Will Meadows, Houston
Secretary: Hannah Grace Childress, Chilton
Treasurer: Russell Jordan, Clay
Ex- Officio: Ashlyn Ruf, Limestone
District 1: Corley Williams, Marshall
District 2: Brooke Ginn, Calhoun
District 3: Jewel Thompson, Lee
District 3: Victoria Thompson, Lee
District 4: Matthew Baxley, Geneva
At-Large: Walker Johnson, Cullman

SWEET GROWN ALABAMA DAY

Today, we enjoyed the opportunity to participate in Sweet Grown Alabama Day, a kickoff farmers market-style event that highlighted many members of the new state branding program, Sweet Grown Alabama. Commissioner Rick Pate, Gov. Kay Ivey and a host of other dignitaries installed the program and welcomed visitors to the state branding launch as we celebrated Alabama agriculture and the spoils of our harvest.

We as an association will work closely with this program moving forward as official Supporters and advocates for cattle producers who sell homegrown freezer beef. If you are interested in being a Sweet Grown Alabama member and having your products listed for sale on their database, visit www.SweetGrownAlabama.org.

CHECKOFF SIGNS GRILLING FORECAST SPONSORSHIP WITH WAFF

For those who tune into WAFF for your local news, be on the lookout beginning in August for a Weekend Grilling Forecast, brought to you by BEEF! This will be a very eye-catching campaign, and completes our task of promoting summer grilling statewide. This campaign matches two billboard campaigns in the Birmingham area and east/Central Alabama. We also have radio promotions going in Mobile, Montgomery, Birmingham and Huntsville and statewide digital advertising through AL.com. This all matches the advertising we are doing through our own social media properties and the website. Summer grilling has been top of mind as families “STEAK at Home.” Visit www.UnitedWeSteak.com/Alabama to learn more.

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

As of today, the ACA is proud to represent 8,723 members of our state association and counting as counties continue to recruit new and renewal members. County leaders- don’t forget the new “Over the Top” deadline has been extended to July 31. Help us get to 10,000 members strong while earning your president an iconic ACA red coat! We also encourage ONE representative to save the date for August 13 as we will be hosting a very limited audience Board of Directors Meeting in Montgomery at the RSA Activity Center.

We also like to highlight our associate members every once in a while, so join us in celebrating our close industry partners of the association.

• ALFA Insurance
• Ritchie Industries
• Alabama Farmers Cooperative
• TriGreen Equipment
• Alabama Ag Credit \ Alabama Farm Credit
• Lake Majestik Farms
• Mix30 by Agridyne
• Corteva
• Southeast Select Sires
• Tucker Milling, LLC
• Mr. Fix-It
• Cargill

ACA AT ALABAMA GROCERS ASSOCIATION CONVENTION

On July 27- 29, ACA’s Ali Cantrell will be headed to Destin, FL to meet with retailers and wholesalers at the Alabama Grocers Association Convention. The convention will have a small trade show during the lunch hour of each day for exhibitors to meet with retailers and host a booth with promotional material. Ali will be speaking with attendees about Beef promotion in the retail sector as well as future educational opportunities with staff and sales such as a Beef 101.

ACES SET TO HOST BEEF SHORT COURSES THIS FALL

Producers new to the cattle business should attend Alabama Extension’s new Beef Systems Short Course.   The short course is a multi-night lecture series covering the fundamentals of beef production and is geared for new and limited experience producers.

Producers can take the course at different locations around the state, including Jasper, Hayneville, Texasville and Centre.  These are regional meetings and producers should select the location and dates most convenient for them. Over four nights, producers will learn critical information on profitable beef production.

There is a $40 registration fee, and all participants will receive a copy of Extension’s recently updated Alabama Beef Handbook.

Alabama Extension animal scientists developed a concentrated curriculum that is most vital for new cattle producers to master. The course will be taught by Extension regional animal science agent. Learn more and register at www.ACES.edu.

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.

The temperatures are rising, and Alabama is due an intense heat wave this weekend…that can only mean one thing. The AJCA Round-Up is near! As our office prepares for the large youth event, we are also balancing a busy promotional and membership calendar. Despite the times and all the interruptions they bring, we are still busy around the ACA. Keep reading to learn more.

ACA HOSTS VIRTUAL REGIONAL ROUND-UPS

In an effort to stay in touch with our county leaders, state officers and staff are hosting four virtual meetings to update leaders on the work of the association and hear from what’s happening in the countryside. It has been a joy to “see” some familiar faces, starting with Tuesday evening’s north Alabama meeting. On Thursday, north central leaders with “gather” online for their round of updates. Then, next Tuesday and Wednesday will get us through the southern counties. We look forward to hopping online and chatting with our county leaders! If you haven’t heard from us regarding these virtual round-ups, please contact our office at (334) 265-1867.

SLE STRATEGICALLY PLANS

Board Members of the Southeastern Livestock Exposition gathered in person and via Zoom on Wednesday for a Strategic Planning Meeting. The agenda included outlining five and 10 year plans for the organization, along with creating a mission statement. They also covered a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) Analysis and addressed goals to work toward. They also talked about plans for the 2021 rodeo and get the ball rolling there.

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

As of today, the ACA is proud to represent 8,578 members of our state association and counting as counties continue to recruit new and renewal members. County leaders- don’t forget the new “Over the Top” deadline has been extended to July 31. Help us get to 10,000 members strong while earning your president an iconic ACA red coat!

AJCA ROUND-UP: ON THE HORIZON!

We are excited to welcome 115 youth livestock exhibitors to the Garrett Coliseum for our 14^thAnnual Round-Up next week. We look forward to seeing the youth of Alabama compete in numerous educational contest all weekend. If you are planning to attend Round-Up as a spectator or exhibitor please be award that mask are MANDATORY in Montgomery city limits. We invite everyone to take part in watching the future of our industry compete on our Alabama Junior Cattlemen’s Association Facebook page. We will be streaming events throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday.

BAMA BEEF SALES DIRECTORY

This week, the ACA launched our Bama Beef online sales directory, which connects consumers looking for local beef to the cattlemen who produce it! The listings are now live at www.BamaBeef.org/BamaBeef, so if you know anyone who sells local beef, be sure to have them contact our office so we can include them on the directory! We also encourage you to share this link with consumers you may know who are looking to stock up on some local freezer beef.

ACES BEEF SYSTEMS SHOURT COURSES- COMING THIS FALL

Producers new to the cattle business should attend Alabama Extension’s new Beef Systems Short Course.   The short course is a multi-night lecture series covering the fundamentals of beef production and is geared for new and limited experience producers.

Producers can take the course at different locations around the state, including Jasper, Hayneville, Texasville and Centre.  These are regional meetings and producers should select the location and dates most convenient for them. Over four nights, producers will learn critical information on profitable beef production.

There is a $40 registration fee, and all participants will receive a copy of Extension’s recently updated Alabama Beef Handbook.

Alabama Extension animal scientists developed a concentrated curriculum that is most vital for new cattle producers to master. The course will be taught by Extension regional animal science agent. Learn more and register at www.ACES.edu.

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.

Welcome, July! And Happy Independence Week 🇺🇸 We will stop to celebrate our many freedoms and enjoy a weekend among family and in front of the grill, let us also remember those who have sacrificed for those freedoms. It’s not all about hamburgers and American Flag T-shirts. It’s about the blood, sweat a tears that those who came before us poured in order to make America the greatest country in the world. We salute our heritage and will work to preserve those values. Speaking of work, while the holiday week creates a slower pace in the workplace for many, your ACA team is still busy as we represent you here in our state’s capital. Keep reading for this week’s Bama Beef Update, and again, Happy Fourth of July!

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ACA ATTENDS ALMA ANNUAL MEETING

ACA Executive Vice President Erin Beasley and Director of Field Services Morgan Pounds spent a couple of days on Alabama’s most Southern tip this week as they attended the Alabama Livestock Marketing Association Annual Meeting in Orange Beach. As you may well know, Alabama’s livestock markets do not sell on the week of Fourth of July, which frees up these market owners to gather for a quick meeting. The success of our stockyards is vitally important to Alabama’s beef cattle industry, so Erin and Morgan wanted to hear about how they’re coming through COVID-19, provide them with an industry update and host dialogue about how we as an association can continue working with them for the betterment of our cattle industry. Check out the Southeast AgNet story, here.

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

As of today, the ACA is proud to represent 8,533 members of our state association and counting as counties continue to recruit new and renewal members. County leaders- don’t forget the new “Over the Top” deadline has been extended to July 31. Help us get to 10,000 members strong while earning your president an iconic ACA red coat!

AJCA ROUND-UP REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED

Registration for the 2020 AJCA Round-Up has closed, and we are excited to welcome many, many youth in cattle to Montgomery in just two short weeks. While Morgan continues to filter through the entries, we’ll report back with more numbers next week. This year’s event may look a little different— as does everything— but we still look forward to an excellent show. A few changes to look for are the Opening Ceremonies, Awards Banquet are cancelled. We will announce awards by age division in smaller groups. Also, to avoid cross-contact, no food will be served throughout the event. As a reminder, be sure to bring a mask or type of face covering, by ordinance of the City of Montgomery. Stay tuned as more updates come about.

ACA LAUNCHES “STEAK HOME ALABAMA” CAMPAIGN

Just in time for the Fourth of July holiday, the Alabama Beef Checkoff Program is proud to extend a nationally-launched campaign here in our home state. Featuring a steak cut in to the shape of Alabama, the “United We Steak” summer grilling campaign offers a play on a classic, “Steak Home Alabama.” This patriotic campaign captures everything you love about grilling with friends and family. In Birmingham, billboards will feature the above imagery. Facebook and Instagram advertising has already launched and will see a bigger bump in paid advertising later this week, and radio stations are featuring the patriotic sound of the sizzle as stations in Huntsville, Birmingham, Mobile and Montgomery are all running summer grilling commercials, brought to listeners by BEEF.

BAMA BEEF SALES DIRECTORY

In response to growing demand for local beef products, the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association is in the process of creating a digital portal to directly connect consumers looking to purchase beef with those who produce it. We are now accepting submissions to be included in this directory, which we plan to launch publicly next week! If you are an Alabama beef producer who sells freezer beef, please add your operation to the listing by completing our form available also at www.BamaBeef.org/BamaBeef. Or you can call our office to relay the information. Just ask to speak with Ali Cantrell or Kayla Greer.

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.

Summertime is in full swing here in Montgomery, and while the year 2020 has offered anything but normalcy, we are doing our best to seek out new and exciting ways to promote beef and work on your behalf! With the AJCA Round-Up approaching quickly and summer grills firing up, it is a time of beef promotion and youth education around here. We’re also continuing on with normal tasks like protecting you on the Hill and putting out our monthly magazine, the Alabama Cattleman. Keep reading to check out what is happening around the ACA this week.

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YCLP CLASS VII KICKS OFF

Class VII of the Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program (YCLP) kicks off its first session this Friday in Montgomery. This class of 29 young cattlemen will tour Montgomery Stockyards, McLane-Garrett, LLC, CK Cattle, and enjoy a relaxing stay at Kick Back Ranch Resort. To go along with the farm tours, the class will also receive virtual leadership training with Auburn University’s Dr. Don Mulvaney and have a Q&A beef industry issues discussion with ACA Executive VP Erin Beasley. Plenty of time for networking, socializing and making new friends in the beef industry is also on the agenda! We are looking forward to meeting this year’s class and building their knowledge and leadership skills throughout the year. Follow us on Facebook to keep up with this weekend’s events.

CHECKOFF SIGNS PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH AL.COM

Beginning late this summer and early this fall and preceding the 2020 College Football season, be watching as AL.com releases its 2020 “Meet the Tide” and “Meet the Tigers” videos, as they’ll be brought to you by BEEF. In a year with so many event cancellations and so few sports, your checkoff team had to explore new, more virtual options for promoting our brand! The ACA logo will fly proud throughout the videos— which are expected to receive over 750,000 impressions online— and the iconic Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner logo and Rodeo jingle will be heard at the end of each of the four pre-season videos featuring the biggest recruits of the Alabama Crimson Tide and Auburn Tigers. We are very excited for this opportunity to feature beef in line with our state’s biggest names in football!

UNITED WE STEAK SUMMER GRILLING CAMPAIGN KICKOFF

Just in time for the Fourth of July holiday, the Alabama Beef Checkoff Program is proud to extend a nationally-launched campaign here in our home state. Featuring a steak cut in to the shape of Alabama, the “United We Steak” summer grilling campaign offers a play on a classic, “Steak Home Alabama.” This patriotic campaign captures everything you love about grilling with friends and family. In Birmingham, billboards will feature the above imagery. Facebook and Instagram advertising has already launched and will see a bigger bump in paid advertising later this week, and radio stations are featuring the patriotic sound of the sizzle as stations in Huntsville, Birmingham, Mobile and Montgomery are all running summer grilling commercials, brought to listeners by BEEF.

BAMA BEEF SALES DIRECTORY

In response to growing demand for local beef products, the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association is in the process of creating a digital portal to directly connect consumers looking to purchase beef with those who produce it. We are now accepting submissions to be included in this directory. If you are an Alabama beef producer who sells freezer beef, please add your operation to the listing by completing our form available also at www.BamaBeef.org/BamaBeef. Or you can call our office to relay the information. Just ask to speak with Ali Cantrell or Kayla Greer.

14TH ANNUAL AJCA ROUND-UP

Registration is now open for the 14th annual Alabama Junior Cattlemen’s Association Round-Up. It closes in just FIVE short days!! Happening July 16-19 at the Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery, this annual junior event is full steam ahead. With adjustments constantly being made to accommodate CDC guidelines in the wake of COVID-19, we would like to draw attention to the fact that the following contests could potentially be cancelled due to the inability to properly and safely socially distance our competitors: Showmanship Clinic, Cattle Judging, Volleyball, Battle of the Beef. The follow events are cancelled: Awards Banquet. Divisions will be called in separately, and winners will be given their awards. No food will be served throughout the weekend. Voting will be come-and-go at allotted time slots based on division. A full schedule and the rules packet are available on the website and are being updated continually, along with registration. Check it out >> www.BamaBeef.org/RoundUp.

ACA MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

As it stands today, the ACA is proud to represent 8,510 members of our state association and counting as counties continue to recruit new and renewal members. County leaders- don’t forget the new “Over the Top” deadline has been extended to July 31. Help us get to 10,000 members strong while earning your president an iconic ACA red coat!

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.

This year continues to be a unique one for the record books, but as life seems to somewhat be returning towhead may be a new normal, the cattle industry is picking back up in action. Sales are on the calendar, events are on the docket (in moderation), and we are able to find ourselves traveling a bit more than we have in the past few months. As we all continue to navigate these unchartered waters, we encourage you to stay updated with what’s going on here in our Montgomery office and beyond. Keep reading for this week’s Bama Beef Update.

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ACA SUBMITS CARES PROPOSALS, AWAITING RESPONSE

One portion of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economics Security (CARES) Act was earmarked funds for each state, and Alabama received $1.8 billion. The association was instrumental in submitting three requests on behalf of the cattle industry for review by Governor Kay Ivey’s office. 

1. Rep. Nathaniel Ledbetter submitted a request for a comprehensive feasibility study to increase meat processing capabilities in the state.
2. Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate submitted a request for $1.5 million to be used for small meat processing plant enhancements to increase beef cattle harvest capabilities in the state.
3. The association submitted a request for additional funds to be used for direct payments to cattlemen who sold feeder calves between April 16-May 15 that were not compensated for losses in the USDA Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) due to selling cattle after April 15. 

The association is hopeful to that some of these requests will come to fruition in an effort to provide additional relief to cattlemen and meet the need of increased beef cattle slaughter in the state. 

STAFF ATTENDS YOUTH EVENTS

Staffer Morgan Pounds has been out and about at junior events this month. Youth of Alabama have been excited to be able to compete in livestock shows and participate in field days again. From Pike Memorial Day Blowout, Alabama Angus field day, to the Belt Buckle Classic this past weekend we are thrilled to see our youth back at livestock shows. We are looking forward to seeing you all in July at the 14th annual Round-Up! Registration closes June 29 register online here! www.BamaBeef.org/RoundUp

YCLP CLASS VII TO HOLD FIRST MEETING IN MONTGOMERY

This YCLP Class VII will be headed to Montgomery for their first session of the year. This class will meet at ACA Building for tour and leadership training on Friday June 26^th. They will get the chance to tour Montgomery Stockyards, McLane Garrett Cattle Company, and CK Cattle. This years class ranges in ages 38-22 and from 19 counties all throughout the state. If you are a YCLP Alumni and would like to meet this years class please fill out the form at this link to stay updated on YCLP Alumni events and current class. Click Here

FILMING A VIRTUAL BEEF 101

With the unknowns remaining about what the school year may look like come fall, staff has elected to be vigilant in maintaining one of our shining star programs of the Alabama Beef Checkoff Program, BEEF 101. Just in case events are still discouraged and outside-the-classroom travel isn’t possible, staffers Ali Cantrell and Kayla Greer will be working this summer to create a virtual BEEF 101 learning experience. Tomorrow, the duo will join the butchers, meat scientists and cattlemen at Auburn’s Meat Lab to film a live animal evaluation and a carcass fabrication. This footage will be accompanied with explanations from professionals, and this content will be provided to any and all who would like to still experience the pasture to plate story we tell during this successful program. Stay tuned as we produce this educational content!

BAMA BEEF SALES DIRECTORY

In response to growing demand for local beef products, the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association is in the process of creating a digital portal to directly connect consumers looking to purchase beef with those who produce it. We are now accepting submissions to be included in this directory. If you are an Alabama beef producer who sells freezer beef, please add your operation to the listing by completing our form available also at www.BamaBeef.org/BamaBeef. Or you can call our office to relay the information. Just ask to speak with Ali Cantrell or Kayla Greer.

ACA MEETS WITH SWEET GROWN ALABAMA

Staffers Erin Beasley and Ali Cantrell will head over to the Alabama Department of Ag & Industries today to meet with Ellie Watson, Alex Tigue, Dr. Misty Edmondson, Brady Ragland and Dr. Nealy Barrett to brainstorm the possibilities of incorporating Sweet Grown Alabama- branded beef into local grocery stores across Alabama. This effort will require much forethought, and this team is looking to work toward benefiting both Alabama cattle producers and the consumers who place high value in local products.

14TH ANNUAL AJCA ROUND-UP

Registration is now open for the 14th annual Alabama Junior Cattlemen’s Association Round-Up. Happening July 16-19 at the Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery, this annual junior event is full steam ahead. With adjustments constantly being made to accommodate CDC guidelines in the wake of COVID-19, we would like to draw attention to the fact that the following contests could potentially be cancelled due to the inability to properly and safely socially distance our competitors: Showmanship Clinic, Cattle Judging, Volleyball, Battle of the Beef. The follow events are cancelled: Awards Banquet. Divisions will be called in separately, and winners will be given their awards. No food will be served throughout the weekend. Voting will be come-and-go at allotted time slots based on division. A full schedule and the rules packet are available on the website and are being updated continually, along with registration. Check it out >> www.BamaBeef.org/RoundUp.

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.