FINALLY SOME RAIN! We’re not so sure about you, but here in the central region of the state, this is one welcomed rainy day! That dry, cracked ground is drinking it each drop so it can nourish crops and forages and restock ponds as farmers across the state so desperately need. This rainy weather is not slowing us down any at the ACA. We’ve got a busy, busy week ahead, so keep reading to learn more about what’s happening around 201 S. Bainbridge.
Board Meeting Tomorrow
We’re excited to welcome over 150 attendees to the Spring Board of 
Directors Meeting tomorrow where we will be conducting a business meeting as well as offering breakout sessions to helping “Steer County Leaders Toward Success.” Breakout topics include an i4a membership software training demo with Jessica Kennedy, a policy update with Erin Beasley, information on youth programs with Michael Agar and tips to expand your county communications with Kayla Greer.
It’s a sure day of learning, networking and learning to be the best leader you can be! We look forward to having such a large crowd joining us. Don’t forget to bring your questions!
Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program Welcomes Class V
We’re proud to announce the 25 members of the Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program Class V, which kicks off today with farm tours in the Montgomery area. Tours include visits to Lane Cattle Company, McLane-Garrett Cattle Company and Montgomery Stockyards. The day will be topped off with a tour and social event, which welcomes officers and alumni of the program, at CK Cattle. On Thursday, the class will receive leadership training with Dr. Don Mulvaney and attend an ACA Board of Directors Meeting where the class will be formally introduced and learn about the role of the state association.
Members of Class V are:
Ida Agee, Shelby
Chase Anthony, Chambers
Brooke Bailey, Shelby
John Christopher Batts, Limestone
Tyler Bozeman, Lowndes
Hassey Brooks, Montgomery
Christina Brown, Geneva
Jensen Burt, Lee
Alex Crawford, Greene
Denzil Dees, Sumter
Ginger Gaines, Dale
John Glover, Hale
Cody Horton, Baldwin
Tyler Long, Conecuh
William Morgan, Crenshaw
TJ. Riner, Colbert
Charles Robbins, Washington
Lonnie Sigler, Lowndes
Cody Smith, Cullman
Zane Troxtel, DeKalb
Paul Vining, Lauderdale
Aubree White, Limestone
Jacob Whitfield, Barbour
Bart Williams, Autauga
Round-Up Registration Now Open
Are you ready to rock?! Registration for the 12th annual AJCA Round-Up, 
happening July 19-22 is now open online at BamaBeef.org/Round-Up. Also on that site, you’ll find contest and show rules, a schedule of events and 2018-2019 AJCA director applications. The Round-Up is more than just a calf show! If you don’t show cattle, that’s okay! The great news about the Round-Up is that there’s a contest for anyone and everyone. Check it out:
- Photography
- Ad Design
- Record Book
- Poster
- Essay
- Public Speaking
- Skill-A-Thon
- Career Development
- Volleyball
- Carne Fiesta (Cooking Competition)
- Sales Talk
- Cattle Judging
- Team Grooming
- Showmanship
- Prospect Market Show
- Breeding Heifer Show
Don’t miss out on all the fun and awesome prizes! Join us in Montgomery to show what you know and make lifelong friends.
AJCA membership is required to participate in the AJCA Round-Up. If membership is not current by July 15, your credit card will be charged the membership fee of $15.
You can view the 2018 contest rules, a schedule of events or the director application by clicking the links below. Registration is now available online and closes June 29 at 11:55 p.m.
Bama’s Best Beef- Round 2 Now Live
The first round of Facebook photo challenges- which put Claunch Cafe’s (Tuscumbia) “Roast Beef Sandwich” up head-to-head with Smiley Brothers Speciality Food’s (Pelham) “Filet Kabobs”- resulted in a win for the kabobs. It was a close fight, and we congratulate Claunch Cafe on a battle well-fought, but Smiley Brother’s extra 100 votes secured their spot in the final round. Now, round two of photo challenges have kicked off as our Brisket category finalist, Big D’s Butts N’ Stuff’s (Monroeville) “Brisket Panini,” and Steak category finalist, SALT at San Rock Cay’s (Orange Beach) “45-Day House Dry-Aged Mashimi Reserve Wagyu Tomahawk Ribeye” are battling it out for their spot in the final round. So far, our Brisket dish is winning by around 80 votes but there are many days left to vote!
Head on over to the contest where you can submit your vote with a LIKE on 
your favorite photo. Also, enjoy this great feedback to their fans on Facebook from our friends and contest finalists at Smiley Brothers Specialty Foods in Pelham on their win last week:
“Because of you and your votes, Smiley Brothers Specialty Foods has been selected as the winner of the first round of the Bama’s Best Beef competition from the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association! We are so humbled and thankful for such AMAZING and positive support from our community and friends! There were votes on both pictures from all over the country and even around the world. What a positive thing for Alabama to draw so much attention to local businesses across the state!
Congratulations to Claunch Cafe for winning the “Roast” category and if you are in the Tuscumbia area, make sure to stop by and try their roast beef sandwich. We know we will!
We will have this week off from the competition while the “Brisket” and “Steak” entries compete and then next week we will face off against the winner. Thank you again and we hope you will consider voting for us next week!
The Smiley Brothers Team”
JUNIOR PASTURE TO RAIL PROGRAM- REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
Speaking of Junior Pasture to Rail, learn more about the program today by visiting www.BamaBeef.org/JP2R. The 2018 Junior Pasture to Rail program will be managed through the AJCA in conjunction with the current Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) Pasture to Rail program. Youth will learn how to retain ownership on their cattle and how to market cattle on the grid. There will be four (4) educational programs beginning in fall 2018 to educate the participating youth about the cattle industry from pasture to plate.
Cattle will be gathered at central locations around Alabama and shipped to Hy-Plains Feedlot in Montezuma, KS. Ear notches will be pulled for BVD-PI testing and calves will be tagged, weighed and graded at that time (frame/muscle score, BCS). Data/results will be provided at the awards presentation for the 2018 Pasture to Rail program. Awards will be given to the top three (3) youth based on profitability in two categories: individual profitability of one (1) calf and the average profitability of a pen of three (3) calves.
Data provided will include carcass data as well as feedlot performance, medical expenses, feed costs, etc.
Program Requirements:
- Youth must be of age 21 or younger by January 1, 2018 to participate
- Youth must be an AJCA, FFA or 4-H member
- Steers are preferred, heifers can be entered but will be at a disadvantage for the program.
- Cattle must be 600-lbs. at minimum on the day of shipment, be weaned and pre-conditioned for 60 days (castrated, dehorned and healed, dewormed) and be vaccinated/boostered for Blackleg, PI3, BVD, BSRV and IBR (modified live).
- A $200 participation fee will be incurred for pens of three (3) or less. A $75/head fee will be added for additional entries.
- Youth must attend a minimum of three (3) of four (4) educational programs to be eligible for any awards.
Calves will be shipped at specified dates between August 2018 to March 2019. In order to ship, calves must meet the aforementioned pre-conditioning requirements. Ship dates and locations as well as educational programs will be communicated as determined.
Registration will close August 31 at midnight.
This program is sponsored by the Alabama Beef Checkoff Program.
Bama Beef Giveaway Drawing- Week 1 Winner
We’ve started a series of giveaways on the ACA Facebook page to encourage cattlemen who need to join or renew to do so soon! This week, our giveaway package includes an ACA cap, a BEEF tag and a NCBA pocket knife. The giveaway is now open for entry, and the contest winner will be drawn during the lunch hour on Tuesday, May 22. Anyone who joins or renews now through Tuesday at noon will be entered to win!
Last week’s winner was Greg Jones of Blount County. Greg earned an ACA tumbler, cap and a BEEF tag. CONGRATS!
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 Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Paid for by Alabama Beef Farmers.