Bama Beef Blog

2012 SLE Rodeo TV Commercials Debut

2012-02-09T16:39:00.001-06:00

The television commercials for this year's SLE Rodeo are being released now online and will begin TV air play next week. See a sample below or visit ACA's YouTube channel to see more as they're released.

Video Invites to the 2012 ACA Convention

2012-02-07T14:18:00.001-06:00

The upcoming 2012 ACA Convention & Trade Show will be held March 30-31st in Huntsville, AL at the Von Braun Convention Center. Click here to REGISTER ONLINE.

Colt Ford & Clint Black Coming to the 2012 SLE Rodeo

2012-02-01T14:16:00.000-06:00

Colt Ford has been announced as the Friday night performer and Clint Black has been announced as the Saturday night performer for the 2012 SLE Rodeo.

“We’re really excited about bringing Colt Ford and Clint Black to the SLE Rodeo. Folks that you hear on the radio every day will be right here in Montgomery on a big stage in the Coliseum arena on Friday and Saturday night. That’s a big deal for us and we think it’s a big deal for Montgomery too,” says Camp Powers, President of the Southeastern Livestock Exposition.

All tickets for Friday and Saturday nights will be $22. All Friday and Saturday night rodeo attendees will be admitted free to the concerts with their rodeo tickets. These concerts are due to a sponsorship agreement between the SLE and PCI Gaming. Tickets for Thursday night and the Saturday matinee are priced at $19 for adults and $9 for children.

“More than once, we’ve tried to host entertainers at the SLE Rodeo but just weren’t happy with the result. Thanks to PCI Gaming, we’re bringing in Colt Ford and Clint Black on a stage in the Coliseum after the rodeo. Coupling that with the IPRA National All-Region Finals Rodeo is exciting for rodeo fans and the Southeastern,” says Dr. Billy Powell, Executive Director of the Southeastern Livestock Exposition.

The 2012 SLE Rodeo will be held March 8-10 at Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery. Tickets for all 4 performances are for sale now online through Ticketmaster or by calling 1-888-2RODEO2. As well, rodeo fans can buy their tickets in person from the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association headquarters building or from the Garrett Coliseum the week of the rodeo.

Breeders Directory - New Look in Print & Online

2012-01-30T16:55:00.000-06:00

The Alabama Cattleman Magazine's Breeders Directory recently received a makeover both in its print and online formats. Readers will see the new look in the February issue of the Alabama Cattleman while online viewers can see the new directory now on the Breeders Directory page of Bamabeef.org.

Click here to visit the Breeders Directory

West AL Hay School - February 16th in Tuscaloosa

2012-01-18T16:54:00.000-06:00

TOPICS:

Soil Fertility & Fertilizer Management
True Cost of Baling Hay
Hay’s Nutrient Value in a Beef Cow Herd
Hay Sampling & Evaluating a Bale of Haylage
Spraying Recommendations for Hayfield
Quality Hay Production for Horse Owners
Haylage
Practical Considerations for Hay Producers

The course fee is $30/person. Please make checks payable to ACES/Tuscaloosa. Return to Tuscaloosa County Extension Office, Attn: Jonathan Gladney, 2513 7th Street, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401. For further information, please contact Jonathan Gladney at 334/341-1674.

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Register Now for the 2012 ACA Convention

2012-01-17T08:57:00.000-06:00

The upcoming 2012 ACA Convention & Trade Show will be held March 30-31st in Huntsville, AL at the Von Braun Convention Center. Registration information for this event is coming soon to the ACA website as well as the Alabama Cattleman magazine. Please mark your calendar and plan to be with us in March 30-31st in Huntsville! If you have questions about the ACA Convention & Trade Show, please contact Jordan Barrett at the ACA office at 334-265-1867 or jbarrett@bamabeef.org.

To register online, please click here.

New Interactive Game Explores What Cattle Eat

2012-01-04T17:26:00.002-06:00

The National Cattlemen's Beef Association has launched "Cow Chow: Exploring What Cattle Eat," a Beef Checkoff-funded, interactive game that shows how proper cattle diets help farmers and ranchers raise high-quality, great-tasting and nutritious beef you can feel good about. According to recent research funded by the Beef Checkoff, consumers are curious about what cattle eat. This subject is highly personal--people believe what cattle eat directly translates into the beef they ultimately eat and serve to their own families.

Cow Chow explores common consumer questions about what cattle eat, such as "Do grain-finished cattle eat only corn their entire lives?" Players choose a rancher (Bill or Jill) and navigate through a series of questions and watch videos to learn more about what cattle eat. As you navigate through the 10-question game and corresponding videos, you'll test your knowledge about what cattle eat from birth to the feedyard. The first-of-their-kind Cow Chow videos were filmed almost exclusively by cattle in Kansas, South Dakota, Texas and Florida wearing specially-rigged GoPro cameras.

When you finish the game, share your results on your Facebook page and challenge your friends to beat your score!

Start playing Cow Chow by clicking here!

Past NCBA President in McDonald's Commercial

2012-01-03T09:25:00.000-06:00

Steve Foglesong, past president of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, was recently featured in a McDonald's commercial alongside several of his family members on his Black Gold Ranch in Astoria, IL.

The commercial highlights Steve and his family and their commitment to raising quality beef now and into the future. Foglesong is a past speaker at the Alabama Cattlemen's Association Convention & Trade Show. To learn more about the Foglesongs and their operation, visit their website by clicking here.

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Six month traffic report from Bamabeef.org

2011-12-21T09:25:00.000-06:00

Interested to see some stats on ACA's flagship online platform? Well, this post is for you.

While ACA has a presence on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Blogger, it's main website remains Bamabeef.org. The site gets over 280 page views per day which comes out to over 8,500 per month. This measures how many pages on our site are looked at by someone visiting our site and is an accurate gauge of popularity of the site as a whole.

Remember, advertising is available on Bamabeef.org. Find out more about electronic advertising opportunities by clicking here.

Here's a snapshot looking back at the last 6 months of traffic on ACA's website:

Overall site usage since June 21st:

State specific visitors since June 21st:

Where did 13,976 page views come from?

2011-12-21T08:33:00.000-06:00

Since May of 2009, the Bama Beef Blog has garnered nearly 14,000 page views. Above is a snapshot of those areas who've sent us the most traffic.

Environmental Footprint of Beef is Shrinking

2011-12-19T11:03:00.000-06:00

A study published in this month's Journal of Animal Science found that raising a pound of beef in the United States today uses significantly fewer natural resources, including land, water, feed and fuel than in the past. "The Environmental Impact of Beef Production in the United States: 1977 compared with 2007" (Journal of Animal Science, December 18, 2011) by Jude Capper, Ph.D., Washington State University, documents that each pound of beef raised in 2007 used 33 percent less land, 12 percent less water, 19 percent less feed and 9 percent less fossil fuel energy than equivalent beef production in 1977. Waste outputs were similarly reduced, shrinking the carbon footprint of beef by 16.3 percent in 30 years.

According to Capper's research, improvements in the way cattle are raised and fed in the United States between 1977 and 2007 yielded 13 percent more total beef from 30 percent fewer animals. Raising more beef from fewer animals maximizes natural resources while providing essential nutrients for the human diet. As the population increases, it is crucial to continue the improvements demonstrated over the past 30 years to meet demand for nutrient-rich beef while reducing resource use and mitigating environmental impact. Turning back the clock on these advancements is not the solution to feeding a world population that recently reached 7 billion and will grow to 9.5 billion by the year 2050, concludes the author.

"As the number of mouths to feed increases and the quality of diets in many areas around the world improves, the demand for nutrient-rich protein like beef will increase," says Capper. "At the same time, resources like land, water and fossil fuels will become increasingly scarce. These realities are like two trains speeding toward each other on the same track. If we listen to alarmists shouting at us to slow down, we could face a head-on collision of epic proportions. The only way to avoid this disaster is to accelerate the pace of progress."

Capper attributes much of the reduction in beef's environmental footprint to raising cattle on grass pasture before finishing them on an optimal balanced diet of grasses, grains and other forages in a feedyard. According to previous research conducted by Capper, each pound of grain-finished beef requires 45 percent less land, 76 percent less water and 49 percent less feed and at the same time generates 51 percent less manure and 42 percent fewer carbon emissions than grass-finished beef.

"As we work on solutions for the future it is important to understand how far the U.S. livestock industry has come in reducing its environmental footprint in the recent past and how this significant reduction was achieved," says Capper. "The facts are in. Improved cattle diets in the feedyard and responsible use of science-based technologies to improve the ability of cattle to convert feed to pounds of beef, reduces the amount of land, water and fossil fuels it takes to raise beef. "

Capper says focusing resources to provide more nutrient rich foods like beef, which provides more than 10 percent of the daily recommended value of ten essential nutrients and vitamins for less than ten percent of daily calories (based on a 2,000 calorie per day diet), is a critical success factor in meeting nutrition needs at home and abroad.

"Making the best use of resources like land, water and energy to raise nutrient-rich beef is the key to sustainability," says Capper. "The result is delicious, healthful beef you can feel good about."

SLE Rodeo to host two concerts in March 2012

2011-12-16T16:22:00.001-06:00

Next year’s Southeastern Livestock Exposition Rodeo is only three months away and anticipation is building for what may be the most exciting SLE Week in some time. Each year, the Southeastern not only plays host to a championship rodeo but also highly competitive horse and livestock shows that draw interest from around the country. In 2012, rodeo organizers have added a new ingredient to spice up the excitement during the annual week-long event, major entertainment concerts following the Friday and Saturday night rodeos. These concerts are due to a sponsorship agreement between the SLE and PCI Gaming.

“We’re really excited about bringing some big name performers to the SLE Rodeo. Folks that you hear on the radio every day will be right here in Montgomery on a big stage in the Coliseum arena on Friday and Saturday night. That’s a big deal for us and we think it’s a big deal for Montgomery too,” says Camp Powers, President of the Southeastern Livestock Exposition.

While performer names have yet to be announced, plans are already in place to admit all Friday and Saturday night rodeo attendees free to the concerts with their rodeo tickets. Tickets for Thursday night and the Saturday matinee are priced at $19 for adults and $9 for children. All tickets for Friday and Saturday nights will be $22.

“More than once, we’ve tried to host entertainers at the SLE Rodeo but just weren’t happy with the result. Thanks to PCI Gaming, we’ll be able to bring in some big name acts on a stage in the Coliseum after the rodeo. Coupling that with the IPRA National All-Region Finals Rodeo is exciting for rodeo fans and the Southeastern,” says Dr. Billy Powell, Executive Director of the Southeastern Livestock Exposition.

The 2012 SLE Rodeo will be held March 8-10 at Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery. Tickets for all 4 performances will be for sale soon online through Ticketmaster or by calling 1-888-2RODEO2. As well, rodeo fans can buy their tickets in person from the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association headquarters building or from the Garrett Coliseum the week of the rodeo.

Beef Can Improve Cholesterol Levels by 10 Percent

2011-12-15T14:29:00.000-06:00

WASHINGTON (Dec. 15, 2011) – In a first of its kind study, researchers at The Pennsylvania State University demonstrated that eating beef everyday as part of a heart-healthy diet can improve cholesterol levels. Texas medical doctor and cattleman Richard Thorpe said the Beef in an Optimal Lean Diet (BOLD) study proves what he has known for years – lean beef not only tastes great but it also plays an important role in a heart-healthy diet.
“As a father, medical doctor and beef producer, I have proudly and confidently served my family beef and have recommended it to my patients for years,” Thorpe said on behalf of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). “The BOLD study is further proof that Americans should feel good knowing the beef they enjoy eating and serving their loved ones is not only a nutrient-rich, satisfying food that provides 10 essential nutrients in about 150 calories but is good for their heart health as well.”
The BOLD study, which was funded by the Beef Checkoff, will appear in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in January. The study followed 36 men and women with moderately elevated cholesterol levels who consumed four diets for five weeks each to measure the impact of each diet on heart health risk factors, such as LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. The four diets evaluated were BOLD, which included an average of 4 ounces of beef per day; BOLD-PLUS, which included an average of 5.4 ounces of beef per day; the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, which included an average of an ounce of beef per day; and the Healthy American Diet (HAD), which included an average of 0.7 ounces of beef per day.
Subjects following the BOLD and BOLD-PLUS diets experienced a 10 percent decrease in LDL cholesterol from the start of the study. Further, according to the study’s outcomes, after five weeks, there were significant reductions in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in the BOLD, BOLD-PLUS and DASH diets compared to the HAD.
“This research adds to the body of evidence concluding that there are heart-health benefits to including lean beef in your daily diet,” said Shalene McNeill, PhD, RD, and executive director, human nutrition research for NCBA, which is a contractor for the Beef Checkoff. “The BOLD study provides strong evidence that including daily lean beef in the gold-standard DASH diet has heart health benefits.”
McNeill said the BOLD and BOLD-PLUS diets are easy to follow as many recipes used in the BOLD study were from The Healthy Beef Cookbook, which includes a collection of healthy beef recipes.
“As families across the country prepare their holiday meals this month, lean beef is a perfect fit,” McNeill said. “Americans should feel confident putting beef on their dinner table knowing that it is part of the solution to building a nutrient-rich, well-balanced and heart-healthy diet.”

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2012 Crenshaw County Belt Buckle Classic

2011-12-14T16:22:00.000-06:00

The Crenshaw County Belt Buckle Classic is slated for January 28, 2012 at the Tom Harbin Ag Center in Luverne, Alabama. Prizes this year include $250 Montana Silversmiths buckles to be awarded to the Supreme Heifer and Grand Steer. Entries must be postmarked by January 20. Late fees of $30 per head are due after January 20.

To download more information and an entry form, click here.

For details about the 2012 Crenshaw County Belt Buckle Classic, contact:

Perry Catrett
195 S. Mt. Olive Rd.
Luverne, AL 36049
334-527-3533 or 334-403-0510

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2012 AL Beef Checkoff Marketing Plan Now Online

2011-12-14T11:05:00.002-06:00

The 2012 Alabama Beef Checkoff Marketing Plan is now posted online on the Alabama Cattlemen's Association website. You can read the document in its entirety by clicking here.

If you've never looked at the marketing plan or never heard of it, here's a very brief explanation. This is the document that outlines where and how producers' beef checkoff dollars will be spent in Alabama in the coming year. A group of cattlemen, educators, retailers, etc volunteer each year to spend a day collaborating to develop a draft version of this plan. Then, feedback and input from that group over a span of weeks helps to hone the plan into a document that can be presented for the budgeting process. Cattlemen leaders meet to allocate projected checkoff collections toward the programs in the marketing plan that will have the greatest impact for the benefit of the industry. Finally, a completed version of the marketing plan is presented to the 100+ member ACA Board of Directors for their review and final approval.

This process accomplishes several benefits for cattlemen who pay into the beef checkoff program. Namely, it guarantees the influence of a broad and varied group of stakeholders on checkoff programs in Alabama. It also provides a document that lends itself to accountability so that cattlemen can feel certain that their investment is being used wisely in each program area.

If you have questions about the beef checkoff program in Alabama or the 2012 Alabama Beef Checkoff Marketing Plan, please contact the Alabama Cattlemen's Association.

Learn How Your Food is Grown and Raised

2011-11-28T08:26:00.000-06:00

On Monday, November 14, 2011, the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA), funded in part by the Beef Checkoff, launched the "Learn How Your Food is Grown and Raised" initiative through a partnership with Discovery Communications. USFRA and Discovery Communications created three, 60-second videos and one longer form piece (4-7 minutes), featuring everyday American consumers paired with farmers and ranchers from across the country. Rancher Jeff Fowle from California represented the beef community. In the videos, the farmers/ranchers and the consumers sit down to a meal and discuss where the food came from, how it was raised and how farming is evolving. The videos focus on three primary themes:

Join the Dialogue
Continuous Improvement
Healthy Choices

The documentary-style videos began airing across the Discovery Communications' networks (TLC, Discovery, Discovery Science, Discovery Fit & Health, Identification Discovery, Planet Green and Animal Planet) on November 14 and will continue through December 25, 2011.

Myths Promoted at "End Factory Farming" Conference

2011-11-18T09:36:00.000-06:00

About 300 activists representing the animal rights, environmental, and public health movements converged in Arlington, VA on October 27-29 for the first-ever “Conference to End Factory Farming”. More than 25 speakers attempted to gain the attention of decision makers in Washington, D.C. with sessions titled “The Hidden Costs of Factory Farming”, “Inside the Industry”, and “Building Coalitions for Change”. The goal of the event? To create synergy between competing activist campaigns and frame their extreme goal of eliminating today’s animal agriculture industry as a mainstream effort.

The event was co-hosted by Farm Sanctuary and the ASPCA and sponsored by a wide variety of extremist organizations and companies including the Humane Society of the United States, Mercy for Animals, Compassion Over Killing, A Well Fed World, Compassion in World Farming, E: The Environmental Magazine, Discovery’s TreeHugger, and Whole Foods Market.

Many speakers revealed just how out of step with American values during their presentations. For example, Holly Cheever, of HSUS’ Veterinary Medical Association Leadership Council said that “slaughterhouses are a kind of Auschwitz”. This equating of human suffering with agricultural practices not only diminishes the horrors inflicted on the victims of the Holocaust, but is a sentiment commonly expressed by PETA and other extremist groups. Jonathan Balcome, author of Pleasurable Kingdom and a former HSUS and PETA employee, referred to the the push for animal rights as comparable to “African colonialism, slavery, women’s rights, and the civil rights movement”. Many of the extremists seemed to realize that while their beliefs are not mainstream, they could still seek to influence the public through emotional appeals. As speaker Nick Cooney of The Humane League put it: “revolution is not a question of virtue, but of effectiveness.”

Notably, the single presenter who suggested compromise to target large-scale producers rather than eliminating animal agriculture in entirety, Dr. John Ikerd of the University of Missouri, was met with ridicule from the audience and fellow presenters. HSUS Senior Director of Farm Animal Protection Paul Shapiro responded to Ikerd by saying that “combating factory farming and promoting veganism are not exclusive concepts”.

Promoting veganism – and as speaker Mark Bekoff claimed, sharing the idea that meat is a “who” rather than a “what” – was a main goal of the meeting. Farm Sanctuary President Gene Baur elaborated on this ambition during a pre-conference media interview, saying: “But at the end of the day, it’s not necessary to eat any animal products. We’ll continue to hold up the vegan ideal, but we will also support and encourage any steps that move away from the industrial factory-farming model.”

The activists discussed tactics to intimidate farmers and ranchers using litigation and legislation while promoting the “factory farm” stereotype to the public. Nathan Runkle, Director of Mercy for Animals, indicated that undercover videos represent the “lifeblood” of the organization. Speaker David Wolfson, a partner with the Milbank Tweed law firm and professor at NYU’s school of law, said that providing pro bono work to activist groups is one of the most important things lawyers can do to help the movement. He also elaborated on the legal strategy used during California’s Proposition 2 campaign, saying that “if a farmer came out in criticism of the ballot initiative, they would be subject to undercover investigation and sued”.

Selected Conference Quotes:

“For modern animal agriculture, the less the consumer knows, the better.”
– Dr. Michael Greger (HSUS)

“Slaughterhouses are a kind of Auschwitz.”
– Dr. Holly Cheever (HSUS)

“The lifeblood of Mercy For Animals is our undercover investigations of animal agriculture.”
– Nathan Runkle (Mercy for Animals)

“In California, if a farmer came out in criticism of the ballot initiative, they would be subject to undercover investigation and sued.”
– David Wolfson (Milbank Tweed)

“Meat consumption shouldn’t be normal.”
– Gene Baur (Farm Sanctuary)

“Everyone can agree that cutting down on animal consumption is better for the public.”
– Paul Shapiro (HSUS)

“We need the poultry industry not to exist.”
– Wenonah Hauter (Food and Water Watch)

“Agribusiness… they’re the radicals!”
– U.S. Congressman Jim Moran (D-VA)

“Let’s hear about veganism as an alternative. Taking on meat should be the real war.”
– Dr. James McWilliams (The Atlantic)

More Publicity for Alabama's Best Burger

2011-11-16T14:45:00.000-06:00

Consumers in Alabama continue to hear about a beef promotion event hosted this year by the Alabama Cattlemen's Association; the "Alabama's Best Burger" contest. More than 800 people voted in the statewide contest which drew positive attention to restaurants around the state for their ability to serve up great tasting burgers. With the five finalists having been named, we're all waiting for the judges to announce who really has Alabama's best burger. That overall winner will be announced soon.

Click the link below to see a video on two of the top winners produced by Montgomery's NBC affiliate, WSFA Channel 12:

http://www.wsfa.com/story/16054090/cr-12-battle-for-bamas-best-burger

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Fruit & Vegetable Stir Fry Wins National Beef Cook-Off

2011-11-07T09:49:00.000-06:00

With her stir fry recipe, Vegetable-Mango Beef Stir Fry, amateur home cook Sheryl Little of Sherwood, Arkansas won the 29^th National Beef Cook-Off^® $25,000 “Best of Beef” grand prize, topping recipes from 19 other finalists around the country. Sheryl was announced as the grand prize winner today at the Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show in Washington D.C. Her winning recipe, along with other finalist recipes, will be demonstrated on the show floor by top chef’s and food experts, Mary Beth Albright, Food Network Star finalist, season seven; Susan Holt, chef and instructor at CulinAeire; and Aviva Goldfarb, founder and author of The Six O’Clock Scramble.

This year’s contest encouraged all home cooks and entertaining enthusiasts to submit their delicious recipes demonstrating the convenience, nutritional and versatility benefits of cooking with beef. The winning Vegetable-Mango Beef Stir Fry recipe featured boneless beef top sirloin steaks, fresh sugar snap peas, red bell peppers and fresh mango tossed with garlic and low sodium soy sauce and served over brown or white rice. In addition, the dish is an excellent source of fiber, protein, niacin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, iron, selenium, zinc and choline.

Each contest recipe was submitted in one of four categories, including the 5:30 PM Dinner Crunch, Retro Recipes Revived, Fuel Up with Beef or Stir Crazy Solutions. Recipes were judged by a panel of esteemed food journalists and bloggers back in July of this year. Criteria included: taste, appearance, convenient preparation and nutritional balance. The judges raved about Little’s recipe because of its unique combination of fresh fruit and vegetables and grain ingredients and her use of one of the 29 Lean Beef Cuts.

The 2011 judges included: Julie Miltenberg, editor, Family Circle; Niesha Lofing, food editor, Sacramento Bee; Sandy Hu, founder, Special Fork.com and Kristina Vanni, writer, Better Recipes.com.

“I am thrilled to be named the winner of this year’s Cook-Off,” said Little. “I grew up in the kitchen and there is nothing I’d rather do than create new recipes. I enjoy working with beef too because it’s a great source of protein and the wide variety of cuts give you countless ways to get creative in the kitchen. The Stir Crazy category gave me the opportunity to use fruits and vegetables that really compliment the beef and also create a colorful, beautiful and delicious recipe.”

Funded by the Beef Checkoff Program, the National Beef Cook-Off showcases Americans’ love of beef. During its 35-year history, the Cook-Off has received accolades and the support of many notable culinary experts and is considered to be among the top three cooking contests in the nation.

2012 ACA Convention March 30-31

2011-10-31T10:27:00.000-05:00

Earlier this month, ACA staff and volunteer leaders from around North Alabama met in Huntsville to discuss plans for the 2012 ACA Convention & Trade Show to be held March 30-31 at the Von Braun Center in the Rocket City.

For more information on the 2012 convention, check out its page on bamabeef.org by clicking here. Vendor and sponsor details are already online and the official schedule and program are coming soon.

Be sure to mark your calendar for Friday and Saturday, March 30-31, to be with us in Huntsville for the 2012 ACA Convention.

Below are pictures from the walk-through of the facility:

Bull Sale Season is Here

2011-10-24T10:55:00.000-05:00

Each Fall, cattlemen congregate to a number of bull sales all around the state of Alabama. These events offer not only the opportunity to add the best in beef genetics to your herd, but also the chance to visit with your fellow cattlemen. The stories of the summer's hay harvest and calf marketing along with the trials of securing fertilizer and fuel are often shared with a sale catalog in hand.

Have you been to a sale already? If so, please share a few pictures on the Facebook wall of the Alabama Cattlemen's Association. You can visit ACA's page by clicking here. While you're there, join the ranks of the 750+ members of our Facebook group.

Haven't been but would like to? Check out The Alabama Cattleman magazine and see all the ads on upcoming bull and replacement female sales (these really are some of the best in the country).

In the meantime, please enjoy these pictures from a recent sale hosted by 1988 Alabama Cattlemen's Association President Buck Compton in Nanafalia, AL. Remember, please share your own pictures on our Facebook wall.

Scenes from the AL National Fair

2011-10-19T16:47:00.000-05:00

Each year, the Alabama National Fair hosts one of the state's largest junior beef cattle shows. Young people come to Montgomery from across the state to show their steers and heifers and also compete in showmanship and the Supreme Competitor contest. Below are scenes from this year's junior show:

Great County Chapter Fundraiser

2011-10-10T10:46:00.000-05:00

The Lowndes County Cattlemen's Association recently held a fundraiser in Hope Hull to raise money for the county's scholarship fund. Board members organized a barrel racing and team roping with participants coming from around the region to compete for trophy buckles and cash awards. If you'd like help in getting more activities started in your county, please contact the Alabama Cattlemen's Association. Below are scenes from the event.

Alabama's Best Burger - Top 5 Announced

2011-10-04T13:34:00.000-05:00

Five restaurants in four Alabama cities have been voted as serving one of the best burgers in Alabama through an online contest hosted by the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association. The contest, titled “Alabama’s Best Burger”, drew more than 800 voters. After counting the ballots cast from July through September, the five top vote-getters were announced yesterday on the Facebook page of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association.

“We have really been overwhelmed with the response this contest has drawn. People love beef and they love hamburgers,” says Erin Beasley, Consumer Marketing Director for the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association.

Over the course of the next month, judges will visit each of the five finalists to sample their wares and crown the champion restaurant in the “Alabama’s Best Burger” contest. The finalists include:

- Callaghan’s Irish Pub, Mobile
- The Stockyard Grill, Montgomery
- Hamburger King, Montgomery
- Rattlesnake Saloon, Tuscumbia
- Mugshots, Tuscaloosa

The “Alabama’s Best Burger” contest is part of a larger effort to celebrate October as Beef Month in Alabama. Following a proclamation signed by Governor Robert Bentley designating it as such, the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association will ramp up its beef promotion efforts to put America’s #1 protein in front of consumers in a variety of ways.

“From the Rick & Bubba Show to tailgate promotions at the University of Alabama and Auburn University, we’re putting beef front and center with consumers during the month of October. We want folks to know that beef is wholesome and nutritious, and it’s the product of hard working cattlemen right here in Alabama,” says Beasley.

October is Beef Month in Alabama

2011-10-03T15:41:00.000-05:00

"Beef Month" has kicked off in Alabama. Each year, the Alabama Cattlemen's Association uses the month of October to ramp up its promotion efforts and keep beef on the minds of consumers across the state. Below is a video from the first promotion event of the month, the 2011 Montgomery Half Marathon.

For more information on upcoming promotion events, visit the ACA Cattlemen's Calendar.

Two arrested in connection with cattle theft

2011-09-29T08:30:00.000-05:00

Two men have been arrested in connection with the alleged theft of cattle from a Chilton County pasture. Because of the thefts, the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association has sent out a notice that it will pay a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone stealing or destroying cattle belonging to an association member.

To read more in the Clanton Advertiser online, click here.

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BQA Meetings & More on the Cattlemen's Calendar

2011-09-28T13:36:00.000-05:00

BQA meetings, fundraiser team ropings, and more. That's a short list of what you'll find on the ACA Cattlemen's Calendar. Check it out and plan to attend one of these events aimed at cattlemen in Alabama. Speaking of BQA meetings, below is a video from last night's BQA training session at Montgomery Stockyards:

Cattlemen Call for Presidential Action on FTAs

2011-09-20T14:12:00.001-05:00

Today in Montgomery, Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture & Industries John McMillan held a press conference to stress the importance of international trade to agriculture in this state. Alongside Commissioner McMillan were representatives of the Alabama Poultry & Egg Association, the Alabama Forestry Association, the Alabama Farmers Federation, and the five officers of the Alabama Cattlemen's Association. Below are comments distributed by ACA to the media as well as pictures from today's press conference.

Cattlemen in Alabama and around the country are calling for President Obama to send three pending Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to Congress. The agreements with Columbia, Panama, and South Korea would allow foreign consumers more purchasing power when buying U.S. beef.

“Our industry and our country needs some good news on the economic front. These trade deals would be just that; acting as an economic stimulus by encouraging the shipment of more U.S. goods and products around the globe,” says Leo Hollinger of Camden, President of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, for every $1 billion worth of agricultural goods exported, approximately 8,000 jobs are created. Because these three pending agreements would generate nearly $2.5 billion in additional exports, they also stand to create around 20,000 jobs.

“President Obama is beating the drum for his new jobs package and that’s just what this trio of trade agreements are. This is a real opportunity to create an economic stimulus without burdening U.S. taxpayers,” says Dr. Billy Powell, Executive Vice President of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association. “The hard working members of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association have a very simple message for the President, ‘send these agreements to Congress so they can be passed and come back to your desk to be signed’”.

Each year, Alabama produces around 600,000 calves to enter the beef supply chain. These calves are among the 30 million cattle produced annually in this country. Export sales attribute nearly $200 per head to the value of each of these animals. Already in 2011, the United States’ five largest export markets have increased the value of the U.S. beef they import from 23 to 54%. South Korea, the third largest importer of U.S. beef behind Mexico and Canada, has already imported over 98,000 metric tons of U.S. beef this year, a volume increase of 55% from 2010. This Free Trade Agreement with South Korea alone would mean more than an additional $1 billion to U.S. cattle farmers over the next decade.

2011 World Champion Visits Alabama

2011-09-17T14:41:00.000-05:00

Market Reports on Bamabeef.org

2011-09-13T10:03:00.000-05:00

ACA's website continues to offer a wealth of information to cattlemen and consumers alike. One of the site's most popular features is the Market Prices page which includes contacts and links for auction markets in Alabama as well as links to cattle price reports. To visit this page, click here.

Also, due to budget constraints, the hard copy of the Alabama Livestock Market News newsletter is no longer being mailed. If you would like to receive this newsletter by e-mail please send your e-mail address to Diana.Drummond@ams.usda.gov or call the office at 334-240-7289 and you will be added to the e-mail list.

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Beef 101 for Wallace State Culinary Students

2011-09-11T17:47:00.000-05:00

On a recent sunny day in Auburn, the Alabama Cattlemen's Association held a BEEF 101 at the AU Meats Lab for Wallace State Culinary Arts students. In one day, instructors covered how cattle are raised, a typical day in the life of a cattlemen, how cattle are harvested, and a carcass breakdown to see where all of the beef cuts come from! It was a successful day that busted a lot of beef myths for these future chefs and helped equip them to go out and share beef's farm to fork story. Below are photos from the event. More details on BEEF 101 are coming up in the next issue of the Alabama Cattleman magazine.

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Texas Hay Hotline

2011-08-30T11:38:00.001-05:00

TDA does not guarantee the quality or availability of hay or pastures offered by suppliers.
TDA is not responsible for e-mail spam generated through the public hay hotline.
USDA has reported e-mail scams that target hay suppliers. TDA advises you to use sound business judgement when responding to inquiries from hay buyers who request suspicious payment arrangements.

New facilities unveiled during Stocker Conference

2011-08-22T17:06:00.000-05:00

New facilities at the E.V. Smith Research Center in Shorter that will be used for stocker cattle research were shown to nearly 150 attendees at the recent Deep South Stocker Conference. The Alabama Cattlemen's Association was instrumental in securing the funding used to construct these new facilities. Highlights from the conference are coming in the September issue of the Alabama Cattleman.

Below are pictures of the new facilities:

Livestock Groups Applaud Coliseum Agreement

2011-08-19T10:35:00.001-05:00

Following a press conference hosted by Alabama Agriculture Commissioner John McMillan and attended by Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange, leaders of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association and the Southeastern Livestock Exposition are optimistic about the future of the Garrett Coliseum.

“This new agreement should be positive both for our rodeo to be held next March as well as all the cattle and horse shows that call the Garrett Coliseum home. The facility will remain open and the door is wide open for renovation efforts to improve the grounds,” says Dr. Billy Powell, Executive Director of the Southeastern Livestock Exposition. Powell serves as Vice President of the Garrett Coliseum Redevelopment Corporation.

The new agreement, signed by the Garrett Coliseum Redevelopment Corporation and the Alabama National Fair, will allow the Fair’s staff to manage the facility so that events like the SLE Rodeo and the Alabama National Fair as well as other shows and meetings held throughout the year can still happen. In addition, the budget for the facility will have an additional $50,000 appropriation from Montgomery County and $75,000 from the City of Montgomery to be paired with $246,000 in state funds for operation of the facility.

“The fact that the Coliseum will remain open for business is good news. Plus, the bonding authority now held by the Redevelopment Corporation means there’s real potential for raising monies for renovation efforts that we all agree are needed,” says Camp Powers, President of the Southeastern Livestock Exposition.

The Garrett Coliseum Redevelopment Corporation was created during this year’s legislative session by a bill sponsored by State Rep. Joe Hubbard and State Sen. Dick Brewbaker which expanded the Agriculture Center Board. The new entity responsible for the Coliseum includes the Governor, State Finance Director, Commissioner of Agriculture, Mayor of Montgomery, President of the Montgomery City Council, County Commission Chair, plus four others who currently sit on the Agriculture Center Board.

Below are pictures from the press conference:

BCIA Producer of the Year Nominations Open

2011-08-16T15:43:00.000-05:00

Alabama BCIA is accepting nominations for BCIA Producer of the Year Awards for 2011. Each year, BCIA selects a nominated commercial and purebred producer to be awarded with these titles, and Alabama BCIA then nominates those individuals for the Beef Improvement Federation’s (BIF) Producer of the Year awards.

Each nominee needs to be an active member of Alabama BCIA in order to be considered for nomination. If you have any questions or to verify that your potential nominee or nominees are an active member of Alabama BCIA, please contact state BCIA office using the contact information listed below. The nominees will be featured and the winners announced at the Alabama BCIA Annual Meeting and Awards Presentation to be held in conjunction with the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Convention on Friday and Saturday, March 30-31, 2012 in Huntsville at the Von Braun Convention Center.

To nominate a commercial or purebred producer for these awards, please go to www.albcia.com, look under the Association Information menu tab on the left and select the Producer of the Year Forms to download the applications. Please have your nominee or nominees complete either the BCIA Commercial or Purebred Producer of the Year Award Application in order for your organization to nominate an individual or individual for these awards. Please also send in at least 5 digital or film photos (and up to 10) of each nominee and his or her cattle operation with the completed application. Please include a picture of the person(s) and cow and/or bull photos.

All applications and photos need to be mailed or emailed into the Alabama BCIA office by Monday, October 17, 2011. Please mail the completed application to Michelle F. Elmore, 40 County Rd 756, Clanton, AL 35045 or email to elmormf@auburn.edu.

Please contact Alabama BCIA if you have any questions about these award applications.

Website: www.albcia.com

Fall Army Worm Update

2011-08-15T16:00:00.000-05:00

UPDATE: ARMY WORMS ARE NOW BEING REPORTED STATEWIDE

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System has updated a new interactive tool for cattlemen and hay producers to use in locating available armyworm sweep nets and also to track the emergence of armyworms across Alabama.

Almost all county extension offices in the state have sweep nets available for use, as well as all Regional Animal Science and Forage Extension agents, and many cattlemen throughout the state. To see which cattlemen have nets, please go to:
http://maps.acesag.auburn.edu/Alabama_Armyworm_Watch/default.aspx
There is a little "i" button on the top menu bar. Click that, then click on the county you are interested in, and you will see the cattlemen who have sweep nets. In the future, this map will reflect where armyworms have been detected.

The you tube video on how to use a sweep net is ready, it can be found at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Qwg3TP9INo

The next step: making sure we communicate where fall armyworm problems have been found, so everyone will be aware they need to get out and start looking for armyworms. When you hear of where and when an armyworm infestation has been located, please relay that information to Extension Entomologist Dr. Kathy Flanders at Auburn University (334-844-6393 or flandkl@auburn.edu)

The first installment of a two part article on fall armyworms appeared in the Alabama Cattleman magazine in June, with part two published in the July issue.

Current chemicals registered for fall armyworm can be found in the forage IPM Guide:
http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-0500-A/VOL1-2011/forage.pdf
or in the fall armyworm circular:
http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-1019/
The IPM guide lists one insecticide, a premix of Karate and Coragen called VOLIAM XPRESS, which is NOT available in Alabama. That premix will be marketed under a different name in Alabama, but the state label is still pending.

National BBQ Tour Visits Alabama

2011-08-10T21:32:00.001-05:00

Recently, the Inaugural Sam's Club National BBQ Tour made a stop in Alabama. Competition was tough but the slow smoked beef, pork, and chicken was anything but.

The National $1 Beef Checkoff played a role in the event and put the beef we love on center stage. Hungry consumers had the opportunity to interact with "Grill Master" Michael McDearman and sample some delicious brisket, ribeye steak, and strip steak.

To see a listing of winners from the competition, click here.

Below is a collection of photos from the event:

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Who has Alabama's Best Burger?

2011-08-05T15:33:00.000-05:00

Voting is underway in a new contest being hosted by the Alabama Cattlemen's Association to decide Alabama's Best Burger. Anyone can vote for their favorite restaurant in Alabama who they think serves the best burger in their state.

To vote now, please click here.

Complete contest rules are listed below:

Qualifying Burgers:
‐ Burger restaurant must be in the state of Alabama.
‐ Burgers must be made of 100% ground beef and must be in patty form.
‐ Burgers may contain any form of condiment, sauce, spice, or topping as long as the patty is made solely of beef (no mixtures of beef, poultry, etc.) and is served on a bun or bread product.
-Every component of burger must be placed between the bun or bread pieces, or served open-faced on a bread product.

Methods of Voting:
‐ Voting can be done by visiting bamabeef.org and clicking the “Alabama’s Best Burger” icon.

Rules:
‐ Voting will go on from July 21, 2011 to September 30, 2011 at 12:00 PM and can be submitted online by visiting www.bamabeef.org and clicking on “AL Best Burger” icon.
-Only one vote per person is allowed

Judging:
‐ A team of judges will conduct on-site burger tasting after the “Top 5” is announced.

Burgers will be judged based on:
o Appearance
o Taste
o Proper Cooking

Winner Receives:
- Publicity and write-up in The Alabama Cattleman magazine
‐ Statewide press release announcing winners
‐ Trophy or display to put in restaurant to advertise that you won “Alabama’s Best Burger” contest.

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Upcoming Features in The Alabama Cattlemen

2011-07-29T11:54:00.000-05:00

Readers of The Alabama Cattleman magazine can look to the upcoming months of August and September for features of two major events.

The August magazine will feature full coverage from the July 21st meeting of the Alabama Cattlemen's Association Board of Directors. This meeting saw dozens of membership prizes and awards given away to cattlemen across the state. Winners of the John Deere Gator, Priefert chute, and PAC gun drawing will be pictured.

Also, the September issue of The Alabama Cattleman will feature all the winners from all 3 days of the 5th Annual AJCA Round-Up. This year's Round-Up was great with over 160 kids, over 200 cattle, and over 275 total participants.

2 Ways to Advertise Online with ACA

2011-07-11T15:06:00.000-05:00

Now, cattlemen and allied industry partners have two ways to advertise online with the Alabama Cattlemen's Association.

Online Banner Ads:

Website banner ads appear on the homepage of the Alabama Cattlemen's Association' website, bamabeef.org. These online advertisements are an opportunity for those who advertise in the Alabama Cattleman magazine to get extra recognition and even direct site visitors to their own site or page via a direct hyperlink. This online opportunity is only available to current magazine advertisers. The homepage of ACA's website is typically viewed more than 125 times per day.

Email Blasts NEW

Email blasts are a way for magazine advertisers to extend their exposure by more than 25% through access to ACA's database of email subscribers. This online opportunity is only available to current magazine advertisers. The ACA email subscriber database currently contains ±3,000 subscribers. Ads appearing in the Alabama Cattleman can be resized and formatted to 500x600 pixels and sent out as electronic images that, when clicked, direct potential customers to a specific web page.

For pricing information, click here

Complete Fall Armyworm Update: Lots to Share

2011-06-30T10:37:00.000-05:00

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System has unveiled a new interactive tool for cattlemen and hay producers to use in locating available armyworm sweep nets and also to track the emergence of armyworms across Alabama.

Almost all county extension offices in the state have sweep nets available for use, as well as all Regional Animal Science and Forage Extension agents, and many cattlemen throughout the state. To see which cattlemen have nets, please go to:
http://maps.acesag.auburn.edu/Alabama_Armyworm_Watch/default.aspx
There is a little "i" button on the top menu bar. Click that, then click on the county you are interested in, and you will see the cattlemen who have sweep nets. In the future, this map will reflect where armyworms have been detected.

The you tube video on how to use a sweep net is ready, it can be found at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Qwg3TP9INo

The next step: making sure we communicate where fall armyworm problems have been found, so everyone will be aware they need to get out and start looking for armyworms. When you hear of where and when an armyworm infestation has been located, please relay that information to Extension Entomologist Dr. Kathy Flanders at Auburn University (334-844-6393 or flandkl@auburn.edu)

The first installment of a two part article on fall armyworms appeared in the Alabama Cattleman magazine in June, with part two to be published in the upcoming July issue.

Current chemicals registered for fall armyworm can be found in the forage IPM Guide:
http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-0500-A/VOL1-2011/forage.pdf
or in the fall armyworm circular:
http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-1019/
The IPM guide lists one insecticide, a premix of Karate and Coragen called VOLIAM XPRESS, which is NOT available in Alabama. That premix will be marketed under a different name in Alabama, but the state label is still pending.

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Meat Myths Debunked

2011-06-16T11:01:00.000-05:00

Ever been asked a tough question about antibiotic or hormone use in the beef industry? Do you want to know how a real expert would respond?

Good news! The American Meat Institute and the American Meat Science Association have teamed up to produce a series of videos in a campaign titled, "Meat Myth Crushers". For more information, visit: www.meatmythcrushers.com

Below are a couple of examples of some of the great videos that are a result of this effort:

Antibiotic Use in Livestock Production

Hormone Use in Beef Production

Grain Fed vs. Grass Fed Beef

Governor Proclaims "Beef for Father's Day"

2011-06-14T09:53:00.000-05:00

Following the proclamation by Governor Robert Bentley that June 19^th is officially “Beef for Father’s Day” in Alabama, the men and women of Alabama’s beef industry are encouraging all Alabamians to serve beef to the men in their life on Father’s Day.

"Not only is beef America's favorite protein for its flavor, tenderness and convenience, it's also a terrific building block in planning a healthy diet because it offers an excellent combination of zinc, iron, and protein," says Evelyn Brown of Cullman, President of the Alabama Cattlewomen's Association.

The zinc in beef helps maintain a healthy immune system while iron helps deliver oxygen throughout the body and the protein in beef helps grow strong muscles and maintain metabolism. In fact, studies suggest that the protein in beef may help prevent many chronic diseases such as type-2 diabetes and osteoporosis.

It’s especially important that young children and older folks get sufficient protein. Children need the high-quality protein, iron and zinc in beef in order to develop their minds, as well as their bodies. Older adults can benefit from the protein in beef to help prevent loss of muscle mass and strength as they age.

For more information on the health benefits of beef, great Father’s Day recipes, or details on beef’s farm to fork journey, visit www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com

Also, visit the link below to read the official proclamation:

http://www.governor.state.al.us/news/news_detail.aspx?ID=5230

Below are pictures from the proclamation signing:

2011 Beef Quality Audit Underway

2011-06-13T13:33:00.000-05:00

Cattle producers are being asked to provide their input to the 2011 National Beef Quality Audit by taking a short survey at www.cattlesurvey.com. The survey can be completed in approximately 10 minutes.

The 2011 NBQA, led by scientists from Colorado State University and Texas A&M University, is designed to collect and analyze information from cooler audits in the packing sector, face-to-face interviews with beef supply chain partners and for the first time cattle producers including feeders, stockers, cow-calf operators, and seedstock producers will be surveyed. According to Dr. Tom Field, Executive Director of Producer Education, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, producer input is being sought to strengthen the measurement of quality-based practices implemented on farms and ranches that support consumer confidence in beef products and production systems.

AJCA Round-Up Registration Now Online

2011-06-08T13:47:00.000-05:00

For the first time in 2011, AJCA members can go online to enter all contests as well as the cattle show to be held July 22-24 at the 5th Annual AJCA Round-Up. This means you can not only pay online with a credit card but you can also save on postage and avoid that last minute scramble to the post office. To visit the AJCA webpage, click here.

The AJCA Round-Up is open only to AJCA members. To join and pay online, click here.

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Southeast Cattle Producer Survey

2011-06-01T08:55:00.001-05:00

The Mississippi State Extension Service is conducting a survey of beef producers in the Southeastern United States. The survey should take approximately 25 minutes (depending on your connection speed). If you would like to assist with these efforts please click the link that best describes your operation:

If you own or manage both cow-calf and stocker/backgrounder cattle, please click here.

If you only own or manage a stocker/backgrounder operation, please click here.

If you only own or manage a cow/calf operation, please click here.

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Grazing Cattle Improves Air Quality

2011-05-26T11:14:00.001-05:00

The PBS featured film, The First Millimeter: Healing the Land, shows how farmers and ranchers globally use simple tools and practices to improve biodiversity, increase profits, all while addressing future agricultural challenges, like climate change and food security.

To see scenes from the movie on YouTube, click here.

To order a copy of the DVD, click here.

Sweeping for Fall Army Worms

2011-05-13T13:35:00.000-05:00

Sweeping your pastures and hay land for Fall Army Worms is one way you can minimize damage from these common pests. To learn more, visit ACA's YouTube channel to watch a video on sweeping for Fall Army Worms.

NCBA President to Testify Before Congress

2011-05-11T14:07:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow, May 12, 2011, Bill Donald, National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) president and Melville, Mont., cattleman, will testify before the House Committee on Agriculture about NCBA's support of the pending trade agreements with South Korea, Panama and Colombia. NCBA strongly supports immediate implementation of all three agreements. Click here for more information about the hearing or to download the testimony.

The hearing begins at 10:00 a.m. EST. It will be broadcast live on the House Agriculture Committee's website. Click here to watch or listen to the hearing online. The hearing will be in 1300 Longworth House Office Building.

ACA Establishes "Cattlemen's Disaster Relief Fund"

2011-05-05T11:04:00.001-05:00

The Alabama Cattlemen’s Association has announced a two-phased plan to provide help in areas affected by last week’s storms. The first phase involves partnering with county cattlemen’s associations across the state that are preparing beef meals for tornado victims and relief workers. The second addresses needs of cattlemen in rebuilding fences and facilities following the storms.

“Like other groups, the first thought of our leadership was to address the need for humanitarian aid. However, we’re also taking an additional step to reach out to our fellow cattlemen who have a long road ahead of them,” says ACA’s Executive Vice President Dr. Billy Powell.

In the days following the April 27^th tornados, members of local county cattlemen’s associations began setting up across North Alabama to grill hamburgers, steak sandwiches and other items to help feed the influx of relief workers as well as those affected by the storm.

“We have a big grill that we use all during the year for ribeye steak sandwich sale fundraisers. Because we saw this as an area we could help in, we put it to work helping to feed folks around Franklin County after the storm and have even worked with local schools to prepare meat left in their freezers since they lost power after the storm,” says Orland Britnell of Russellville, a past state President of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association.

To help the county cattlemen’s associations which are preparing meals, thousands of dollars in Beef Gift Certificates have been dispersed to aid in buying beef.

As well, $10,000 from the Alabama 50 Cent Beef Checkoff has been committed as seed money to a “Cattlemen’s Disaster Relief Fund” within the Alabama Cattlemen’s Foundation to help cattlemen rebuild their operations. These monies will be distributed to cattlemen in the form of coupons to use in buying fencing and other materials at local farm stores.

“This disaster has affected so many people and so many cattlemen; we just want to do what we can to help,” says Powell.

Those interested in donating to relief efforts coordinated by the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association can visit the association online at www.bamabeef.org or call 334-265-1867.

Emergency Watershed Protection from NRCS

2011-05-03T11:15:00.001-05:00

The objective of this program is to assist in relieving hazards to life and property from floods and the products of erosion created by natural disasters (tornadoes) that cause a sudden impairment of a watershed. Assistance is to units of government such as cities and counties to implement emergency measures to relieve imminent hazards to life and property created by a natural disaster. EWP work includes measures to protect road banks and bridge abutments, debris removal from streams, and control of caving gullies that threatened infrastructures such as homes, gas and power lines, and road ways. Sponsors (cities and counties) sign a EWP Agreement with NRCS prior to the work and are reimbursed for 75% of the construction costs. Sponsors who contract the work out can also receive additional money for technical services.

For more information on the EWP, click here.

For help in locating your local Alabama NRCS office, please click here.

FSA Disaster Assistance Programs

2011-05-03T10:06:00.001-05:00

The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) administers several important programs that help producers recover from disaster damage and livestock deaths. Among the key programs available to address impacts from disasters are:

Emergency Conservation Program (ECP)—provides funding for farmers to rehabilitate farmland damaged by a natural disaster (check with local FSA Office for sign-up periods, which are set by county FSA committees)

Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP)—provides assistance to livestock producers for livestock deaths from a natural disaster event (must file a notice of loss within 30 calendar days of the loss event or of when the loss of livestock was apparent to the participant)

Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP)— provides emergency relief to producers of livestock, honey bees, and farm-raised fish, and covers losses not adequately covered by any other disaster program (must file notice of loss within the earlier of 30 calendar days of when the loss is apparent to the participant, or 30 calendar days after the end of the calendar year in which the loss occurred)

Tree Assistance Program (TAP)—provides assistance to orchardists and nursery tree growers for losses due to a natural disaster (must file notice of loss within 90 calendar days from the date of the disaster event or the date when the loss of trees, bushes or vines is apparent)

Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP)—provides assistance to eligible owners of nonindustrial private forest land in order to carry out emergency measures to restore land damaged by a natural disaster (check with local FSA Office for sign-up periods, which are set by county FSA committees)

Noninsured Disaster Assistance Program (NAP)—provides assistance to eligible producers affected by a natural disaster, covering noninsurable crop losses and prevented planting (must file notice of loss within 15 calendar days of date of loss or of the date damage to the crop or loss of production becomes apparent to the participant)

Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE) Program—provides assistance for crop production and/or quality losses due to a natural disaster

Fact sheets for all of these programs can be found online at www.fsa.usda.gov; click on Newsroom, then Fact Sheets. You may also visit your local Farm Service Agency Office for more information regarding these programs. For help in locating your local FSA office, click here.

2011 Crimson Classic Sale Cancelled

2011-04-28T17:37:00.000-05:00

Due to damage from recent storms, the 2011 Crimson Classic Sale has been cancelled. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers as we all deal with this disaster. We look forward to welcoming you back to Tinney Farms.

Sincerely, the Alabama Connection (Tinney Farms, Grandview Farm, and Gray Oaks Farm)

Texas Sheriff Investigating Animal Cruelty Video

2011-04-25T13:57:00.000-05:00

The Wall Street Journal reports that the Castro County Sheriff's office is investigating a dairy farm for animal cruelty based on a graphic video of abuse being circulated by an animal-rights group. The hidden-camera video footage was shot by an undercover agent of Chicago-based Mercy for Animals (MFA) who was hired to work at E6 Cattle Co. in Hart, TX.

"The latest MFA video and the treatment of calves that it depicts is deplorable. No one in the animal agriculture industry can condone the actions of E6 employees in the video. In fact, industry-led education efforts like the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program are available to producers to teach them proper animal handling techniques, including how to properly administer humane euthanasia. In Alabama, we're currently pursuing multiple avenues to promote BQA education and certification because we know beef consumers expect cattlemen to deliver the highest standard of care to our animals and that's exactly what we want to do," says Dr. Billy Powell, Executive Vice President of the Alabama Cattlemen's Association.

For more information on the industry's commitment to providing proper care for our animals and our environment, please visit ExploreBeef.org.

Animal Ag 101: Coming Summer 2011

2011-04-20T10:12:00.000-05:00

An exciting program being sponsored by the Alabama Coalition for Farm Animal Care & Well Being is set to debut across Alabama this summer. Animal Ag 101, patterned after a similar effort in Ohio, will bring together law enforcement officials, first responders, animal control officers, and others who are asked to play a roll during incidents of reported animal cruelty or other emergencies involving animals. This course will educate attendees not only on how to evaluate the condition and surroundings of livestock but also how to humanely handle all species of livestock. The course will be taught by veterinarians and other 3rd party experts and will also help establish a network of resources these officials can call upon for help in the future.

Stay tuned for more information on dates and locations of these upcoming educational programs.

Online BQA Certification

2011-04-08T15:24:00.000-05:00

There's exciting news for cattlemen wanting to receive BQA (Beef Quality Assurance) certification for use in helping to market their operation and the calves they produce. Online certification offers beef producers the opportunity to study and learn at home while moving at their own pace through a series of educational modules and accompanying quizzes. For more information, click here.

2011 AJCA Round-Up Details Now Online

2011-04-05T15:45:00.000-05:00

The complete schedule, rules, and entry forms for the #1 junior cattlemen event of the summer are now online. The 5th Annual AJCA Round-Up will be held in Montgomery July 22-24, 2011. In the coming days, youth will be able to register and pay their entry fees online in addition to the traditional method of downloading their forms and submitting them in the mail. For more information, click here.

Cattlemen's Stewardship Report Released

2011-04-01T11:55:00.000-05:00

Today marks the release of “The Cattlemen’s Stewardship Review: Connecting Our Vision and Values,” a comprehensive look at the beef industry’s influence on communities, the economy, public health and the environment.

Similar, but different than a corporate social responsibility report, this is a unique report—it’s not about a company or organization, it’s about a community of small, independent, family-business owners whose goals are to meet the long-term food and nutritional needs of consumers globally. “The Cattlemen’s Stewardship Review: Connecting Our Vision and Values” highlights the accomplishments of America’s farmers and ranchers while also identifying opportunities for growth and improvement.

National Beef Cook-Off Entry Deadline is April 30th

2011-03-30T09:41:00.000-05:00

Calling all home cooks and entertaining enthusiasts! The 29th National Beef Cook-Off® (NBCO) seeks America’s winning recipes.

For more information, click here.

Recap: Youth Activities During the SLE Rodeo

2011-03-27T12:14:00.001-05:00

In case you missed this year's SLE Rodeo, you not only missed out on seeing another great installment of the IPRA National All-Region Finals. You also weren't there to see two of the most exciting events to happen inside the rodeo arena. We're talking about the Calf Scramble and Mutton Bustin'. Here's a few pictures from both:

New Junior Cattlemen Event for 2011

2011-03-25T17:11:00.001-05:00

There's exciting news for junior cattlemen in Alabama! For the first time in 2011, the Alabama Junior Cattlemen's Association will host the AJCA Pen Show to be held August 26th in Uniontown, AL.

This new event will offer all AJCA members the opportunity to consign open or bred heifers to an established heifer sale that's been connecting high quality females with eager buyers for years. A strong cattle market adds even more anticipation for the AJCA Pen Show.

For more information about this event, click here.

Make Input on the ACA Convention

2011-03-24T10:19:00.000-05:00

Last month, ACA hosted its 68th annual convention. For those that were able to attend, we know you went home having shared in a great event. Now, ACA is asking for your help in evaluating the 2011 convention and also in making input concerning future conventions. To take the ACA Post-Convention Survey, please click here.

Livestock Judging Camp in Auburn June 16-18

2011-03-24T08:59:00.000-05:00

2011 marks the second year that the Relentless Excellence Livestock Judging Camp will be held in Auburn, AL for 4-H, FFA, and AJCA members. This is a terrific educational course for those serious about wanting to learn more about evaluating cattle, sheep, and hogs. For more information on the camp, click here.

U.S. Beef Wins Big in Paris

2011-03-21T10:32:00.000-05:00

U.S. beef topped the polls in a unique blind taste challenge at the prestigious Paris trade show, Sial, conducted by an independent French marketing research firm. Participants in the checkoff-supported event picked U.S. strip loins, top blades and flank steaks over top-quality strip loins from Argentina, Ireland, Germany and France. For more about the promotion, click here.

BEEF U Returns to Auburn University April 2nd

2011-03-16T10:30:00.000-05:00

Another highlight of the year for many junior cattlemen is the annual BEEF U program held on campus at Auburn University. This is a one-day educational program designed to teach youth and junior advisors about the beef production chain from breeding and selection to harvest and cooking. This year's program features a "Farm to Fork" tract as well as a "Livestock Judging" tract, allowing participants to choose the focus of their day's activities.

Those interested need to pre-register by filling out the registration form and paying a $10 registration fee by March 21st. Online/credit card registration is available as well as mail-in/check registration. For more information, click here.

Senate & House Ag Committees Tour AU Facilities

2011-03-04T09:38:00.000-06:00

This week, the Alabama Cattlemen's Association partnered with other members of the Alabama Coalition for Farm Animal Care & Well-Being to host a tour of teaching and research facilities used by the College of Agriculture at Auburn University. The trip was led by Dr. Bill Batchelor, Dean of the College of Agriculture, and offered an opportunity for members of the Alabama Senate and House Agriculture Committees to see first-hand some of the work being done to improve Alabama's ag industry. For more coverage of the event, look to future issues of the Alabama Cattleman magazine.

Wells Fargo Stagecoach Coming to the SLE Rodeo

2011-03-01T17:00:00.000-06:00

A real piece of American history, the Wells Fargo Stagecoach, will be in Montgomery next week for the SLE Rodeo. To read more about the stagecoach, click here.

Mutton Bustin' & Calf Scramble at the 2011 SLE Rodeo

2011-02-24T16:07:00.000-06:00

In case you missed them last year, 2 of rodeo's most exciting events are coming back to the 2011 SLE Rodeo.

Mutton Bustin' will be held Thursday and Friday nights. The event is open to youth ages 6 and under, under 60 pounds. If interested in participating, please report to the Little Boots Rodeo booth (near the north gate entrance) to be entered into to the drawing to ride. The mounted rodeo announcer will announce when during the rodeo you should meet at the Little Boots Rodeo booth. You will be provided with all the equipment you'll need (helmet, vest, ropes, etc).

The Calf Scramble will be held during the Saturday matinée performance at 2 p.m. The Calf Scramble is open only to youth ages 9-12. Some of the calves turned loose in the arena will have ribbons on their tails that can be returned to a designated SLE official for a cash prize.

Scene from 2010 SLE Mutton Bustin'

Scene from 2010 SLE Calf Scramble

New SLE Rodeo TV Ads Hit the Airwaves

2011-02-24T14:24:00.000-06:00

The blitz of advertising surrounding this year's Southeastern Livestock Exposition Rodeo has begun. Look below to see this year's new television commercial.

Take the ACA Young Cattlemen Survey

2011-02-22T16:04:00.000-06:00

Have you taken the ACA Young Cattlemen survey yet? Why not? It's less than 20 questions and it's your opportunity to make input on future ACA programs aimed at 20-40 year olds within the ranks of ACA's membership.

To complete the survey online, please click here.

Home Run Media Relations

2011-02-20T14:16:00.000-06:00

As is the case with any industry, the way popular media portrays the beef cattle industry has a big impact on public opinion of cattlemen and the product they raise.

Next month, the Southeastern Livestock Exposition will host its 53rd Annual SLE Rodeo. To kick off the advertising campaign for the event, each year the SLE hosts a luncheon at the ACA headquarters building to bring in members of the local media to talk about what's in store for Rodeo Week. This year's media luncheon saw over 60 members of the River Region media sit down together to enjoy a steak with over 50 SLE & ACA members on the 3rd floor of the cattlemen's building.

This creates an excellent opportunity not only to get folks fired up about the SLE Rodeo but also affords a chance for writers, reporters, anchors, and producers to get to know a little more about the state's beef cattle industry. This one-on-one interaction between SLE & ACA members with each major TV and radio station as well as newspapers and online news outlets from the Montgomery media market means a big home run for our industry. Below are a few pictures from the event:

Looking Back at the 2011 ACA Convention

2011-02-18T20:29:00.000-06:00

Well, the 68th ACA Convention is in the books and it was a blast. A great line up of speakers, an energetic crowd, and a top notch facility made for a super event. If you couldn't make it, you'll not want to miss it again.

Below are a few pictures from the weekend. For complete coverage of the convention, look to the Alabama Cattleman magazine.

24 Videos from the ACA Convention

2011-02-16T14:08:00.000-06:00

In case you were there at the 68th Annual ACA Convention & Trade Show, you probably spotted ACA's Roaming Reporter as she gathered interviews in the trade show, after meetings, and all over with speakers and attendees. Now, you can watch those interviews online on ACA's YouTube channel. To check it out, just visit: http://www.youtube.com/alabamacattlemen

Governor Bentley to Address Cattlemen

2011-02-08T09:28:00.000-06:00

During this weekend's 68th Annual ACA Convention & Trade Show, cattlemen will hear from Alabama Governor Robert Bentley during the Legislative Luncheon to be held Saturday at noon.

This will be a return trip to the ACA Convention for Governor Bentley, as he was one of seven candidates for the state's top office to attend a Gubernatorial Forum hosted by the Alabama Cattlemen's Association during last year's annual meeting.

Below are pictures from last year's event:

Exciting Stats from Bamabeef.org

2011-02-03T09:06:00.000-06:00

Did you know the Alabama Cattlemen's Association totally redesigned it's website last fall? Not only does Bamabeef.org have a revamped look but it also has so many new features. Now, you can become a member of ACA online, shop in the MOOseum gift shop, register for the ACA convention, buy a banner ad, or join the junior cattlemen's association.

What does all this mean? It means that Bamabeef.org is getting a lot of traffic! In the month of January alone, the ACA website had more than 11,000 visitors! Since last September, more than 41,000 people have visited Bamabeef.org!

We hope you've taken the time to see all the features of the ACA website. We look forward to bring even more functionality to Bamabeef.org in the future!

20-40 Social Friday Night @ the ACA Convention

2011-02-01T11:26:00.000-06:00

Please join other 20-40 year olds from within Alabama's beef industry as we gather next Friday night at 9:30 for a social to kick off ACA's efforts to reach out to this important group of future leaders.

The event will feature a DJ, cash bar, and a lot of fun. Not only will you be able to socialize and network with your peers, you'll also be able to make input on future ACA programs aimed at 20-40 year olds.

Invite to the 2011 ACA Convention & Trade Show

2011-01-31T08:54:00.002-06:00

We hope you can join us February 11-12 in Montgomery for the 68th Annual ACA Convention & Trade Show at the Renaissance Hotel & Convention Center.

This year's line-up of speakers and activities will make for a great weekend that you won't want to miss. Check below for a video invite to the convention from ACA staffers Selina Knight and Erin Hunter.

2011 Alabama Jr/Sr High Beef Cookoff

2011-01-30T10:17:00.001-06:00

PEach year, students across Alabama participate at the local and state level in the Alabama Jr/Sr High Beef Cookoff. The event is not only a fun contest for the participants, it's also a great way to showcase the beef industry.

Retirement Systems CEO to Address Cattlemen

2011-01-26T08:37:00.000-06:00

Dr. David Bronner, chief executive officer of the Retirement Systems of Alabama, will address the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Board of Directors during the organization’s 68^th Annual Convention & Trade Show to be held February 11-12 at the Renaissance Hotel and Convention Center in Montgomery.

“There’s no debate about the huge impact Dr. Bronner has made on our state’s economy over the last 38 years. His ‘big picture’ view of financial matters and where Alabama is headed will definitely be something our board members will want to hear,” says ACA’s Executive Vice President Dr. Billy Powell.

Since 1973, Bronner has led the organization that directs the pension fund for employees of the State of Alabama. When Bronner took the reins, RSA had approximately $500 million of funds and was owed $1.5 billion by the state. By the end of 2007, the RSA had amassed over $32 billion in investments, making the RSA pension fund the 14th largest internally-managed public pension fund in the world.

The convention, including Dr. Bronner’s address, is open to cattlemen and the general public with pre-registration required. Those interested can contact the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association at (334) 265-1867 or view a complete schedule of events and register online at www.bamabeef.org.

Inauguration Day Twenty Eleven

2011-01-18T20:05:00.000-06:00

For those that weren't able to travel to Montgomery yesterday for the Inauguration Day parade and festivities held at the ACA office, here's a slideshow of some scenes you missed. We hope you can be there next time.

Look to the Alabama Cattleman magazine for more coverage of the day's events.

Surprising Numbers on S&A Verification

2011-01-18T11:36:00.000-06:00

How many calves would you guess cattlemen in Alabama sold last year through Source & Age Verification programs? The answer may surprise you.

In 2010, using the ITS PVP for Source & Age Verification through the Southeastern Livestock Network (SLN) cattlemen in Alabama enrolled more than 6,800 calves. The total enrollment number from all SLN member states reached nearly 100,000 head in 2010! That's just another reason this part of the country holds a well-deserved reputation as a source of top quality feeder calves.

To learn more about SLN and how you can easily enroll your cattle in its Source & Age Verification program, click here.

Promoting Lean Beef in Alabama

2011-01-14T22:05:00.000-06:00

In a recent posting to Prevention.com, lean beef was named as a "nutritional superstar" and ranked #5 in a listing of 25 ridiculously healthy foods.

Surprised? We weren't.

In fact, the beef industry has been put in the driver's seat in the war on fat by laying claim to 29 mouthwatering cuts that meet government guidelines for "lean".

Here in the Yellowhammer state, the Alabama Cattlemen's Association is following a directive set through the Alabama Beef Checkoff Marketing Plan to spend 2011 spreading the word to consumers about the benefits of lean beef.

One such opportunity recently presented itself during a luncheon hosted for the contestants of the 2011 Distinguished Young Women of Alabama contest.

Interested in reading more about lean beef on Prevention.com? Click here for details.

Junior Association Taking Big Steps Forward

2011-01-11T10:40:00.001-06:00

ACA's leaders believe the youth of our industry are the future of our association. Because of this, the AJCA should function to serve the youth of Alabama's beef industry by providing opportunities and activities that will prepare them to take the reins as the next generation of leaders among cattlemen in Alabama.

The first step in setting up the AJCA to serve this role is to simplify and streamline membership. Juniors should be able to join as individuals or with their siblings as a family. In addition, whole counties of youth should be able to join as a group. To make this process as efficient as possible, youth can now join AJCA online on the new Bamabeef.org. Also, ACA county chapter leaders can contact the ACA office for a spreadsheet to use in signing up all the junior cattlemen in their county as AJCA members.

To sign up online as an AJCA member, click here.

The best part of this new AJCA membership format may be that ACA's county chapters will have access to the AJCA membership database in their county and be able to recruit those youth as new members after they graduate out of the junior association.

Save Money at the ACA Convention & Trade Show

2011-01-06T10:54:00.000-06:00

The largest gathering of cattlemen each year in Alabama is right around the corner. For the 68th year, the Alabama Cattlemen's Association will hold its annual Convention & Trade Show February 11-12 at the Renaissance Hotel & Convention Center in Montgomery.

You can save money when attending the event by registering early. Prices on all meals and events will go up $5 after January 15th so register today. For the first time in 2011, you can register online using the new Bamabeef.org. Click here for details.

Upcoming Junior Cattle Shows on the Calendar

2011-01-04T11:20:00.000-06:00

Each year in Alabama, leading up to our statewide Junior Beef Expo, a number of local invitational and jackpot shows pop up on the calendar of junior cattlemen. These are great opportunities for youth to bring their animals out and have some fun leading up to the Southeastern Livestock Exposition.

The Belt Buckle Classic is slated to be held January 29th in Luverne and the Autauga Agribition will be held February 4th and 5th in Autaugaville. Entry forms and more details on each event can be found under the Forms heading on the AJCA page of Bamabeef.org. Click here for details.

Optimism in the Beef Industry

2011-01-03T10:22:00.000-06:00

Record cattle futures, growing export demand, and more are all giving reason for cattlemen in Alabama and beyond to look to the future with a new sense of optimism.

ACA Convention Registration Now Online

2010-12-16T14:16:00.000-06:00

Each year, hundreds of cattlemen from around Alabama converge on the ACA Convention and Trade Show. This year, the event will return to the Renaissance Hotel & Convention Center in downtown Montgomery February 11-12. This is the 68th year for the convention and a great line up of speakers and activities is in store for attendees.

This year, you can even register online under the Events/Registration tab on the new bamabeef.org. For more information and to register today, click here.

Death Tax Deal is Good News for Cattlemen

2010-12-07T09:39:00.004-06:00

Yesterday, President Barack Obama reached agreement with Republican leaders in Congress to extend a number of Bush-era tax cuts. As part of this agreement, the estate tax rate would be set at 35% for two years and would apply only to estates over $5 million. Under current law, the estate tax has lapsed for 2010 and is set to spring next year to 55%.

Groups representing America's farming and ranching families supported measures introduced by Senators Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and Jon Kyl (R-AZ) that would drop the Death Tax rate to 35% with a $5 million estate value minimum.

This agreement to extend these rate levels for 2 years is good news for cattlemen and may prove a good anchor point to continue talks for full exemptions from the Death Tax for American farmers and ranchers.

The MOOseum - Now Easier to Find

2010-12-06T17:01:00.000-06:00

Thanks to a series of signs recently erected by the City of Montgomery, the Alabama Cattlemen's Association building and The MOOseum are now easier to find when navigating the capital city's downtown streets.

Using the new bamabeef.org, you can take a virtual tour of The MOOseum online by clicking here.

To zoom in on the Alabama Cattlemen's Association building using Google Maps, just click here.

McDonald's E-Mail Rumor Surfaces Again

2010-12-02T13:27:00.001-06:00

Every year or so, we seem to see the same e-mail pop up in our inbox calling for a boycott of McDonald's because of where their beef comes from. Each time, we reply that this is a false e-mail rumor that's achieved "viral" status. In fact, the beef checkoff program has developed talking points which have been used by several industry news outlets to address the rumor. For one such example, click here.

New Beef Christmas Ornament

2010-12-02T10:08:00.000-06:00

Need a new way to "beef up" your Christmas tree? Check out the newest addition to The MOOseum gift shop. Buy online through bamabeef.org or visit The Mooseum today!

How Important are Beef Exports?

2010-12-01T16:31:00.000-06:00

The short answer, very important.

Fiscal 2011 agricultural exports are forecast at a record $126.5 billion, up $13.5 billion from the August forecast and $17.8 billion above final 2010 exports. Beef exports are forecast at $3.7 billion, up $500 million from last year. To read more from Drovers, click here.

Don't Forget Upcoming Scholarship Deadline: December 3rd

2010-11-25T11:04:00.000-06:00

Each year, the Alabama Cattlemen's Foundation awards thousands of dollars in scholarships to the sons and daughters of Alabama's livestock industry. These young people represent some of the best and brightest our state has to offer.

The success stories of what many of these scholarship winners have gone on to achieve continue to impress us. One such story involved a then high school senior in 2006 from Pickens Academy who's hometown is Reform, AL. Wyatt Smith's parents are both involved in their cattlemen's and cattlewomen's associations at the local, state, and national level and their spirit of volunteerism and hard work no doubt was passed on to their eldest son.

Here is Wyatt Smith in present day with his submission to interview President George W. Bush about his memoir, Decision Points. Congratulations to Wyatt for winning the opportunity to meet with the former president during their upcoming interview in Dallas, TX.

To download a copy of any of the scholarship applications available through the Alabama Cattlemen's Foundation and begin writing your own success story as you pursue your education, just click here.

Will Congress act on Estate Tax Reform During Lame-Duck Session?

2010-11-19T14:02:00.000-06:00

The American Farm Bureau Federation; the American Soybean Association; the National Association of Wheat Growers; the National Cattlemen's Beef Association; the National Corn Growers Association; the National Cotton Council; the National Farmers Union; the National Milk Producers Federation; the National Pork Producers Council; and the Public Lands Council will host a press conference Nov. 30, 2010, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., at 1:00 p.m. EST to urge Congress to act on estate tax reform during the lame-duck session.

When: Nov. 30, 2010, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. EASTERN
Where: National Press Club – Zenger Room
Watch Live: Video will be streamed live to Beltway Beef, NCBA’s blog, at www.beltwaybeef.com

Beef Bandz Now Available

2010-11-17T13:37:00.000-06:00

Looking for another way to show folks you love beef and the cattle industry? Well then, these new Beef Bandz may just be what you're looking for.

Order yours today from the Online Store on Bamabeef.org or pick some up the next time you visit The MOOseum.

Beef makes Thanksgiving better

2010-11-16T08:26:00.001-06:00

Looking for something to add some new flavor to your Thanksgiving Day meal? Look no further; beef has you covered. Check out 3 great recipes below that feature lean cuts of great tasting beef. Even better, each recipe serves 6 or more hungry Thanksgiving Day visitors.

Pepper Herb-Crusted Beef Tenderloin

Chili-Crusted Tri-Tip Roast

Garlic-Herb Crusted Beef Roast

For more great beef recipes that are sure to please your guests this Thanksgiving, visit www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com

Taking time to Honor our Veterans

2010-11-11T13:51:00.000-06:00

Today, November 11th, is celebrated as Veteran's Day. Please take time today to thank a veteran for their service. As well, remember that these brave men and women deserve our respect and appreciation each day of the year.

Veterans Day Facts

In 1954, President Eisenhower officially changed the name of the holiday from Armistice Day to Veterans Day.
In 1968, the Uniform Holidays Bill was passed by Congress, which moved the celebration of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. The law went into effect in 1971, but in 1975 President Ford returned Veterans Day to November 11, due to the important historical significance of the date.
Britain, France, Australia and Canada also commemorate the veterans of World Wars I and II on or near November 11th: Canada has Remembrance Day, while Britain has Remembrance Sunday (the second Sunday of November). In Europe, Britain and the Commonwealth countries it is common to observe two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. every November 11.

Veterans Facts

9.2 million veterans are over the age of 65.
1.9 million veterans are under the age of 35.
1.8 million veterans are women.
7.8 million veterans served during the Vietnam War era (1964-1975), which represents 33% of all living veterans.
5.2 million veterans served during the Gulf War (representing service from Aug. 2, 1990, to present).
2.6 million veterans served during World War II (1941-1945).
2.8 million veterans served during the Korean War (1950-1953).
6 million veterans served in peacetime.
As of 2008, 2.9 million veterans received compensation for service-connected disabilities.
5 states have more than 1 million veterans in among their population: California (2.1 million), Florida (1.7 million), Texas (1.7 million), New York (1 million) and Pennsylvania (1 million).
The VA health care system had 54 hospitals in 1930, since then it has expanded to include 171 medical centers; more than 350 outpatient, community, and outreach clinics; 126 nursing home care units; and 35 live-in care facilities for injured or disabled vets.

ACA's #1 County Chapter in 2010

2010-11-08T21:53:00.003-06:00

Without a doubt, the success the Alabama Cattlemen's Association has enjoyed through the years is due in large part to the hard work of volunteer leaders at the county level.

We recently sat down with one such individual; Daveen Stanford of Elkmont, AL. Not only is she a Lifetime Director of the Alabama Cattlemen's Association, she's also the County Secretary of the Limestone County Cattlemen's Association. If you want to hear what a dedicated, passionate, energetic volunteer leader sounds like, just click "play" on the audio player below:

Producer Profile: Donna Jo Curtis of Athens, AL

2010-11-05T23:08:00.000-05:00

This producer profile installment travels to the far north end of Alabama, only a few miles south of the Tennessee border, to the small Thach community and the home of ACA Vice President Donna Jo Curtis. Not only respected as a volunteer and leader in her community, she also has earned the admiration of her fellow cattlemen as a model of working hard and doing things right.

We hope you enjoy this opportunity to get to know ACA's Vice President, Donna Jo Curtis.

Beef on a Budget

2010-11-02T10:06:00.000-05:00

For consumers today, it's our job as food producers to deliver a great tasting wholesome product that also delivers value for their dollar. Luckily, beef fits that bill.

Check out the video below to learn from Chef Dave Zino how to save money with beef in 2 different ways, 1.) buying in bulk and slicing steaks at home and 2.) grilling extra steaks to create different meals with leftovers.