Monday, August 31, 2015

Movie Monday: A Calving Season Laugh


Last week's #MovieMonday had to do with calving season also, but it's a big time of year for Alabama cattlemen. The video from last week, however, reflected only the cattleman's point of view, so we thought this week we would hear things from the mama cow's perspective and how she feels about us "messin' with her baby!" 

We'll bet this has happened once or twice to you...it's gotten us all! Get a good calving season laugh with today's #MovieMonday!

Friday, August 28, 2015

Beef Fact Friday: Got Ground Beef?

It's no secret that planning meals is sometimes a no-fun, not-simple task! It's hard to please everybody in your family with every meal, but you can't go wrong with a meal made from a pound of Ground Beef. It's easy, versatile, tastes great and is packed with nutrients that will keep your family strong and healthy!

This week’s #BeefFactFriday is lighter on the fact and heavier on the beef! It provides 25 easy and delicious meals you can make with one pound of Ground Beef! Stews, popovers, skillet meals and more…you’re sure to have your family running back for seconds, and by serving #BEEF, you can also be sure that you’re serving a nutritious meal! Get some ideas with the awesome Buzzfeed article below and #LiveAFlavorfulLife!



      

Photos Courtesy of Buzzfeed

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Throwback Thursday: 1983



#ThrowbackThursday to 1983 in Blount County. Debter Hereford Farm served as the host of the Southern Regional Junior Hereford Show and Field day, and the “Debter clan” hosts and hostesses are pictured below. Glynn and Ross Debter, Mrs. Glenn Debter and Mr. and Mrs. Perry Debter and their daughter. The event on their farm included livestock judging contests, a junior heifer and bull show and beef industry workshops.

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

What's Going On Wednesday: August 26, 2015

There's no such thing as a slow week at the Cattlemen's office. Even if daily business is at a minimum, there's always ongoing projects for the staff to commit its attention. This week is one of those weeks, except that the staff is gearing up for the August Board of Directors meeting. Besides that, preparations are being made for upcoming events and projects such as YCLP Session II, October Beef Month, SLE Rodeo and Junior Beef Expo, ACA Convention, The MOOseum renovations and so on and so forth. 

Like we said, there's always work to do for our cattlemen. Although it's not much in the way of announcements, here's #WhatsGoingOn around the office this week.

August Board of Directors Meeting

On Thursday, August 27 the ACA staff and officers will welcome 100 Board of Directors and guests from 41 counties in the building for our August Board meeting. At the meeting, the Board will hear from staff members on updates and ongoing projects, and the officers will give their quarterly reports as well as lead discussions on new business. 

While at the meeting, the John Deere Gator drawing for member recruitment will take place, and Top Hand Club awards will be presented to deserving counties. The Board will also be treated to lunch catered by Red's Little Schoolhouse of Grady, Alabama. 

We are excited to welcome the Board to our state association's headquarters so that they can learn ways to better the ACA. 

Following the Board meeting, Dr. Powell will be joining ag industry leaders and Congressman Bradley Byrne for a dinner in Monroeville to discuss issues impacting cattlemen and farmers in the second district. 


Junior Beef Expo Meeting

Next Monday, August 31 the ACA will host the 20 people that serve on the Alabama Youth Livestock Show Association to plan the 2016 Junior Beef Expo which will be held March 18-20, 2016.
Stay tuned for information on registering steers and heifers for the show.


October Beef Month

Can you believe October is just around the corner? August has slipped right out from under us, and September is likely to do the same! This means that before we know it, October Beef Month will be upon us! Stay tuned for event and campaign announcements as well as what you can do to participate and promote during the month!


Save the Dates

2016 NCBA Convention- Jan. 27-29 in San Diego, California
2016 ACA Convention- Feb. 26-27 in Birmingham, AL
2016 SLE Rodeo- March 17-19 in Montgomery, AL

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Tasty Tuesday: Beef for Breakfast

Beef for breakfast?! That’s right- you heard it from us!

Not only does beef make a great lunch and dinner menu item, but it’s also a tasty way to kick off your day! Serve up these Easy Beef Breakfast Rolls for your family on the go, and they’re sure to help your favorite folks power through the day! 

For nutrition information, recipe tips and instructions on making the Country Style Beef Sausage visit Beef, It's What's For Dinner.


#BeefItsWhatsForBreakfast

Monday, August 24, 2015

Movie Monday: Calving Do's and Don'ts

It’s almost that time of year. 

For some farms it has already started and for others, it’s coming any day now. 

Calving season- a glorious, miraculous and somewhat stressful time of year for cattlemen!

Assisted labor is not an uncommon practice on a cattle farm, but estimated progeny differnences (EPDs) and advanced breeding is increasing calving ease in herds all over the country significantly. In order to gear you up for the calving season kickoff, here’s some witty tips on what NOT to do during and after labor!



Friday, August 21, 2015

Beef Fact Friday: ACA Member Benefits

Did you know that as a Alabama Cattlemen's Association member you get all kinds of great deals and discounts?! Did you know your membership dollar pays for scholarships, representation on Capitol Hill and so much more? 

I case you need a refresher, here's a list and image of what your ACA membership gets YOU for this week's #BeefFactFriday! 
  • An effective lobbyist representing you in Montgomery
  • Programs available for youth
  • Kids of members are eligible for scholarship money through the Alabama Cattlemen’s Foundation
  • Knowledgeable staff to be your eyes, ears and voice at numerous meetings
  • $1,000 livestock theft award
  • Educational opportunities
  • Activities for youth to learn and develop leadership skills
  • Trained staff to respond to media calls
  • Legislative representation in Washington
  • Experts to promote your product – BEEF
  • Beef promotional products
  • County chapters where you can become involved and make a difference
  • Leadership training and opportunities
  • Expert advice for individual needs

Join Now at BamaBeef.org


Thursday, August 20, 2015

Throwback Thursday: August 1982


This week’s #ThrowbackThursday takes us back to this very same month 33 years ago in Butler County. Pictured are officers of the Butler County Cattlemen’s Association as they greeted a large crowd at their annual summer cookout. L-R is Eric Cates, ACA lifetime director; F.H. Morgan, president; Dr. Max Autrey, vice president; and James McClure, secretary/treasurer.


Wednesday, August 19, 2015

What's Going On Wednesday: August 19, 2015

We weren't kidding when we said August was a busy month! Brace yourself because you're about to see why! Get the scoop about what's happening in the ACA office for this week's #WhatsGoingOnWednesday!

The MOOseum Remodel

ACA staff is getting re-engaged this week on The MOOseum renovation project. After 20+ years and thousands of families later, it could use a freshening up! That's why Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of this week have in part been dedicated to the project and deciding on needed upgrades and how to accomplish those!

We are excited for the future of The MOOseum and its ability after this renovation to integrate into the hands-on, technological world we live in...but don't worry, that good ole' Alabama Cattlemen's heritage will still remain nestled at the very core of The MOOseum. 

Speaking of The MOOseum, if you're a school teacher or home school teacher looking for a fun educational experience for your students, book your tour today! Just call Jessica at (334) 265-1867!

Alabama's Best Steak

Congratulations to the 2015 Alabama's Best Steak contest "Fiery 4" finalists! 
  • OH! Bryan's Family Steakhouse, Tuscumbia
  • Bull Pen Steakhouse, Oakman
  • Elmer's Restaurant, Notasulga
  • The Old Barn Restaurant, Goshen 
These four finalist will compete in anonymous taste-test judging throughout the month of September! Stay tuned to find out who's home to Alabama's best ribeye steak!

Political Front

The ACA will be working with the Alabama Farmers Federation to co-host a fundraiser for Danny Crawford, a long-time ag leader and special election candidate for House District 5. The fundraiser will be held Thursday, August 20 from 4-6 pm at the ACA building. 

Bettering Alabama's BQA

Friday, August 21 will host a meeting for Alabama's Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program. Dr. Soren Rodning is the recently-named BQA coordinator for the state of Alabama, and ACA staff will be meeting with him Friday to discuss ideas for expansion of the program in the state and ways to increase the number of BQA-certified producers across Alabama. 

Stay tuned on upcoming BQA programs!

ACA Summer Board Meeting

On August 27, ACA Board members will gather from around the state to discuss upcoming events, vote on association matters and get an update from the executive office. A reminder to the Board members to mark their calendars and an encouragement to our members to contact your county president following the meeting to get updates about what went on. As a member, it's important to stay in the know!


Save the Dates

Go ahead and mark your calendars for the 2016 ACA Convention and SLE Rodeo. The ACA Convention will be held February 26-27 at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Birmingham, and the SLE Rodeo comes to town March 17-19 at Garrett Coliseum. 

Save the dates and get excited for our upcoming events! We can't wait to see you there!

Growing the AJCA

The Alabama Junior Cattlemen's Association (AJCA) is more than just calf shows. It's more than scholarships, ribbons and awards. It's a way to involve Alabama's youth in the beef industry so that they can learn early about our industry. Building on that education, it's a way to train, mold and develop our youth into future leaders. It's a way for today's leaders to invest in tomorrow's success. 

We firmly believe in this at the ACA, and that's why staffer Curt Berry has been assigned the task to increase AJCA member numbers across the state. Help him in this task, and sign your kids up! Click here to join online today!


Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Tasty Tuesday: Bacon, Egg and Cheese Burger

It's not everyday that our Junior Cattlemen compete in a Build-A-Better-Burger contest, but during July's AJCA Round-Up they did, and boy, oh boy have we got a recipe for you!

Courtney, Catherine and Emma Bryson competed in this fiery contest as a trio of sisters! They left with a panel of happy (and full!) judges and an award-winning burger recipe! The trio sent us their recipe for their Bacon, Egg and Cheese Burger, and since grilling season is slowly wrapping up for the year, we wanted to share a great grilling recipe with our followers! 

So check out the girl's #TastyTuesday recipe, get grillin' and #EatMoreBeef!



Monday, August 17, 2015

Movie Monday: Grading Beef Yield and Quality

Beef grading is a big deal. It's a big deal to packers because they want to sell the highest quality of beef possible. It's a big deal to retailers and consumers because they want their dollar to get what it's paying for. It's a big deal to the government, because it has their name on it!

Before any meat is packaged or any dollars are spent, the beef must go through the fabrication and grading process. At any given harvesting facility in the nation, there's United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials standing long hours in grading booths accessing each carcass as it goes down the line. They grade based on characteristics found between the 12th and 13th rib of a side of beef such as marbling, color of lean, age of the carcass and several others. 

This process is taken very seriously and is government regulated. That's why third-party USDA graders man this part of the fabrication process instead of just any employee available that day!

There's a lot that goes into beef quality and yield grading and a lot of weight behind the final grade given. This is important for producers, packers, retailers, chefs and consumers alike to know! That's why this week's #MovieMonday is all about how it's done! Check it out: 





Beef Quality Grading: "An estimate of the eating satisfaction of the carcass"
Beef Yield Grading: "An estimate of how much lean meat will be yielded from a given carcass"

Friday, August 14, 2015

Beef Fact Friday: How Much Meat Will My Animal Produce?

If you’re interested in buying local beef for harvest, you might also be interested in learning about some of the factors that go into the meat you'll get back from the processor. There are many consumer misconceptions out there, but our #BeefFactFriday will hopefully clear up any grey areas for you.

Just because you have an animal that weighs, say, 1200 pounds doesn't mean that you'll get 1200 pounds of meat from the processor. Once a live animal is harvested, about 58-63 percent of the live weight will go to the cooler. This is called the "dressing percent," and factors such as horns, superior (or inferior) musculature and amount of fat can affect the dressing percent.  When these factors are considered, that number usually falls around two-thirds of the animal’s live weight.  This means that your 1200-pound animal will produce around 500 pounds of meat for consumption. 

Whoa. Did you say 500 pounds?! Where am I supposed to put that meat?

That's a great question! Once you bring all that meat home, you’ll need about one cubic foot of freezer space for every 30-35 pounds of meat you have. Going back to our 1200-pound animal example, this means you'll need about 14 cubic feet of freezer space. Also, in terms of food safety, the closer your freezer stays to 0 degrees Farnenheit, the better!


Get the facts on factors affecting your meat return by clicking here and as always, Eat More Beef.

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Throwback Thursday: 1981

The Montgomery State Steer Show used to be and still is the biggest calf show in state! Today, it's called the Alabama State Steer Show and is part of the Junior Beef Expo! This week, as we begin to plan for the upcoming SLE rodeo season (which entails the JBE), we thought it'd be fun to reflect on some of our old state show pictures! This one stood out because not only was it one of the early full-color pages of the Alabama Cattleman magazine, but it featured a perfect example of how showing calves can develop a child into a leader. Featured for this week's #ThrowbackThursday from the year 1981 is the Alabama Farmer's Federation Executive Director Paul Pinyan with his Reserve Champion steer at the Montgomery State Steer Show.

The steer was bought by W.S. “Billy” Newell, left, and J.W. “Mac” Casey, center, for a price of $5.00 per pound. Newell and Casey donated the steer to the Alabama Sheriff’s Boys Ranch in memory of Tine W. Davis.

Share with us your old state show pictures on the SLE Rodeo Facebook.

W.S. "Billy" Newell, J.W. "Mac" Casey and Paul Pinyan with his Reserve Champion
steer at the 1981 Montgomery State Steer Show.



Wednesday, August 12, 2015

What's Going On Wednesday: August 12, 2015

Meetings, meetings and more meetings- that's the theme of this week at the Cattlemen's building! Task force meetings, committee meetings, board meetings...so many meetings! They're all, however, for the betterment of our association and Alabama's beef industry, so your ACA staffers are happy to conduct or attend as many meetings as it takes! 

Also, our Checkoff and Magazine staffers are preparing for the big month of October- Beef Month in Alabama! Get ready for events, promotions and some pretty cool social media campaigns as well as the "Bulls of Fall" issue of the Alabama Cattleman.

See #WhatsGoingOn around this Cattlemen's office this week:

Alabama's Best Steak

We are in the "Enticing 8" round of the 2015 Alabama's Best Steak contest and the competition is getting hot! This portion of the bracket challenge kicked off Monday at noon and so far over 9,000 votes have been recorded! The bracket closes Saturday, August 15 at midnight, so submit your vote before then at www.AlabamasBestSteak.com

The final "Fiery 4" restaurants will be announced Monday, August 24 and anonymous judging will begin and continue throughout the month of September! Make sure your favorite restaurant makes it to the "Fiery 4" and vote now! 

Mag Ads...Get Your Mag Ads!

As we mentioned earlier, October's issue of the Alabama Cattlemen magazine is the "Bulls of Fall" issue, and we are offering an advertising special too good to pass up! If you call and reserve your spot by Sept. 10, we can get you a quarter-page, two-color ad for only $200! If you've got a bull sale going on, then this is the deal for you! 

Get your spot in our October issue today by calling our office and asking for Nicky or by emailing her.

Obesity Task Force Meeting

The Alabama Obesity Task Force held its quarterly meeting Tuesday in Birmingham. The group- comprised of nutrition professionals and organizations- met to discuss initiatives in the state that are helping Alabamians make healthy lifestyle choices, and ACA staffer Erin Beasley was there to make sure beef was well represented!

A new campaign was recently kicked off called "Get Moving Alabama." It features a theme each month to keep the state moving. The ACA is looking for ways to become involved as a lead organization as a part of October Beef Month planning! The next meeting for the task force will be held at the ACA building in December, and Erin will present ways that beef fits into a healthy diet.

Department of Agriculture and Related Industries Board Meeting

Not only was Erin out representing the beef industry in meetings on Tuesday, but the newest ACA staffer Curt Berry was also! Curt spent a chunk out of his day at the Dept. of Ag and Related Industries Board Meeting where a variety of topics were discussed from avian influenza to financial business related to the happenings of our legislature's special session. 

On a topic more related to our industry- State Veterinarian Dr. Frazier gave a report on a proposed rule to change the way bulls are tested for Bovine Trichomoniasis. This rule would simplify the testing process in the future.

SLE Committee Meetings

On Friday our SLE Rodeo officers and committees are meeting in house to discuss the upcoming 2016 SLE Rodeo and the events associated with it! The rodeo will be held March 17-19, 2016 at Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery.

Be on the lookout for social media surveys regarding what you'd like to see at next year's rodeo! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates!



Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Tasty Tuesday: Back-To-School Cheeseburger Mac

Reading and writing and arithmetic....

Photo: Beef, It's What's For Dinner
Oh yes! It's that time again...time for the kids to hit the hallways and homework! Now that their schedules are picking up with sports, clubs and other extracurricular activities, that means yours is too! Don't get so bogged down in planning and cooking dinner that you can't enjoy helping your kiddos get ahead in the classroom. Instead, serve up beef in a way that they're sure to love and is easy on you!

This kid-friendly meal is packed with nutrition disguised in a flavor they'll love! What kid doesn't love macaroni and cheese? And by adding beef, your adding protein, B-vitamins, iron, choline, selenium, zinc, phosphorous, niacin and riboflavin (to name a few!) to their diets to help them have healthy minds and bodies! 

So if you're into have healthy kids who do well in the classroom as well as having time to take care of yourself, serve up this great recipe for cheeseburger mac! It's #Tasty. It's packed with #Nutrients. It's #Beef.

Beef, It's What's For Dinner. For recipe tips and nutrition information visit the Beef, It's What's For Dinner website.



INGREDIENTS

1 pound Ground Beef
1-1/2 cups water
1 package (7-1/4 ounces) macaroni and cheese dinner
4 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup milk
8 to 10 dill pickle slices (optional)


INSTRUCTIONS 

1. 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 water and macaroni; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 7 to 8 minutes or until macaroni is tender.
3.Stir in contents of cheese sauce packet, butter and milk. Cook 1 to 2 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally.
4. Serve beef mixture topped with pickle slices, if desired.

Monday, August 10, 2015

Movie Monday- Beef Jerky: How It's Made

Beef jerky...it used to be a main course for a meal because families on the frontier could cure it and store it for long periods of time, providing them with a way to maintain a source of protein in their families' diets and preserve large kills. However, today it is a snack that kids tug on their mom's shirttails and ask for while standing in the line at the grocery store. Any moms out there ever had this happen? It even makes a great stocking stuffer for the man of the house around Christmastime for those of you who are beginning plans for the holiday season.

Sweet and tangy, spicy and savory, salty, juicy, yummy snacks. Who knew that beef could make such a good snack food to cure whatever craving it is you're having? Speaking of curing...check out this week's #MovieMonday to see how this timeless and tasty treat is made and packaged so it can make it into your grocery bags!



Friday, August 7, 2015

Beef Fact Friday: Transglutaminase

Has the term “transglutaminase” got you concerned about feeding #BEEF to your family? Does calling it "meat glue" help at all? 

Don’t worry, this week’s #BeefFactFriday will show you it’s a naturally-occurring enzyme that breaks down during the cooking process. It also helps packing plants to be as sustainable as possible by using the maximum amount of meat from a carcass.


Don’t let the scientific terms scare you. Learn more at Facts About Beef

Thursday, August 6, 2015

Throwback Thursday: 1980



Fuller Supply Company is a longtime sponsor of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association. To show our appreciation for their involvement with our association, we thought this week’s #tbt should feature Mr. Bill Fuller (left) as Dr. Michael Sprott, past director of the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service, presents him with a plaque honoring Fuller Supply Co.’s continued support of livestock research and extension programs at Auburn. Year- 1980.

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

What's Going On Wednesday: August 5, 2015

Can you believe it's already August?! We sure can't, and there's no time during this busy month to mess around at the Cattlemen's building!

The legislative special session, board meetings, board sales, task forces, planning committees and conferences are only a few of the things on our August calendar. Then throw in the start of 2016 membership campaigns, October Beef Month just around the corner and the normal day-to-day operations on our to-do lists, and all that causes for a busy month! 

Despite all this hustle and bustle, the staffers are excited to be working for our Alabama cattlemen daily to help maintain and better the beef industry in our beautiful home state. We don't mind staying busy for our members, so you take care of the cattle, and we'll take care of you!

Alabama's Best Steak Contest

WHOA- We are so thrilled by the response this year's ABS contest has received! The July nomination round brought in over 12,000 nominations representing more than 140 Alabama restaurants. However, only 16 of those could proceed (see below) to the "Sizzling 16" round which lasts until this Saturday at midnight! Cast your vote NOW at www.AlabamasBestSteak.com and be looking out for the announcement of the "Enticing 8" restaurants August 10th at noon.



Dinners, Dinners and More Dinners

With concerns about budget cuts, we hosted a steak dinner along with 20 members of the Ag Legislative Coalition for the Ag Commissioner and seven key committee chairs from the House and Senate. Discussions provide insight into the impact proposed budget cuts could have on the state’s #1 industry – agriculture and forestry.

Tonight (Wednesday), Dr. Billy Powell, Curt Berry and Kayla Sellers will be attending the Producers Feeder Calf Sale in Autaugaville, AL. A steak dinner will follow the board sale featuring 2,550 outstanding calves. ACA President-elect Bill Lipscomb manages this sale.

Thursday night will bring around 100 conference attendees to the Cattlemen's building for a steak dinner. Those attending the dinner will be part of the Deep South Stocker Conference held at Auburn University Montgomery Aug. 6-7. During the dinner, the conference goers will learn about the history of Montgomery and the Alabama Cattlemen's Association from Dr. Billy Powell.

WARNING: Remodel In the Works

It's time the MOOseum gets a facelift, don't you think? Well so do we and that's why several days out of this month will be spent in planning meetings dedicated to the modernization/updating of a valuable asset to our association- the MOOseum. 

There's no set timeline on this remodel. These meetings are solely for discussing the topic of a makeover and ideally creating a timeline. Until further notice, the MOOseum is open for business and waiting for you to stop by!

Dustpans! Get Your Dustpans!

Make the ACA a part of your everyday chores! How, you ask? Let us help you clean your house! That's right, stop by the MOOseum today to get an "Eat Beef" dustpan- handmade from 100-year-old wood straight out of Fort Deposit, Alabama! Talk about buying local! 

These novelty items are on sale now at the MOOseum for $20 each. Stop by today and grab on before they're gone! 

SLE Rodeo

Go ahead and mark your calendars! The 2016 SLE Rodeo will be buckin' back to town March 17-19, 2016 at the Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery! Look out on social media for some surveys of what you'd like to see at this year's rodeo event! Be sure to "Like"





Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Tasty Tuesday: Fabulous Flatbreads

Who doesn't love flatbreads? A scrumptious piece of fluffy bread piled high with meat, cheese, veggies, sauces, seasonings...YUM! To us, there's only one way to take a flatbread to the next level, and that's by adding beef, of course! 

This recipe for Grilled Steak and Mozzarella Flatbread will have you running back for seconds. Serve this protein-packed and flavor-filled meal to your family tonight to #LiveAFlavorfulLife and #EatMoreBeef. We promise it's as nutritious as it is delicious! 

As always- Beef, It's What's For Dinner
















Visit www.BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com for the recipe.

Ingredients:

  • 1 to 1-1/4 pounds beef Top Sirloin Filets, cut 1 inch thick, tied
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons lemon pepper
  • 2 cups packed fresh baby spinach
  • 1/4 pound fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/2 inch pieces (3/4 cup)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
  • 4 naan breads (Indian flatbread) or pita breads

Directions:

  1. Press lemon pepper evenly onto steaks. Place steaks on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, covered, 12 to 17 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, 12 to 16 minutes) for medium rare (145°F) to medium (160°F) doneness, turning occasionally.
  2. Meanwhile, combine spinach, cheese and basil in large bowl. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar; toss to coat and set aside.
  3. Remove steak from grill and let stand 5 minutes. Place naan on grill; grill, covered, 1 to 3 minutes or until lightly browned, turning once.
  4. Carve steaks into slices. Top naan evenly with spinach mixture and steak slices.

Monday, August 3, 2015

PSA: 2015 Alabama's Best Steak "Sizzling 16"

More than 12,000 nominations...
                                   representing over 140 Alabama restaurants...

ONLY 16 REMAIN.
VOTE NOW in the "Sizzling 16" Bracket Challenge at


Congratulations to our semi-finalists! 

Movie Monday: Three Takes on Slow Cooked Beef

As the fall season gets closer, the smell of pumpkin candles and the coziness of a big sweater become comforting fantasies for the ladies about while the cooler weather entices the menfolk...especially the farmers! While the farm hands are busy baling hay and handling everyday farm duties, the family cook can find some great recipe ideas for slow cooked beef right here!

As those fall fantasies make those cold-season recipes become more and more appealing. Slow cooking is a popular cold weather meat cooking alternative to outdoor grilling, and this week’s #MovieMonday will show you how to add a punch of lite, summertime flavor to slow cooked #BEEF. Don’t save the crock pot for wintertime! Pull it out now and get the best of both worlds!