Movie Monday: Cutting a Ribeye Steak

There are two things in this world that most folks love- ribeye steaks and saving money. Buying wholesale cuts and cutting them yourself are a great things to connect that love triangle. Today’s #MovieMonday is all about how to do just that.

See a live cutting demo with ACA’s Erin Beasley at the 73^rd annual ACA Convention and Trade Show! The Beef Girl is serving up beef, and you’re not going to want to miss it. Register today HERE.

BIG NEWS: 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans Support Lean Beef in a Healthy Diet

The newest Dietary Guidelines for Americans, released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, reaffirm the role of lean beef in a healthy diet.

The guidelines mirror the 2010 edition on the USDA’s recommendations for lean beef, which includes lean beef as part of a healthy dietary pattern. In the past the Committee has contradicted itself on numerous occasions, excluding evidence from its review library and making recommendations without sufficient scientific evidence to support them. However, we appreciate that the final guidelines and recommendations by the Secretaries are based on the latest nutrition evidence. 

“Lean beef is a nutrient-dense protein available to consumers and the new dietary guidelines reaffirm the current research showing the positive effects of beef in a healthy diet,” ACA Director of Consumer Marketing Erin Beasley said. “We are pleased that consumers can continue to feel confident that choosing beef for their family will provide vitamins and minerals without sacrificing flavor in their meals. ”

First released in 1980, the Dietary Guidelines encourage Americans to eat a healthy diet and focus on foods and beverages that help achieve and maintain a healthy weight, promote health and prevent disease. These guidelines are now reviewed, updated and published every five years. During the reviewing period, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association worked to ensure the appearance of lean beef on the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The inclusion of lean beef will have a positive impact on our industry because the guidelines serve as the foundation for federal nutrition policy affecting the design for school lunches and shapes the recommendations found on USDA’s MyPlate.

While there is no one-size-fits-all diet, Dr. Richard Thorpe, physician and Texas cattle producer, said consumers can feel confident about putting lean beef on their plate knowing the Dietary Guidelines recommend Americans choose lean meat. Thirty-eight cuts of beef now meet government guidelines for lean, including some of America’s favorite cuts like sirloin steak and 95 percent lean ground beef.

“Over the last decade or so, a significant amount of research shows that many people can lose and maintain a healthy weight, support a healthy metabolism and age more vibrantly when they consume more high-quality protein, within calorie goals,” said Thorpe. “As a physician, I see an opportunity to improve the health of Americans in all age categories by choosing nutrient-rich protein foods, like lean beef, more often and by pairing them with more vegetables, fruits and whole grains.”

Movie Monday: Beef Girl in Action

We show you pictures of the Beef Girl working her magic in front of the camera all the time, but how about a video? This week’s #MovieMonday features ACA’s very own Erin Beasley as she works her magic with chili on the Bon Appetit cooking segment from Time of Your Life! Some beefy chili is just the ticket to warm up these chilly days! Check it out:

What's Going On Wednesday: October 14, 2015

Beef Month is already almost halfway over! Time sure flies when you're having fun, and your ACA staff thinks promoting beef is a blast! We've got a few things happening around the office this week, and we wanted to give you the inside scoop of #WhatsGoingOn. Check it out, and stay in the know! 

Remember- it's October Beef Month so EAT BEEF!

Beef Girl Attends Partners in Action

This week, Erin Beasley is visiting the NCBA offices in Denver for the

Pictured are Southeastern Beef reps

Janna Sullivan, TN Beef Council; 

Ashley Hughes, FL Beef Council;

Erin Beasley, AL Beef Council and 

Donette Stump, Arkansas Beef Council

annual Partnerships in Action workshop with other state beef council staffers. At this meeting, NCBA staff discusses programs and goals for the beef checkoff in the upcoming year with the states. She will bring this information back for to use as we plan our 2016 marketing plan, beginning with the checkoff marketing plan task force meeting on October 27th.

County Meetings: Here, There and Everywhere!

This is a big month for county meetings, and ACA officers and staff are heading all directions to attend them! Here's a list of this month's upcoming meetings and who will be there!

• Tuesday, Oct. 13- Talladega County Cattlemen's Association meeting at the Kymulga Grist Mill Park & Covered Bridge, attended by ACA Executive VP Dr. Billy Powell and Director of Industry Relations and Youth Activities Curt Berry. 
• Thursday, Oct. 15- Fayette County Cattlemen's Association meeting at 7pm at the Multi-Purpose complex, ACA RVP Terry Slaten attending
• Thursday, Oct. 15- Etowah County Cattlemen's Association meeting at 6pm at the Kiwannis Pavillon at Noccalula Falls , ACA President Jim Akin attending
• Friday, Oct. 16- Coosa County Cattlemen's Association meeting at 6:30pm at the Cattlemen’s Building on Hwy 231 in Hanover

Be sure to attend if your county is meeting this week and bring questions for the ACA officer team and staffers who are attending! We can't wait to see you there!

#BeefUpYourTailgate

Don't forget about our #BeefUpYourTailgate contest going on now through October 31. Enter your tailgate, football fans and beef menu item in for the chance to win a $250 prize package including:

• a Smoky Joe Premium Weber Grill
• $100 Beef Gift Card
• Grilling Utensil Set
• 2 ACA Tervis Tumblers
• Ready.Set.Sizzle. Apron
• and more.

Here's a link to the contest rules: RULES

What's Going on Wednesday: June 17, 2015

After several busy weeks in the ACA office with officer meetings, FFA Convention, Beef 101 and the construction of the year's largest magazine, this week is allowing the ACA staff to catch its breath just a little. 

Just because it's slower doesn't mean that there's nothing happening around the office...that's never the case! Keep reading to see #What'sGoingOn around the ACA headquarters in downtown Montgomery this week.

 Grillin' Up Steak on TV

ACA Director of Consumer Marketing Erin Beasley spent her Wednesday morning in front of the camera and behind the grill as she filmed a summertime grilling segment for the local television program "Time of Your Life," co-hosted by Virginia Whitfield and Jack Galassini. The program airs Sunday mornings at 6:30 on WSFA and multiple times weekly on the Frazer Network. Check it out to see Erin in action promoting our industry's favorite product and to get some great recipes.

AJCA Round-Up Online Registration Available

Don't forget, AJCA Round-Up will be July 23-26, 2015 at Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery. Online registration is now available to AJCA members who have paid this year's dues. Entry deadline is July 1!

Contests for the Round-Up include:

• Photography
• Poster
• Record Book
• Essay
• Ad Design
• Public Speaking
• Cattle Judging
• Career Development
• Showmanship
• Sales Talk
• Skill-A-Thon
• Team Grooming
• Build-a-Better-Burger
• Volleyball

For questions regarding the Round-Up, contact ACA Intern Madison Tew by calling (334) 265-1867.

Alabama's Best Steak Competition Cooking Up

When Erin isn't filming grilling segments, she's working behind-the-scenes on the 2015 Alabama's Best Steak competition. Last year, votes poured in and Conestoga Steakhouse in Dothan, Alabama was named home to Alabama's best steak. 

The nomination portion of the contest will begin soon, so keep an eye out for updates voting opportunities!