Howdy, cattlemen! August is scooting past us quickly and bringing the fall months with it. While your staff gears up for an extra busy time of year, we know each of you are preparing for county annual meetings, fall calving season, cattle sales and…let’s be real, this is important…football season. Before we get too focused on touchdowns and newborn calves, get your weekly update from the ACA.
Amping Up Membership…Software Style!
If you’re looking for ACA Membership Coordinator Jessica Kennedy, she’s buried under 50,000 membership profiles dating back to 2005. What are we talking about, you ask? She’s making a huge leap this week toward activating our new membership software. This week held the big import which moves all our data from the old software (Ag Returns) to the new, web-based program! The plan is to have the software up and running by the kickoff of the November membership drive, and we’ll train our county leaders at our upcoming regional meetings.
Note: We are asking that NO MORE information be submitted to the Ag Returns software. If you have new county information to submit, please contact Jessica Kennedy.
Before we finish up our membership update, we’d like to take just one
more opportunity to congratulate Franklin, Limestone and Lauderdale counties on being the three largest county chapters in 2017. For those who missed the fun at last week’s board meeting, our largest county with 582 members (Franklin County) was awarded a shiny new outdoor tent and “Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner” banner, while Limestone County (502 members) was awarded the same banner. Coming in at third place with 350 members, Lauderdale County was awarded a $50 merchandise credit. Congrats to all three hard-working counties!
ACA Regional Meetings
If you’re a leader in your county cattlemen’s chapter, be sure to save the date for our upcoming regional meetings. We’ll be bringing October Beef Month supplies, updates, software training and open discussion to your back yard. If you’re interested in an October Beef Month box, contact Jessica. Here are the dates:
9/5 Marshall County Dinner
6:30 p.m. Guntersville Extension Office
9/6 Lawrence County Breakfast
7:30 a.m. Mel’s Stockyard (Moulton)
9/12 Tallapoosa County Dinner
Location/Time TBD
9/13 Tuscaloosa County Breakfast
7:30 a.m. Heritage House (Tuscaloosa)
9/19 Clarke County Dinner
Location/Time TBD
9/20 Pike County Breakfast
7:30 a.m. Pig Cafe (Troy)
Board Sales
Cattle sale season is rapidly approaching and board sales have already begun to kick off around the state. This Thursday, ACA Director of Industry Relations & Youth Programs Michael Agar is attending the Piedmont Cattle Marketing Association Board Sale at the ALFA home office at noon in Montgomery. For those interested, the sale can be viewed live at here. Speaking of cattle sales and ALFA, Michael also enjoyed visiting Montgomery Stockyard this Monday with Nate Jaeger of the Alabama Farmers Federation.
BAMA’S BEST BURGER Elite 8 Challenge
After five successful years of the Alabama’s Best Steak contest and the
implementation of the #ALSteakTrail, your beef checkoff program is switching its focus to burgers. After a buzzing week of nominations which garnered a reach of over 241,000 Facebook users, the Bama’s Best Burger contest welcomed over 1,000 nominations, which made the task of finding the eight most-nominated even more daunting than usual. Nevertheless, we did, and now our Facebook Photo Challenge is well underway! Check out who made the Elite 8 cut from each region:
North
- Rattlesnake Saloon’s “The Duke Burger” (Tuscumbia)
- Big Chief Drive In’s “Chuck Burger” (Glencoe)
Central
- Black Rock Bistro’s “Alabama Burger” (Jasper)
- Deano’s Grill’s “Deano Burger” (Jacksonville)
South
- Hamburger King’s “Deluxe Cheeseburger” (Montgomery)
- Sheila C’s Burger Barn’s “Cheeseburger” (Auburn)
Gulf
- Fish River Grill’s “Swamp Burger” (Foley)
- Our Place Diner’s “Back, Egg & Cheese Burger” (Ozark)
*Those in italics are currently leading the votes in their district* Get involved with our contest, especially for those who share a home county with a contestant. Share our contest on Facebook and submit you vote today! Click Here to check out photos of each contestant’s burger and to vote. The voting window closes at midnight THIS Sunday, and we will shortly after announce the Fiery 4 finalists!
Flying High with YCLP
Last week’s Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program (YCLP) session was a true adventure. The objective of our second gathering can be defined into one word- teamwork. The young cattlemen kicked off the weekend by joining at the Beef Teaching Unit at Auburn University for lunch then traded their boots for sneakers as they headed out to the AU Challenge Course. All throughout the hot August afternoon, the future leaders participated in ropes course challenges to learn all about working together as a team, encouragement and how to rely and trust on your fellow cattlemen. The afternoon wrapped up with a delicious dinner at La Cantina, owned by Jim Collins of Cusseta, Alabama, followed by a tour of DCJ Ranch, led by farm manager Cal Whatley.
Day #2 of the session was spent at the Beef Cattle Conference hosted at 
the Ham Wilson Livestock Arena in Auburn. The group listened to several guest speakers then joined breakout groups to participate in a calving demonstration, an estrus synchronization discussion and carcass/fabrication evaluations.
CATTLE JUDGING FIELD DAY
Save the date for our upcoming Cattle Judging Field Day! On September 16, youth across Alabama are invited to participate in a cattle judging class with Auburn University Livestock Judging Coach Jason P’Poole, participate in a cattle judging clinic, learn during a questions class and get feedback on their reason-giving skills from P’Poole and ACA’s Michael Agar, an alumni of the Mississippi State Livestock Judging Team. This event is FREE to all youth, and while AJCA membership is not required, it is encouraged.
Registration for the event is now available online. To learn more or to register, visit BamaBeef.org/JudgingFieldDay
October Beef Month Planning Underway
October may be a couple months away but your checkoff promotions team already has big plans in the works for October Beef Month in Alabama! While ACA Executive Vice President Erin Beasley spearheads Beef 101 programs and a restaurant-focused “Beef Week,” ACA Director of Social Media & Communications Kayla Greer is pulling out all the stops on digital promotion efforts. Expect to see catchy Facebook advertising, Snapchat takeovers and a statewide ibotta coupon!
Here are a Few Handy Links You May Enjoy:
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.
Up. Junior cattlemen from across the state joined to exhibit and expand their knowledge of the beef cattle industry. We were thrilled to host over 150 young people in 14 different contests. YOU can still experience all the fun we had at Round-Up by visiting the 
AWARD “SITING”: Last week, your ACA publications and marketing staffers Nicky Bechard and Kayla Greer traveled west to Salt Lake City, Utah to participate in the Ag Media Summit (AMS). This largely-attended event hosts over 500 agricultural editorials, marketers and photographers to participate in workshops designed to hone their craft. Each year, the Livestock Publications Council (LPC) hosts its annual membership meeting and contest awards ceremony during AMS. Your association website, 
little buckaroos stopped by to participate in Slim’s Summer Picnic. It was a staff effort to execute the event, but the mastermind behind the fun and games was The MOOseum Coordinator Kara Harden. Courtesy of SunSouth Montgomery, we had a John Deere tractor photo op and special thanks to Justalil’ Rodeo Company for bringing all the fun cowboy games!! On top of all that excitement, attendees also got a hamburger lunch and toured The MOOseum!
WE HAVE RAFFLE TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE!! Contact us if you’d like a book to sell or purchase for your chance to win the John Deere Gator! The deadline to have money and raffle tickets turned in is before or at the summer board meeting. There will be a prize for the person who sells the most raffle tickets. They come in books of 10 and Jessica can mail them out today! 
When staff arrived in the office last Wednesday after a welcomed long weekend celebrating July 4, the crew was under new leadership. Longtime staff member and former Director of Checkoff Programs Erin Beasley took over her new role as executive vice president of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association. Since taking on this role in the past week, Erin has moved on up to the big office and gracefully transitioned into her leadership role. Our association is surely in great hands as Erin has an expansive knowledge of the beef cattle industry and a team of great volunteer leaders to work alongside. The future is bright!
the pleasure of visiting BBQ Stop in Jefferson County last Wednesday to present its plaque for winning our 2nd annual Bama’s Best Beef contest. They were joined by ACA Vice President Chris Langley and his wife Elizabeth who spoke during the the presentation and enjoyed the delicious “Brisket & Mac” dish.
Last Wednesday, registration for the 11th annual AJCA Round-Up closed, and we are proud to have over 150 young cattlemen from across the state heading to Montgomery next week for a FIESTA good time. They’ll participate not only in cattle shows, but cattle judging, team grooming, public speaking, essay, career development, ad design, a cook-off and so many more fun contests!
ACA Director of Industry Relations and Youth Programs Michael Agar enjoyed spending this past Saturday in Fruitdale, AL with Washington County cattlemen while learning about the benefits of sun hemp, rotational grazing and livestock mixes from Richard and Steven Petcher. We appreciate Tommy Fuller and the Washington County leadership team for the invite and for hosting a great field day for producers.
livestock judging skills as he took the Intermediate Division reasons at the Simmental Junior Nationals Youth Livestock Judging Contest in Hattiesburg, MS. We were proud to have numerous AJCA members compete within this division. These kids were challenged to rank four head of cattle from best to worst in six classes, including cow/calf pairs, bulls and replacement heifers and keep/cull.
staffers of the ACA. Staffers Kayla Greer, Michael Agar and intern Logan Strock are on the road visiting cattlemen in west Alabama and east Mississippi as the trio made its way to Town Creek Farm in West Point, MS to conduct an interview and cover shoot for the October issue of the Alabama Cattleman magazine. A focus on fertility and performance in over 200 docile Brangus bulls made for a great afternoon at Town Creek Farm. Thanks to Milton Sundbeck, Joy Reznicek and Clint Ladner for an afternoon of scenic views and learning more about the Brangus breed!
While making their way west, the staffers stopped in Uniontown to visit Alabama Livestock Auction’s Tuesday sale. Kayla took the opportunity to introduce our newest staffer, Michael, to Jimmy and Jim Sealy while enjoying time on the market scene. On their way back after staying the night in Starkville, the group will visit with cattlemen in Pickens County including Mike Dee at Dee River Ranch. To follow them along their trip, follow the ACA on SnapChat (alcattlemen).
on his role with a busy agenda! Last Friday, he attended the Pike County Invitational at Cattleman Park in Troy and had the opportunity to meet with many Pike County Cattlemen, including none other than Mr. Ed Whatley. He was also introduced to several Juniors, their families and producers. It was a great show with 93 head of cattle shown, roughly 30 of which were steers and 60 heifers.
Saturday, Michael traveled to Sumners Farm in Boaz, AL for the 9th annual South Poll Field Day. The field day featured speakers such as Teddy Gentry, who developed the South Poll breed and Richard Petcher who spoke primarily on the benefits of grazing sunn hemp. Sumners Farm has a model rotational grazing system and their high-quality grass fed cattle certainly reflect that. Juniors within the breed were challenged to speak in front of the crowd of nearly 200 people to tell their own farm story. The field day was followed by lunch and a sale featuring 32 lots of South Poll cattle. We enjoyed the opportunity to visit with South Poll breeders and our north Alabama cattlemen.
from across the state at Auburn’s Beef Unit as they earned their BQA certification, five continuing education hours and a beef lesson plan to take back to their classrooms, courtesy of the Alabama Beef Checkoff Program. As a new school year approaches, these teachers are now more equipped to teach our next generation about cattle production practices and the beef industry from “pasture to plate.” This is your checkoff dollars at work!
Last Friday and Saturday, ACA staffers Kayla Greer, Michael Agar and Logan Strock served on the Southeastern Regional Hereford Show Operations Committee and enjoyed helping ACA Regional Vice President Dr. Don Mulvaney execute the regional show. Michael helped out in the ring while Kayla and Logan provided photographic services for the show and kept a master list of the division and overall winners. Excellent Hereford cattle and even better junior cattlemen exhibitors where in attendance! We even got to see a few of our own AJCA members and congratulate them on wins.
Beef lovers have spoken and Clay, AL’s 
been spending a lot of time going over the various aspects of managing the ACA including magazine, administration, accounting, staff, etc. Erin Beasley will promote to the role of executive vice president effective July 1. Dr. Powell will not entirely hang up his hat, though. He will be taking on a change of title to become the new “SLE Rodeo General Manager” where he will still maintain the responsibility of putting on the 61st annual SLE Rodeo coming to town March 15-17, 2018.
Beef is king of the grill, and dad is king of the household. It’s no wonder the two go hand-in-hand. Be sure to wish your dad a Happy Father’s Day with a juicy steak or a delicious, hot-off-grill burger. Happy Father’s Day to all the great dads out there!
the state staff team for his first week on the job. A recent graduate of Mississippi State University, Michael brings a thorough knowledge of beef cattle industry with him to the team. During college, he served as the president of the Collegiate Cattlemen’s Association, worked at the MSU Beef Unit and competed on the Livestock Judging Team. He completed an internship at Town Creek Farm in Mississippi.
It’s a busy week in downtown Montgomery, and there’s a lot of National Blue and Corn Gold to be seen. That’s right! It’s FFA Week in town, and we’re proud to see so many young folks involved and excelling in agriculture. You’ll find us involved in many aspects of the week but the two most important involve the trade show and the Wall of Honor luncheon.
Honor luncheon. We’re excited today to have around 100 people on our third floor enjoying a steak luncheon as 11 new members will be inducted into the Alabama FFA Wall of Honor. We’re excited to have this crowd with us today, and we’re excited about the many FFA groups that will be touring The MOOseum this week as well!
“juicy, tender, slow-smoked brisket over homemade, melt-in-your-mouth, mac & cheese.” Old Town Stock House of Guntersville, AL “Tteok Galbi” is described as “Korean marinated beef served on house steam buns.”
Now, July. If you want the best advertising deal in town, call us today! July’s magazine reaches a circulation of over 20,000 people…that’s double our normal circulation…but advertising rates are the same! That’s twice the bang for your advertising buck, and we don’t want you to miss out. Give Nicky Bechard a call today at (334) 265-1867 or shoot her an 
This week’s blog wouldn’t be complete without mentioning that Dr. Powell is enjoying his retirement gift while in Oklahoma City at the Women’s College World Series with his three sons, Greg, Matt and Will. Dr. Powell is a lifelong softball fan, so it was to his surprise that we sent him on a trip to enjoy some quality time with his sons while enjoying the sport he loves. He even got to visit the Cowboy Hall of Fame! Our hat’s off to you, Dr. Powell! Safe travels.
Also happening today, we’ll be taking our annual trip over to the Capitol with our friends from Alabama CattleWomen’s Association to have the Beef for Father’s Day Proclamation Signing. Beef is a man’s best friend, and it’s #KingOfTheGrill this summertime. Fire up the grill and give your dad the gift of delicious beef this Father’s Day!
featuring hamburgers at Central Restaurant in downtown Montgomery. This event showcased three outstanding chefs from the restaurants Corks & Cleavers, Sundown and Hamburger King in the Montgomery area. The winning chef, Hunter Harrison of Hamburger King, created a unique blended burger with Mexican chorizo and mushrooms, topped with candied bacon and a Creole aioli. By winning the competition, Chef Harrison will now compete in the World Food Championships this fall in Gulf Shores. We look forward to sponsoring a similar contest this summer featuring steak.
slow-smoked brisket over homemade, melt-in-your-mouth, mac & cheese.” Bertolone’s Italian Cafe of Clanton, AL “Cannelloni” is described as “fresh pasta shells filled with seasoned ground beef, spinach and Italian cheeses topped with bolognese and bescamela sauces.”
summertime heat and rain by bringing your kiddos, daycare or church groups to explore Alabama’s beef cattle industry. Tours are lining up left and right, and the laughter of children is filling our first floor already at the early kick off of summer vacation. The best part is that they’ll be learning without even knowing it! We are open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Come see us!
ntina in Auburn’s “Tex Mex Lasagna” is described as a “three-layer tortilla lasagna of seasoned ground beef, refried beans, and red chili sauce, topped with our delicious Monterey and cheddar blend cheese and finished with pico de gallo and a sprinkle of cotija cheese.”
The Alabama Cattlemen’s Association is excited to sponsor the Culinary Fight Club Alabama “Blended Burger Battle” happening Thursday night from 6-9 p.m. at Central in downtown Montgomery. We’re sponsoring the beef as area chefs go head-to-head to craft the best burger in show. Our own Erin Beasley will be serving as a guest judge while staff attends to support the beef-centric event.
MBA State Coordinator and ACA Director of Social Media & Communications Kayla Greer has been working to create a “digital took kit” for graduates of both the Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program and the Masters of Beef Advocacy program to use during the summertime. The tool kit features graphics, captions, images and ideas about how to effectively post about all that goes on around the beef cattle industry during the summer months.
We’ve got a new face in the office as Logan Strock has started his summer internship with the ACA this week! Logan is from White City in Autauga County and is a student at Mississippi State pursuing his degree in agriscience education. He’s with us this summer to help plan the 11th annual, Fiesta-themed AJCA Round-Up held at the Garrett Coliseum July 20-23. He’s already off to a great start as he’s lining up contest judges and preparing to host Junior directors for a planning meeting next Tuesday!