What a rainy day. As if we needed MORE rain this winter, right? However, while we all may be thinking that, the whoas from the drought still ring near reminding us to be grateful for any and all rainfall.
To take your mind off all the wet, mud and gloom, we invite you to take a moment to catch up with all things Alabama Cattlemen. Keep reading to catch up with all that’s happening in Montgomery this week!
76TH ANNUAL ACA CONVENTION & TRADE SHOW
We’re beefin’ up the ‘Ham…Birmingham, that is! Join us at the 2019 ACA Convention & Trade Show at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC) February 15-16, 2019. There are endless activities, learning opportunities and networking experiences awaiting your registration including dynamic and educational Cattlemen’s Colleges, a trade show with the industry’s elite equipment, tool and nutritional names, a menu of delicious beef meals and fun for the whole family at Friday evening’s Boots & BBQ event and Saturday’s Awards Banquet! Be sure to register now to secure your meal ticket.
We look forward to the 76th annual ACA Convention and Trade Show, and you should too! REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN at www.BamaBeef.org/Convention or call Jessica today at (334) 265-1867. Mail-in forms are also available in your recent issue of the Alabama Cattleman or on the site listed above.
HOTEL ROOMS ARE ALMOST SOLD OUT! Be sure to get your room booked today and take advantage of our block pricing by mentioning “Alabama Cattlemen” when you call to book, or to book online, click here.
*Note to vendors: Ali Cantrell is now your trade show contact! Email Ali
NCBA Cattle Convention & Industry Trade Show
Staffers Erin Beasley, Ali Cantrell, Stephanie Fuller and the state officers are headed to New Orleans next week for the NCBA Annual Convention and Trade Show. For those coming for the day or to register on site be sure to use the ACA Member Discount Code ACACATTLECON. Also drop by our booth in the trade show which is #2602 for a visit, chair and some ACA swag!
Beef T-Shirts- RESTOCKED!
Those beloved Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner T-shirts sold in The MOOseum gift shop and the online store are officially restocked! If you’re in the market for a new favorite shirt, we’ve got what you need now available in all sizes. Check it out— as well as our huge hat and trinket selection— now at www.BamaBeef.org/Store.
COUNTY ANNUAL MEETINGS GOING STRONG
We’ve enjoyed seeing the highlights from all the county meetings and
loveto see the hard work of counties executed in their annual meeting. We look forward to many more still to come, which can be found on the Bama Beef Events Calendar. As a reminder, leading up to your county’s annual meeting, please contact Jessica Kennedy in our office to infor her of the date, time and location and to request a speaker! Remember, the earlier you get those dates to us, the earlier we can get them on our website and in the magazine!! Following the meeting, send Jessica any officer updates in order to update our system with corrected contact information for 2019. RVPs, we encourage you to reach out to your counties to let them know you plan to attend their meetings! That way, they can account for your meal.
ACA officers and staff are traveling across Alabama to attend meetings and are looking forward to visiting with YOU! This week, staffer Ali Cantrell will be attending the Shelby and Washington County Cattlemen’s Annual Meetings while others attend the Lee, Monroe, Lamar, Colbert, Jackson and Tuscaloosa County meetings.
As you’re collecting membership information to put into the system at your meetings, remember how important phone numbers and email addresses are! It is essential to county leaders and to us here at the state to be able to contact our members when needed. It helps everyone in the long run. Also, as a reminder, the three-year member dues have changed to $120 with $82 coming back to the state office.
The Word from Washington
There are two bills coming on the Senate floor this week. One is a bill 
sponsored by Sen. Shelby and supported by the president providing funding for the border wall in exchange for temporary protections for immigrants brought here as children. The second will be a bill approved by the Democratic-controlled House reopening government through Feb. 8— with no wall money— to give bargainers time to talk. The big question is can either get the 60 votes needed to pass? Most are saying no unless something big changes. With that said, there are middle-road Democrats in the House who have written a letter to Speaker Pelosi suggesting the House go on and negotiate with the president. We will keep you posted but things are heating up quickly as another paycheck is missed due to the partial shutdown!
PRIVATE TREATY SALES
Don’t forget! Private treaty sales still fall under the checkoff provision and require that cattlemen submit their checkoff remittance. Forgot all about that? Don’t worry…you’ve still got time to submit your 2018 private treaty sales, and we even made it easy for you to submit online at BamaBeef.org/PrivateTreaty. In just a few simple clicks and keystrokes, you can get square with your checkoff remittance and enjoy the benefits of your beef checkoff!
SLE RODEO- COMING TO TOWN!
The 62nd annual SLE Rodeo will come bucking back to town March 14-16 
for the best show on dirt east of the Mississippi! Ticket sales are now available, so give Kara Coplin a call at 888-2RODEO2. To learn more about this year’s SLE Rodeo & Livestock Week, visit www.SLERodeo.com.
Thanks for reading this week’s post! Until we post again, we want to remind you that you can stay in touch with us by following us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.