What's Going On Wednesday: April 27, 2016

This is a day that strikes a chord for many of our state's cattlemen and cattlewomen, especially those in northwest Alabama, as it is the anniversary of the devastating tornadoes that took homes, schools, churches, cities and over 250 lives as it blew it's path across Alabama. We would like to start this week's blog by sending our thoughts to the families who were in any way affected by this tragedy. Whether you lost your home, farm, livestock, family members or your community, you're in our thoughts on this fifth anniversary. It's incredibly hard to come back from a tragedy like that, but we happen to know that our state cattle families are resilient, driven and most importantly, hard working. 

On a happier note from that sad memory, it's been a busy week around the Cattlemen's building in Montgomery. The month of April is slipping out from under us quickly, but it's been a successful month for many reasons. With May just around the corner, we've got lots to look forward to! Keep reading to find out what's going on with the state ACA staff this week!

Membership

We are wrapping up membership with 10,664 members as of today and 16 "Over the Top" counties. We've got 10 counties who are so close to going over the top, and they've got only THREE DAYS left to qualify for the "Over the Top" Priefert chute drawing. 

Get out and get recruiting; not only will it help the state association, but it could win you some awesome prizes. Just in case you need some incentive to get out and recruit, check out these Top Hand Club prizes:

• 5 new members – ACA cap and knife
• 15 new members – ACA shirt
• 25 new members – ACA vest
• 35 new members – ACA Red/Black jacket
• 50 new members - $250

Top Hand Club sponsored by Alabama Ag Credit and Alabama Farm Credit

Also, don't forget our John Deere Gator drawing sponsored by John Deere, SunSouth, Tri-Green Equipment and Snead Ag. For every new member you recruit, your name and the new member's name will go in the drawing. ACA members also have the opportunity to purchase more chances to win by calling ACA at 334-265-1867.

Beef 101

Trenholm State Culinary students, ACA
staff and leadership and ACES agents.

ACA leadership and staff have a busy week with Beef 101. This Monday, ACA President-Elect Richard Meadows, ACA Treasurer LD Fitzpatrick, Macon County's Jason and Misty Edmundson and Tallapoosa County President Jacob Hodnett spent time in Auburn with ACA staffers Erin Beasley and Kayla Greer at the third Beef 101 program this month. Students from this large class included culinary students from Trenholm State Culinary, vet students from Auburn's Veterinary Medicine program and ACES county agents.

ACA President-Elect Richard Meadows
leading a live animal evaluation
conversation.

The group got to learn about cattle production from pasture to plate. They started with learning about the cattle industry as a whole, some vocabulary and types of operations. Questions about GMO's, hormones and anitbiotics in beef and other important indsutry topics were discussed at length. Then the group headed outside to participate in a live animal evaluation led by Dr. Misty Edmundson and Richard Meadows. The group then learned about the slaughter practice with an educational video, followed by a delicious lunch catered by the Auburn Collegiate Cattlemen and CattleWomen. Following lunch, the group enjoyed a tour of the meat lab and a carcass fabrication demonstration. 

We've got the fourth and final Beef 101 program in April coming up this Friday. We will host 75 students from the McAdory Middle School Culinary program, Jeff State Culinary, American Culinary Federation chefs and ACES staff. Coming along to help is YCLP alumni Alex Tigue, Macon County cattleman Jason Edmundson and ACA's Dr. Billy Powell. The film crew from Simply Southern will also be there to cover the event!

Ag Coalition

The Ag Coalition met Tuesday morning in the ACA Board Room to get an update on the current legislative session, which will be winding down shortly. Dr. Powell is still pleased to report that any proposed legislation that would have any effect on our industry is not anticipated to pass during this session.

Chambers County Ladies Night Steak Supper

Thursday evening, ACA Director of Social Media and Communications will hit the road toward Lafayette to be the guest speaker at the group's annual Ladies Night steak supper. Kayla will entertain the ladies with a discussion about taking to social media to promote the cattlemen's lifestyle and product. She is excited to answer questions that the group may have and offer insight to the group on the world of digital marketing. Thanks for the invite, Chambers County Cattlemen's Association! 

SLE Meeting

Also happening on Thursday, the Southeastern Livestock Exposition executive team will be meeting to discuss the final thoughts and figures on the 2016 SLE Rodeo. There's much to be discussed as the rodeo is a huge undertaking! 

Beef Symposium at ACA

The ACA building is the host to many meetings and dinners, and this week was no exception. Cargill hosted a Beef Symposium in the meeting area where a steak dinner was enjoyed and feed reps and producers were educated on beef cattle nutritional plans and the upcoming VFD. 

Magazine Hustle and Bustle

This week is one strongly focused on the May issue of the Alabama Cattleman magazine! Production and editing this week, press next week and your mailbox the next! Dr. Powell and Martha Davis have been busy typing away articles and columns for the Alabama Report and Along the Trail commentary, Kayla and Erin have been getting pics and articles submitted, and Nicky has been working to put it all together along with advertising! We hope you enjoy the upcoming May issue. 

What's Going On Wednesday: April 20, 2016

April has been a busy month, especially for the legislative and beef promotion aspects of our association. While Dr. Powell has spent a lot of time with state senators, representatives, the ag coalition and Alabama's leaders in D.C., Erin has been busy educating chefs, food service representatives and leadership in food retail from across the state. While those have been the biggest items on this month's calendar, there's still plenty going on otherwise. Keep reading to learn what's going on around the ACA this week.

Membership

We are wrapping up membership with 10,650 members as of today and 16 "Over the Top" counties. 

Get out and get recruiting; not only will it help the state association, but it could win you some awesome prizes. Just in case you need some incentive to get out and recruit, check out these prizes:

• 5 new members – ACA cap and knife
• 15 new members – ACA shirt
• 25 new members – ACA vest
• 35 new members – ACA Red/Black jacket
• 50 new members - $250

Top Hand Club sponsored by Alabama Ag Credit and Alabama Farm Credit

Also, don't forget our John Deere Gator drawing sponsored by John Deere, SunSouth, Tri-Green Equipment, Snead Ag. For every new member you recruit, your name and the new members names go in the drawing. ACA members also have the opportunity to purchase more chances to win by calling ACA at 334-265-1867.

ACA Welcomes Sara Goen to the Team

Speaking of membership, our longtime membership coordinator Selina Knight is no longer with us on the ACA staff. She will be greatly missed, and we are so grateful for her years of dedicated service to the ACA. Happily, however, we have found Sara Goen to takeover Selina's role. 

Sara comes to the ACA with over 20 years of office experience and is ready to learn all about the ACA and its Board, members and outside contacts. Welcome Sara to the team and contact her by her email- sgoen@bamabeef.org. 

A Beefy Breakfast at the ACA

Pictured L-R Sen. Allen, APEA Director
Ray Hilburn, Bill Lipscomb, Sen. Whatley
and Erin Beasley. 

This morning, the ACA hosted 20 of Alabama's 35 senators for a breakfast in the building. On the menu was Sen. Tom Whatley's delicious homemade cinnamon rolls, Sen. Gerald Allen's southern-style homemade biscuits, beef tenderloin prepared by the Beef Girl and omelets from our friends at Alabama Poultry and Egg Association. 

Our third floor proved an asset once again as we hosted a large majority of Senate leaders for a beefy breakfast and mingling. 

Meetings, Talks and Updates

Dr. Powell has been busy this week with different speaking engagements and meetings. First, on Monday he chaired a conference call with the ACA Executive Committee and 12 RVPs to discuss wrapping up the membership year and to get an update on reaching out to our non-renewed members.  On Tuesday, he spoke to 100 members of the Montgomery Kiwanis Club about the beef cattle industry in Alabama during their lunchtime meeting. On Wednesday, after the senators breakfast, he spoke to the Leadership Jackson County group about the state cattle industry during their visit to Capitol Hill. 

Legislative Update

The Ag Coalition met Tuesday morning in the ACA Board Room to get an update as this legislative session is winding down. Dr. Powell is pleased to report that any proposed legislation that would have any effect on our industry is not anticipated to pass during this session.

To stay on top of this legislative session, Dr. Powell has spent a lot of time across the street at the Alabama State House meeting with our state's senators and representatives. 

Beef On the Highway

It's no secret that the staff, particularly Director of Checkoff Programs Erin Beasley, is always on the road. Whether we are headed to a county meeting, a beef promotional event or an educational opportunity on beef, our wheels stay spinning.

Now, we get to roll in style as the new Beef Mobile is ready to hit the highway! This beef-wrapped beauty is ready to take on the task of promoting beef all across Alabama, and we're excited to have beef back on the road since the retirement of the beloved Beef Wagon. 

Read more about the Beef Wagon and the new Beef Mobile in May's issue of the Alabama Cattleman. 

Beef 101

Hair nets and cowboy hats- talk about a
fashion statement! L-R are Larry Montgomery,
Bill Lipscomb and Randy Moody. 

Speaking of hitting the highway, ACA leadership representatives and staff have been busy with Beef 101. This week, ACA President Bill Lipscomb, RVP Randy Moody, Montgomery County President Larry Montgomery, YCLP alumni Alex Tigue, Erin Beasley and Kayla Greer spent Tuesday in Auburn at Beef 101 with Wood Fruitticher leadership, Faulkner State Culinary students and some ACES reps. Dr. Lemme from Extension and Auburn Animal Sciences Department Head Dr. Greene even stopped by for a visit. 

The group watches a carcass fabrication
demonstration led by AU Meat Lab staff,
Erin Beasley and Alex Tigue.

The group got to learn about cattle production from pasture to plate. They started with learning about the cattle industry as a whole, some vocabulary and types of operations. Then the group headed outside to participate in a live animal evaluation led by Bill Lipscomb and Alex Tigue, with Larry Montgomery and Randy Moody there to help with questions as well. The group then learned about the slaughter practice with an educational video, followed by a delicious lunch (great order, right? Slaughter video then lunch!) catered by the Auburn Collegiate Cattlemen and CattleWomen. Following lunch, the group enjoyed a tour of the meat lab and a carcass fabrication demonstration. 

They had plenty of questions answered by industry professionals. Great job, team! We've got two more Beef 101 sessions next week on Monday and Friday, and Board members are invited to attend. If you're interested, contact Erin Beasley. 

Culinary Education

Just in case Erin doesn't seem busy enough, tomorrow she's headed south to Andalusia to do a beef education program with the culinary students at Lurlene B. Wallace Community College. And yes, she will be taking the Beef Mobile, so if you see her in passing, honk at her! 

Last Call for Bama's Best Beef

We kicked off a springtime beef promotion on two weeks ago that highlights Alabama's unique beef dishes. Using the power of social media to drive the contest and by promoting it to Alabama's restaurants and chefs, we've started to receive nominations of those not-so-average beef dishes made and served right here in Alabama. We've got our eyes set on all those unconventional, yet delicious, beef dishes! 

Submit your nomination here by Monday, April 25. 

Other Tidbits from This Week:

• The SLE received the 157 premium checks in the mail to send to the Junior Beef Expo exhibitors, reflecting their placings in the show. With that, the 2016 JBE is wrapped up!
• Erin and Dr. Powell are actively participating in the Auburn Agriculture Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology Livestock Economist interview process. This position is to fill the one left vacant by Dr. Walt Prevatt. So far, three candidates have interviewed. 

What's Going On Wednesday: April 13, 2016

Beef promotion, trips to D.C. and meetings, meetings and more meetings are the theme around the Cattlemen's building this week. There's always something going on that keeps the staff busy, but we sure love working for Alabama's cattlemen. Keep reading to find out what's going on at the ACA this week. 

Trip to D.C.

ACA Executive Vice President Dr. Billy Powell, President Bill Lipscomb and President-Elect Richard Meadows are in Washington D.C. Tuesday through Thursday of this week. While there, the trio will join with 30 other state cattlemen's associations to attend the Spring Legislative Conference. This trip will provide our state cattlemen's representatives with the opportunity to go on office visits with Alabama's congressional delegation!

Membership

We are wrapping up membership with 10,624 members as of today and 16 "Over the Top" counties. A number of counties are still lagging, though. RVPs are reaching out to their assigned county presidents about plans to get in the 2400 non-renewed members. Another conference call between the RVPs will be held on Monday, April 18 to report on the results. 

Get out and get recruiting; not only will it help the state association, but it could win you some awesome prizes. Just in case you need some incentive to get out and recruit, check out these prizes:

• 5 new members – ACA cap and knife
• 15 new members – ACA shirt
• 25 new members – ACA vest
• 35 new members – ACA Red/Black jacket
• 50 new members - $250

Top Hand Club sponsored by Alabama Ag Credit and Alabama Farm Credit

Just in case you need some more incentive in your recruiting efforts, let your non-renewed friends and neighbors know this! The April Alabama Cattleman magazine is the LAST magazine you'll get if you do not renew by April 15, and you have until Friday to renew now online and you'll get a package in the mail from us with some nifty ACA gadgets and gizmos such as a hat, iWallet and other goodies. Don't miss out- renew today! 

Also, don't forget our John Deere Gator drawing sponsored by John Deere, SunSouth, Tri-Green Equipment, Snead Ag. For every new member you recruit, your name and the new members names go in the drawing. ACA members also have the opportunity to purchase more chances to win by calling ACA at 334-265-1867.

Ag Econ Interviews

Dr. Dea Cue Fields, the chair of the Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology Department at Auburn, invited ACA leadership to participate in the final interviews of the three candidates in the running to replace Dr. Walter Prevatt. All three candidates come with outstanding resumes, and we are excited and honored to be part of the process. 

ACA's Director of Checkoff Programs Erin Beasley participated in this week's round of interviews and speaks highly of the candidate. 

Bama's Best Beef 

We kicked off a springtime beef promotion on Monday that highlights Alabama's unique beef dishes. Using the power of social media to drive the contest and by promoting it to Alabama's restaurants and chefs, we've started to receive nominations of those not-so-average beef dishes made and served right here in Alabama. We've got our eyes set on all those unconventional, yet delicious, beef dishes! 

If you know of a beef dish from an Alabama restaurant that fits the bill, nominate them here.   

Beef 101

Starting today with Lawson State Culinary Arts and Moody High School FCCLA, we kicked off a busy month of Beef 101 programs. We offer this program tovarious influencer groups across the state in order to teach them about beef from “Pasture to Plate." 

We would like to invite our Board members to attend. Your role in this program is to interact with participants who are “non-cattle” folks so that they leave the program with a bright outlook on our industry.

Here are the dates and groups. We have 5 seats at each program

available at first come first serve basis. RSVP to Erin if you can attend.

Erin Beasley showing a side of beef
to Moody High School FCCLA students
at the Lambert-Powell Meat Lab in Auburn.

• April 19th- Faulkner State Culinary, Wood Fruitticher Foodservice Sales Team Leadership
• April 25th- Trenholm State Culinary
• April 29th- Jeff State Culinary, McAdory Middle School culinary students, American Culinary Federation chefs

For today's program, we were proud to have YCLP Class II alumni Alex Tigue on the team to help with carcass fabrication and the live evaluation! Great job, Alex. 

YCLP Class III

Speaking of YCLP- county presidents, applications are out now for the Young Cattlemen's Leadership Program- Class III. Send us your nominations of 20-40 year olds who work in Alabama beef cattle industry by MONDAY as the first meeting will be held May 11 in Montgomery. We look forward to another great year with Alabama's young cattle producers. Get the application

Meetings, Meetings and More Meetings

The ACA building has hosted quite a few meetings this week as well. On Monday night, Erin Beasley hosted a group from the Montgomery Dietetic Association. Youth Leadership Jackson County visited and toured the building Tuesday, and the Alabama Leadership Initiative will have a meeting here Friday morning. As usual, the Ag Coalition also met in the ACA Board on Tuesday morning as well. 

What's Going On Wednesday: March 30, 2016

As we leave the Convention and SLE Rodeo is our rear view mirror for 2016, we are gearing up a for a busy next couple of months! The MOOseum, checkoff and legislative fronts are looking busy as we begin heading into April and May. We stayed busy through the "winter," as our cattlemen across the state did with feeding and calving seasons, but it's time for beef promotion in Alabama. Keep reading to learn what's going on around the ACA this week!

Checkoff Corner

Busy April Full of Beef: 101

We would like to invite you to join us at Auburn University for the checkoff funded program, BEEF 101. Next month, we will hold 4 of these programs with various influencer groups across the state to learn about beef from “Pasture to Plate”. Your role in this program is to interact with participants who are “non-cattle” folks so that they leave the program with a bright outlook on our industry.

Here are the dates and groups. We have 5 seats at each program

available at first come first serve basis. RSVP to Erin if you can attend.

• April 13th- Moody HS and Lawson State Culinary School
• April 19th- Faulkner State Culinary, Wood Fruitticher Foodservice Sales Team Leadership
• April 25th- Trenholm State Culinary
• April 29th- Jeff State Culinary, McAdory Middle School culinary students, American Culinary Federation chefs

Beef Cookoff Weekend Ahead

The Alabama Jr. and Sr. High School Beef Cookoff will take place this Saturday at Carver High School in Montgomery. Thirty-eight students from 29 counties will participate in the state contest this year to show off their coveted beef dish. During the cookoff, students will learn about beef by participating in an educational program discussing beef cuts and careers in the food industry. Stay tuned for an update next week of event winners and highlights!

Bring It On: Bama's Best Beef

We've got an exciting, new spring beef promotion kicking off Monday, April 4 that highlights Alabama's unique beef dishes. Using the power of social media to drive the contest and by promoting it to Alabama's restaurants and chefs, we hope to receive nominations of those not-so-average beef dishes made and served right here in Alabama. We're not looking for your average burger or ribeye. Nope, we got our eyes set on beef tar-tar, beef wellington and all those other unconventional, yet delicious, beef dishes! 

After the nomination round, the contest committee will narrow it down to four top finalists who will then go head-to-head on social media in a photo contest.

Stay tuned for that contest and send us your submissions starting next week! 

Sysco Promotion Winners

Sysco Foodservice sales promotion kicks the year off strong for beef sales: The sales team at Sysco Calera set out to up their beef sales from January 18-March 17th. As a result, the team posted a 72,000 lb. increase in beef tonnage compared to this time last year. The top sellers were awarded Yeti coolers, funded through the beef checkoff. These promotions produce a fantastic return on investment for your checkoff dollars. Pictured are the winners from the promotion- Todd Johnston, Frank Odell, Andy Slaten, Nat Weis and Craig Smitherman. 

YCLP Class III

County Presidents, applications are out now for the Young Cattlemen's Leadership Program- Class III. Send us your nominations asap as the first meeting will be held May 11 in Montgomery. We look forward to another great year with Alabama's young cattle producers. Get the application. 

Membership

We are at 10,520 members out of our 12000 member goal. Get out and get recruiting; not only will it help the state association, but it could win you some awesome prizes. We have had 16 counties go "Over the Top." Just in case you need some incentive to get out and recruit, check out these prizes:

• 5 new members – ACA cap and knife
• 15 new members – ACA shirt
• 25 new members – ACA vest
• 35 new members – ACA Red/Black jacket
• 50 new members - $250

Top Hand Club sponsored by Alabama Ag Credit and Alabama Farm Credit

Just in case you need some more incentive in your recruiting efforts, let your non-renewed friends and neighbors know this! The April Alabama Cattleman magazine is the LAST magazine you'll get if you do not renew by April 15, and if you renew now online, you'll get a package in the mail from us with some nifty ACA gadgets and gizmos such as a hat, iWallet and other goodies. Don't miss out- renew today! 

Also, don't forget our John Deere Gator drawing sponsored by John Deere, SunSouth, Tri-Green Equipment, Snead Ag. For every new member you recruit, your name and the new members names go in the drawing. ACA members also have the opportunity to purchase more chances to win by calling ACA at 334-265-1867.

YCLP and BQA Meetings 

Dr. Billy Powell, Erin Beasley and Kayla Greer had a successful meeting this morning with Auburn University Dept. of Animal Sciences' Dr. Wayne Greene, Dr. Don Mulvaney and Dr. Soren Rodning to make way to enhance the YCLP and Alabama BQA programs. The group also discussed ways of better implementing the Alabama Beef Cattle Strategic Plan. 

If you're not BQA-certified, become certified today for FREE thanks to Boehringer Ingelheim. Also, be on the look out for upcoming cattle meetings in the state that will offer you the chance to become BQA certified. 

Ag Awareness Day at Auburn 

Pending the weather tomorrow, ACA staffer Kayla Greer will be taking to her alma mater to help the College of Agriculture (COA) students with their "Ag Awareness Day" on campus as part of Ag Week 2016. The COA students will be taking over Haley Concourse on Auburn's campus and fill it with agriculture-related games, booths and equipment to expose non-agriculture students to the many commodities. ACA's steer trailer featuring the beef cuts will be there too! Check out the College's Facebook page to see all the fun events happening this week on Auburn's campus. 

Trip to D.C.

Dr. Billy Powell, ACA President Bill Lipscomb and President-Elect Richard Meadows are finalizing their plans for their trip to Washington D.C. in the next two weeks. While there, the trio will join with 30 other state cattlemen's associations to attend the Spring Legislative Conference. This trip will provide our state cattlemen's representatives with the opportunity to go on office visits with Alabama's congressional delegation!

What's Going On Wednesday: September 30, 2015

Your ACA staff is preparing for one busy month kicking off TOMORROW. That's right- October Beef Month is rolling back into town, and we are excited for all the beefy happenings that comes with it. Stay tuned for weekly updates on what's happening this #OctBeefMonth and check out today's #WhatsHappeningWednesday for an update on this week's business at the Cattlemen's building.

Beef Month Kickoff

You heard it from us! October Beef Month kicks off tomorrow! Call us today if your county is interested in participating in Cowboys in the Classroom, an elementary school program where our Cattlemen visit classes to teach students about the farm. Also, call us if your county needs promotional items for county fairs. We are here to help, and can't wait for all the beefy events to take place during this exciting time of year!

If you need a press release for events happening in your county contact Erin or Kayla. They want to hear about it!

Breakin' Bread Food Festival

The ACA group at the Breakin' Beef
Food Festival in Birmingham.

Jim and Kay Akin, several Auburn University Collegiate Cattlemen and CattleWomen, Erin, Selina and Curt promoted beef at the Breakin' Bread Food Festival this past Sunday at the Sloss Furnaces in Birmingham, Ala. The group served beef sundaes, handed out October Beef Month promotional items and sponsored the Iron Chef Competition at the event. 

Jim Akin poses with Chef Joe Resha
and his Culinard apprentices.

Chef Joe Resha from JoJo’s on Broadway in Birmingham won the Iron Chef Competition. He survived two heats of competition to stake his claim as winner.

Get Moving Alabama

Today, we are kicking off the #GetMovingAL challenge with the Alabama Obesity Task Force and the Alabama Department of Education FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America). Family and Consumer Science classes are tasked with submitting a video of how

they are getting involved with the 30-day protein challenge, funded by the National Beef Checkoff, as a way to "Get Moving!"  Stay tuned on our Facebook page for video submissions made by classes across the state!

#BeefUpYourTailgate

Speaking of Facebook, it wouldn't be fall without football. It wouldn't be football with tailgating. We want to see your tailgates! Our first-ever #BeefUpYourTailgate contest kicks off tomorrow and invites football fans and tailgate activists across the state of Alabama to post a picture on our Facebook page featuring your tailgate set up, football fans and of course, your favorite tailgate food- BEEF! 

On November 1, a winner will be selected and will receive a $250 prize package. The package comes with a Weber Smoky Joe Premium grill, a grilling utensil set, $100 beef gift card, 2 ACA 24-oz. Tervis Tumblers and a Ready.Set.Sizzle. apron for grilling! 

Contest rules and guidelines will be up on the Facebook tomorrow! Get grillin' and get postin'! #BeefUpYourTailgate

BEEF 101

Thursday, October 1 not only hosts the first day of #OctBeefMonth, but it brings another BEEF 101 course at the Lambert-Powell Meats Lab in Auburn. Erin, Curt and local cattlemen will be educating 35 students and teachers from Robertsdale High School Family and Consumer Science program about the beef industry and product. 

Chambers County Meeting

Curt will be visiting the Chambers County Cattlemen's Association meeting Thursday evening. Be prepared to meet with him and ask him your questions. If you're interested in having ACA state staff at your county meeting, give us a call at (334) 265-1867. 

Ag Round-Up

The Auburn University Ag Round-Up is taking place as part of their Homecoming tradition this Saturday, October 3 at the ALFA Pavilion from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Commodities from around the state will be there with food, and AU ag clubs will provide games and entertainment. Stop by and see us at the Beef tent! 

What's Going On Wednesday: September 23, 2015

Happy Fall, y'all! Fall means all kinds of wonderful things. It means football, cooler temperatures that make farm labor much more tolerable, calving season for our Fall calvers out there and, of course, October Beef Month! 

We've got all kinds of exciting things going on at the Cattlemen's. We are staying so busy in the office that we can't find dates on the calendar to fit in all the meetings and events we need to have! That's a good problem to have, though, because we love working for our cattlemen. Check out #WhatsGoingOn this week at the ACA.

AJCA Growth Plan

ACA staffer Curt Berry has been working to establish a plan to increase numbers and activity in the Alabama Junior Cattlemen's Association. County presidents be on the lookout for a letter regarding advisory nominations for prospective chapters in the state! If you've got ideas or questions, call or email Curt. 

SLE Rodeo Planning is Underway

On Tuesday, the Southeastern Livestock Exposition hosted its members at the annual business and membership meeting with SLE President Thomas Ellis presiding. Following the committee and business meetings, the SLE was treated to a steak dinner in the building and fun and fellowship was had by all. Members were encouraged to seek out new members, get the groundwork moving on their committees and start thinking about sponsorships for the 2016 SLE Rodeo. ACA/SLE staffers also gave updates on their plans of action regarding the Junior Beef Expo, advertising, financials and the Cowboy Cookoff. 

The 2016 rodeo will be held March 17-19, 2016 at Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery. Stay tuned on the SLE Rodeo Facebook and SLE Rodeo website for updates and ticket sales. 

Thomas Ellis and Dr. Billy Powell will be heading to Omaha, Nebraska for the rest of this week for the Global Rodeo Conference.

October Beef Month Proclamation

As of 2 p.m. this Wednesday afternoon, October will officially be proclaimed Beef Month in Alabama. The ACA officer team and ACA staffers will join the Governor in his office as he makes it official with his proclamation and signature. The ACA officers will present Gov. Bentley with a platter of ribeye steaks in honor of the occasion. The first October Beef Month proclamation occurred in 1964 at the desk of Gov. George Wallace. 

Speaking of October Beef Month...

ACA Membership Coordinator Selina Knight will be working throughout Wednesday to put together requested October Beef Month boxes for counties. If your county chapter plans to have a booth at a county fair during October or would like to participate in Cowboys in the Classroom, call or email Selina to get promotional items! 

Social Media Spotlight

We'd just like to take a quick second to announce that the ACA Facebook page has reached over 5,000 likes! We are very excited about this, and on October 1, we will be announcing on the page, who won the beautiful steak knife set! 

Be on the lookout for exciting things during #OctBeefMonth and get ready to share, share, share the word about BEEF!

Checkoff Corner

The Beef Girl Heads South

Erin will be at a beef seminar for Associated Wholesale Grocers Thursday in Mobile. Over 30 meat market managers in South Alabama and Mississippi will meet to learn about current trends in the retail market, and ACA will present relevant market information and new consumer trends related to beef.

The Beef Girl Heads East

After a day spent in Mobil with the Associated Wholesale Grocers, Erin will spend Friday at the Lambert-Powell Meats Lab in Auburn along with AU faculty and local producers putting on an educational BEEF 101 session for the Sysco Central Alabama sales team. Lastly...

The Beef Girl Heads North

Erin stays busy working to promote our favorite product, beef...even on the weekends. This Sunday, Erin will head to Birmingham to the Breaking Bread Food Festival to promoting beef as an early event for October Beef Month. The Birmingham Originals is a group of 35 independently-owned restaurants in the area that produce this festival. The ACA sponsors an iron chef competition featuring four of their chefs and unique beef cuts. If you're interested in the Breaking Bread Food Festival, you can get more info here.  

What's Going On Wednesday: September 16, 2015

Who's loving the Fall weather this week brought along with it? Your ACA staff sure is because we know the Fall season brings some exciting things through our office- namely, October Beef Month and Fall calving season! We are staying busy, and we know the Alabama Cattlemen are as well with new babies hitting the ground left and right! 

Here's #WhatsGoingOn with what your ACA staff is doing for you this week:

Social Media Posts

Speaking of new babies hitting the ground during the calving season, we want to see! Post your new calf pictures on the Alabama Cattlemen's Association Facebook page so we and the rest of our followers can watch together as the Alabama beef industry grows! We can't wait to see all the pictures!

Junior Beef Expo

It's an exciting day because the Junior Beef Expo rules are now available to view on the website! The JBE will be held March 18-20, 2016 at the Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery in correspondence with the SLE Rodeo.

Some notable deadlines are:
October 15: Deadline for EID tagging is Steers & Market Heifers
October 30: Deadline for Market registration
January 1: Deadline for breeding heifer entries

Visit the link above for more details, and if you come upon a question not already covered in the rules, contact Curt Berry. 

Congressman Luncheon

Congressman Mike Rogers stopped by the ACA building Monday for a luncheon hosted by the ACA. A group of 30 were able to visit and hear from the Congressman while enjoying some delicious beef! 

Protein Panel in Huntsville

Erin Bealsey spent all day Tuesday in Huntsville as she and other Limestone and Madison counties producers represented the ACA in a large consumer show hosted by the Von Braun Center. Mickey Childers, Donna Jo Curtis, Ray Hilburn and Erin (all pictured left) discussed and took consumer questions about how beef, dairy, poultry and eggs are produced in America during a Protein Panel discussion. Erin and the producers also hosted a booth in the show where the steer trailer showed the main primal cuts of a beef animal, and Erin performed a "tailgating with beef" cooking segment for the show's large crowd. 

Burger Bash

This first-time event will hit Montgomery Thursday evening for a night full of good beef! The Alabama Cattlemen's Association is sponsoring the beef product for this event, and Erin, Selina, Kayla and Curt  along with a few Montgomery County cattle producers will be making Cattlemen's sliders to serve at the ACA booth. 

During the Burger Bash, 12 River Region restaurants will compete for the winning, tastiest burger to represent Montgomery at the World Food Championship.

BEEF 101

If it's not obvious that the Fall is Erin's busiest time of year already, it's about to be. Erin will be leading a BEEF 101 program with Jeff State Culinary and Shelby County Career Tech Culinary at the Lambert-Powell Meats Lab in Auburn Friday, September 18. 

The group will hear the "Pasture to Plate" story, participate in a live animal evaluation with local producers and AU cattle, tour the packing facility and view a carcass fabrication. All the while, asking questions about our industry and having them answered by industry professionals. 

World Champion Auctioneer in Montgomery

ACA's Billy Powell visits with
Brandon Neely and Autauga County
producer Wayne Thorn

Brandon Neely stopped by the Montgomery Stockyards Monday, September 14 to provide his talents at the market's bred heifer sale. Neely, a Southside, Ala. native, is the first ever Alabamian to bring the world title back to his home state. Jerry Etheredge and other stockyard staff were excited to have him by to help sell the day's 1,300 cattle. Visit the ACA Facebook, Twitter or Instagram pages to hear his chant! While you're there, follow us!