What’s Going On Wednesday: March 29, 2017

It’s hard to believe that our annual convention and the SLE Rodeo have already come and gone for the year. Those events always create quite a bit of chaos around the workplace, but also are exciting ways to kick off a new year. With those events behind us, we are looking forward to all that the spring and summertime bring. In the coming months, we are focused on beef promotion, educating consumers and industry influencers at various courses and demonstrations and the big transition that lies ahead with Dr. Billy Powell’s retirement. We’re also gearing up for summertime youth events and taking on some new projects in the office.

Keep reading to learn more about all that’s happening this week and what lies ahead for the ACA!


NCBA Legislative Conference

Our fearless state leaders are taking on our nation’s capital this week to attend the NCBA Legislative Conference, also known as the #DCBeefMeet. ACA Executive VP Dr. Billy Powell and Assistant EVP Erin Beasley have joined State President Richard Meadows in Washington D.C. to catch up on federal government activity involving the cattle industry and meet with Alabama’s senators and representatives.

 

Today our leaders will be meeting with Congresswoman Martha Roby, Congressman Robert Aderholt, Congressman Gary Palmer, Congressman Mike Rogers, Congressman Bradley Byrne, Sen. Luther Strange and Sen. Richard Shelby. This has great effects on Alabama’s beef cattle industry!

 

 

Membership Reminders

Don’t forget to get those memberships AND checks into the state office or postmarked by this Friday, March 31 to meet our extended “Over the Top” Deadline. Counties that go “Over the Top” earn your president a red coat, and who doesn’t want one of those iconic ACA staples? Check out who’s already in the winner’s circle: Greene, Clay, Chambers, Houston, St Clair, Elmore and Dekalb counties. Great work!!

 

 

BQA Registration on BamaBeef.org

AL BQABe sure to check out all of the BQA trainings that will be held during April and May at the Research & Extension Centers across the state.  All of these will be hands-on, interactive trainings to achieve BQA certification. Earning your BQA certification has never been easier, so don’t miss out on the opportunity. Visit us online to learn more. Registration is now open on for all sessions.

 

Questions about certification? Call Erin at (334) 265-1867.

 

A Busy Month of BEEF 101 Programs

The month of April will be spent educating influencers about beef atIMG_3987_website Auburn University.  The checkoff-funded program, BEEF 101, will host over 200 individuals from culinary students to Extension personnel who all share an interest of learning more about beef from pasture to plate.  Cattlemen are encouraged to attend if they are interested.  The dates are April 5, 10, 21 and 26.  Contact Erin if you would like more information or if you would like to attend.

 

 

Bringing Recipe Videos to Social Media

Screenshot 2017-03-29 09.18.54Who’s seen one of those catchy recipe videos produced by Buzzfeed Tasty? They’re quick, fun and make preparing even the most difficult dishes look like a breeze. Well, your Beef Checkoff here in Alabama is jumping on the recipe video bandwagon. Last week, Checkoff staffers Kayla Greer and Erin Beasley set up shop to film four different recipes perfect for different times of the year including summertime, back to school season, tailgating and the holidays.

 

This week, Kayla Greer is hanging out behind the computer screen working to produce those videos. Stay tuned for those to post on the ACA’s social media outlets throughout the year!

 

 

Wildfire Relief Fund

A catastrophe of dire measure struck our friends to the west as wildfires swept across the Texas Panhandle, Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado starting the early morning hours of Monday, March 6. Over 1 million acres have burned leaving 500,000+ acres in Texas, 833,000+ acres in Oklahoma, 630,000+ acres in Kansas and 35,000+ acres in Colorado left scorched and barren. Tens of thousands of cattle have fallen victim to the raging wildfires that were fueled by 60 mph winds, and a known seven people have lost their lives. Thousands have lost homes, fences, barns, hay…entire homesteads…in a matter of hours.

 

The Alabama Cattlemen’s Association has a long history of offering relief to cattle producers who have experienced catastrophe. Cattlemen helping cattlemen is a story known all too well by Alabama beef cattle producers who have been on the receiving end of generous donations during times of devastation in our home state. That is why the Alabama Cattlemen’s Foundation has opened a Wildfire Relief Fund to raise money that will be donated to relief efforts in affected states.

 

Those interested in making donations can click here or by mailing a check to:

Alabama Cattlemen’s Foundation- Wildfire Relief Fund
201 South Bainbridge Street
Montgomery, AL 36104

 

RASCOWe would like to remind you to keep these fellow cattle families in your prayers. We would also like to give a shout out to Cullman County cattleman Cody Rasco and his team of volunteers for answering the cry for help out west. Cody worked to gather fencing supplies and organized a team to take the load out west to donate and offer a helping hand. In his Facebook post, Cody said, “We had donations from North Carolina, and all over the Southeast. Words in these situations are hard to come by but your actions have spoken loud and clear. I’m honored and proud to be a small part of taking supplies to those ranchers in Wheeler, TX. We supplied them with 1,100 t posts, 43 wood posts, 40 or 50 rolls of wire, and thousands of clips and insulators.” Great work, Cody. Thank you for your outstanding representation of Alabama cattlemen.

 

 

Save the Dates! 11th Annual AJCA Round-Up

fiestalogo5Take a break from your summertime siesta to join us in Montgomery for a fiesta! That’s right. The 11th annual AJCA Round-Up will be taking on a “South of the Border” theme at Garrett Coliseum’s livestock barns July 20-23. Stay tuned for registration information. We look forward to seeing you there!

 

 

Here’s a Few Handy Links You May Enjoy:

 

Thanks for reading this week’s post! We’ll be back next week- same time, same place. Until then, we want to remind you that you can stay in touch with us by following us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Have a great week!

 

 

What’s Going On Wednesday: March 8, 2017

Who’s ready to ride?
It’s rodeo season in Montgomery, Alabama, and your Cattlemen’s staffers are wearing their cowboy hats this week as we double as players on the SLE Rodeo team. We are handling last minute details from printing banners, offering media interviews, sponsorships, Junior Beef Expo, designing the program and everything in between. We are also gearing up for meeting our membership goal, Extension forage workshops, BQA trainings, Beef 101s, YCLP Class IV and the many summer beef promotions that your Beef Checkoff funds. 

It’s any exciting and busy time. Keep reading to learn more…


PREPARING FOR SLE RODEO

sle-logoThe members and staff of the Southeastern Livestock Exposition are preparing for the big event headed to Montgomery March 16-18. Staff has kicked off social media, radio, television and outdoor advertisements and has started making on-air appearances at WSFA-12, WBAM 98.9 and WACV 93.1 and WTXT 107.5 so far this week. On Thursday, rodeo clown Trent McFarland and staffer Kayla Greer will be spending the morning at the Montgomery Zoo as the duo attend the mayor’s weekly media briefing with Executive Director Dr. Billy Powell heads over to WAKA to record a tv spot followed by a radio interview at WTXT. SLE Livestock Week events kick off officially on Thursday as more than 230 registered participants compete in the SLE Livestock Judging Contest at the Garrett Coliseum. Jason P’Poole is pleased that for the second year, we’ve seen an increase in participation!

 

Following Thursday’s high school and collegiate livestock judging contest, rodeo events will begin over the weekend as we welcome the Alabama High School Association Cinch Rodeo and NBHA Barrel Races to Garrett Coliseum grounds. We are thrilled to have support from the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and to welcome Elder Billy Smith to the high school rodeo as he presents $100 scholarships to each of the young competitors.

 

There’s so much going on, and you can find all the info you need by visiting www.slerodeo.com. Here’s a brief rundown of all you can expect:

  • Thursday Night at 7 p.m.- Children 12 and under enter FREE
  • Friday Night at 7 p.m.- Family 4-Pack (4 tickets for $40!)
  • PRCA Freestyle Bullfighting will take place Thursday, Friday, Saturday nights with bulls from Hurricane Hookers Ranch in Louisiana
  • WORLD-CLASS bucking stock from PRCA Top Stock Contractor Frontier Rodeo Company from Freedom, Oklahoma
  • Stick Horse Rodeo for the kiddos each night at 5:45 p.m.
  • Western Festival on Saturday from 10 a.m. until noon

Call us today to get your tickets! 1-888-2RODEO2

 

National Anthem Contest Winners

CONGRATS to our SLE Rodeo National Anthem vocalist Sarah Gracenational anthem Chandler of Titus, Ala. Sarah Grace is 14 years old and has a beautiful voice you can all hear at the Friday night performance of the show. Not only was Sarah Grace’s audition outstanding, we had many!! So many, in fact, that the committee elected to select an entry for each show! We are excited to have Sydni Sikes with her sign language interpretation to perform at Wednesday’s Miracle Rodeo, Ella Langley of Hope Hull perform Thursday night, Sarah Grace Chandler on Friday and Mary Kate McPherson of Faunsdale at the Saturday matinee show.

 

Each of these outstanding young ladies will help kick off the rodeo in true patriotic fashion and help lead up to welcome Hope Hull’s Charity Bowden at the Saturday night show. Charity is headed to the Miss Alabama stage after performing on Team Miley on NBC’s The Voice- Season 11.

 

Come support these young ladies and check out their outstanding singing abilities!

 

Monitoring the Legislative Session

Ag Coalition met on Tuesday to monitor legislation being discusses in the Legislative Session as it moves into passing bills and working on the two budgets. The prison reform bill and the hearing on the impeachment of Gov. Robert Bentley are the two biggest topics in the two chambers this week. Stay tuned for more updates.

 

Keeping Up With State Leaders

ACA staff will be hosting a conference call with our state officers and regional vice presidents this week to encourage membership and plan meetings for the coming spring months. With the “Over the Top” deadline on the horizon it is an important time for counties to keep recruiting members to help us get to the 12,000 member goal. Remember, you can sign members up online too! We are at 8,600 members with several counties nearing “Over the Top” status. Big congrats to Clay, Greene and Chambers counties on their “Over the Top” status. Great work!

 

 

BQA Registration on BamaBeef.org

AL BQABe sure to check out all of the BQA trainings that will be held during April and May at the Research & Extension Centers across the state.  All of these will be hands-on, interactive trainings to achieve BQA certification.  Registration is now open on for all sessions.

 

Questions about certification? Call Erin at (334) 265-1867.

 

Beef 101’s Lining Up

The month of April will be spent educating influencers about beef atIMG_3987_website Auburn University.  The checkoff-funded program, BEEF 101, will host over 200 individuals from culinary students to Extension personnel who all share an interest of learning more about beef from pasture to plate.  Cattlemen are encouraged to attend if they are interested.  The dates are April 5, 10, 21, 26.  Contact Erin if you would like more information or if you would like to attend.

 

Black & White Spring Forward Sale

We look forward to spending time this weekend at the Garrett Coliseum and at ACA President Richard Meadows’ Black & White Spring Forward sale happening at Montgomery Stockyards. You’ll find staff buzzing around the barns at both venues as we meet and mingle with cattle families from across the state!

 

 

Thanks for reading this week’s post! We’ll be back next week- same time, same place. Until then, we want to remind you that you can stay in touch with us by following us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Have a great week and don’t forget to purchase your SLE Rodeo tickets! 

What’s Going On Wednesday: March 1, 2017

Happy March! Springtime is upon us and the time change will soon bring an extra hour of sunlight in the afternoons. No one quite appreciates that extra hour like a farmer. Don’t you agree?
When we asked Dr. Powell for his information for today’s post, he said, “We are working!!” If that’s not true, nothing is! Between memberships coming in, SLE Rodeo preparations and advertising, the ongoing legislative session and warm weather springing different events to life, we are busy at the ACA. We like to stay busy, though, especially if it means working for Alabama’s beef cattle producers. Keep reading to find out what all we have going on at the ACA this week.


Membership Update

On Monday, we sent an email to our Board Members that included very important information. To recap, we sent out the county assignments for each of the 12 regional vice presidents. We also included a membership count and are pleased to be at nearly 8,400 members. Kuddos to Clay County, who has joined Greene County in the ranks of “Over the Top.” Another bit of important information for our Board Members: it’s not too late to earn your red coat. The officers have gotten together and decided to extend the deadline to March 31! Email or call Jessica Kennedy for county membership lists.  Know where you are so you can take advantage of the extension and reach out to those who haven’t renewed!

 

Certified Angus Beef

anguslogoACA Assistant Executive Vice President Erin Beasley is spending time today the Certified Angus Beef Specialist Seminar in Mobile as it features foodservice and retail specialists from around the world.  The conference focuses on education about the product from Pasture to Plate.  By gaining more knowledge about this product, we can improve our education programs with retail and foodservice partners who sell CAB.

 

AU Faculty Search Continues

On Tuesday, Dr. Billy Powell received updates from Dr. Wayne Greene at Auburn’s College of Agriculture about several open positions that ACA on search committee for. We have high hopes to hire two outstanding Extension Agents in livestock marketing and forages to replace the positions once held by Dr. Walt Prevatt and Dr. Jennifer Johnson. Stayed tuned for information on those hires in the future!

 

Monitoring the Legislature

The Ag Coalition met on Tuesday to continue monitoring legislative activity. There are very few bills that have been introduced that will impact the agricultural industry. This is great news, but we will continue to monitor this session on your behalf. On Thursday, ACA Executive Vice President and Lobbyist Dr. Billy Powell will be spending time in the State House as he talks to legislators about pending legislation and monitors activity in both the House and Senate Chambers. He’s hoping to gain more insight on the General Fund budget and two other specific items, CAFO and Garrett Coliseum funding, during his time on Capitol Hill.

 

YCLP Apps Out Now

We’ve got Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program applications flying inyoung-cattlemen-logo_websized left and right! We are thrilled to meet all who are interested in this program and watch them grow in the years to come. If you want to apply, visit www.bamabeef.org/yclp.

 

Wrapping Up County Annual Meetings

We attended the Chilton County Annual Meeting on Tuesday night and are proud to wrap up another season of outstanding county meetings. We’re excited to work with new Board members in the year to come and we will see them all on May 9 at the Spring Board Meeting! Save the date!

 

Preparing for SLE Rodeo

sle-logoThe members and staff of the Southeastern Livestock Exposition are preparing for the big event headed to Montgomery March 16-18. Staff has kicked off social media, radio, television and outdoor advertisements and has started making on-air appearances at WSFA-12, WBAM 98.9 and WACV 93.1 so far this week. We hope to have hometown rodeo clown Trent McFarland joining us on the airwaves soon as Trent is excited to be part of the SLE Rodeo team this year! Events will kick off next week on March 9 with the SLE Livestock Judging Contest at the Garrett Coliseum. On a side note, our equine friends out there may be interested to know that the Alabama Horse Fair starts today at the Garrett Coliseum grounds.

We also have a great contest happening now on our Facebook page! now through Wednesday, March 8, interested vocalists can submit a video of themselves singing the National Anthem for a chance to win the opportunity to kick off the Friday, March 17 show off in true patriotic fashion. Enter Here

There’s so much going on, and you can find all the info you need by visiting www.slerodeo.com. Here’s a brief rundown of all you can expect:

  • Thursday Night at 7 p.m.- Children 12 and under enter FREE
  • Friday Night at 7 p.m.- Family 4-Pack (4 tickets for $40!)
  • PRCA Freestyle Bullfighting will take place Thursday, Friday, Saturday nights with bulls from Hurricane Hookers Ranch in Louisiana
  • WORLD-CLASS bucking stock from PRCA Top Stock Contractor Frontier Rodeo Company from Freedom, Oklahoma
  • Stick Horse Rodeo for the kiddos each night at 5:45 p.m.
  • Western Festival on Saturday from 10 a.m. until noon

Call us today to get your tickets! 1-888-2RODEO2

 

Thanks for reading this week’s post! We’ll be back next week- same time, same place. Until then, we want to remind you that you can stay in touch with us by following us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Have a great week and don’t forget to purchase your SLE Rodeo tickets!