Movie Monday: Mineral Nutrition

Hey Producers, 

 Do you have a strong mineral nutrition program for your cattle? According to this segment of NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen, it’s important to have a consistent, balanced and weather-resistant program to ensure your cattle are receiving the best in mineral nutrition. Check out today’s #MovieMonday for tips and suggestions to improve your nutrition directive.

Online Store Holiday Shopping

It’s Black Friday which means Christmas shopping is underway! Avoid the cold weather and crowds while still getting great deals on Christmas gifts! That’s what we like to call a win-win. Visit our online store at www.BamaBeef.org for ACA apparel, Montana Silversmith jewelry, Arthur Court serving dishes, belt buckles, books and much more! And don’t forget, members get 20% off any store purchases! Make this Christmas merry with gifts from the ACA!

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Turkey Day from the Beef People! Today we are thankful for the cattlemen and the role they play in feeding the world, the ACA members who are the very lifeblood of our Association and for our favorite protein, beef! 

What's Going On Wednesday: November 25, 2015

It's certainly getting chilly out there, folks! 

Hay bales are hitting the ground to feed cattle as holiday feasts hit tables to feed families. Summer sunshine turns into winter frost. Green pastures turn into range pellets, and short-sleeved shirts are traded for long johns. It's that magical time of year when calves are born daily and sunrises are viewed through the windshield of a feed truck. That's right, wintertime is quickly approaching. 

What your ACA staff is most excited about, however, is that holiday season means roast season, and as soon as the holidays are past us, we get to buckle down for Convention and the SLE Rodeo! As this short, holiday week comes to a close today, there's not much to cover but see #What'sGoingOn with the staff this week. 

______________________________________________________

Scholarships, Get Your Scholarships!

The beef industry in Alabama does more than produce a high-quality protein for people all over the world to enjoy. It even helps send young adults to college! The Alabama Cattlemen's Foundation awards more than $50,000 in scholarships each year at the ACA Convention. Several of these scholarships are funded through private donations to the Alabama Cattlemen's Foundation while many are funded through the sale of the "Cowboy Tag" license plate. Applications must be mailed on or before Dec.1! More information and applications for ACF's scholarships are available at http://www.bamabeef.org/events_scholarships.html.

ACA Convention and Trade Show

Save the dates for the ACA Convention and Trade Show to be held Feb. 26-27, 2016 at the Sheraton Hotel in Downtown Birmingham. Senator Richard Shelby will greet attendees and Dr. Kim Stackhouse from NCBA will be discussing everyone's favorite buzz word- sustainability! 

Join us for a great producer education and networking opportunity!

SLE Rodeo

SLE Rodeo is March 17-19, 2016 at Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery, Ala. Save the date and be on the lookout for ticket orders to open on all platforms on December 10. There's FIVE easy ways to get your tickets:

1. Print the 2016 Rodeo Ticket Order Form and mail to us at 201 South Bainbridge Street, Montgomery, AL 36104
2. Call 1-888-2RODEO2
3. Purchase at the Alabama Cattlemen’s building or the Garrett Coliseum
4. Purchase online at Ticket Master
5. Purchase at your local Publix stores

The Sweet Young'Uns will be performing for Friday night's Dancin' in the Dirt concert, and the Saturday night band is still in the works! Most excitingly, we are pleased to welcome Pro Rodeo master comedian Lecile Harris to the SLE Rodeo stage as he celebrates his 60th year of performing as a rodeo clown! In celebration of this event, Lecile has released an autobiography titled Lecile: This Ain't My First Rodeo. Buy it today at the Cattlemen's Building! 

This year's rodeo is bound for great family fun! Join us!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! 

Tasty Tuesday: Beefy Turkey Day Side Dish

Beef up your Thanksgiving dinner with this elegant #TastyTuesday side dish recipe! It will have you craving beef...even on Turkey Day! Turkey may get to be the centerpiece on this holiday, but add some zing to that plate with beef! Get this recipe and many more like it at www.BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com. 

Beef and Blue Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms

Time: 40-50 minutes

Makes 36-40 mushrooms

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound Ground Beef
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 36 to 40 small button or cremini mushrooms
• 1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese
• 1/4 cup soft whole wheat bread crumbs
• 3 tablespoons minced chives
• 1/2 teaspoon steak seasoning blend
• Minced fresh chives (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Remove and reserve stems from mushrooms. Season mushroom caps with salt; set aside. Mince stems to yield 1/2 cup; discard remaining stems.
2. Combine Ground Beef, minced stems, blue cheese, bread crumbs, 3 tablespoons chives and steak seasoning. Spoon beef mixture evenly into mushrooms.
3. Place stuffed mushrooms on rack in broiler pan. Bake in 375°F oven 15 to 20 minutes. Sprinkle with additional chives, if desired.

Movie Monday: Beef Girl in Action

We show you pictures of the Beef Girl working her magic in front of the camera all the time, but how about a video? This week’s #MovieMonday features ACA’s very own Erin Beasley as she works her magic with chili on the Bon Appetit cooking segment from Time of Your Life! Some beefy chili is just the ticket to warm up these chilly days! Check it out:

Beef Fact Friday: Funding the Future

Did you know that beef is not only delicious but it does some pretty awesome things for the next generation? 

The beef industry in Alabama does more than produce a high-quality protein for people all over the world to enjoy. It even helps send young adults to college! The Alabama Cattlemen's Foundation awards more than $50,000 in scholarships each year at the ACA Convention. Several of these scholarships are funded through private donations to the Alabama Cattlemen's Foundation while many are funded through the sale of the "Cowboy Tag" license plate. Check out this ‪#BeefFactFriday graphic and get those applications in the mail before December 1!

Get more information and applications here. 

Throwback Thursday: November 19, 2015

This week’s #ThrowbackThursday goes back to a 1990s Beef Day Celebration at Auburn University. The state’s beef cattle industry and the Auburn University College of Agriculture were recognized during the Auburn-FSU football game. ACA’s Bill Johnson, left, and Dr. Billy Powell, right, are pictured on the football field just prior to kickoff presenting cowboys hats to Auburn President Jim Martin and College of Agriculture Dean Jim Marion.

What's Going On Wednesday: November 18, 2015

Meetings, Meetings and More Meetings

The theme this week is meetings! These are important as we close out the 2015 year and work toward a successful 2016. See #WhatsGoingOn around the ACA office this week with your state officers and staff! We're staying busy working for Alabama's beef industry and its cattlemen. 

Executive Committee and November Board Meetings

The top priorities on the list of meetings this week are the Executive Committee meeting this evening at the ACA and the November Board meeting tomorrow. At these meetings, our state Executive Committee and Board members will receive staff updates about events and upcoming projects. The most important task for these meetings, however, is the presentation of the proposed 2016 Beef Checkoff Marketing Plan and 2016 budget for approval. 

Stay tuned for pictures and updates from these meetings on the ACA Facebook page. 

Beef Girl in Birmingham

Monday night ACA staffer Erin Beasley gave a presentation on beef quality and new cuts in foodservice to the Birmingham chapter of the American Culinary Federation. The group consisted of students all the way to executive chefs, and they asked a lot of questions about hot topics related to cattle and beef.

Calling All State Ag Communicators

On Tuesday, ACA staffer Kayla Greer joined ag communicators from across the state for a meeting hosted at the Alabama Farmers Federation. At this meeting, the group received an update on happenings with the Simply Southern television show, a partnership between the Alabama Farmers Federation and the Alabama Farmers Cooperative. They were informed about the newest mobile education apps and iBooks generated by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and shared their favorite e-newsletters that keep them in the know about what's going on in American and Alabama agriculture daily. The group then enjoyed lunch and fellowship where marketing and promotion ideas were swapped. 

Food Forum with Troy University

Past ACA President Jimmy Holliman, Will Gilmer (Alabama dairyman) and ACA's Erin Beasley participated on a virtual panel for the 3rd year in a row with the Food and Nutrition online class at Troy University. Students are given a wide array of movies and research articles to explore during the class and then formulate a question for industry professionals to help them better understand the issues. Many of the questions we encountered were related to antibiotic and hormone use in beef/dairy and safety of the product. Each year Dr. Teresa Johnson, class professor, says the online food forum is rated the favorite part of the class by students in their end of the semester review.

YCLP Abroad

This weekend, the Young Cattlemen's Leadership Class II will head northwest as they go on an overnight trip for farm tours and leadership training. The group will be convene in Aliceville in Pickens County, and it will visit Dee River Ranch and Vista Farms Cattle Company. The class will lodge the night Saturday at Cameron Quail Lodge where leadership training and discussions will take place. Some of the topics they'll discuss include leadership projects, qualities of leadership and hot topics in today's beef industry. Beef, fellowship and leadership training will be enjoyed by all.

Outside the ACA

It's no secret that ACA's Executive VP Dr. Billy Powell stays busy. Not only does he stay busy with ACA meetings, events and generating content for the Alabama Cattleman magazine, but he stays busy in other ag-related outlets in the state. This vast foundation of involvement allows him to better serve the ACA's members across many realms involving state agriculture. See below for a list of meetings he's been to just this week!

• He participated the Ag Center Board/Garrett Coliseum Redevelopment Board meeting. The Board continues to look at ways to fund work to improve and update the facilities at Garrett Coliseum. 
• Dr. Powell attended the Alabama Agricultural Development Authority Board meeting and discussed potential ag loans and future role for this authority.
• He was active on a conference call in reference to the NCBA CEO Search Committee, which is seeking an outstanding individual to lead NCBA.
• He's reviewing a compilation of all the current statutes relating to livestock dealers, brands, and the charter board in prepare for a members with Ag Department attorney to suggest revisions of some of the laws in preparation of the 2016 Legislative Session.
• As he serves as the Alabama FFA Foundation Secretary/Treasurer, he also was busy compiling  2014-2015  Alabama FFA Foundation information for the Foundation's CPA to look over. 

That's what's going on this week!

Tasty Tuesday: Italian Beef and Bean Stew

Cold temps are moving in slowly but surely! That means two things- the holiday season is approaching and cold weather recipes are appearing on family dinner tables across the nation. For a recipe sure to warm your heart and provide you with all the benefits of beef, check out this #TastyTuesday recipe for Italian Beef and Bean Stew. It's simply made in the crockpot and will warm up any chilly evening! 

Get the full recipe and nutrional information at 

Beef It's What's For Dinner. 

Italian Beef and Bean Stew

Total Recipe Time: HIGH 5-6 hours, LOW 6-7 hours

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

• 2 pounds beef Stew Meat, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 package dried bean soup mix with seasoning packet
• 1 can (14 to 14-1/2 ounces) ready-to-serve beef broth
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomato pesto sauce or spread

Instructions

1. Cover beans with water in large bowl. Cover and soak overnight in refrigerator. Reserve seasoning packet.
2. Drain beans; rinse and pick over to remove any grit or shriveled and broken beans. Place beans, beef, broth, water and contents of seasoning packet in 4-1/2 to 5-1/2-quart slow cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH 5 to 6 hours or on LOW 6 to 7 hours or until beans are tender and beef is fork-tender. (No stirring is necessary during cooking.)
3. Stir in pesto; mix well. Season with salt and pepper, as desired. Serve topped with additional pesto, if desired.

Movie Monday: Maternal Drive and Consumer Focus

Check out this week's #MovieMonday as Jimmy and Jim Collins of Collins Farms in Cusseta, Ala. share their recipe for success that includes listening to the cattle customer and consumer. This video was produced by Angus TV and features the Collins' beautiful east Alabama operation. 

Beef Fact Friday: Cattle Disease Guide

Bovine Feeling Blue?

Have you got cow or calf that’s feeling under the weather? Sickness happens, and we cattlemen have to take care of our own. Animal care is top priority in this community, so use this guide to know the signs and call your local veterinarian when you’ve got a bovine who’s feeling blue.  http://www.thecattlesite.com/diseaseinfo/

Throwback Thursday: December 1989

#ThrowbackThursday to December 1989 when stockyard reps, packers, order buyers and dealers were invited to a meeting at the Cattlemen’s Building to receive an update on the beef promotion program. A few good men stopped for a picture and those men are (L-R) ACA beef promotion field man Ed Whatley, Richard Webster, Montgomery; Sam Carter, Frisco City; Pervy Thames, Robertsdale and Tommy Moseley, Linden. 

Whats Going On Wednesday: November 11, 2015

Happy Veterans Day to our service men and women!

America is the land of the free because of the brave! We salute those who have served or are currently active in the United States Military. There is no acceptable amount of "thank yous" to express our sincere gratitude.

While we reflect on our undying gratitude of those who have served, we also want to give a quick update on #WhatsGoingOn around the ACA offices this week! It may be drawing near the end of 2015, but that just means planning for 2016 is well underway! Check it out:

Meeting at Mid State

The Agriculture and Industries Board met Monday evening at Mid State Stockyard and were introduced into the stockyard business and how it runs. ACA's Dr. Billy Powell and Mid State's Rebecca Loftin tagged team the discussion that informed the group of the Board's policies that so deeply affect daily operations at the stockyards, such as scale management. The group then enjoyed a meal from Southern Comfort in Hope Hull, AL.

Agriculture and Industries Board Meeting

The same Board that met at Mid State Stockyard Tuesday night also met Tuesday morning for their quarterly Board meeting. At the meeting, they passed laws to help strengthen and protect the agriculture industry in Alabama. Specific to us was the revision of a rule to have bulls tested for Bovine Trichomoniasis before entering the state. ACA staffer Curt Berry was in attendance. 

Special Guests at The MOOseum

You never know where folks who stop by The MOOseum will come from and a visit on Tuesday proved that! Tuesday morning a group from the Hartford-Litchfield Sister Cities program stopped by to learn about Alabama's Beef Industry. For 44 years, the cities of Hartford, AL and Litchfield, MN have exchanged FFA students and community members to learn about agriculture in other parts of the nation! We were so excited to host this group of FFA students from Minnesota, and we hope they learned a lot about how beef is raised in Alabama. 

Heading North of the River

Several ACA staffers will head out early Wednesday morning for an overnight trip to north Alabama. While visiting Madison, Limestone and Lauderdale counties, the group will be shooting video footage to use with in The MOOseum's future renovations! It's hoped to captured the rolling hills and fall foliage of the Tennessee Valley!

Stops will be made at ACA President Jim Akin's farm, Past President Donna Jo Curtis' operation, Brad Brooks' farm that sits on the Tennessee River and Thornton Stanley, Jr.'s operation in Madison County. Thanks to all our producers who are taking time from their work to smile for the camera! We appreciate it and so will the thousands of children who visit The MOOseum in the future. 

November Board & Executive Committee Meetings

Planning is well-underway for next week's Board and Executive Committee meetings. November 18-19, your ACA staff and state representatives will be in Montgomery receiving updates from state officers and staff as well as reviewing the 2016 Beef Checkoff Marketing Plan. 

2016 Convention and Trade Show

A lot of time and planning this week have been dedicated to the 2016 ACA Convention. Developing a Cattlemen's College plan and contacting potential keynote speakers were at the top of the to-do list! ACA staffer Martha Davis is also busy with sponsorships for the Convention, the Junior Beef Expo and the SLE Rodeo!

Be sure to save the dates for the 2016 ACA Convention and Trade Show to be held February 26-27 at the Sheraton Hotel in Downtown Birmingham. 

Diabetes and Obesity Conference

Ms. Davis has also stayed busy this week planning alongside Dr. Evelyn Crayton for the 14th annual Diabetes and Obesity Conference that will be held at the ACA building next Friday. The ACA building offers wonderful meeting places for our Association and others around the state. It is a wonderful asset to the ACA. 

Tasty Tuesday: Southwestern Crescent Pie

            Add some flavor to this dreary week! 

Add some southwestern flare to your Tuesday night dinner with this #TastyTuesday recipe for Southwestern Crescent Pie! 

It’s quick. It’s easy. It’s delicious.

See for yourself by visiting 

Beef It's What's For Dinner.

Southwestern Crescent Pie

Total Recipe Time: 35 minutes

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

• 1 pound Ground Beef (80% to 85% lean)
• 1 can (15 to 16 ounces) chili beans in chili sauce
• 1 can (14-1/2 to 15 ounces) chili-seasoned stewed tomatoes, undrained
• 1/2 cup frozen or drained canned Mexican-style corn
• 1 package (8 ounces) refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
• 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar-Jack cheese with jalapeño peppers

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 375°F. Heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Add Ground Beef; cook 8 to 10 minutes, breaking into 3/4-inch crumbles and stirring occasionally. Pour off drippings.
2. Stir in beans, tomatoes and corn; bring to a boil. Cook about 10 minutes or until most of the liquid has evaporated, stirring occasionally.
3. Meanwhile separate crescent roll dough into 8 triangles. Line 9-inch pie plate with dough triangles, placing narrow tips toward center. Firmly press edges of dough together to form crust. Bake in 375°F oven 10 minutes. Remove from oven.
4. Spoon beef mixture into crust. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until edges of crust are golden brown and cheese is melted.

Movie Monday: Temperament and Profitability

Temperament and market profitability...are the two related?

Some might not think not, but studies say that one can affect the other. Learn about it with this week’s #MovieMonday and start making some well-advised decisions about who to keep and who to take to market this fall! 

Beef Fact Friday: High Quality Hay

“It’s estimated that winter feed makes up more than half of the annual cost of keeping a beef cow in some regions of the country.” 

If that’s the case, then we think it’s pretty important to maximize feed management and minimize waste. It’s no secret that cattle prefer high-quality hay, so provide your herd with something it’ll moo about!

Store these facts from BEEF Magazine in the back of your mind as you prepare for winter feeding!

Throwback Thursday: November 1988

#ThrowbackThursday to November 1988, which was all about the Santa Gertrudis breed in Alabama. This picture show’s Mrs. Ann Upchurch, owner of Grey Rocks Ranch in Selma, as she was presented a special award for her many outstanding accomplishments as a Santa Gertrudis breeder. She built one of the largest, most successful herds in the state. Mrs. Upchurch (second from the left) is shown with the Win Parmer family who managed her operation.

 

What's Going On Wednesday: November 4, 2015

Well that's a wrap for the 2015 October Beef Month, and it was successful to say the least! Just because Beef Month is over doesn't mean that your ACA staff is kicking up its boots and taking a breather. It just means it's time to start digging into plans for 2016! ACA Convention, SLE Rodeo, Cowboy Cookoff and Junior and Senior High School Cookoffs are just around the corner! That doesn't include events defined in the 2016 Alabama Beef Checkoff Marketing Plan, which is becoming full of beefy ways to spread the word about our favorite protein! 

Take a second to check out #WhatsGoingOn around the ACA this week!

2016 Marketing Plan

After last week's marketing plan task force meeting, your ACA staffers are glued to the computer screens this week recording all the notes taken and applying them to the marketing plan template! After all the blanks are filled in, budgeting will begin and then the Executive Committee will discuss what we've got! Our marketing plan is the driving force behind all of our beef promotion, education and research in the state, so that's why we pay careful mind to its construction!

November Board Meeting

The next two weeks will be spent preparing for Executive Committee meeting November 18 and November Board meeting the following day. The Board meeting is where budgets for the General Fund, State and National Checkoffs and Foundation will be presented for approval along with 2016 Checkoff Marketing Plan. Be on the lookout for Facebook updates and pictures from the meeting. 

Upcoming County Meetings

Pike County Cattlemen's Association met
November 2 at Cattlemen's Park in Troy.

There's lots of county meetings going on this month! Keep reading to make sure you won't miss yours!

County meetings are important because that's where you can get state updates and get involved on the local level!

• Butler County: Saturday, November 7th 
• Barbour County: Thursday, November 12 at 6:30 pm, Texasville Community House, 2429 County Road 53, Texasville, Alabama. Please RSVP by Wednesday, November 11, 2015, by calling Merri Robinson at (334) 775-3284.
• Sumter County: Thursday, November 19th at 6pm, Livingston Civic Center
• Randolph County: Thursday, November 19th 
• Lauderdale County: Thursday, Nov. 19th at Crosspoint Church of Christ 
• Conecuh County: Sat., November 21st at 6pm, Repton School

October Beef Month- Sysco Promotion

 During October Beef Month, Sysco Gulf Coast ran a “Sell the Sizzle” beef promotion with their sales team. Each salesmen was charged with selling the most beef he/she could during the month. The ACA provided cash prizes to the top sellers. This year’s promotion produced an increase of over 95,000 lbs. of beef compared to September. 

In a climate of high beef prices, this is very positive and a great use of checkoff dollars to keep beef demand high. Hats off to the sales team!

Environmental Stewardship Award

ACA staffer Curt Berry met on Tuesday with Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS), Alabama Dept. of Ag and Industries and Alabama Soil and Water Conservation district representatives to discuss a future annual state contest for a beef cattle environmental stewardship award. The winner from the state contest will be entered into the national contest put on by NCBA. Look for that in the future!

SLE Rodeo Plans in Full Swing

Who's getting ready for the 2016 SLE Rodeo?! We are, and that's why staffers met this week to discuss details for this year's rodeo! There's lots to look forward to, so save the dates for March 17-19. We will see you at the rodeo! 

Be on the lookout for updates and announcements on the SLE Rodeo Facebook page and at www.SLERodeo.com. 

Statewide Bull Sales

CK Cattle in Hope Hull recently hosted
it's annual headquarters sale.

Your ACA state officers and staff have traveled here, there and everywhere across the state visiting bull sales this fall! They've all been top notch with quality bulls, great crowds and solid prices. If you've got questions about upcoming bull sales, call Curt Berry at 334-265-1867 or check out the latest Alabama Cattleman magazine for sale ads and information. 

Alabama Agribusiness Council

ACA Executive VP Dr. Billy Powell is attending the Alabama Agribusiness Council Board meeting today, November 4. He's doing what he can to stay atop the state's agribusiness climate to better serve the ACA members on the legislative and leadership front. 

Save the Date

ACA Convention will be here before you know it! Mark your calendar for February 26-27, 2016 at the Sheraton Hotel in Birmingham for the 2016 ACA Convention and Trade Show! Some great Cattlemen's Colleges and discussions are in the works! You don't want to miss the Convention this upcoming year!

Tasty Tuesday: Slow Cooker Pot Roast Soup

While cooler temperatures haven't hit Alabama too hard so far this fall, they're coming! Hunker down for cooler temps with this #TastyTuesday recipe for Slow Cooker Pot Roast Soup. Combine two classic fall season meals, pot roast and beef stew, for a dinner your family can be thankful for together! It’s as easy to make as it is delicious, and remember- Beef, It’s What’s For Dinner. Get recipes tips and ideas here.

Slow Cooker Pot Roast Soup

HIGH 5-6 Hours, LOW 8-9 Hours
Makes 6 Servings

Ingredients

• 1 beef Shoulder Roast Boneless (2-1/2 pounds)
• 2 cups chopped onions
• 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes with green peppers and onions, undrained
• 1 cup frozen hash brown potatoes (cubes)
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 cups broccoli slaw
• 1/2 cup frozen peas

Instructions

1. Cut beef roast into 12 equal pieces. Place in 4-1/2 to 5-1/2-quart slow cooker. Add onions, tomatoes, potatoes, broth, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper. Cover and cook on HIGH 5 to 6 hours or on LOW 8 to 9 hours or until beef is fork-tender. (No stirring is necessary during cooking.)
2. Stir in broccoli slaw; continue cooking, covered, 30 minutes or until broccoli slaw is crisp-tender. Turn off slow cooker. Stir in peas; let stand, covered, 5 minutes.

Movie Monday- Effectively Moving Bulls

Buying Bulls This Fall?

If you’re buying bulls this time of year, then we’ve got a video for you. Buying the bull is only the first step in the process. Step two is moving him!

With a bull’s volatile temperament, that’s easier said than done sometimes! Check out this week’s #MovieMonday and get some tips from the folks with the National BQA Certification Program on what to do when moving bulls.