What's Going On Wednesday: December 21, 2016

FOUR DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!

Before we close out 2016 and staff enjoys a holiday vacation next week, we would like to wish each and every one of our cattle producers, members, industry partners, county and state leaders, Junior cattlemen, YCLP students, social media followers, sponsors.....everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year! We hope Santa Claus is good to you and yours and that 2017 starts bright. 

We'll see y'all again next year, but first, here's our last weekly update from this year...

AJCA Board of Directors Meeting

The Alabama Junior Cattlemen’s Association Board of Directors met this Tuesday to discuss plans for the upcoming year’s events and develop ideas for growing the statewide organization. Presiding over the meeting was AJCA President Cameron Catrett, with ACA Director for Industry Relations and Youth Activities Matthew Pounds advising. The group discussed starting county chapters, themes and new contest ideas for the 2017 AJCA Round-Up and responsibilities of directors including giving reports at county Cattlemen's annual meetings. 

Matthew was very pleased as all 10 Directors were in attendance at the meeting and were eager to discuss plans and ideas. Great job, Junior leaders!

Drawing Winners

Congrats to our Early Bird Membership drawing winners! Check out the lucky cash prize recipients:

Jackie Looney, Limestone County-$250

Steve Shelton, Morgan County-$150

Larry McGhar, Macon County-$100

Congrats and thanks to all who submitted membership in time for the drawing! 

New Face on the Bama Beef Blog

Big changes are coming to the Bama Beef Blog in 2017! The new website (BamaBeef.org) will be the new home to the Bama Beef Blog starting our post of 2017. It'll be new and improved, and we are excited for this addition to our website! 

The MOOseum Video Project

It's been a long time coming, but our 21-year-old resident cowboy and tour guide of The MOOseum's Video Gallery, Adam Bainbridge, developed a bad case of laryngitis earlier in 2016 and can no longer tell the story of Alabama's beef cattle industry. That being said, never fear, Dr. Technology is here! 

We are fortunate to still have contact with Adam Bainbridge's creator, Wayne Sullivant, and Erin and Kayla are working alongside Wayne this month and into January to produce a new video and get Adam's voice back so The MOOseum visitors can hear and see all about Alabama's cattle industry in HD! 

Christmas Party, Holiday Vacation and Retirements

This week is exciting as staff celebrates Christmas with the annual office party complete with a game of Dirty Santa and other gift exchanges followed by a week's vacation. The office will be closed to observe the holiday season December 26-30, and staff will report back at their desks the morning of January 2 ready to conquer the new year!

Unfortunately, however, we will be returning without one veteran staff member. This Friday, we say goodbye to Ms. Martha Davis after 26 years of dedicated service to the ACA. Martha will spend her Christmas holiday officially in her retirement, and staffers are sad that she won't be here to keep us all straight but excited for her and a well-earned break! Thank you, Martha, for everything! 

Capital City Stampede- 74th Annual ACA Convention & Trade Show

The Capital City Stampede will be held Feb. 15-16, 2017 at the Renaissance Hotel and Montgomery Convention Center in Montgomery, Ala. Registration is now open online, and mail-in registration forms are available in the December issue of the Alabama Cattleman magazine. You can also book your hotel now through this link or by calling 334-481-5000 and ask for the Cattlemen's Block using the mini code "CAT."

We have three headliner speakers this year. The first is 10-year veteran of CattleFax, Clay Spearman. The Colorado State University graduate will discuss weather predictions and cattle price outlooks during one of the Convention's sessions. Next on the lineup is NCBA Past President Steve Foglesong who is now serving as a member of President-Elect Donald Trump's agricultural advisory team. Foglesong will give us a look inside the future of American agriculture under the Trump Administration. Also confirmed is NCBA's Senior VP of Global Marketing and Research Alisa Harrison. Alisa comes with vast experience in the worlds of beef retail marketing and public relations, and she will be giving an update on Checkoff efforts globally.


Also, the Trade Show is filling up! Fifty+ vendors are locked in including some great equipment vendors. WE ONLY HAVE 13 BOOTH SPACES STILL AVAILABLE. Visit www.BamaBeef.org/Convention to register now. You can also stay up-to-date with all the newest announcements by joining our Convention Event Page on Facebook.

60th Annual SLE Rodeo 

Just in time for Christmas, SLE Rodeo tickets are NOW

AVAILABLE! Rodeo tickets can be purchased online at SLERodeo.com, by calling 1-888-2RODEO2, through mail-in order forms available online, by visiting the Garrett Coliseum Box Office or at a local Publix.

Thanks for checking out this week's blog post! We will be back with a new report on January 4, 2017. Until then, keep up with our day-to-day activities by visiting our website (BamaBeef.org), ourEvents Calendar or FOLLOW US on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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