New BQA Video Available Online

          A new video from the Beef Quality Assurance program titled "BQA Cattle Handling Tips for Cow/Calf Producers" is now available at bqa.org as well as on YouTube. The video was created to demonstrate how to handle different types of cattle (bulls, cows, heifers, calves, and pairs) on cow/calf, stocker, and seedstock operations. Experts Dr. Ron Gill, Curt Pate, Dr. John Maas, and others take you though different production settings and the changing cycle of a cattle operation to understand how the handler and the cattle react to these differing situations. 

Click Here to Watch Online

.

ACA Convention - Gaining Ground in 2012

Hundreds of cattlemen will convene on the Rocket City this Friday and Saturday, March 30 and 31 for the 69^th Annual Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Convention Trade Show. The biggest cattle event of the year will be at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville.

The event will offer attendees the opportunity to hear from industry experts on topics relating to policy, trade, production, and marketing. A highlight of the event is the huge trade show which has grown considerably this year to include 75 vendors representing the complete spectrum of products and services in demand from cattlemen as well as a few the whole families can enjoy.

             An added attraction this year is an effort from the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association and its members to restock the canned food stores of the North Alabama Food Bank as the one year anniversary of the April 27^th tornadoes draws near. Admission to the trade show on Saturday is free to those who contribute a canned food item to help in the Association’s drive to help the food bank.

             In addition 41 students will be awarded scholarships through the Alabama Cattlemen’s Foundation funded mostly from the sale of the “Cowboy Tag”.  Wendell Gibbs of Ranburne will be inducted into the Alabama Livestock Hall of Fame and Ag Commissioner John McMillan will receive the T. Whit Athey Award for leadership.

Donna Jo Curtis, cattle producer from Athens, will be installed as president of the statewide organization at the annual meeting on Sunday. Curtis will be the second woman to lead this 11,600 member association. Curtis stated that eight out of ten of the counties with the most cattle are located in north Alabama and she extends a special invitation to these producers to take time to come and attend this event.

            Registration on-site for the event is open to everyone, even those who are not members of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association. A complete schedule of events is available online at www.bamabeef.org.

.

Setting the Record Straight on Ground Beef

News and commentary reports in recent weeks have brought undue attention on ground beef. However, Donna Jo Curtis of Athens who serves as President of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association, has joined with her fellow beef producers in reassuring consumers that the beef they love is both safe and nutritious.

“I raise the beef we all eat. I know the work that goes into caring for these animals and the safeguards that are in place to keep our product wholesome. I serve beef to my children and grandchildren and won’t let some false media reports scare me away from doing what I know is right,” says Curtis.

What has been mislabeled as “pink slime” is actually boneless lean beef trimmings. The picture many have seen circulating the internet is a false depiction of what truthfully looks exactly like ground beef. As their real name suggests, boneless lean beef trimmings are 100% USDA inspected beef.  Imagine trimming fat from a roast or steak.  There’s always some meat that is trimmed with the fat.  It is this meat, separated from the fat, which becomes boneless lean beef trimmings.

Boneless Lean Beef Trimmings

Also receiving some unfair attention are the measures food processors use to fight E. coli contamination. In truth, boneless lean beef trimmings receive a puff of food grade ammonia to eliminate bacteria safely and effectively.  When combined with the natural moisture in beef, ammonium hydroxide is formed, which is a naturally occurring compound found in many foods, in our own bodies and the environment. This antibacterial puff of gas is not an ingredient in boneless lean beef trimmings. This process is safe and has been recognized as such by the FDA since 1974.

Noted author Peter McWilliams is often quoted for saying, “bad news gets higher ratings and sells more papers.” That sentiment surely appears to apply in this situation. The fact is that the beef you buy at your local supermarket or enjoy at your favorite restaurant is safe for you to share with your family. In fact, lean beef has been proven as a part of a heart healthy diet that delivers a delicious array of essential nutrients like zinc, iron, protein, and B vitamins that active bodies need.

The Alabama Cattlemen’s Association has two trained meat scientists on staff that are available to discuss this and other issues related to the beef industry. Those interested should contact Erin Beasley at the ACA office at 334-265-1867. As well, more information on this issue can be found online by visiting www.beefisbeef.com.


.

110 Win County Livestock Awards During SLE Week

          During the recent 54^th Annual Southeastern Livestock Exposition Rodeo activities held at the Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery, one hundred and ten youth from fifty five counties across Alabama were recognized for their commitment to the state’s livestock industry. Through a sponsorship from the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, the SLE was able to work with county leaders and volunteers to nominate and reward two young people in each county as Star Junior Cattlemen or Premier Exhibitors.

          “We actually awarded over $27,000 to a great group of young people from all over Alabama. These winners represent the state’s best livestock showmen as well as those who’ll be taking the reins as the future leaders of the livestock industry in our state,” says Camp Powers, President of the Southeastern Livestock Exposition.

          Over four hundred and sixty people were on hand for the awards luncheon which was held in conjunction with the 2012 Alabama Junior Beef Expo. The families and supporters of two hundred and eleven junior cattle exhibitors from forty four counties in Alabama were in attendance for the Junior Beef Expo which is hosted each year during SLE Week by the Southeastern Livestock Exposition.

          “We’re very grateful to the Poarch Band of Creek Indians for supporting our youth. Even those young people who don’t show cattle at state level shows like this were able to come and be a part of SLE Week and be recognized for their hard work before a statewide audience. We realize these are youngsters who deserve a lot of support and encouragement and we’re glad to be a part of that,” says Dr. Billy Powell, Executive Director of the Southeastern Livestock Exposition.

          The SLE Rodeo is sponsored each year since 1958 by the Southeastern Livestock Exposition whose founding principle was to support and promote the livestock industry. Nearly 20,000 rodeo fans were treated this year to the IPRA National All Region Finals as well as concerts in the arena by Colt Ford and Clint Black. Crowds were strong all weekend with rodeo attendance up 20% from last year. For more information on the Southeastern Livestock Exposition, visit www.slerodeo.com.

.

Scenes from 2012 SLE Week

Thanks to all the rodeo patrons, participants, vendors, sponsors, and volunteers who made the 2012 SLE Rodeo and Junior Beef Expo a success. Below are some scenes from last week's event. Look for more coverage coming in future issues of the Alabama Cattleman magazine. This publication is mailed monthly to 12,000 subscribers. To begin receiving the Alabama Cattleman, join online by clicking here.

_

2012 AJCA Board of Directors Elections

Elections for the 2012-2013 AJCA Board of Directors will be held Sunday March 11th at 8 am in the Teague Arena in Montgomery. This annual event is held each year in conjunction with the Alabama Junior Beef Expo. Elections and voting are open to AJCA members. Six positions will be filled during this year's election. Please see details below:

• District one will elect one director for a 2 year term.

District 1 Candidates:
Will Graves, Blount County
James Barton, Jackson County
Carly Lindstrom, Madison County
Shayne Pinyan, Cullman County

District 1 includes: Blount, Cherokee, Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan, and Winston counties.

• District two will elect one director for a 2 year term.

District 2 Candidates:
Cole Wakefield, Clay County


District 2 includes: Bibb, Calhoun, Clay, Cleburne, Fayette, Greene, Jefferson, Lamar, Pickens, Randolph, Shelby, Sumter, St. Clair, Talladega, Tuscaloosa, and Walker counties.

• District three will elect one director for a 2 year term.

District 3 Candidates:
Clay McGuire, Lee County


District 3 includes: Autauga, Bullock, Chambers, Chilton, Choctaw, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore, Hale, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Montgomery, Perry, Russell, Tallapoosa, and Wilcox counties.

• District four will elect one director for a 2 year term.

District 4 Candidates:
Hannah Goodson, Coffee County
Madison Tew, Dale County


District 4 includes: Baldwin, Barbour, Butler, Clarke, Coffee, Conecuh, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Escambia, Geneva, Henry, Houston, Mobile, Monroe, Pike, and Washington counties.

• One candidate will be elected for an "At Large" position for a 2 year term.
• One candidate will be elected for an "At Large" position for a 1 year term.

_