Hello, again! We apologize for not posting last week, but our ACA blogger was in Denver learning about NCBA's National Checkoff work plan for 2017. There's exciting new programs and information trickling down from NCBA, and we are looking forward to sharing those new concepts and ideas with our favorite cattlemen here in Alabama. So, kick up your boots and take a few minutes to read and catch up with the Alabama Cattlemen's Association busy October Beef Month activities over the past two weeks.
Partners in Action
ACA Director of Checkoff Programs Erin Beasley and Director of Social Media Kayla Greer spent a
They heard about NCBA's newest market research that acts a a guide in formulating new, innovative beef educational and promotional programs. They also were updated on the newly-developed programs and discovered ways to use them on the state level. The duo brought home a wealth of knowledge that they then applied to their breakout sessions at the Alabama Beef Checkoff Marketing Plan Task Force meeting, which you can learn more about further down.
We are have been working with the Department of Agriculture, the Alabama Farmer's Federation and Auburn University to help alleviate affects generated by the critical drought issues. If you are in search of hay due to shortages in your crop, check out the Alabama Hay Listings page to find hay for sale near you. We also worked closely with ALDOT to have oversize load permits waived during this hay crisis to help cattlemen who are having to haul large loads of hay across the state. You can contact the permit office for your FREE permit by calling 1-800-499-2782.
We've also received word that you can contact your local FSA office about programs housed by USDA for assistance.
Helpful Drought Information from ACES
Next week will bring the kickoff of the 2017 membership year! We've got some cash prizes you'll want to get the word out about and new incentives for making the Top Hand Club! Pay your dues by Nov. 28th to be entered into a drawing for three cash prizes- $250, $150 and $100.
Also, check out out these awesome new Top Hand Club incentives:
ACA President Bill Lipscomb joined staffers Dr. Billy Powell, Erin Beasley and Kayla Greer on a trip to Thomasville, AL last Thursday to present the 2016 Alabama's Best Steak Winner, Big Mike's Steakhouse, owners Mike Cole, Caine Conway and Scott Powell with a plaque to acknowledge their victory. The group was joined by Clarke County Cattlemen's President Sammy Fendley and reporters from Clarke County press.
We enjoyed our time spent at Big Mike's Steakhouse, and we are gracious for the fine display of Southern hospitality by Mike Cole and his business partners. That ribeye is truly delicious! Congrats to Big Mike's...go check them out!
Month promotional Alabama Steak Trail! This social media promotion/contest has really taken flight throughout the month, and people across Alabama have joined us on the trail to enjoy ribeye steaks at family-owned steakhouses. The trail consists of restaurants that have consistently been fiery competition in past Alabama's Best Steak contests. We have encouraged Facebook users to visit one of the #ALSteakTrail restaurants, order the ribeye, snap a picture and post it for us to see. One winner is selected weekly throughout October to win a $100 gift card to their preferred steakhouse.
We're on the last wind of the #ALSteakTrail contest with the final $100 gift certificate being drawn this weekend. Check out some of the great statistics this Facebook contest has generated:
Yesterday, we hosted 45 of Alabama Beef Checkoff Task Force members to lunch and a meeting as we gathered ideas, comments and concerns related to the 2017 Alabama Beef Checkoff Marketing Plan. It was a great meeting with good discussion and dialogue which, in turn, led to some outstanding ideas for next year's marketing plan. The group heard from NCBA's Vice President Federation Services Todd Johnson about the beef industry's long-range plan and about the newest market research. ACA's Erin Beasley and Kayla Greer then highlighted some of our "homerun programs" that performed outstanding in 2016 including Beef 101 and the Bama's Best Beef contest.
Now the staff has a big task ahead to prepare the proposed plan to present at the November ACA Executive Committee and Board meetings. Thanks to all who spent the day with us and offered input!
Drought in Alabama
We are have been working with the Department of Agriculture, the Alabama Farmer's Federation and Auburn University to help alleviate affects generated by the critical drought issues. If you are in search of hay due to shortages in your crop, check out the Alabama Hay Listings page to find hay for sale near you. We also worked closely with ALDOT to have oversize load permits waived during this hay crisis to help cattlemen who are having to haul large loads of hay across the state. You can contact the permit office for your FREE permit by calling 1-800-499-2782. We've also received word that you can contact your local FSA office about programs housed by USDA for assistance.
Helpful Drought Information from ACES
2017 Membership Kickoff
Next week will bring the kickoff of the 2017 membership year! We've got some cash prizes you'll want to get the word out about and new incentives for making the Top Hand Club! Pay your dues by Nov. 28th to be entered into a drawing for three cash prizes- $250, $150 and $100.
Also, check out out these awesome new Top Hand Club incentives:
- Recruit 5-9 new members: ACA Cap and Yeti Cup
- Recruit 10-14 new members: Long-sleeved western ACA shirt
- Recruit 15-24 new members: ACA vest
- Recruit 25-34 new members: ACA red and black jacket
- Recruit 35-49 new members: Two-night hotel stay at 2018 Covention and Trade Show or $250 cash
- Recruit 50+ new members: $500 cash
WOW! Don't miss out on these great incentives. Check out a list of recruiters who have already jumped into the contest- great job!
- Jim Akin-2
- Mark Arledge-1
- James Barton-1
- David Box-1
- Orland Britnell-3
- Billy Farris-2
- Winona Gibbons-2
- Marcus Grace-1
- Ravon Graham-1
- Garry Gregg-1
- Charles Head-1
- Jimmy Holliman-1
- Don Hunton-1
- Phyllis Jones-1
- Michael Jordan-1
- Bruce & Marsha Keller-1
- Richard Meadows- 4
- Franklin Mitchell-1
- Joseph Palmer-1
- Claude Scott-1
- Randy Slay-1
- Steven Smith-3
- John Walker-1
- Ralph Winchester-1
Big Mike's Presentation
ACA President Bill Lipscomb joined staffers Dr. Billy Powell, Erin Beasley and Kayla Greer on a trip to Thomasville, AL last Thursday to present the 2016 Alabama's Best Steak Winner, Big Mike's Steakhouse, owners Mike Cole, Caine Conway and Scott Powell with a plaque to acknowledge their victory. The group was joined by Clarke County Cattlemen's President Sammy Fendley and reporters from Clarke County press.We enjoyed our time spent at Big Mike's Steakhouse, and we are gracious for the fine display of Southern hospitality by Mike Cole and his business partners. That ribeye is truly delicious! Congrats to Big Mike's...go check them out!
#ALSteakTrail Update
Speaking of Big Mike's Steakhouse, it's one of the 12 featured restaurants on our October Beef
Month promotional Alabama Steak Trail! This social media promotion/contest has really taken flight throughout the month, and people across Alabama have joined us on the trail to enjoy ribeye steaks at family-owned steakhouses. The trail consists of restaurants that have consistently been fiery competition in past Alabama's Best Steak contests. We have encouraged Facebook users to visit one of the #ALSteakTrail restaurants, order the ribeye, snap a picture and post it for us to see. One winner is selected weekly throughout October to win a $100 gift card to their preferred steakhouse. We're on the last wind of the #ALSteakTrail contest with the final $100 gift certificate being drawn this weekend. Check out some of the great statistics this Facebook contest has generated:
- 263,696 people reached
- 1,346 shares
- 2,305 post reactions
- 302 comments (featuring great feedback on beef and the restaurants!)
- 61 entries!
- three selected winners, a fourth and final one to come this Sunday!
These are great numbers with outstanding return on investment. This contest has been exposed to over 263,000 people and put BEEF on their minds! Click Here to See the Contest , read the comments and check out those delicious entries.
Alabama Beef Checkoff Marketing Plan Task Force Meeting
Yesterday, we hosted 45 of Alabama Beef Checkoff Task Force members to lunch and a meeting as we gathered ideas, comments and concerns related to the 2017 Alabama Beef Checkoff Marketing Plan. It was a great meeting with good discussion and dialogue which, in turn, led to some outstanding ideas for next year's marketing plan. The group heard from NCBA's Vice President Federation Services Todd Johnson about the beef industry's long-range plan and about the newest market research. ACA's Erin Beasley and Kayla Greer then highlighted some of our "homerun programs" that performed outstanding in 2016 including Beef 101 and the Bama's Best Beef contest.
Now the staff has a big task ahead to prepare the proposed plan to present at the November ACA Executive Committee and Board meetings. Thanks to all who spent the day with us and offered input! October Beef Month- Beef Day at the Farmer's Market
Beef Day at the Farmer’s Market will be held tomorrow, October 27th at Montgomery's State Farmer's Market. Commissioner John McMillan and the ACA will honor the Montgomery County Department of Public Safety by having over 50 firefighters, police officers, EMA staff members and emergency communicators out to enjoy some beef. Steak sandwiches will be enjoyed by all, and a press conference will be held to celebrate Beef Month and the outstanding service that our honorees provide the River Region.
County Highlights
County Cattlemen's Chapters across the state have been promoting October Beef Month in big ways! We wanted to take a second to acknowledge those counties and say thanks for holding programs to help us get the word out about beef. Check out what these counties have been up to and view event images on our Facebook Album or in the November Alabama Cattleman magazine.
- Clay County "Cowboys in the Classroom" Program
- Montgomery County "Cowboys in the Classroom" Program and promotion at Farm City event
- AU Collegiate Cattlemen and CattleWomen Ag Round Up booth and beef sample giveaway
- Madison County steak sandwich sale
- Tallapoosa County steak sandwich sale
- Fayette County's Hamburger Supper
- Lee County's Auburn vs LSU Beef Tailgate Party and "Cowboys in the Classroom" Program
- Franklin County "Cowboys in the Classroom" Program and annual FACS beef donation
- Lauderdale County's steak sandwich sale, Lexington High School cafeteria beef month celebration and "Cowboys in the Classroom" Program
- Mobile County's open house at the South Alabama Agricultural & Forestry Museum
- Cleburne County's "Cowboys in the Classroom" Program
- Jefferson County's fall meeting
- Shelby County Western Supermarkets promotion and steak giveaway
Outstanding job to all these counties! If your county has had an October Beef Month event, send a good picture to Erin Beasley or Kayla Greer.
That's all for this week! We'll see you back here next Wednesday once November sneaks around. Thanks for reading and call us anytime.
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