It's a busy week at the ACA as we prepare for August Board Meeting tomorrow while managing the many other exciting events and tasks happening in and around our state office. Our sails are beginning to catch wind of the busy Fall season ahead, and we are looking forward to all the activity headed our way. As for this week, enjoy reading about what's going on around the ACA.
Quick Note to the Board:
We look forward to seeing our Board members TOMORROW in Auburn. We are excited to welcome a large crowd of 105 county leaders representing 41 counties. We've been working hard to get our staff, membership and financial reports in, and we'll look forward to meeting with our Board members tomorrow. Here's some quick reminders:
- Time: 10 a.m.
- Place: Room 255 of the Veterinary Education Center at Auburn's College of Veterinary Medicine (1220 Wire Rd, Auburn, AL 36849)
- Side Note: Following lunch, we will go to the Lambert-Powell Meats Laboratory for breakout groups. One session will be conducted by Dr. Soren Rodning where you can get BQA Certified as well as hear the latest on the Veterinary Feed Additive Initiative. **Reminder** Bring a jacket if you plan on attending the carcass fabrication breakout group.
Alabama's Best Steak Has Rave Results
We are thrilled with the results thus far of the Alabama's Best Steak contest. During the nominations portion of the contest held in July, we received over 2,000 nominations representing more than 150 Alabama restaurants. After collecting those votes, the "Elite 8" restaurants were named and are now competing to become a finalist in the "Fiery 4" round.
The "Elite 8" Restaurants are:
North Region
- George's Steak Pit- Sheffield, AL
- Rock House Eatery- Guntersville, AL
Central Region
- Bull Pen Steakhouse- Oakman, AL
- Nick's in the Sticks- Tuscaloosa, AL
South Region
- Elmer's Restaurant- Notasulga, AL
- Diamond Jim's & Mrs. Donna's Steakhouse- Livingston, AL
Gulf Region
- Big Mike's Steakhouse- Thomasville, AL
- Conestoga Steakhouse- Dothan, AL
Since Monday, the "Elite 8" portion of the contest has brought in over 5,000 votes and has exposed some delicious ribeye steaks to over 160,000 people in Alabama. Not only that, but its acquired media attention from all corners of the state. Times-Daily article
Be sure to participate in this round of the contest by visiting our Facebook page and "liking" the picture of your favorite steakhouse's ribeye and support your local "Elite 8" restaurant by visiting and trying out their steak!
ACA Welcomes Alex Thompson
We are proud to welcome our newest staffer on the state staff team,Alex Thompson, as our new receptionist and The MOOseum coordinator. Alex is from Citronelle where she was an Azalea Trail Maid, and she is soon to complete her B.S. degree from Auburn University Montgomery. She is excited about meeting all of the folks who call and visit the Cattlemen’s Building.
Jessica Kennedy will spend a week training Alex then move upstairs to her new role as Membership Coordinator.
Ag Board Meeting Held Tuesday
ACA's Dr. Billy Powell represented Alabama cattlemen at the Department of Agriculture's Board Meeting on Tuesday where Board members were given an update of the Department’s recent activities.
In November, the ACA will present to the Board a copy of the State Checkoff financials, State Beef Checkoff Marketing Plan and the Annual Report. The Board oversees all commodity checkoff programs in the state.
While at the Department of Agriculture, Dr. Powell spoke with State Veterinarian Dr. Tony Frazier about animal I.D. and any potential cattle disease problems. He also discussed proposed national legislation before Congress that will provide more oversight for Packers and Stockyard over online and video cattle auctions.
Speaking of Legislation...
With Gov. Robert Bentley calling a special session of the Legislature beginning Monday Aug. 15, the Ag Coalition met Tuesday and will meet again Monday at the Cattlemen’s Building to monitor the process. Usually Special Sessions are limited to special legislation that was in the Governor’s call, but careful monitoring is still very important. That’s why we are here to represent and protect your interests.Aside from the upcoming Special Session, state general elections are sometime away, and politics are already heating up for the constitutional offices. On Friday, Dr. Powell will meet with a person interested in running for Commissioner of Agriculture as we appreciate anyone who has the desire to do so and share our concerns.
Ag and Forestry Economic Impact Study
Also happening this week, Dr. Powell will meet with Extension Director Dr. Gary Lemme to discuss the status of updated Ag and Forestry Economic Impact Study. It's looking like cattle will remain in third place behind timber and poultry.
Thanks for reading our weekly blog update. See you here next Wednesday at noon!
No comments:
Post a Comment