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: December 2, 2015

It feels like yesterday that we were welcoming November in Montgomery, and now all of a sudden December is here! Christmas countdowns are on, the ACA Christmas decorations are up, hay is being fed to supplement fall grazing and our cattlemen are trading in sweat towels and water jugs for coats and coffee thermoses. It's December which means several things for the ACA. Find out with today's #WhatsGoingOnWednesday Bama Beef Blog post. 

Skip the Shopping Frenzies

Christmastime means shopping. It means finding the perfect gifts for your family and friends. Find the perfect gift for your cattlemen and western enthusiasts at The MOOseum gift shop and the ACA online store. You wouldn't believe all we offer- Montana Silversmith jewelry, Arthur Court serveware, ACA and SLE apparel, books and belt buckles! That's right, and all in-store purchases are 20% off for ACA members. Online purchases come with free shipping for our members- call us for the promo code! SHOP NOW

Pull Out the Recipe Cards

Now through December 15, visit the ACA Facebook page and post your favorite holiday roast recipe for a chance to win a roasting package sure to cook the perfect Christmas roast! The package includes a Crock Pot, meat thermometer and a $25 beef certificate! All you have to do to enter is post your favorite recipe for roast to our page...it's that easy! 

AISA Football All-Stars

The ACA is hosting the Alabama Independent School Association All-Star Football players to a steak dinner this evening at the Cattlemen's Building. The group will also have a discussion about the importance of beef in the diet. Congrats to all the AISA All-Star Football Players and welcome to the ACA.

Tackling Obesity at the ACA

Tomorrow, the ACA will host the Obesity Task Force quarterly meeting in the building. This group is comprised of dietitians and health professionals who aim to improve the obesity epidemic in Alabama. ACA's Erin Beasley will speak to them about beef nutrition resources and give an update on the “Protein + Exercise=Success” challenge we did in October/November with the Family and Consumer Science teachers in Alabama.

Branding Education for Food Service

ACA's Erin Beasley will participate in the sales meeting at Sysco Central AL by providing an educational program on branded beef specifications on Friday. Salesmen will have their questions

answered about marbling scores, carcass maturity, breed programs, etc. It's all in a day's work for the Beef Girl.

SLE Rodeo Tickets 

Speaking of gifts, give the gift of family fun for Christmas this year! Buy SLE Rodeo tickets for your friends or family...or yourself! The 59th Annual SLE Rodeo will come to town March 17-19, 2016 at Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery. Ticket sales open on all platforms December 10, and there's FIVE easy ways to buy tickets:

1. Print the 2016 Rodeo Ticket Order Form and mail to us at 201 South Bainbridge Street, Montgomery, AL 36104
2. Call 1-888-2RODEO2
3. Purchase at the Alabama Cattlemen’s building or the Garrett Coliseum
4. Purchase online at Ticket Master
5. Purchase at your local Publix stores

You can beat the rush by calling Jessica at 1-888-2RODEO2 today with you order. Call us with questions, and visit www.SLERodeo.com for more information on the 2016 rodeo! Watch out for contests and entertainment announcements on our Facebook page. We're working hard this week on advertising and pursuing sponsorship opportunities. 

In case you didn't know, Pro Rodeo master comedian Lecile Harris is taking the SLE Rodeo stage for our upcoming rodeo to celebrate his 60th anniversary in the business! In celebration of this milestone, Lecile has released an autobiography of his adventures titled Lecile: This Ain't My First Rodeo. Lucky for you, we have them for sale in our gift shop today for $20 (plus shipping, if applicable). Give the gift of laughter and adventure this Christmas and go on a trip through Lecile's memories! 

ACA Convention and Trade Show

Save the dates for the 2016 ACA Convention and Trade Show! Cattlemen will join from across the state on February 26-27, 2016 at the Sheraton in Downtown Birmingham for education, updates, fellowship and a trade show that alone is worth the trip! Senator Richard Shelby and NCBA's Dr. Kim Stackhouse are just two of the speakers to look forward to at this year's convention! ACA staffers are also working with the Sheraton staff to plan menus, room arrangements and prices. The completed schedule along with Convention registration will be released online by December 20. Complete info will be in the January issue of the Alabama Cattleman magazine.

Tidbits, Updates and Announcements:

• The final proof for 2016 State Checkoff Marketing Plan has been sent to press! Copies will be sent to Board of Directors and auction markets statewide. It will also be available online for viewing. 
• The deadline for receiving Foundation scholarship applications has passed. Those applications are now being sorted through and are getting ready for presentation to the selection committee. 
• AU Animal Science scientists will be excited to find out if their funding requests were approved by Board for beef cattle research projects. Be on the lookout for those notifications. 
• Dr. Billy Powell and Curt Berry will be attending the Black and White Bull Sale Friday and Next Step Cattle Company sale on Saturday. They're also stopping by the AGR Christmas Classic steer show in Auburn to support the ACA's sponsorship of the show. While in Auburn, they'll also be presenting the sponsorship check for FFA Steer show the following day.

What's Going On Wednesday: November 4, 2015

Well that's a wrap for the 2015 October Beef Month, and it was successful to say the least! Just because Beef Month is over doesn't mean that your ACA staff is kicking up its boots and taking a breather. It just means it's time to start digging into plans for 2016! ACA Convention, SLE Rodeo, Cowboy Cookoff and Junior and Senior High School Cookoffs are just around the corner! That doesn't include events defined in the 2016 Alabama Beef Checkoff Marketing Plan, which is becoming full of beefy ways to spread the word about our favorite protein! 

Take a second to check out #WhatsGoingOn around the ACA this week!

2016 Marketing Plan

After last week's marketing plan task force meeting, your ACA staffers are glued to the computer screens this week recording all the notes taken and applying them to the marketing plan template! After all the blanks are filled in, budgeting will begin and then the Executive Committee will discuss what we've got! Our marketing plan is the driving force behind all of our beef promotion, education and research in the state, so that's why we pay careful mind to its construction!

November Board Meeting

The next two weeks will be spent preparing for Executive Committee meeting November 18 and November Board meeting the following day. The Board meeting is where budgets for the General Fund, State and National Checkoffs and Foundation will be presented for approval along with 2016 Checkoff Marketing Plan. Be on the lookout for Facebook updates and pictures from the meeting. 

Upcoming County Meetings

Pike County Cattlemen's Association met
November 2 at Cattlemen's Park in Troy.

There's lots of county meetings going on this month! Keep reading to make sure you won't miss yours!

County meetings are important because that's where you can get state updates and get involved on the local level!

• Butler County: Saturday, November 7th 
• Barbour County: Thursday, November 12 at 6:30 pm, Texasville Community House, 2429 County Road 53, Texasville, Alabama. Please RSVP by Wednesday, November 11, 2015, by calling Merri Robinson at (334) 775-3284.
• Sumter County: Thursday, November 19th at 6pm, Livingston Civic Center
• Randolph County: Thursday, November 19th 
• Lauderdale County: Thursday, Nov. 19th at Crosspoint Church of Christ 
• Conecuh County: Sat., November 21st at 6pm, Repton School

October Beef Month- Sysco Promotion

 During October Beef Month, Sysco Gulf Coast ran a “Sell the Sizzle” beef promotion with their sales team. Each salesmen was charged with selling the most beef he/she could during the month. The ACA provided cash prizes to the top sellers. This year’s promotion produced an increase of over 95,000 lbs. of beef compared to September. 

In a climate of high beef prices, this is very positive and a great use of checkoff dollars to keep beef demand high. Hats off to the sales team!

Environmental Stewardship Award

ACA staffer Curt Berry met on Tuesday with Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS), Alabama Dept. of Ag and Industries and Alabama Soil and Water Conservation district representatives to discuss a future annual state contest for a beef cattle environmental stewardship award. The winner from the state contest will be entered into the national contest put on by NCBA. Look for that in the future!

SLE Rodeo Plans in Full Swing

Who's getting ready for the 2016 SLE Rodeo?! We are, and that's why staffers met this week to discuss details for this year's rodeo! There's lots to look forward to, so save the dates for March 17-19. We will see you at the rodeo! 

Be on the lookout for updates and announcements on the SLE Rodeo Facebook page and at www.SLERodeo.com. 

Statewide Bull Sales

CK Cattle in Hope Hull recently hosted
it's annual headquarters sale.

Your ACA state officers and staff have traveled here, there and everywhere across the state visiting bull sales this fall! They've all been top notch with quality bulls, great crowds and solid prices. If you've got questions about upcoming bull sales, call Curt Berry at 334-265-1867 or check out the latest Alabama Cattleman magazine for sale ads and information. 

Alabama Agribusiness Council

ACA Executive VP Dr. Billy Powell is attending the Alabama Agribusiness Council Board meeting today, November 4. He's doing what he can to stay atop the state's agribusiness climate to better serve the ACA members on the legislative and leadership front. 

Save the Date

ACA Convention will be here before you know it! Mark your calendar for February 26-27, 2016 at the Sheraton Hotel in Birmingham for the 2016 ACA Convention and Trade Show! Some great Cattlemen's Colleges and discussions are in the works! You don't want to miss the Convention this upcoming year!

What's Going On Wednesday: September 9, 2015

If you thought August escaped us fast, then what do you call what September is doing to us? Wow! We sure hope every one of our members had a relaxing,beefy and football-filled Labor Day weekend!

As usual things are busy around the Cattlemen's building! The staff members are hitting the ground running as we are gearing up for the exciting months ahead.

See #WhatsGoingOn around the ACA building this week and stay updated on what your ACA staff is doing for you! Check it out:

BEEF 101

Thursday, September 10th will host more than 80 young industry professionals and influencers as a multi-faceted group merges together for BEEF 101 at the Lambert-Powell Meats Lab in Auburn. Drake State and University of North Alabama Culinary Schools will enter into the world of beef cattle production to learn about the "Pasture to Plate" process to better understand the beef industry and product. During the session, they will hear from ACA staffers Dr. Billy Powell and Erin Beasley about an overview of the process, and following, Dr. Misty and Jason Edmundson and ACA President Jim Akin will host breakout sessions  during a live animal evaluation on cattle management, terminology and beef cuts. 

Following a beef lunch, the groups will tour the packing plant and learn about the slaughter and fabrication process. Erin Beasley and Dr. Bratcher of Auburn's Department of Animal Sciences will even fabricate a carcass right in front of them! This program is an excellent way to teach the beef industry influencers about the beef product and how it goes from pasture to plate! 

Also joining in on the BEEF 101 program is the...

Youth Cattlemen's Leadership Program

The 18 emerging leaders of the YCLP Class II led by Dr. Don Mulvaney will join in on the BEEF 101 program fun to refresh and educate on the "Pasture to Plate" process. Preceding and following the live animal evaluation and the packing plant tour, the group will delve into some leadership concepts and training discussions and exercises. 

Alabama Legislature

On Tuesday, September 8, the second Special Session of the Alabama Legislature came to order to seek out ways to fill the $200 million gap in the state's General Fund. ACA Lobbyist Dr. Billy Powell ACA is monitoring the session, and here are some facts he's laid out to help you follow what's happening on the Hill!

• The House Weighs and Means Committee is passing some revenue enhancement bills that will now face the full House for voting.
• A proposal to increase property taxes was killed in the House Weighs and Means Committee this morning.
• Word on the street is that it's unlikely that many of these revenue enhancement bills will pass the full House and Senate. If this prediction holds true, the $200 million gap will not be filled and significant cuts in the state government will be made. 
• As of today, the budget for the Department of Agriculture and Related Industries looks promising. 

There's a quick legislative update. Don't hesitate to call with questions!

Sell the Sizzle

This coming Friday will host the kick off of the October Beef month “Sell the Sizzle” promotion with Sysco Gulf Coast.  As an incentive for this promotion, the top two beef salesmen will receive a cash prize for selling the most beef over their base levels for the month! The overall goal is to generate a $30,000 to $40,000 increase in beef sales during October Beef Month because we think everyone should #EatBeef. 

Junior Beef Expo

Planning and rule-making for the 2016 Junior Beef Expo is underway following last week's Alabama Youth Livestock Show Association! Save the date because the JBE will be held March 18-20, 2016 at Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery during the SLE Rodeo!

Be on the lookout for information regarding the JBE. Entry deadline will be October 30, 2015! Entry information will be sent to agriscience teachers and County Extension Agents on deadlines and how to attain EID tags for show livestock.

The MOOseum Renovation

Weekly meetings between ACA's Billy Powell, Erin Beasley, Curt Berry and Kayla Sellers are held, and the staff are working daily on the back-end projects associated with The MOOseum renovation! Be on the lookout for exciting changes in the future.

As for now, The MOOseum is up-and-running and just waiting for your class to visit! Book a tour now by calling (334) 265-1867 or by emailing Jessica Kennedy. 

Staff Out and About

ACA staffer Curt Berry will be on the road this Friday as he joins ACA Vice President Richard Meadows in Houston County for a farm tour of Meadows Creek Farm. South Carolina-native Curt is taking as many opportunities as possible to explore the state and meet our cattlemen, and Friday will be his first adventure since his start on July 15. If you're interested in having Curt stop in for a visit, email him or call (334) 265-1867.