The Truth about Grain-Finished vs Grass-Finished Beef

 

By Jessica Ivey, RDN

 

Raising cattle is a community effort! Did you know that beef cattle often change ownership up to our times during their lives? This process is in part guided by the cattle’s changing nutrition needs, and cattle producers along all points of the process are committed to raising cattle in a safe, humane and environmentally-sustainable way that results in a delicious and nutritious beef product. The difference between grass-finished and grain-fed beef begins during the life of the beef animal.

 

 

The beef lifecycle begins at a cow-calf operation where cattlemen care for a herd of cows that calve annually. Those calves then graze on grass and are nourished by their mother’s milk until they are weaned around six months of age. At weaning, a typical calf weighs anywhere between 450 and 700 pounds.

 

 

After weaning, many calves are sold at auction and move to stocker and backgrounder operations. The stockers and backgrounders are responsible for ensuring the calves receive a sound, veterinary-prescribed immunization protocol to maintain good health and are fed a high-energy, forage-based diet to maintain a high average daily gain in weight. Calves continue to graze on grass while receiving supplemental forages and grains, such as flaked corn, fermented corn stalks (or silage), soy hull pellets, distillers’ grains or cottonseed, as well as supplemental feed that may contain vitamins and minerals that help the calves grow and stay healthy.

 

 

Once the cattle reach a mature weight, they then head to to a cattle feeding operation, also known as a feedlot. At feedlots, the cattle are free to graze on a scientifically-balanced diet comprised of roughage grass, hay, grain (such as corn, wheat and soybean meal) and local renewable feed sources, like potato hulls or sugar beets. During their stay at the feedlot, cattle have plenty of room to roam and eat while receiving watchful care from veterinarians and nutritionists until the time that they reach market weight.

 

 

When it comes to grain-finished vs. grass-finished beef, the truth is all cattle spend a majority of their lives grazing on grass. Most beef is grain-finished and comes from a cattle that has spent time at a feedlot receiving a grain-based diet as described above. Grass-finished beef comes from cattle that spend their whole lives eating grasses or forages, although they may spend time at a feedlot eating a diet comprised only of grasses and other forages. Many claims have been made that grass-finished beef is more nutritious than grain-finished beef, but most experts agree that both provide high-quality nutrition. Grass-finished cattle tend to be leaner, but there are a number of additional variables that impact leanness, including breed, age, grade and cut. Thanks to enhancements in cattle breeding and feeding, as well as improved trimming practices, the number of beef cuts that qualify as “lean” has increased sixfold from 1989 to 2013. So whether you chose grain-finished or grass-finished beef, you can be sure that you are feeding your family a safe and nutritious high-quality protein food.

 

 

So why not cook up some lean beef for your family? Nothing is more delicious to me than a grilled tenderloin or sirloin steak, so this weekend, I’m going to let my husband cook the steaks while I prepare this delicious champagne pan sauce and risotto. Yum! 

 

What’s Going On Wednesday: February 21, 2018

The Good Lord has blessed us this week with some beautiful sunshine, warm temperatures and the first sight of spring as trees begin to flower and rye grass bursts out of the ground. Cattlemen…and their cattle…are proud for a break in the rain and feed bills and schedules. While you’re enjoying life on the farm, your state staff is busy at work planning our many upcoming events, being a watchdog for you in the legislative session and scheduling several upcoming beef promotion programs. Keep reading to learn more and stay up to date with the ACA! 


 

ACA CONVENTION & TRADE SHOW

Logo w Alabama Cattlemens Assc_75th Annual_Convention & Trade show_DatesHoof It to Huntsville for the 75th annual ACA Convention! We’ve got a record number of pre-registrants, almost 70 and counting vendors for the trade show and the Embassy is booked full. (Keep reading for hotel information!)

This year’s convention schedule is packed with great speakers, an engaging and interactive trade show, junior cattlemen activities and live entertainment. Here’s the run down!

AshleyGrantOn Friday, March 9, get ready to kick off the convention with Cattlemen’s College 1 which is all about “Cattle Handling and Disease Prevention,” followed by our Opening General Session led by Ranch House Designs Chief Marketing Officer and Alabama-native Ashley Grant. After that, grab your dancing’ boots and head on over to the trade show where Tim Tyler’s Piano Experience will bring the toe-tapping tunes, and we’ll have a delicious menu ready for you to graze around. During that nightly social, we’ll also host our annual PAC Auction with some awesome items including a 2-day, 2-night hunt at “The Swamp Whitetails,” a Winchester Commemorative leaver action rifle, a black baldy oil painting, bull credits, a registered Brangus bull, Stetson boots and SO many more neat items you’ll want to take home! If you’re interested in donating an item to the PAC Auction, give Erin Beasley a call at (334) 265-1867.

 

Now that’s just the Friday fun. Saturday will bring a whole host of exciting Kevin Good_2016educational events starting with the ACA Annual Membership Meeting where you’ll elect your new state officers. After the changing of the guard, Cattlefax Senior Market Analyst Kevin Good will lead our General Session 2 as he discusses market, weather and import/export outlooks. After the Cattlemen’s Luncheon with featured speaker Gov. Kay Ivey, the trade show- with over 75 vendors- will open up and our afternoon of Cattlemen’s Colleges will commence. Topics include estate planning, pasture management and nutrition and information on Extension’s “Pasture to Rail” retained ownership program. Last but certainly not least on the convention agenda is our awards banquet where we’ll induct new members to the Alabama Livestock Hall of Fame and award over $65,000 in scholarships to deserving students. Following the awards banquet, grab those dancin’ boots again as the Rexton Lee Band amps up our Blue Jeans Ball!

 

Junior Cattlemen are not left out of the fun. Your checkoff staff has made up an elaborate and educational scavenger hunt for those junior cattlemen to enjoy and build those teamwork skills. They’ll also have their own speaker and get to participate in leadership games and activities with ACA Director of Industry Relations & Youth Programs Michael Agar.

 

We sure hope you’ll Hoof It to Huntsville to the 75th annual ACA Convention & Trade Show! It’s sure to be a great time of education, networking and getting involved with your association.

 

Click Here to Register Now! Or call us at (334) 265-1867 to register by phone. The Embassy Suites is BOOKED full. We have an Alabama Cattlemen’s Association block at the neighboring Homewood Suites. Click here or call 256.539.1445 to book your room at the Homewood Suites by Hilton Huntsville Downtown.

 

 

Trade Show Vendors- The list keeps growing!

We’re bringing you the BEST trade show we’ve ever had to offer at the 75th annual ACA Convention and Trade Show! Check out this list of vendors now!

  • ABS Global Inc.
  • ADM Animal Nutrition
  • Agri-AFC, LLC
  • Alabama Ag Credit/Alabama Farm Credit
  • Alabama BCIA
  • Alabama Beef Systems Extension
  • Alabama CattleWomen’s Association
  • Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries
  • Alabama Farmers Cooperative
  • Alabama Soil & Water Conservation Committee
  • Allflex USA, Inc.
  • American Angus Association
  • AU College of Agriculture
  • Bayer
  • Bayer Animal Health
  • Boehringer Ingelheim
  • Burns Farms
  • Cargill
  • Cargill/SSC Feeds
  • Cavenders Western Outfitter
  • CK Cattle
  • CK Cattle Equipment
  • Datamars, Inc.
  • Deep South Livestock Equipment
  • DowDupont Agrosciences
  • EZ T Post
  • First South Farm Credit
  • Genex
  • Haney Equipment Co.
  • Huntsville Tractor & Equipment
  • Hy Plains Feedyard
  • Kilgro & Associates, Inc.
  • Lake Majestik Farms
  • Landers McLarty Chysler Dodge Jeep Ram
  • MERCK Aniimal Health
  • Mix 30 by Agridyne
  • NCBA
  • No Bull Enterprises
  • NuTech Biosciences
  • OreGro Seeds
  • Peachtree Planning
  • PNC Bank
  • Premier Angus Genetics
  • Ridley Block Operations
  • Smoky Mountain Cattle Co.
  • Southeast Select Sires, Inc.
  • Southeastern Land Group, Inc.
  • Southern Silage Supply
  • Stay Tuff Wire
  • StockAde/Schwarz Equipment Co.
  • Stocker Supply, LLC
  • Sumner AG Services, Inc.
  • Tennessee Livestock Producers
  • The Richadson Agency
  • The Wax Company
  • TMKE LLC/Hapy Feet USA
  • Town Creek Farm
  • TriGreen Equipment
  • USDA NASS
  • VitaFerm
  • Walter Moss Seed Co.
  • Westway Feed Products
  • Zoetis
  • Alabama Cattlemen’s Association
  • Graham Livestock Systems
  • Art by Allie
  • Postive Feed
  • Ag-Pro Companies
  • Woody Anderson Ford
  • Alabama Senepol Breeders Association
  • Alabama Charolais Association
  • Pennington Seed Inc.
  • Will Ainsworth for Lt. Governor
  • Small & Rural Services
  • SweetPro Premium Feed Supplements
  • Giant Rubber Water Tanks, Inc.
  • Tucker Milling, LLC
  • Genetix Cattle Plus

 

 

SLE RODEO TICKETS ON SALE NOW- Media luncheon this week!

The 61st annual SLE Rodeo is coming to town March 15-17 at Garrett sle-logoColiseum. PRCA 2017 Stock Contractor of the Year Frontier Rodeo Company’s elite bucking stock, PRCA Xtreme Bullfights and hometown funny man Trent McFarland are sure to combine to make one excellent show for the whole family! Kids events will be available where your little buckaroo can play in the dirt like a real rodeo cowboy. SLE Rodeo tickets are on sale now! Call us at 888-2RODEO2 or visit us online to order tickets to the show and to learn more about the 2018 SLE Rodeo!

 

Speaking of the rodeo, we’ll host Montgomery’s most-loved media personalities at the Cattlemen’s Building this Thursday for the annual SLE Rodeo Media Luncheon. There, the media will get a flavor for what the rodeo is bringing to town while enjoying a delicious steak lunch. This is always a fun event and a great way to inform the media about our upcoming show!

 

 

Policy Update, Rep. Mike Rogers & PAC Reception

TRUCKSThe association is continuing to work on the national level regarding the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) law. This past week, a petition was submitted to the DOT in Washington D.C. outlining the concerns for livestock haulers and was signed by organizations that make up the Ag Coalition in Alabama. Additionally, the ACA submitted a letter before the comment deadline signed by a majority of county cattlemen’s associations. Thank you for engaging on this issue. We are continuing to look for solutions to the law as the March 18 deadline for exemption approaches.

 

Also in the world of politics, the Alabama BEEF PAC Club hosted its annual 28162295_1228963393906328_6213200549282671033_oPAC Reception last evening at the Cattlemen’s Building in downtown Montgomery. BEEF PAC Club members welcomed legislators for a night of good fellowship and, of course, beef. We were also pleased to host Congressman Mike Rogers at our building for a luncheon yesterday as he gave an update from his office in D.C. and offered insight on federal policy coming down the pipeline.

 

 

The MOOseum Welcomes all

MOOseum COLOR logoWhat we’re hearing from The MOOseum Coordinator Kara Harden downstairs is that The MOOseum has attracted quite a diverse audience as of late. Our children’s educational center has had an increase of out-of-state traffic and even had a family from Australia visit while they were touring around downtown Montgomery. We’re excited to welcome out-of-towners in to learn about Alabama’s beef cattle industry. Just today, we are expecting over 100 kiddos from Sylvania Elementary School.

 

 

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

Facebooklogo_homepageAs ACA Membership Coordinator Jessica Kennedy works diligently to put in county memberships, we encourage county leaders to help her out by setting aside 30-45 minutes to complete a training webinar for the new membership software, i4a. Software training webinars are still happening! If you have not signed up for training please send Jessica the days that are best for you and if you want a 12pm, 3pm, or 7pm slot.  Please choose multiple times and days of availability.  If you’re not a big emailer, give her a call at (334) 265-1867.

 

On that note, we also want to encourage you to keep an eye out for renewal notices as the second renewal mailout is hitting mailboxes this month! Be sure to get those memberships sent to the state office. Over the Top deadline is set for March 31st.

 

MEETINGS HAPPENING ACROSS ALABAMA

Stay updated with the “when” and “where” of upcoming educational events and meetings by visiting our Cattlemen’s Calendar. If you’re county annual meeting isn’t on the list, be sure to send that information to Jessica.

 

Jessica is also anxiously awaiting your county leadership updates and county annual meeting photos. She needs the names and contact information of the newest county leaders in order to organize the updating of the magazine and website as well as provide the correct correspondence for important letters and emails pertaining to Board Members. Please send those updates to Jessica! She is also looking out for information on your upcoming county meetings. Send those dates, times and locations her way to get them included on our online calendar and to line up a state representative to attend the event. If you’d like a county meeting mailout done, please give Jessica TWO WEEKS notice. Those mailouts take a good bit of time to design, print and label, so please give us plenty of notice to do a clean, thorough job for your county.

 

 

YCLP CLASS V APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE

young-cattlemen-logo_websizedThe Alabama Cattlemen’s Association recognizes the need to cultivate our future leaders of the association and industry. The Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program (YCLP), funded in part by the Alabama State Beef Checkoff, aims to do just that by identifying the state’s top young cattlemen and developing them into leaders of the future.

The three primary goals of the YCLP are:

  • Provide participants with a “pasture to plate” experience of Alabama’s beef industry
  • Equip participants with the tools necessary to become an effective leader and to share their beef story with their peers
  • Create a network of young cattlemen who the ACA can depend on to help with beef promotion and issues management as well as become industry leaders in the future

The YCLP consists of six meetings dispersed across Alabama over the course of a year. The class will be selected by a committee based on applications submitted. Preference will be given to those nominees who are between the ages of 20 & 40, but do not be discouraged to nominate yourself or someone else who falls out of that range.

If you’re interested in the program or would like to nominate someone, find the form in the December issue of the Alabama Cattleman magazine or print the application.


 

Thanks for reading this week’s post! Until we post again next week , we want to remind you that you can stay in touch with us by following us on FacebookTwitter or Instagram.

 

What’s Going On Wednesday: February 14, 2018

bamabeefblogheaderHappy Valentine’s Day! Your state staff sure LOVES Alabama’s beef cattle industry and all its wonderful cattlemen!! We’re closing in on a busy season here at the ACA as convention, SLE Rodeo, the legislative session and springtime beef promotions head our way at lightning speed. There’s lots to do and little time, but we’re excited for next month and all that comes with it. Keep reading to learn more and stay up to date with your ACA. 


 

ACA CONVENTION & TRADE SHOW

Logo w Alabama Cattlemens Assc_75th Annual_Convention & Trade show_DatesHoof It to Huntsville for the 75th annual ACA Convention! We’ve got a record number of pre-registrants, almost 70 and counting vendors for the trade show and the Embassy is booked full. (Keep reading for hotel information!)

This year’s convention schedule is packed with great speakers, an engaging and interactive trade show, junior cattlemen activities and live entertainment. Here’s the run down!

AshleyGrantOn Friday, March 9, get ready to kick off the convention with Cattlemen’s College 1 which is all about “Cattle Handling and Disease Prevention,” followed by our Opening General Session led by Ranch House Designs Chief Marketing Officer and Alabama-native Ashley Grant. After that, grab your dancing’ boots and head on over to the trade show where Tim Tyler’s Piano Experience will bring the toe-tapping tunes, and we’ll have a delicious menu ready for you to graze around. During that nightly social, we’ll also host our annual PAC Auction with some awesome items including a 2-day, 2-night hunt at “The Swamp Whitetails,” a Winchester Commemorative leaver action rifle, a black baldy oil painting, bull credits, a registered Brangus bull, Stetson boots and SO many more neat items you’ll want to take home! If you’re interested in donating an item to the PAC Auction, give Erin Beasley a call at (334) 265-1867.

 

Now that’s just the Friday fun. Saturday will bring a whole host of exciting Kevin Good_2016educational events starting with the ACA Annual Membership Meeting where you’ll elect your new state officers. After the changing of the guard, Cattlefax Senior Market Analyst Kevin Good will lead our General Session 2 as he discusses market, weather and import/export outlooks. After the Cattlemen’s Luncheon with featured speaker Gov. Kay Ivey, the trade show- with over 75 vendors- will open up and our afternoon of Cattlemen’s Colleges will commence. Topics include estate planning, pasture management and nutrition and information on Extension’s “Pasture to Rail” retained ownership program. Last but certainly not least on the convention agenda is our awards banquet where we’ll induct new members to the Alabama Livestock Hall of Fame and award over $65,000 in scholarships to deserving students. Following the awards banquet, grab those dancin’ boots again as the Rexton Lee Band amps up our Blue Jeans Ball!

 

Junior Cattlemen are not left out of the fun. Your checkoff staff has made up an elaborate and educational scavenger hunt for those junior cattlemen to enjoy and build those teamwork skills. They’ll also have their own speaker and get to participate in leadership games and activities with ACA Director of Industry Relations & Youth Programs Michael Agar.

 

We sure hope you’ll Hoof It to Huntsville to the 75th annual ACA Convention & Trade Show! It’s sure to be a great time of education, networking and getting involved with your association.

 

Click Here to Register Now! Or call us at (334) 265-1867 to register by phone. The Embassy Suites is BOOKED full. We have an Alabama Cattlemen’s Association block at the neighboring Homewood Suites. Click here or call 256.539.1445 to book your room at the Homewood Suites by Hilton Huntsville Downtown.

 

 

SLE RODEO TICKETS ON SALE NOW

The 61st annual SLE Rodeo is coming to town March 15-17 at Garrett sle-logoColiseum. PRCA 2017 Stock Contractor of the Year Frontier Rodeo Company’s elite bucking stock, PRCA Freestyle Bullfighting and hometown funny man Trent McFarland are sure to combine to make one excellent show for the whole family! Kids events will be available where your little buckaroo can play in the dirt like a real rodeo cowboy. SLE Rodeo tickets are on sale now! Call us at 888-2RODEO2 or visit us online to order tickets to the show and to learn more about the 2018 SLE Rodeo!

 

 

Playing Watchdog

While the legislature is heating up in Montgomery, your Cattlemen’s lobbyist Erin Beasley has been spending time at the State House and planning our upcoming PAC Reception and reception for Congressman Mike Rogers. She is on the forefront of the discussions about the impending ELD extension expiration and is fighting to protect Alabama’s cattle producers from the effects of mandatory electronic logging devices. Learn more in here column in the upcoming March magazine!

 

 

ACA FIeld Man hits southwest corner

ACA Director of Industry Relations and Youth Programs Michael Agar has a busy week happening in southwest Alabama. Today, he headed down to start his journey with his first destination at Frisco City Livestock Market where he attended the sale, visited with owner and operator Michael Jordan and presented Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. checkoff signage and ACA sorting flags. The rest of the week has him visiting the Baldwin, Jackson and Choctaw counties annual meetings before he heads back north to Montgomery.

 

 

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

Facebooklogo_homepageAs ACA Membership Coordinator Jessica Kennedy works diligently to put in county memberships, we encourage county leaders to help her out by setting aside 30-45 minutes to complete a training webinar for the new membership software, i4a. Software training webinars are still happening! If you have not signed up for training please send Jessica the days that are best for you and if you want a 12pm, 3pm, or 7pm slot.  Please choose multiple times and days of availability.  If you’re not a big emailer, give her a call at (334) 265-1867.

 

On that note, we also want to encourage you to keep an eye out for renewal notices as the second renewal mailout is hitting mailboxes this month! Be sure to get those memberships sent to the state office. Over the Top deadline is set for March 31st.

 

MEETINGS HAPPENING ACROSS ALABAMA

Stay updated with the “when” and “where” of upcoming educational events and meetings by visiting our Cattlemen’s Calendar. If you’re county annual meeting isn’t on the list, be sure to send that information to Jessica.

 

Jessica is also anxiously awaiting your county leadership updates and county annual meeting photos. She needs the names and contact information of the newest county leaders in order to organize the updating of the magazine and website as well as provide the correct correspondence for important letters and emails pertaining to Board Members. Please send those updates to Jessica! She is also looking out for information on your upcoming county meetings. Send those dates, times and locations her way to get them included on our online calendar and to line up a state representative to attend the event. If you’d like a county meeting mailout done, please give Jessica TWO WEEKS notice. Those mailouts take a good bit of time to design, print and label, so please give us plenty of notice to do a clean, thorough job for your county.

 

 

YCLP CLASS V APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE

young-cattlemen-logo_websizedThe Alabama Cattlemen’s Association recognizes the need to cultivate our future leaders of the association and industry. The Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program (YCLP), funded in part by the Alabama State Beef Checkoff, aims to do just that by identifying the state’s top young cattlemen and developing them into leaders of the future.

The three primary goals of the YCLP are:

  • Provide participants with a “pasture to plate” experience of Alabama’s beef industry
  • Equip participants with the tools necessary to become an effective leader and to share their beef story with their peers
  • Create a network of young cattlemen who the ACA can depend on to help with beef promotion and issues management as well as become industry leaders in the future

The YCLP consists of six meetings dispersed across Alabama over the course of a year. The class will be selected by a committee based on applications submitted. Preference will be given to those nominees who are between the ages of 20 & 40, but do not be discouraged to nominate yourself or someone else who falls out of that range.

If you’re interested in the program or would like to nominate someone, find the form in the December issue of the Alabama Cattleman magazine or print the application.

 

 

Valentine’s Day Inspiration

If you need just the right thing to post on your social media for Valentine’s Day, here’s a few beefy options!

DWAPWBAWkAIFlYQ

 

IMG_6432

 


Thanks for reading this week’s post! Until we post again next week , we want to remind you that you can stay in touch with us by following us on FacebookTwitter or Instagram.

What’s Going On Wednesday: February 7, 2018

Ok, ok. This weather is truly out of hand. In true Alabama fashion, the weather has us on a roller coaster ride. Sub-freezing temps to mid-70s in February to “drought” conditions and heavy rainstorms that leave us cattlemen in mud up to our knees. The rye grass is coming in slow while the feed sacks are emptying fast. It’s wintertime in Alabama (we think?) and as temperatures are looking to turn north, so are we as we prepare for our biggest event of the year. Keep reading to get an update on Convention and to learn more about what’s going on at the ACA this week. 


 

ACA CONVENTION & TRADE SHOW- EARLY BIRD ENDS NEXT WEEK!

Logo w Alabama Cattlemens Assc_75th Annual_Convention & Trade show_DatesHoof It to Huntsville for the 75th annual ACA Convention! We’ve got a record number of pre-registrants, almost 70 and counting vendors for the trade show and the Embassy is booked full. (Keep reading for hotel information!)

This year’s convention schedule is packed with great speakers, an engaging and interactive trade show, junior cattlemen activities and live entertainment. Here’s the run down!

AshleyGrantOn Friday, March 9, get ready to kick off the convention with Cattlemen’s College 1 which is all about “Cattle Handling and Disease Prevention,” followed by our Opening General Session led by Ranch House Designs Chief Marketing Officer and Alabama-native Ashley Grant. After that, grab your dancing’ boots and head on over to the trade show where Tim Tyler’s Piano Experience will bring the toe-tapping tunes, and we’ll have a delicious menu ready for you to graze around. During that nightly social, we’ll also host our annual PAC Auction with some awesome items including a 2-day, 2-night hunt at “The Swamp Whitetails,” a Winchester Commemorative leaver action rifle, a black baldy oil painting, bull credits, a registered Brangus bull, Stetson boots and SO many more neat items you’ll want to take home! If you’re interested in donating an item to the PAC Auction, give Erin Beasley a call at (334) 265-1867.

 

Now that’s just the Friday fun. Saturday will bring a whole host of exciting Kevin Good_2016educational events starting with the ACA Annual Membership Meeting where you’ll elect your new state officers. After the changing of the guard, Cattlefax Senior Market Analyst Kevin Good will lead our General Session 2 as he discusses market, weather and import/export outlooks. After the Cattlemen’s Luncheon with featured speaker Gov. Kay Ivey, the trade show- with over 75 vendors- will open up and our afternoon of Cattlemen’s Colleges will commence. Topics include estate planning, pasture management and nutrition and information on Extension’s “Pasture to Rail” retained ownership program. Last but certainly not least on the convention agenda is our awards banquet where we’ll induct new members to the Alabama Livestock Hall of Fame and award over $55,000 in scholarships to deserving students. Following the awards banquet, grab those dancin’ boots again as the Rexton Lee Band amps up our Blue Jeans Ball!

 

Junior Cattlemen are not left out of the fun. This week, your checkoff staff has been working on an elaborate and educational scavenger hunt for those junior cattlemen to enjoy and build those teamwork skills. They’ll also have their own speaker and get to participate in leadership games and activities with ACA Director of Industry Relations & Youth Programs Michael Agar.

 

We sure hope you’ll Hoof It to Huntsville to the 75th annual ACA Convention & Trade Show! It’s sure to be a great time of education, networking and getting involved with your association.

 

Click Here to Register Now! Or call us at (334) 265-1867 to register by phone. The Embassy Suites is BOOKED full. We have an Alabama Cattlemen’s Association block at the neighboring Homewood Suites. Click here or call 256.539.1445 to book your room at the Homewood Suites by Hilton Huntsville Downtown.

 

 

SLE RODEO TICKETS ON SALE NOW

The 61st annual SLE Rodeo is coming to town March 15-17 at Garrett sle-logoColiseum. PRCA 2017 Stock Contractor of the Year Frontier Rodeo Company’s elite bucking stock, PRCA Freestyle Bullfighting and hometown funny man Trent McFarland are sure to combine to make one excellent show for the whole family! Kids events will be available where your little buckaroo can play in the dirt like a real rodeo cowboy. SLE Rodeo tickets are on sale now! Call us at 888-2RODEO2 or visit us online to order tickets to the show and to learn more about the 2018 SLE Rodeo!

 

 

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

Facebooklogo_homepageAs ACA Membership Coordinator Jessica Kennedy works diligently to put in county memberships, we encourage county leaders to help her out by setting aside 30-45 minutes to complete a training webinar for the new membership software, i4a. Software training webinars are still happening! If you have not signed up for training please send Jessica the days that are best for you and if you want a 12pm, 3pm, or 7pm slot.  Please choose multiple times and days of availability.  If you’re not a big emailer, give her a call at (334) 265-1867.

 

On that note, we also want to encourage you to keep an eye out for renewal notices as the second renewal mailout is hitting mailboxes this month! Be sure to get those memberships sent to the state office. Over the Top deadline is set for March 31st.

 

COUNTY MEETINGS HAPPENING ACROSS ALABAMA

County annual meetings are in full swing, and your state staff is excited to buzz all around visiting those meetings. If a state staffer isn’t in attendance, then one of our outstanding officers are. This week alone we’ve hit Clarke, Henry, Pickens and Crenshaw counties. Stay updated with the “when” and “where” of meetings by visiting our Cattlemen’s Calendar. If you’re meeting isn’t on the list, be sure to send that information to Jessica.

 

Jessica is also anxiously awaiting your county leadership updates and county annual meeting photos. She needs the names and contact information of the newest county leaders in order to organize the updating of the magazine and website as well as provide the correct correspondence for important letters and emails pertaining to Board Members. Please send those updates to Jessica! She is also looking out for information on your upcoming county meetings. Send those dates, times and locations her way to get them included on our online calendar and to line up a state representative to attend the event. If you’d like a county meeting mailout done, please give Jessica TWO WEEKS notice. Those mailouts take a good bit of time to design, print and label, so please give us plenty of notice to do a clean, thorough job for your county.

 

 

Scholarship Notification

If you’re favorite student applied for an Alabama Cattlemen’s Foundation tag-_scholarship_apply_copy_web(3)(2)(2)scholarship, be on the look out for a letter and an email THIS WEEK. We’re proud to award over $60,000 in scholarships this year to deserving students across the state. This year’s applicant pool was extraordinary as we had a plethora of students with superb grades and loads of agricultural involvement.

 

We are thrilled to award scholarships to Alabama’s finest cattle kids!

 

 

Hosting Large Animal Bovine Vet Students

The ACA is looking forward to hosting Dr. Misty Edmondson’s large animal bovine veterinarian students this Friday at the ACA building. While visiting along with State Veterinarian Dr. Tony Frazier, the students will tour our building, enjoy lunch and learn more about Alabama’s beef cattle industry and our association. This group stops by for a visit each year, and we appreciate the leadership of Dr. Edmondson to introduce her students to our association.

 

 

AL Cattlemen Blazed a Trail to Phoenix

27540764_1216722671797067_1299927422476780477_nAlabama Cattlemen’s had quite the showing at the 2018 Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show in Phoenix last week. Your state officers, collegiate cattlemen and others had a successful trip out west to visit the largest industry trade show in the nation and participate in all the meetings and events! We’re proud to announce that ACA Past President Jimmy Holliman was elected to serve as your Region II policy vice president where he’ll represent the Southeast at the policy roundtable.

 

We’re already looking forward to a trip to the bayou next year as convention comes to New Orleans!

 

 

Staffers Head North

ACA staffers Michael Agar and Kayla Greer enjoyed the opportunity to travel 27355700_1216307228505278_4542735662446832632_oacross north Alabama last week to visit with and present the owners at Tennessee Valley Livestock, Fort Payne Stockyard and Sand Mountain Stockyard and with BEEF signage and ACA sorting flags. They also stopped by former Regional Vice President Clay Kennamer’s operation in Hollywood, Alabama and ACA President-Elect Jack Batts’ homeplace in Athens.  We appreciate the hospitality shown and the time everyone took to meet with us. Look for more in the March issue of the Alabama Cattleman magazine. Great sales, fine facilities and nice folks along the way!

 

 

Legislature Heating Up

While the legislature is heating up in Montgomery, your Cattlemen’s lobbyist Erin Beasley has been spending time at the State House and planning our upcoming PAC Reception and reception for Congressman Mike Rogers. She is on the forefront of the discussions about the impending ELD extension expiration and is fighting to protect Alabama’s cattle producers from the effects of mandatory electronic logging devices.

 

 

YCLP CLASS V APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE

young-cattlemen-logo_websizedThe Alabama Cattlemen’s Association recognizes the need to cultivate our future leaders of the association and industry. The Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program (YCLP), funded in part by the Alabama State Beef Checkoff, aims to do just that by identifying the state’s top young cattlemen and developing them into leaders of the future.

The three primary goals of the YCLP are:

  • Provide participants with a “pasture to plate” experience of Alabama’s beef industry
  • Equip participants with the tools necessary to become an effective leader and to share their beef story with their peers
  • Create a network of young cattlemen who the ACA can depend on to help with beef promotion and issues management as well as become industry leaders in the future

The YCLP consists of six meetings dispersed across Alabama over the course of a year. The class will be selected by a committee based on applications submitted. Preference will be given to those nominees who are between the ages of 20 & 40, but do not be discouraged to nominate yourself or someone else who falls out of that range.

If you’re interested in the program or would like to nominate someone, find the form in the December issue of the Alabama Cattleman magazine or print the application.

 

 

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