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: March 9, 2016

Convention has come to a close, and we are saddling up for SLE Rodeo at the Cattlemen's building this week. That's right, the SLE Rodeo comes buckin' into town next week, and our team is gearing up for its many events as well as running around town promoting it! The rodeo isn't all that's going on around the ACA, though. 

Keep ready to find out what's going on...

2016 SLE Rodeo

The 59th annual SLE Rodeo comes bucking into town March 17-19. This is a family event you don't wanna miss because this year has all kinds of new events including a parade to kick off SLE week! Tickets are easy to buy:

• Call 1-888-2RODEO2 and order over phone
• Visit www.SLERodeo.com and order online through Ticketmaster.
• Visit the Cattlemen's building in Downtown Montgomery or the Garrett Coliseum and buy your tickets in person
• Mail in a ticket order form, which can her found here. 

You're not going to want to miss this family fun show packed with entertainment! Frontier Rodeo Company, PRCA's Stock Contractor of the Year, will be bringing their best including PRCA Saddle Bronc of the Year, Medicine Woman! In between the bucking, bulldoggin' and barrels, Pro Rodeo master comedian Lecile Harris

will entertain the crowd while celebrating 60 years in the business! Don't forget your boogie boots because following Friday and Saturday nights' performances, you'll get to go Dancin' in the Dirt to the Sweet Young'Uns (Friday) and the Wes Loper Band (Saturday). Just in case that's not enough excitement, Thursday night is First Responders & Military Night where FREE general admission is granted to anyone who can present a first responders or military identification. Friday night is Ladies Night where all ladies tickets will be submitted for some juicy door prizes drawn throughout the show! Lastly, bring those battle cries to the rodeo Saturday

The Sweet Young'Uns will perform
Friday evening following the
show, and the Wes Loper Band will
party in true rodeo fashion Saturday! 

 night for College Night, where college students can receive 4 tickets for only $40 with the presentation of a valid college i.d. 

Saddle up and join in the family fun and entertainment for all ages all while enjoying America's original sport, rodeo! Visit our website for more information and a schedule of events or LIKE US on Facebook. 

The MOOseum on Simply Southern

In case you missed it, The MOOseum was featured on last Sunday morning's episode of Simply Southern. Don't worry, you won't have to catch a rerun because it's already on YouTube. Technology is too neat, right? Here's the episode:  (Our segment appears at around 10:00 minutes in the show.)

Book your class or group tour of The MOOseum today! It's easy with our online sign up tool or by calling today. (334) 265-1867 Visit the history room, Slim's Kitchen or the Cow Pen or dress up like a real cowboy or cowgirl in the rodeo room! Come on out to The MOOseum, we'd love to see you.  

Rodeo Promo

Speaking of television, Dr. Billy Powell and Kayla Greer have been busy appearing on television and radio shows promoting the SLE Rodeo and Livestock week. If you listen to or watch WSFA, WAKA, WBAM Bama Country, I-92 WLWI, WTXT The Ticket with Doug Amos and Charlie Trotman, The River or Cumulus with JT and LeeAnn, you're bound to hear from us about the rodeo. More promotions to come this week and next so be listening or watching out!

Cowboy Cookoff- Sign Up Today

Have you got a Ribeye Steak recipe that's popular among crowds? If so, then get ready to get grillin' at this year's Cowboy Cookoff as part of SLE Rodeo week! Join us in front of Garrett Coliseum on

Saturday, March 19 for a Ribeye Steak cookoff you don't wanna miss. Teams of four or less can compete for monetary prizes in the People's Choice and Judge's Panel categories.

Interested in forming a team? Learn more and sign up today!

Membership Update

Total membership for 2016 to date is 10,159! Help us reach our goal of 12,000 members! Reminder: the dues effect went into 
effect as of March 1. 

April 30 is the deadline for Top Hand Club (see prizes in the February Alabama Cattleman) and for your county to go "Over the Top" to qualify for the Priefert Squeeze Chute. April 30 is also the deadline for the Gator raffle. 

Ag Coalition

The Ag Coalition met Tuesday morning to review legislative matters impacting our industries. Legislation has slowed down and both General Fund and Education budgets are slowly making their way through the House and Senate. According to Dr. Billy Powell, there was lots of discussion on the proposed increase in fuel tax and ensuring that funds are dedicated to fixing rural roads and bridges. The Ag Coalition is also monitoring several HSUS-sponsored bills.

Dietitians Farm Tour

This Wednesday afternoon, your Beef Checkoff dollars will go to work as staffers Erin Beasley and Kayla Greer will be joining forces with the fine folks at Autauga Farming Company, including ACA President Bill Lipscomb, to host over 60 dietitians on a farm tour. This is a pre-conference tour hosted as part of the Alabama Dietetics Association State Convention taking place in Montgomery. 

This is an opportunity to show these industry influencers how beef in produced and to answer their questions to teach them that beef is a safe, wholesome, nutritious product. 

Collegiate Livestock Judging Competition

Livestock Week will kickoff Thursday with a bang as over 200 students are participating in the first-ever SLE High School and Collegiate Judging Contest at Garrett Coliseum. Jason P’ Poole of Extension in in charge of this event and is excited to host this large group of talented livestock judgers. 

In Other News...

Dr. Powell met this week with State Statistician Cynthia Price with the USDA National Ag Statistics Service, and she reported that due to budget restraints, the July 1 cattle inventory survey has been suspended. 

What's Going On Wednesday: November 18, 2015

Meetings, Meetings and More Meetings

The theme this week is meetings! These are important as we close out the 2015 year and work toward a successful 2016. See #WhatsGoingOn around the ACA office this week with your state officers and staff! We're staying busy working for Alabama's beef industry and its cattlemen. 

Executive Committee and November Board Meetings

The top priorities on the list of meetings this week are the Executive Committee meeting this evening at the ACA and the November Board meeting tomorrow. At these meetings, our state Executive Committee and Board members will receive staff updates about events and upcoming projects. The most important task for these meetings, however, is the presentation of the proposed 2016 Beef Checkoff Marketing Plan and 2016 budget for approval. 

Stay tuned for pictures and updates from these meetings on the ACA Facebook page. 

Beef Girl in Birmingham

Monday night ACA staffer Erin Beasley gave a presentation on beef quality and new cuts in foodservice to the Birmingham chapter of the American Culinary Federation. The group consisted of students all the way to executive chefs, and they asked a lot of questions about hot topics related to cattle and beef.

Calling All State Ag Communicators

On Tuesday, ACA staffer Kayla Greer joined ag communicators from across the state for a meeting hosted at the Alabama Farmers Federation. At this meeting, the group received an update on happenings with the Simply Southern television show, a partnership between the Alabama Farmers Federation and the Alabama Farmers Cooperative. They were informed about the newest mobile education apps and iBooks generated by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and shared their favorite e-newsletters that keep them in the know about what's going on in American and Alabama agriculture daily. The group then enjoyed lunch and fellowship where marketing and promotion ideas were swapped. 

Food Forum with Troy University

Past ACA President Jimmy Holliman, Will Gilmer (Alabama dairyman) and ACA's Erin Beasley participated on a virtual panel for the 3rd year in a row with the Food and Nutrition online class at Troy University. Students are given a wide array of movies and research articles to explore during the class and then formulate a question for industry professionals to help them better understand the issues. Many of the questions we encountered were related to antibiotic and hormone use in beef/dairy and safety of the product. Each year Dr. Teresa Johnson, class professor, says the online food forum is rated the favorite part of the class by students in their end of the semester review.

YCLP Abroad

This weekend, the Young Cattlemen's Leadership Class II will head northwest as they go on an overnight trip for farm tours and leadership training. The group will be convene in Aliceville in Pickens County, and it will visit Dee River Ranch and Vista Farms Cattle Company. The class will lodge the night Saturday at Cameron Quail Lodge where leadership training and discussions will take place. Some of the topics they'll discuss include leadership projects, qualities of leadership and hot topics in today's beef industry. Beef, fellowship and leadership training will be enjoyed by all.

Outside the ACA

It's no secret that ACA's Executive VP Dr. Billy Powell stays busy. Not only does he stay busy with ACA meetings, events and generating content for the Alabama Cattleman magazine, but he stays busy in other ag-related outlets in the state. This vast foundation of involvement allows him to better serve the ACA's members across many realms involving state agriculture. See below for a list of meetings he's been to just this week!

• He participated the Ag Center Board/Garrett Coliseum Redevelopment Board meeting. The Board continues to look at ways to fund work to improve and update the facilities at Garrett Coliseum. 
• Dr. Powell attended the Alabama Agricultural Development Authority Board meeting and discussed potential ag loans and future role for this authority.
• He was active on a conference call in reference to the NCBA CEO Search Committee, which is seeking an outstanding individual to lead NCBA.
• He's reviewing a compilation of all the current statutes relating to livestock dealers, brands, and the charter board in prepare for a members with Ag Department attorney to suggest revisions of some of the laws in preparation of the 2016 Legislative Session.
• As he serves as the Alabama FFA Foundation Secretary/Treasurer, he also was busy compiling  2014-2015  Alabama FFA Foundation information for the Foundation's CPA to look over. 

That's what's going on this week!