What’s Going On Wednesday: May 30, 2018

Ok, Alberto. You can leave now.

While we appreciate the rain you left behind, an excess of 5″ in some areas is a little much. That being said, we are mindful of how fortunate we are to have rain; however in the midst of the heavy rainfall over the past few days, we must keep our friends in the west/central parts of Alabama in our thoughts and prayers today as they experience severe flash flooding. Our friends and neighbors in Marion, AL experienced 3″ of rain in just one hour’s time this morning leaving their hometown in the wake of heavy flood waters. Please pause today to say a prayer for our fellow cattlemen who are in the midst of weather-born crisis. 

Though the rain falls, your state staff remains busy in good ole’ Montgomery town as we prepare for a busy week and summer season ahead. Keep reading to learn more…

 

Membership Update

With 9,595 members for the 2018 year, we are SO CLOSE to reaching our membership goal of 10,000 members. Help us keep the grassroots effort strong by getting involved in your county. To gently nudge those who haven’t joined or renewed their membership in 2018, ACA Membership Coordinator Jessica Kennedy is getting ready to kick start her cold calling campaign where she will individually call each non-renewed member to request their renewal. This campaign has been a success for us in the past, so we are going to give it another try. Want to join in on the effort? Give Jessica an email or call at (334) 265-1867 to obtain a list of cattlemen from your area who might like to hear from you!

Bama’s Best Beef- Winner Announced!

From the press release sent to the Pelham Reporter:

winner_meme-01The Filet Kabobs dish from Smiley Brothers Specialty Foods, Pelham, has been named Bama’s Best Beef in a contest sponsored by the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association and the Alabama Beef Checkoff Program.

 

The contest, driven by fan interaction on Facebook, seeks out a unique beef dish served at an Alabama restaurant or food truck. Upon its nomination in the “Variety” category of the contest, the Filet Kabobs went head-to-head in a series of bracket challenges to earn their way to the title of Bama’s Best Beef. During the first week of photo challenges, the dish earned a win over “Roast” category finalist, Claunch Café’s (Tuscumbia) Roast Beef Sandwich. After securing their spot in the final round, the kabobs sat out a week as “Brisket” finalist, Big D’s Butts N’ Stuff’s (Monroeville) Brisket Panini, battled it out against “Steak” finalist, SALT at San Roc Cay’s (Orange Beach) 45-Day House Dry-Aged Mishima Reserve Wagyu Tomahawk Ribeye. After the Brisket Panini earned its spot in the final round, the Variety and Brisket representatives battled it out for the title, and after falling behind the Brisket Panini in reactions (votes), the Filet Kabobs came back late in the week and won by nearly 400 votes.

 

Following the first round of photo challenges, the team at Smiley Brothers Specialty Foods wrote on their Facebook page, “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!”

 

Throughout the lifetime of the contest, the four finalists received extensive exposure on social media as the contest reached over 454,500 Facebook users, garnered 211 nominations, over 29,000 reactions, comments and shares and earned over 14,500 photo clicks.

 

The restaurant— new to the Pelham dining scene after Criss Smiley recently retired from 35 years in national food and beverage industry— focuses on food and family. On the restaurant’s “About Us” webpage it reads, “In this family, a passion for food is basically genetic. We aim to provide our customers with the highest quality food and a staff that is knowledgeable and passionate about amazing food.” Others on the team at the specialty butcher shop and deli which offers meats, cheeses and ready-to-heat meals are Executive Sous Chef Joshua Swinford and Sous Chef Jon Green.

 

“The edge Smiley Brothers has is their locally-sourced beef and aging process to give you a mouth-watering bite time after time with every cut of their meat,” said personality behind Dining Out With Comedienne Joy and Birmingham food critic Joy King.

 

 

Beef for Father’s Day

Today we are joined by the lovely leaders of the Alabama CattleWomen’s Association as we take a trip to Capitol Hill to visit with Gov. Kay Ivey. While visiting, we will present the governor with steaks and watch as she signs an official State of Alabama proclamation stating BEEF is what’s for Father’s Day. This tradition is over 50 years old as it began in the days of Mrs. E.H. (Louise) Wilson, and we’re proud to continue the effort of promoting beef on a statewide level.

 

 

SLIM’S SUMMER PICNIC

33362104_1690357047752123_5461200721028317184_nWe are excited to present the 2nd annual Slim’s Summer Picnic happening at The MOOseum on June 15 from 11 AM – 2 PM. The MOOseum Coordinator Kara Harden has been hard at work lining up events for little buckaroos to enjoy, and she’s excited to announce that Lil Boots Rodeo will be here hosting all their fun Western-themed games and activities. We’ll also be grilling burgers and having a fun competition for whoever brings the biggest crowd! If you’ve got little ones that want to enjoy the cowboy fun, give Kara a call at (334) 265-1867!

 

 

ROUND-UP REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

Are you ready to rock?! Registration for the 12th annual AJCA Round-Up, 32681109_1641942122589358_6681310864357720064_ohappening 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.

 

 

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.

 

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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 MEMBERSHIP GIVEAWAY

33427279_1291610117641655_7030586693019238400_nLast week’s membership drawing giveaway winner was Lynn Lambeth of Escambia County. Lynn is amping up her “grilliance” with a package that includes an ACA Tervis Tumbler, an “I Love Beef” apron and a Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. silicon oven mitt. This week’s contest will feature an ACA ball cap, a Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. bumper sticker, mug, pop socket and koozie and an ACA iwallet. Those interested can enter the drawing by joining or renewing their membership throughout the week. The winner will be drawn Tuesday, June 5 during the lunch hour.

 

 

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.