What’s Going On Wednesday: December 11, 2019

Only two more blogs left in the year 2019. Where, oh where, did this year go? It has been one for the books, we can tell you that! As we begin to head into the Christmas season and close up shop here at the office for the holiday, we want to give you just a few more updates. Keep reading to get all the news from you state Cattlemen’s headquarters. 


 

Join Us THIS SATURDAY

Bicentennial-768x435Bicentennial Day is this Saturday, and the staff in the office are busy preparing for the celebrations that are happening in downtown Montgomery. Montgomery County Cattlemen will be out in full force grilling burgers for volunteers that day and some samples as well for visitors that stop by. Montgomery Countian Gene Lazenby will be in the role of Cowboy Santa, and we will also have Junior Cattlemen from both Lowndes and Montgomery county coming to help as well. We will be hosting burger samples, rodeo games and tours of the brand new MOOseum! Come on out and join the fun! There will be activities all through downtown including food, music, historical tours, live music and a parade. The fun begins Saturday at 10 a.m.

 

 

2020 ACA CONVENTION & TRADE SHOW

Registration is now open for the 77th annual ACA Convention & Trade show Screenshot 2019-10-23 11.41.31to be held February 14-15 at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Convention Center. What better way to say “I love you” on Valentine’s Day than to bring your darlin’ to our Friday night event, the Sweetheart Shindig?  Not to mention all the fun and excitement around our General Sessions, featuring Donnell Brown of R.A. Brown Ranch and a CattleFax update, informative Cattlemen’s Colleges and Alabama’s biggest cattle industry trade show. We’ve also confirmed our Cattlemen’s Luncheon speaker, NCBA CEO Colin Woodall. Don’t miss this exciting event!

 

You can register online today and take advantage of those awesome Early Bird deals by visiting www.BamaBeef.org/Convention or you can call us at the office and we’ll take your registration by phone! Be sure to have your credit card handy and have an idea of what you and your’s would like to attend by checking out our mail-in form in the November issue of the Alabama Cattleman magazine.

 

 

NCBA Applaus U.S. Senate Introduction of Real MEAT Act

Press Release from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association:

WASHINGTON (Dec. 11, 2019) – The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) today applauded the introduction of the Real MEAT (Marketing Edible Artificials Truthfully) Act of 2019 by U.S. Senator Deb Fischer of Nebraska. The Senate bill is a companion to H.R. 4881, which was introduced by U.S. Representatives Roger Marshall (R – 1st Dist., Kansas) and Anthony Brindisi (D – 22nd Dist., N.Y.) in October.

“It’s clear that fake-meat companies are continuing to mislead consumers about the nutritional merits and actual ingredient composition of their products,” said NCBA President Jennifer Houston. “We commend the efforts of Senator Fischer on introducing this legislation, which would end deceptive labeling of fake meat products and allow cattle producers to compete on a level playing field.”

“Beef is derived from cattle—period,” Senator Fischer said. “Under USDA, beef undergoes a rigorous inspection and labeling process, but plant-based protein products that mimic beef and are sometimes labeled as beef are overseen by the FDA instead. These products are not held to the same food safety and labeling standards as beef. The NCBA has been a leader on this issue, and I am thankful for their strong support of the Real MEAT Act, which will protect consumers from deceptive marketing practices and bring transparency to the grocery store.”

Specifically, The Real Meat Act will:

1. Codify the Definition of Beef for Labeling Purposes
• Establish a federal definition of beef that applies to food labels;
• Preserve the Congressional Intent of the Beef Promotion and Research Act;

2. Reinforce Existing Misbranding Provisions to Eliminate Consumer Confusion
• FDA has misbranding provisions for false or misleading labels;
• Prevent further consumer confusion with alternative protein products;
• Clarify the imitation nature of these alternative protein products;

3.Enhance the Federal Government’s Ability to Enforce the Law
• FDA will have to notify USDA if an imitation meat product is determined to be misbranded;
• If FDA fails to undertake enforcement within 30 days of notifying USDA, the Secretary of Agriculture is granted authority to seek enforcement action.

 

 

Batter Up with the Barons

Screenshot 2019-12-11 13.52.42On Monday, staffer Ali Cantrell hit the road to Birmingham to meet with Mark Harwood of Associated Grocers of the South to talk about marketing and signage in the retail case that will entice our consumers to buy more beef. While she was up in the ‘Ham she also met with Richard Coates from the Birmingham Barons to discuss are upcoming sponsorship with the Barons for the 2020 season. When fans attend games this season they will hear the announcer declare our iconic phrase, “Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner” and see a nice, juicy steak on the jumbotron!

 

 

JLDC

Staffer Morgan Pounds joined the thousands of youth at the Joint Screenshot 2019-12-11 13.53.37Leadership Development Conference (JLDC) in Birmingham yesterday to talk about the Junior Cattlemen’s Association and the leadership opportunities it brings. She also gave out information on upcoming Youth Convention Contests. If you have not heard, we will be hosting three youth events this year at convention for youth ages 9-21! We will host all youth events Saturday February 15! Click here to learn more about events and rules.

 

 

MONTGOMERY AREA FOOD BANK DROP OFF

Speaking of The MOOseum, we are also proud to be a Montgomery Area MAFB_Logo_no_taglineFood Bank Drop Off location this year! Our venue will host a barrel where you can drop off all kinds of non-perishable food items to help address food insecurity in the River Region. We appreciate any and all donations!

 

 

Japan Welcomes U.S. Beef with Lower Tariffs

Last week the U.S. entered a trade deal with Japan that would level the playing field and provide expanded opportunities for U.S. beef and pork producers in the Japanese marketplace.

With tariff rates mirroring those imposed on major competitors, the United States Meat Exports Federation (USMEF) forecast for 2020 is for U.S. beef and pork exports to Japan to reach $2.3 billion and $1.7 billion, respectively.

“This agreement is one of the biggest developments in the history of red meat trade, as no international market delivers greater benefits to U.S. farmers and ranchers, and to the entire U.S. supply chain, than Japan,” said Dan Halstrom, CEO of the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

 

 

Junior Pasture to Rail Calves Are Off!

Screenshot 2019-12-11 13.55.22Junior Pasture to Rail calves are on their way to Hy-Plains Feedyard this week! Morgan met with our friend Alex Tigue of extensions and some juniors on Monday to kick start this program! If you would like to learn about the program and potentially sign up for next year, shoot Morgan an email to be put on mailing list for Junior Pasture to Rail 2020-2021! mpounds@bamabeef.org

 

 

Staffers Out & About

Staffers have been on the roads and in the air this week traveling to many different events and meetings! You’ve already read about several of those events, but to continue, on Tuesday evening, staffer Ali attended the Greene County meeting and was able to update the 80+ members in attendance about the checkoff programs. Johnny Gladney also got up and spoke about the Pasture to Rail program as well as the Junior Pasture to Rail Program.

On Monday, ACA Exec Erin Beasley popped over to her home county’s meeting in Macon County for a delicious steak at Elmer’s in Notasulga. The group had great attendance and hosted a livestock marketing panel which consisted of market owners.

Staffers Morgan Pounds and Kayla Greer will head south to Elba on Friday to enjoy a day with our incoming President, Larry Reeves, as they prepare for his introductory video, article and magazine cover. Be looking for the Reeves Family to grace the March 2020 edition of the Alabama Cattleman.

Last but certainly not least, Director of Rodeo Programs Lauren Wilson is in Las Vegas this week attending the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. While there, she will be doing some contestant and national sponsor recruiting for our SLE Rodeo as well as meeting the team with Frontier Rodeo Co. and our featured entertainers! This is an excellent PRCA networking opportunity for Lauren to match faces with the many names she speaks to on the phone! Tickets go on sale for the 2020 SLE Rodeo on December 15- don’t miss it!

 

 

ACA Holiday Hours

The Alabama Cattlemen’s Association will be open Monday, December Screenshot 2019-12-11 13.57.1423 and then close until Thursday, January 2 in observance of the Christmas and New Year holidays! Staffers will likely be checking email, so feel free to send those our way throughout the break, but if you need to place an online order or call us with questions, you have until the 24th to do so.

 

 

RODEO TICKET SALES GO LIVE SOON!

sle-logoBoy, do we have a stocking stuffer for you! That’s right, just in time for Santa Claus to make his grand appearance in homes across Alabama, we’ll have 2020 SLE Rodeo tickets on sale just in case you need one last item! Gift the gift of rodeo to your loved ones this year and be on the lookout for tickets to go on sale to the public on December 15! Learn more about the show and stay updated with new announcements by visiting 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 FacebookTwitter or Instagram.

What’s Going On Wednesday: December 4, 2019

Welcome back! We hope you and your family enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving feast together and that beef found its way onto your table. Now, as we string the Christmas lights and put up the tree, we’d like to wish you a very Merry Christmas! December is usually a slower time around the office as we prepare to close the books on 2019 and are looking ahead to 2020. Our biggest agenda items include traveling to county annual meetings and sales and continuing to make preparations for our upcoming convention. With that said, keep reading to see what we’ve been up to this week! 


 

2020 ACA CONVENTION & TRADE SHOW

Registration is now open for the 77th annual ACA Convention & Trade show Screenshot 2019-10-23 11.41.31to be held February 14-15 at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Convention Center. What better way to say “I love you” on Valentine’s Day than to bring your darlin’ to our Friday night event, the Sweetheart Shindig?  Not to mention all the fun and excitement around our General Sessions, featuring Donnell Brown of R.A. Brown Ranch and a CattleFax update, informative Cattlemen’s Colleges and Alabama’s biggest cattle industry trade show. We’ve also confirmed our Cattlemen’s Luncheon speaker, NCBA CEO Colin Woodall. Don’t miss this exciting event!

 

You can register online today and take advantage of those awesome Early Bird deals by visiting www.BamaBeef.org/Convention or you can call us at the office and we’ll take your registration by phone! Be sure to have your credit card handy and have an idea of what you and your’s would like to attend by checking out our mail-in form in the November issue of the Alabama Cattleman magazine.

 

 

Alabama Forage Conference & Other Stops Along the Way

Screenshot 2019-12-04 09.04.58This week staffer Morgan Pounds hit the road to visit north Alabama. On Monday, Morgan stopped by North West Alabama Livestock Auction for the weekly sale. She enjoyed visiting with the producers and buyers of northwest Alabama. Morgan County President Ray Ward and Vice President Walton Ashwander then joined her at Such-N-Such Burger in Decatur on Tuesday. While there, cattlemen and staff presented the restaurant with their finalist plaque for Bama’s Best Burger contest and enjoyed a tasty lunch, the Heart Attack Burger. Today, Morgan is at the Alabama Forage conference at Joe Wheeler State Park in Rogersville. If you are at the conference, be sure to stop by our trade show booth and see her.

 

 

Celebrating Alabama’s 200th Birthday

Bicentennial-768x435Join us as we celebrate Alabama’s 200th year of statehood on Saturday, December 14 in downtown Montgomery! It will be a day packed with events all across the downtown area. Here at ACA, The MOOseum will be hosting its grand re-opening with tours, rodeo games in our parking lot, beef samples and plenty of photo opps with tractors and none other than Cowboy Santa! Events begin at 10 a.m. and they day will host tours at all of downtown’s historical sites, a parade, Gov. Ivey’s presentation of the new Bicentennial Park, food trucks, games, live music and all kinds of fun. Don’t miss out and join us here at The MOOseum!

 

 

Montgomery Area Food Bank Drop Off

Speaking of The MOOseum, we are also proud to be a Montgomery Area MAFB_Logo_no_taglineFood Bank Drop Off location this year! Our venue will host a barrel where you can drop off all kinds of non-perishable food items to help address food insecurity in the River Region. We appreciate any and all donations!

 

 

Membership Update

ACA logo- meme size copyWe closed out the 2019 membership year with 9,522 members and are excited to move into 2020 with the goal of 10,000! Let’s get there together. We’ve sent our first round of 2020 membership statements, and if they haven’t already, they’ll be hitting mailboxes soon! County secretaries should be on the lookout for those remittances and start inputting them into the i4a system! For questions or a refresher, don’t forget you can contact Jessica Kennedy here at our office or can visit www.BamaBeef.org/i4a for instructional videos.

As county annual meetings fire up and you need reports, shoot Jessica an email as she will generate what you need!

 

 

County Annual Meeting Calendar Full!

Speaking of county annual meetings, our state officers and staff are burning up the roads as we attend these funs nights of fellowship. This week alone, Ali Cantrell attended the Covington County Annual Meeting and will head north on Thursday to the Talladega County meeting. While she heads north on Thursday, staffer Kayla Greer will head south to attend the Lowndes County Annual Meeting, while Morgan Pounds heads up I-65 to Bibb County. The Dekalb County Cattlemen’s group will also be meeting this week on Thursday…and that’s just this week!! We enjoy getting out and about to visit with you guys, so if you haven’t already let us know about your upcoming meeting, email Jessica at our office!

 

 

ACA Hosts AISA All Stars

Each year in December, we look forward to the opportunity to host the Alabama Independent School Association (AISA) All-Star Football players as they are in town for the big game! It’s no secret that a bunch of high school football players love beef, so it is always an excellent opportunity for us to power them up with a complete and nutritious protein before they hit the gridiron. While here, they will learn a little about the ACA and about the many benefits of beef. Special thanks to ACA Past President Jimmy Holliman for helping us facilitate this opportunity each year. Let us know if we should be on the lookout for your son or grandson!

 

 

Rodeo Ticket Sales Go Live Soon!

sle-logoBoy, do we have a stocking stuffer for you! That’s right, just in time for Santa Claus to make his grand appearance in homes across Alabama, we’ll have 2020 SLE Rodeo tickets on sale just in case you need one last item! Gift the gift of rodeo to your loved ones this year and be on the lookout for tickets to go on sale to the public on December 15! Learn more about the show and stay updated with new announcements by visiting 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 FacebookTwitter or Instagram.

What’s Going On Wednesday: November 20, 2019

Welcome back! We apologize for so many weeks  without a blog, but it has been a busy time of meetings here at the ACA. Hopefully, you got to attend one of those meetings and hear an update anyway!! If not, then this week’s blog is right up your alley. Keep reading to learn more about what’s happening this week and what has been happening in previous weeks. Enjoy!


 

Membership Update

ACA logo- meme size copyThe membership update of the week is 9,446 members! It looks like we are going to close out 2019 with just at 9,500 members and that drives us full force to get that big 10,000 next year! The good news is that we start the year with over 3,300 members as we’ve got a load of three-year members already on the 2020 list!

 

It’s a busy time for county annual meetings. Please send Membership Coordinator Jessica Kennedy your upcoming county meeting information so we can get that published in the Alabama Cattleman magazine, the Bama Beef Online Events Calendar and inform staff/officers! Also, if you want a postcard made to notify members, be sure to make that request at least two weeks in advance!

 

After your meeting, be sure to call our office to let us know who your new leaders are! We will need their name, address, cell phone number and email address to keep them updated with information from the state office.

 

Lastly, membership statements for the 2020 year are set to go out the first of next week. These statements will target our 2019 non-renewed members and those whose membership will expire the first half of 2020, prior to the red coat deadline. Be on the lookout for those!

 

 

2020 ACA Convention & Trade Show

Registration is now open for the 77th annual ACA Convention & Trade show Screenshot 2019-10-23 11.41.31to be held February 14-15 at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Convention Center. What better way to say “I love you” on Valentine’s Day than to bring your darlin’ to our Friday night event, the Sweetheart Shindig?  Not to mention all the fun and excitement around our General Sessions, featuring Donnell Brown of R.A. Brown Ranch and a CattleFax update, informative Cattlemen’s Colleges and Alabama’s biggest cattle industry trade show. Don’t miss this exciting event!

 

You can register online today and take advantage of those awesome Early Bird deals by visiting www.BamaBeef.org/Convention or you can call us at the office and we’ll take your registration by phone! Be sure to have your credit card handy and have an idea of what you and your’s would like to attend by checking out our mail-in form in the November issue of the Alabama Cattleman magazine.

 

 

Junior Cattlemen Getting Involved!

The AJCA board of directors have been out and about trying to make county meetings in their elected districts! The board expressed interest in setting foot in their district’s county meetings to update county members on junior events to come.

One of the featured talking points is that this year at convention, we will be holding THREE educational contests for youth ages 9-21 involved in AJCA, 4-H or FFA. We will be hosting a public speaking contest and quiz bowl for all age division. ACA also will host a career development contest for the senior age division to allow them to build on their resume and interview skills. The Alabama State Checkoff will be sponsoring the youth educational contest and awarding scholarships to winners. Click here to learn more about contest and register!

 

 

Legislative Update from the Exec Office

In the past few weeks, three key issues have been tackled in Washington DC.

    1. First, a letter has been submitted to the US Fish and Wildlife Service requesting that the Service promulgate new Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) rules to increase flexibility for cattlemen to protect their livelihoods from protected avian predators.
    2. The Real MEAT (Marketing Edible Artificials Truthfully) Act dropped in the House of Representatives with bipartisan support which addresses the false marketing of plant-based products as meat. This is a key piece of legislation that takes a step in the right direction to protect the misbranding of our product in the meat case.
    3. Another bill was introduced to help with hours of service for livestock haulers. This legislation looks to add 150 air mile radius on the back end of hauls to give some more flexibility on total hours of drivetime. Currently, we have 150 air miles on the front end followed by drivetime of 11 hours once a hauler gets out of the air mile radius. The addition would be helpful to give another few hours on the last leg of a trip.

All of these issues will continue to be addressed and we will work to see action on them going forward.

 

 

BEEF 101 at Auburn

State Checkoff color_nobackgroundThis week ACA is hosting two BEEF 101 programs in Auburn. Today, ACA Director of Education and Outreach Ali Cantrell will be teaching 45 culinary students from Lawson State Community college and Wenonah High School with the help of Misty and Jason Edmondson. Friday, November 22 will host 60 students from Summerdale High School FACS program who will be hearing from Ali Cantrell and Chambers County cattleman Jim Collins.

 

 

BQA in The Black Belt

ACA staffers Kayla Greer and Morgan Pounds will head to the Black Belt AL BQAResearch & Extension Center tomorrow for a BQA training and certification hosted by Dallas County Cattlemen led by the charge of current YCLP student Bryan Monk. We look forward to visiting with producers who are looking to gain their certifications or renew them!

 

 

Events, Events & More Events

Staffers have been burning up the roads traveling to sales and other cattlemen events! Recently, officer and/or staff were present at the Salacoa Valley Farms sale, Tennessee River Music bull sale, Gibbs Farms sale, BEEF U in Auburn, the Clay County Cattlemen’s Annual Meeting, Barbour County Annual Meeting, the Frank Tuner & Sons sale, South Alabama Bull Sale, the Alabama Farmers Federation Annual Ag Foundation Skeet Shoot, Down South Grill Fest in Mobile County and the Fall Sale at Mid-State Stockyard, among others! The calendar still looks full as we head into a busy county annual meeting season. We enjoy getting out and seeing all you fine folks!

 

 

SLE Rodeo Making Strides Toward a Great 2020 Show

sle-logoSignificant work continues for the 2020 SLE Rodeo which includes sponsorships, ticketing and planning of the event itself. Tickets will go on sale to the public on December 15. Have you seen the newly re-designed www.SleRodeo.com? If not, take a look and use it to keep up with all of the fun happening at this exciting event!

 

ACA Director of Rodeo Programs Lauren Wilson has been at work with members of her sponsorship committee bringing in new and potential sponsors, and those new connections are paying off! We are excited of new partnerships coming to the show. If you want to become a sponsor, reach out to Lauren or visit our website at www.SLERodeo.com/Sponsor and complete the form or just learn more about opportunities!

 

Lauren  also met with several committee chairs at the end of October to learn what she could about each committee to be able to better help and serve them. The meeting was very successful and she has a better knowledge of the ins-and-outs of our committees, their roles and how she can go to work for them.

 

We are excited to announce that on March 14-15, the weekend prior to the show, the SLE will host an Alabama Stock Horse Association Clinic and Show! More details to come on that, but we are thrilled for this new event.

 

 

Bama’s Best Burger Presentation

Barbour County Cattlemen and representatives from the Alabama 72179696_1761543423981653_1371720805251022848_nCattlemen’s Association state officer team and staff gathered at Brickstone Burgers & Brews on Monday in Eufaula to present owners Dwayne and Angie Register a plaque acknowledging the restaurant’s recent honor of being named home to Bama’s Best Burger. The award-winning dish, the Brickstone Burger, is a beef patty topped with bacon, blue cheese crumbles, banana peppers and Sriracha sauce. This title was earned after a two-month battle on the Cattlemen’s Facebook page and an anonymous judging round with a panel of three beef industry judges. The Bama’s Best Beef contest is sponsored by the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association with support from the Alabama Beef Checkoff Program. Their burgers earned two thumbs up from our crew!

 

 

YCLP Class VI Meets for a Final Time

71652172_1754567054679290_3265907124881850368_oYCLP Class VI finished up their last session in the Wiregrass two weekends ago. The class got the opportunity to see JYJ Red Angus owned by Jim and Jessica Yance, Southern Cattle Company, and the Wiregrass Research & Extension Center managed by Rickey Hudson. Special thanks to Jim Yance, Ken Stewart, and Ricky Hudson for welcoming the class with southern hospitality. This wrapped up YCLP Class VI stops, and next on the agenda is graduation at convention! We are proud of this year’s graduates and all they have already accomplished towards becoming leaders of this association.

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving

It may be coined Turkey Day, but beef deserves a place at any holiday table! 5f860838381d3dafdcff519db9ddfc83To learn about unique ways to feature beef in your Thanksgiving tablescape,   read our most recent blog post from Registered Dietitian Elesha Ergle.

 

With the holiday in mind, we would like to note that the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association and The MOOseum will be closed next Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29 in observance of the holiday. Normal business hours will resume on Monday, December 2. Happy Thanksgiving from us here at the ACA!

 

 

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 FacebookTwitter or Instagram.

Beef Up the Holiday Season

By Elesha Ergle, RDN

 

The holidays are here! It is hard to believe that we are already in preparation for our Thanksgiving feasts. Thanksgiving may lovingly be known as “Turkey Day,” but every holiday spread deserves some beef! Beef is a versatile choice for the holidays providing high quality protein in a low-calorie package. Reach for some of these awesome ideas over the coming days and weeks.

 

 

Beefing Up Breakfasts

Many of us have overnight guests during the holidays, and we want to feed them more than a toaster pastry or bowl of cereal for breakfast. This easy Breakfast Scramble can be made ahead of time and cooked when your guests are ready to eat. If you have a house full of people with a variety of tastes, grab some mugs and a variety of ingredients for Beef and Egg Breakfast Mugs. Your guests can make their own creation to their liking and cook individually in the microwave.

 

 

Hors d’oeuvres

In many families the holiday meal isn’t at a regular “meal time,” and appetizers might be the key to keeping everyone from becoming hangry until the main course is served. Try some Corned Beef and Pickle Dip that’s a cinch to make and serve. Simple, easy, and loaded with flavor, these Flaky Beef Stuffed Pinwheels are a wonderful addition to your holiday appetizer tray. If you’re looking for something tasty and different for a football gathering or a “Friendsgiving” party, try these Cheeseburger Egg Rolls.

 

 

Beef Up Turkey Day

Yes, maybe it’s turkey day…but you can have your turkey and beef too! Bring some beef to the table with some amazing side dishes. Change up your stuffing with Beef Stuffing with Apples and Cranberries. Add new tradition to your table with this Beefed Up Mac and Cheese that will have the kids asking for more. If you really want to change it up this year, make beef the star of your Thanksgiving with this Classic Beef Tenderloin Roast with Cranberry Drizzle. This healthy recipe is certified by the American Heart Association and will bring flavor and nutrition to your table any time of the year.

 

 

The holidays are a great time to try  new recipes and eat more beef with the company of friends and family! While it can be a time of over indulging and putting on added weight, lean beef can play a part in keeping your holidays fit. A 3-ounce serving of lean beef provides 25 grams of protein and only 173 calories! For more information on beef’s nutrition and health benefits, and to find out more about beef from pasture to plate, visit Beef It’s What’s For Dinner.

 

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Alabama Cattlemen’s Association!

 

 

State Checkoff color_nobackgroundThis article was funded by the Alabama Beef Checkoff Progam. Paid for by Alabama beef farmers and ranchers.

What’s Going On Wednesday: October 23, 2019

Ah, feels like fall! Before we know it, we’ll be gathering around the table for Thanksgiving, then gathering around the tree to hear the Christmas story and open gifts. Folks, 2019 is drawing near to an end already if you can believe it. But it can’t end without first accomplishing a busy sale season, finishing up October Beef Month, kicking off county annual meetings and before we set the 2020 Beef Checkoff Marketing Plan and budgets. So much to do and so little time, but as we mentioned on an Instagram comment yesterday, “it is truly our greatest pleasure.” 


 

ALABAMA CATTLEMEN’S FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS

ATAG-_Scholarship_APPLY_19pplications for 2019-2020 Alabama Cattlemen’s Foundation scholarships are now open and are set to close on November 1, 2019. That’s just over a week away, so get those apps in!! This year’s lineup of scholarships include those funded by the sale of the Cowboy vanity car tag, such as the “Tagged for Greatness” scholarship, as well as many endowed scholarships from generous families. An addition to the many award opportunities this year is a Trade School Scholarship for students attending a trade school program in the state of Alabama. Be sure to check out our many scholarships and get those applications submitted by November 1.

 

Award recipients will be honored at the 2020 Alabama Cattlemen’s Foundation Scholarship Banquet to be held April 11, 2020 at the Wetumpka Civic Center in Wetumpka, AL. More information and applications can be found online at www.BamaBeef.org/Scholarships.

 

 

Fall Beef 101 Programs

On Thursday, ACA Director of Education and Outreach Ali Cantrell looks forward to hosting a Beef 101 program with the Drake University Culinary Program and for students from Holtville High School in Elmore County. It’s a busy time of year for Beef 101 and a great time for us to teach influencers about the nutritional benefits and life cycle of our favorite protein, beef! If you would like to participate in one of these programs coming up, let Ali know!

 

 

Alabama Forage Conference

Screenshot 2019-10-23 09.24.15Save the date and hop online to www.BamaBeef.org/Forage to learn more  and register for this year’s Alabama Forage Conference. Themed “Diversifying Alabama Forage Systems,” this conference will take place December 3-4 at Joe Wheeler State Park in Rogersville, AL. Conference topics will include “using annuals to extend the grazing season,”Alfalfa and Bermudagrass,” and “grazing cover crops.” For only $65, you’ll get the information from this conference and enjoy the pre-conference tour. Learn more at the website above!

 

 

SLE Rodeo- Moving & Shaking!

ACA Director of Rodeo Programs Lauren Wilson has hit the ground sle-logorunning since she gone on October 1. Not only has she gotten hitched, but she’s already began gathering rodeo committees to activate them in their specific roles. On Monday, Lauren and Ali met with Ed Whatley to discuss rodeo vendor opportunities. Ali is heading up vendors and is working on layout and prices for space inside or out of the Coliseum. Vendor information will be available soon!

 

This morning, SLE Executive Director Erin Beasley and Lauren met with the sponsorship committee to establish sponsorship levels and packages and creating a list of target sponsors to reach out too. This was an exciting meeting and very encouraging as sponsorships are so important to this show! Thanks to all who joined us and offered valuable input.

 

Lastly (for this week at least), Lauren and Erin will meet with Coliseum staff to finalize vendor layout, discuss hospitality tent area and set up ticket sales. Be on the look out for tickets to become available for purchase in December..just in time for Christmas!

 

Also- the new www.SLERodeo.com will go live on November 1. Get ready to explore the site and learn all about this year’s rodeo and its fun opportunities!

 

 

Talkin’ Beef with BCIA

39211654_275617986551544_6739440034073542656_oACA Director of Field Services Morgan Pounds will be in attendance at the Alabama Beef Cattle Improvement Association (BCIA) Board of Directors Meeting on Thursday. She plans to give updates from the association, brag on Beef Month activities, remind members about our scholarships and talking about stockyard visits while taking in all the new information from the BCIA. As always, we are excited to be part of this group.

 

 

Save the Dates- 2020 ACA Convention & Trade Show

Screenshot 2019-10-23 11.41.31Cattle Drive to the Capital as we saddle up for a Valentines Day Weekend event filled with beef cattle news, updates and awards. We’ll be in Montgomery on February 14-15 for the 77th annual convention featuring educational sessions, guest speakers, youth public speaking, quiz bowl and career development and the largest cattle industry trade show in the state of Alabama. Don’t miss out! Save the dates and get ready for those great deals with Early Bird Registration opening on November 15.

 

 

Membership Update

Membership # of the Day: 9,394

Board members, be sure to RSVP to Jessica Kennedy about our upcoming ACA logo- meme size copyBoard Meeting to be held on November 14, 2019 at the Cattlemen’s Building in Montgomery. Also, if you would like to attend next week’s Alabama Beef Checkoff Task Force meeting to help plan the use of next year’s checkoff dollars, let us know!! Any and all are invited- we need your input! Don’t hesitate to call and let us know you’d like to attend at (334) 265-1867.

 

 

Alabama Junior & Senior High School Beef Cook-Off

Does your county host a beef cook-off in coordination with local Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) programs? If you answered yes, then keep reaching!! If you answered no but would like to, contact Ali Cantrell at our office and she can help get you started!

Back to those who answered yes. Rules and registration for the 2020 state cook-off are now live at www.BamaBeef.org/Cookoff. The event this year will be hosted on April 4, 2020 at Carver High School in Montgomery. If you have any questions, contact Ali.

 

 

Coffee County Youth Day

ACA Director of Field Services Morgan Pounds is meeting with 30 youth from Coffee County Young Leadership Program. These young people come from 5 different schools in the county and compete in leadership contests, applications and interviews to get in the program. Today, these youth are touring ACA President-Elect Larry Reeves’ operation today and learning about jobs and opportunities in both the beef and poultry industries. Morgan was glad to be part of this tour and offer insight into the impact beef production has on the state of Alabama.

 

 

Consumer Marketing

This week, along with social media efforts promoting beef, we published a blog with the help of our contract Registered Dietician Elesha Ergle about savory, fall comfort dishes! This blog post came just in time for the  cold front that pushed through our state and hopefully gave readers some good ideas for cozy, fall foods! To further push that marketing effort, a consumer newsletter twill publish on Thursday to provide over 10,000 recipients a further look into beef recipes and information. We’re encouraging consumers to Savor the Flavors of Fall…with Beef!

 

 

TRADE SHOW REGISTRATION NOW LIVE

Registration is open for the trade show at the 77th annual ACA Convention & Trade Show happening in Montgomery on February 14-15. That’s right, bring your sweetheart to town and enjoy promoting your product or service to Alabama’s largest gathering of cattlemen! Please contact staffer Ali Cantrell if you would like to be a vendor at the 2020 show or visit www.BamaBeef.org/Convention to register online with a credit card.

 

 

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 FacebookTwitter or Instagram.

Savor the Flavors of Fall

By Elesha Ergle, RDN

Follow Elesha on Twitter & Instagram: @EleshaErgleRDN

 

 

October is Beef Month in Alabama, and it’s time to get some fall recipes together for cooler weather! Whether it’s your first pot of chili or a new recipe for meatloaf, you can make beef the star of your comfort foods for the season. A three-ounce portion of lean beef provides 25 grams of protein for only 173 calories, so you can have your protein without all the additional calories!

 

 

Quick Comforts

Meatloaf is one of the favorites at our house, and nothing says comfort food quite like a hearty meatloaf and mashed potatoes. With our busy schedules, who has time to make a homemade meatloaf? Insert the Instant Pot here! This recipe for One-Pot Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes Supreme. You can have this home-cooked meal in minutes, not hours. Beef up your macaroni and cheese with this Cheeseburger Macaroni recipe that will keep the kids asking for more! Quick, easy, and just a few ingredients to get it together.

 

 

Chili Day

Kick off the cooler weather with your first pot of chili! So many options, which one to choose…with beans or without, with tomatoes, hot or mild. Whatever your taste buds prefer, get warmed up with these favorites. This Three Bean and Beef Chili is packed with protein and deliciousness or this Stovetop Chili Mac that is a combination of flavors that is sure to be a hit with your family.

 

 

Pot Roastin’

The ultimate comfort food…pot roast. So many variations of this wonderful dish, many have their own favorites. For a delicious, tender roast, start with a chuck or shoulder roast. For optimal tenderness and flavor, cook low and slow in slow cooker, oven, or in an electric pressure cooker. This Instant Pot Mississippi Pot Roast is a favorite around our house. If you like a more traditional roast, try this Classic Sunday Pot Roast.

 

Get your fall recipes going with beef! For more recipes, nutrition and food safety information, and to learn more about beef from pasture to plate, visit Beef It’s What’s For Dinner. Happy Beef Month and Happy Fall, Ya’ll!

 

 

State Checkoff color_nobackgroundThis article was funded by the Alabama Beef Checkoff Progam. Paid for by Alabama beef farmers and ranchers.

What’s Going On Wednesday: October 2, 2019

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”
― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

Welcome to October, or should be say Hotober? With a still-dry forecast in view, we at least are seeing a glimmer of hope for some cooler temperatures headed our way. Maybe we will get a Fall season, after all! While you settle into the seasonal shift and all it brings- feeding hay, new calves, etc- we are bustling around the office as our calendar is bursting at the seams with sales, educational programs and BEEF PROMOTION because it’s OCTOBER BEEF MONTH IN ALABAMA! Keep reading to learn more about all that’s happening at the ACA this week. 

NOTE: As staffers Kayla Greer and Ali Cantrell head to Denver for a national beef checkoff update next week, there will be no blog post on Wednesday, October 9. We’ll see you again on October 16!


 

 

New Faces on Team ACA

Screenshot 2019-10-02 09.22.04
Dougherty

It has been an exciting week as we’ve welcomed not one, but two new faces to our staff this week! On Monday, we welcomed Sydney Dougherty into the role of The MOOseum Coordinator. Sydney will be the friendly face to welcome visitors to The MOOseum, the friendly voice that answers our phones and the lady behind our many online store order shipments, among other roles!Born and raised in Notasulga, Sydney graduated from Reeltown High Schoo and studied at Southern Union State Community College in Opelika.She married her husband, Dustin Dougherty, in 2016 and the couple calls Fitzpatrick home. The Dougherty family has a small herd of commercial cattle she and Dustin manage. “I am excited to be a part of ACA to provide knowledge to people in the community who are unfamiliar with cattle and be able to help others within the state who have cattle.”

 

Screenshot 2019-10-02 09.21.55
Terry (Wilson)

After an exciting Monday of training Sydney in her new role, Tuesday welcomed Lauren Terry to the new position of Director of Rodeo Programs.  Don’t get too used to the name, though, as in just 11 short days, she will become Mrs. Wilson. A native of Moulton, Lauren’s role will be to plan and execute the annual SLE Rodeo that takes place each March in Montgomery along with assisting the association on events during the year. Her background includes competing in rodeo, organizing a local rodeo with her family and serving as Miss Rodeo USA for the International Pro Rodeo Association (IPRA) which took her across the country promoting rodeo.

 

To contact Sydney, call us at (334) 265-1867 or email her at sdougherty@bamabeef.org. To reach out to Lauren, give us a call or email her at lwilson@bamabeef.org

 

 

Fall means Fair!

Fall means several things in Alabama, but the welcoming of the season Screenshot 2019-10-02 09.53.56means one huge event in the world of Alabama ag…the Alabama National Fair! It is officially fair week as  the Alabama National Fair is kicking off on Friday! Good luck to all the exhibitors competing in livestock shows! ACA staffer Morgan Pounds will be out in the barns to lend a helping hand throughout the Beef Livestock Shows this weekend and Monday.

Staffers Ali Cantrell and Kayla Greer will also be making an appearance during fair week as Ali is helping coordinate and judge the Where’s the Beef? Cook Off event happening next Friday, and Kayla helps judge the photography contest happening tomorrow!

 

 

Alabama Drought

As a result of the extreme drought conditions in Alabama, state transportation and agriculture officials are working to issue special hay hauler permits. This no-cost process is a combined effort of the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries (ADAI) and the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) to provide emergency relief to livestock producers.

Drought conditions in Alabama continue to worsen, not only due to the lack of rain, but intensified by triple-digit, record breaking highs during the past month. According to the Alabama Drought Monitor, in just the past week, areas affected by the drought in the state have increased over 35 percent. A sharp increase in drought intensity and coverage conditions are expected to quickly escalate because current dry conditions often materialize more quickly than the precipitation data indicates due to the intense heat.

To transport over-dimensional loads of hay within Alabama, dimensions must not exceed 12 feet wide by 14 feet high. A no-cost permit is currently available from ALDOT until December 31, 2019.

Haulers must be registered in ALDOT’s database to receive the no-cost permit. To be added to the ALDOT database as a new hauler, please complete a New Hauler Letter Form available on ALDOT’s website at www.dot.state.al.us.

If you do not have internet access, you may also call 1-800-499-2782. The following information will need to be provided to the ALDOT staff member who answers your call:

  • Truck/trailer tag numbers
  • Route information
  • City and state of origin and destination

Additionally, the worsening drought conditions escalate the immediate need for hay producers and livestock producers to communicate their hay availability and needs. The Alabama Hay Listing webpage,www.agi.alabama.gov/s/haylist, provides an avenue for farmers who have hay available to list for sale, the type, size, quality and quantity they have available. Also, on the same page, farmers in need of hay, can search for hay in their area that is available for purchase.

Other resources are available to cattlemen at www.alabamadrought.com

 

Screenshot 2019-10-02 10.41.18
The ACA submitted a letter this week to the state climatologist outlining the widespread drought conditions across the state for cattle producers and the severity also caused by the heat. The letter also detailed effects of the drought on the cattle industry in the coming months as a result of the drought. This letter will also be shared with the governor’s office. The drought map is updated each week and more counties need to be sited as D2 drought status so that producers can apply for the Livestock Forage Program at their local Farm Service Agency office. Stay tuned for more details in coming weeks.

 

Talkin’ Beef at Samford University

On Thursday ACA Director of Education & Outreach Ali Cantrell and beef checkoff contract Registered Dietician Elesha Ergle will present on the beef life cycle to nutrition students at Samford University. Ali will be presenting on the journey from pasture to plate and cooking up a delicious beefy dish. Elesha will lead discussion on incorporating beef into a healthy lifestyle.

 

 

Speaking of Talking…

ACA Executive Vice President Erin Beasley recorded a radio segment on “The Land Show”, sponsored by Southeastern Land Group this morning which will air sometime this fall statewide. The ACA thanks the hosts of the show Jonathan Goode and Dave Milton for allowing us to be on the show to promote October Beef Month and provide an update on the cattle industry.

 

 

Sales, Sales and More Sales!

Director of Field Services Morgan Pounds is really putting her title to the test this week as she is hitting the field! On Tuesday, Morgan stopped by Uniontown for Alabama Livestock Auction’s 50 Fancy Crossbred Heifer Sale. Today, she is joining ACA President Chris Langley in Roanoke to catch their weekly sale. Be sure to stop by and say hello to our state president and staffer if you happen to be in area!

This weekend will also activate our staff and officers as we head to sales across the state. While staffer Kayla Greer stops into the 31st annual Alabama Connection Sale at Quail Valley Farms on Friday, ACA Vice President Clay Kennamer will stop in at the Bar 7 Genetics 2nd Annual Female Sale on Saturday. Stop and say hi if you see us around!

 

 

Disaster Relief

The ACA has been working continuously with the Department of Agriculture on a possible state block grant to assist with disaster relief from Hurricane Michael. It has been a long process, but we are confident that the pieces are beginning to come together for USDA to hopefully award disaster money to state departments to administer. Our involvement has been to assist with the formula in which affected cattle producers will be paid for losses. There is no guarantee that the state block grant will be awarded which would mean relief money would be paid out by the federal government. More to come as the process progresses.

Membership Update

Membership Count of the Day: 9,358
County presidents and secretaries are encouraged to email Membership Coordinator Jessica Kennedy with information about their county annual meetings, should you already have the date set! We’d love to go ahead and get that info up on our calendar, get a staffer or officer assigned and get it on the list for the November magazine.

With the kickoff of October Beef Month, we would like to remind cattlemen leaders to take photos and send them to us! We want to brag on all your awesome county activities on social media and in the magazine! If you’re reading books for Cowboys in the Classroom, selling steak sandwiches, hosting an event or serving a charity of any sort, let us know!! To stay up to date with events, visit the Bama Beef Events Calendar at www.BamaBeef.org/Events.

If you need supplies for October Beef Month, call Ali Cantrell at (334) 265-1867.

 

 

ACA + ADEM

ACA participated in an Alabama Department of Environmental Science (ADEM) working group, which meets twice a year to discuss industry updates with the department. Agriculture is well represented and stays in correspondence with staff at ADEM to assist with any regulatory hurdles or needs.

 

 

ALABAMA CATTLEMEN’S FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS

ATAG-_Scholarship_APPLY_19pplications for 2019-2020 Alabama Cattlemen’s Foundation scholarships are now open and are set to close on November 1, 2019. This year’s lineup of scholarships include those funded by the sale of the Cowboy vanity car tag, such as the “Tagged for Greatness” scholarship, as well as many endowed scholarships from generous families. An addition to the many award opportunities this year is a Trade School Scholarship for students attending a trade school program in the state of Alabama. Be sure to check out our many scholarships and get those applications submitted by November 1.

 

Award recipients will be honored at the 2020 Alabama Cattlemen’s Foundation Scholarship Banquet to be held April 11, 2020 at the Wetumpka Civic Center in Wetumpka, AL. More information and applications can be found online at www.BamaBeef.org/Scholarships.

 

BEEFFEST AT SWEETCREEK

70361182_1690994467703216_6002921969660461056_oOctober 12-13 is sure to be a great time as we team up with the folks at SweetCreek Farm Market and Alabama Department of Ag and Industries to host the first-ever BeefFest in conjunction with the venue’s annual pumpkin festival! Make a road trip to Pike Road, AL for fun games, craft vendors, a beef chili cook-off and a coloring contest for kiddos. ACA staff and volunteers will be present to tell the pasture to plate story while serving up some delicious beef chili samples. Don’t miss out on all the fun!

 

 

TRADE SHOW REGISTRATION NOW LIVE

Registration is open for the trade show at the 77th annual ACA ConventionACA logo- meme size copy & Trade Show happening in Montgomery on February 14-15. That’s right, bring your sweetheart to town and enjoy promoting your product or service to Alabama’s largest gathering of cattlemen! Please contact staffer Ali Cantrell if you would like to be a vendor at the 2020 show or visit www.BamaBeef.org/Convention to register online with a credit card.

 

 

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 FacebookTwitter or Instagram.

What’s Going On Wednesday: September 25, 2019

Can it really be true? Next time we meet here on the blog it’s going to be October…already?! Wow, we must be having a lot of fun around here because time sure is flying. While we continue on in our efforts on the farm and here in Montgomery, take just a second to catch up on all that’s happening at the ACA this week. Fall months bring busy calendars, so saddle up for sales, October Beef Month promotions and so much more!


 

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

Membership Count of the Day: 9,345
County presidents and secretaries are encouraged to email Membership Coordinator Jessica Kennedy with information about their county annual meetings, should you already have the date set! We’d love to go ahead and get that info up on our calendar, get a staffer or officer assigned and get it on the list for the November magazine! Thanks to the MANY counties who responded to last week’s call for dates and check out who’s meeting when by visiting the Bama Beef Events Calendar at www.BamaBeef.org/Events.

 

 

Sysco Fall Buying Expo

68682413_1705291629606833_1088252199210844160_nToday, Beef will be front and center at Sysco’s Fall Buying Expo at The Finley Center in Hoover. ACA Director of Education & Outreach Ali Cantrell and chefs from Sysco will be hosting a booth at the protein section of the food show and will be teaching customers how to cut ribeye steaks that they can take home and enjoy. They will also be able to take some good beefy recipes with them from beefitswhatsfordinner.com.

 

 

Staffers Hit Sales

Staffer Morgan Pounds will be hitting some more sale barns this weekend. She will be headed south for some great special sales. Morgan will go to Dothan on Friday to stop by and check out the 7th Annual Melvin Adams Farms Bred Heifer Sale at Dothan Livestock Company. On Saturday, Morgan will be in Brundidge for Southeast Brangus Breeders Association Showcase Sale. This sale will consist of 85 Brangus and Ultrablack female lots. If you are in the area stop by and catch a good sale!

 

 

Promoting Beef Month

ACA Director of Education & Outreach Ali Cantrell hit the radio waves on 98.9 Bama Country in Montgomery. She joined in on Bubba and Kristy’s talk show Tuesday morning to talk about Beef Month and to encourage people to come to BeefFest at SweetCreek Farm Market. Tune in October 7 on your drive into work because she will be dropping in again for another interview. Ali Cantrell also recorded a Business Break with WSFA in Montgomery to promote Beef Month and BeefFest. That segment should air the first week of October!

 

 

SLE Annual Meeting

sle-logoMembers of the Southeastern Livestock Exposition will gather on Thursday evening at the Cattlemen’s Building for their annual membership meeting and dinner. New directors will be elected and installed, announcements about the 2020 show will be made, the crew will get a sneak peak into the new SLERodeo.com website and our newest staffer, Lauren Terry (soon-to-be-Wilson), will make her debut to the group. We are excited to host this meeting and make some big announcements to the crew. Stay tuned on rodeo entertainment news and more, coming soon!

 

ALABAMA CATTLEMEN’S FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS

ATAG-_Scholarship_APPLY_19pplications for 2019-2020 Alabama Cattlemen’s Foundation scholarships are now open and are set to close on November 1, 2019. This year’s lineup of scholarships include those funded by the sale of the Cowboy vanity car tag, such as the “Tagged for Greatness” scholarship, as well as many endowed scholarships from generous families. An addition to the many award opportunities this year is a Trade School Scholarship for students attending a trade school program in the state of Alabama. Be sure to check out our many scholarships and get those applications submitted by November 1.

 

Award recipients will be honored at the 2020 Alabama Cattlemen’s Foundation Scholarship Banquet to be held April 11, 2020 at the Wetumpka Civic Center in Wetumpka, AL. More information and applications can be found online at www.BamaBeef.org/Scholarships.

 

BEEFFEST AT SWEETCREEK

70361182_1690994467703216_6002921969660461056_oOctober 12-13 is sure to be a great time as we team up with the folks at SweetCreek Farm Market and Alabama Department of Ag and Industries to host the first-ever BeefFest in conjunction with the venue’s annual pumpkin festival! Make a road trip to Pike Road, AL for fun games, craft vendors, a beef chili cook-off and a coloring contest for kiddos. ACA staff and volunteers will be present to tell the pasture to plate story while serving up some delicious beef chili samples. Don’t miss out on all the fun!

 

 

JUNIOR PASTURE TO RAIL REGISTRATION OPEN

If you’re interested in teaching your youth about marketing cattle on the grid and retained ownership, we’ve got just the program for you! Youth are invited to register their animals into he Junior Pasture to Rail Program— a partnership between the Alabama Beef Checkoff Program and Alabama Beef Systems Extension— where they’ll ship calves in November, participate in a few pasture to plate educational opportunities, their receive the carcass data on their animals after harvest. To learn more about program requirements and to register, visit www.BamaBeef.org/JP2R.

 

 

TRADE SHOW REGISTRATION NOW LIVE

Registration is open for the trade show at the 77th annual ACA ConventionACA logo- meme size copy & Trade Show happening in Montgomery on February 14-15. That’s right, bring your sweetheart to town and enjoy promoting your product or service to Alabama’s largest gathering of cattlemen! Please contact staffer Ali Cantrell if you would like to be a vendor at the 2020 show or visit www.BamaBeef.org/Convention to register online with a credit card.

 

 

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 FacebookTwitter or Instagram.

Food Safety For the Win!

Be the MVP of Your Tailgate with Unbeatable Food Safety Skills

By Elesha Ergle, RDN

 

 

College football season is here, it’s the most wonderful time of the year!

Whether your favorite tailgating memories are from childhood, college, or just last weekend, a few of your memories are sure to include some of your favorite foods. Beef is always a staple in our family football gatherings or for tailgating near campus, and food safety is always a top priority for my team. Safe food handling before, during and after cooking can be the difference between a win or loss at your next gathering. Be the MVP of your party and know proper preparation, cooking and holding techniques for beef to prevent food-borne illnesses.

 

Pre-game Instructions

When purchasing beef, pay attention to the ‘use-by’ or ‘best before’ dates stamped on the packages, and keep beef refrigerated at 40 degrees (or below) until ready to use. Store raw beef on the bottom shelf of refrigerator or place in a shallow pan to prevent package from leaking on to other items.  If purchasing frozen beef, avoid packages with ice crystals, which is an indication of thawing and re-freezing. Always wash your hands before and after handling raw beef, and keep raw foods separate from cooked foods. For more information, Beef It’s What’s For Dinner has an entire page to assist you in safely handling beef from start to finish.

 

Kick-Off

You have safely handled your pre-game warm up, now it’s time to cook some delicious beef recipes for your football party! No tailgate is complete without some sort of nachos or cheese dip. Beef up your regular old queso with this Crock Pot Queso Dip, using the slow cooker to safely hold your dip for up to four hours, so you can graze over it the whole game. Call an audible on your nacho game with some Cowboy Nachos by Ree Drummond, which uses brisket instead of ground beef; or give your fans something to cheer about when they make their own nacho creations with these easy Big Game Fritos Pies.

 

The After Party

Using proper heat sources such as chaffing dishes or slow cookers, beef can be safely held at 135 degrees or higher for up to four hours; foods should then be discarded and not kept for reuse, even if they are to be reheated. Use this USDA guide for safe food handling to help you keep all your foods safe at home and away games.

 

No matter what team you are cheering for, football season is a great time to grab some beef and get your party going! For more recipes, food safety information, and to learn more about beef from pasture to plate, visit Beef It’s What’s For Dinner.

 

State Checkoff color_nobackgroundThis article was funded by the Alabama Beef Checkoff Progam. Paid for by Alabama beef farmers and ranchers.

What’s Going On Wednesday: September 18, 2019

Well, it’s still hot. The fall season will officially grace us with its calendar presence on Saturday, but weather-wise…not so much! We know it’s getting tough out there. It’s dry and hot. Not to mention those blasted love bugs!! Hang in their cattlemen. Your work is justified and appreciated! While you continue to work on the farmscapes of Alabama, we will continue to put boots on the ground across the industry trail here in Alabama. Keep reading to learn more about what’s happening at the ACA this week! 


 

 

Southeastern Livestock Network Meets at ACA

Screenshot 2019-09-18 11.38.11The ACA is hosting the Southeastern Livestock Network (SLN) this week which consists of representatives from Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana. Several state veterinarians are also meeting here to discuss regulatory developments regarding Animal Disease Traceability (ADT).  The two groups will come together to further the steps needed to prepare for changes in ADT next year.

 

 

Membership Update

Membership Count of the Day: 9,321
County presidents and secretaries are encouraged to email Membership Coordinator Jessica Kennedy ASAP with information about their county annual meetings, should you already have the date set! We’d love to go ahead and get that info up on our calendar, get a staffer or officer assigned and get it in the October magazine! Don’t hesitate to share that info as soon as you get it.

 

 

Blount County Youth Event

Staffer Morgan Pounds and AJCA President Ashlyn Ruf will be headed to Blount County for the Cutting Horse Demo & Calf Handling Talk hosted by Blount County Cattlemen’s Association on Thursday. Both Morgan and Ashlyn are looking forward to the chance to talk about junior cattlemen and the exciting events coming for our youth this year!

 

 

NCBA Announces New CEO Hire

DENVER (Sept. 18, 2019) – The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) announced two significant leadership changes today.

 

Screenshot 2019-09-18 11.32.55
Woodall (Photo: BeefUSA.org)

The NCBA Executive Committee of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association confirmed Colin Woodall to serve as the association’s new Chief Executive Officer. Woodall, who was named this morning after an exhaustive national search, managed NCBA’s efforts in Washington, D.C., for more than a decade. Since joining NCBA in 2004, Woodall has been instrumental in ensuring the interests of NCBA members and the beef community, are well represented in the nation’s capital.

 

Originally from Big Spring, Texas, Woodall graduated from Texas A&M University. Following graduation, he worked both as a grain elevator manager and sales manager for Cargill at several locations in western Kansas and the Oklahoma panhandle before moving to Washington, D.C., to work on Capitol Hill.

 

“I am very thankful for the opportunity to lead NCBA and to serve the beef community as the next CEO of the association. American beef producers are the best people I know and although our industry faces many challenges, I am confident we can overcome them,” said Woodall.

 

Ethan Lane was also named today to serve in the role of Vice President, Government Affairs. In his new role, Lane will guide NCBA’s policy efforts in Washington, D.C., where he has extensive experience advocating on behalf of cattle producers.

 

 

Filming Cooking Segments

ACA Director of Education and Outreach Ali Cantrell is cooking up the beef this morning with Jack Galassini in preparation of October Beef Month promotions. Ali is talking tailgating on the segment and offering up some great hand-held beef dishes great for around the tent on gameday, and she’s serving up a few holiday roasting ideas as we head into the fall months. These segments will air on WSFA.

 

 

ALABAMA CATTLEMEN’S FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS

ATAG-_Scholarship_APPLY_19pplications for 2019-2020 Alabama Cattlemen’s Foundation scholarships are now open and are set to close on November 1, 2019. This year’s lineup of scholarships include those funded by the sale of the Cowboy vanity car tag, such as the “Tagged for Greatness” scholarship, as well as many endowed scholarships from generous families. An addition to the many award opportunities this year is a Trade School Scholarship for students attending a trade school program in the state of Alabama. Be sure to check out our many scholarships and get those applications submitted by November 1.

 

Award recipients will be honored at the 2020 Alabama Cattlemen’s Foundation Scholarship Banquet to be held April 11, 2020 at the Wetumpka Civic Center in Wetumpka, AL. More information and applications can be found online at www.BamaBeef.org/Scholarships.

 

 

NCBA at Work Following Tyson Fire

(Now former) NCBA Senior Vice President for Government Affairs Colin Woodall provided an update related to the investigation being conducted by USDA, into market response following the fire. Both NCBA and USDA believe it’s important for all market participants to understand what has transpired in the markets and ensure full transparency. NCBA will continue to work closely with USDA and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to identify any market participant who may try to illegally capitalize from the market situation. Read more at https://www.ncba.org/ourviews.aspx?NewsID=7042

 

To receive the extended member-only updates, visit NCBA.org/membership.aspx or call 866-BEEF-USA and become a member today!

 

 

Beef Education

On Thursday, Ali will be traveling to Auburn to present to grad students from the Ukraine about the beef industry in Alabama. This is in partnership with USDA on promoting U.S. cuisine. The day will start off with a tasting at Bow and Arrow and then Dr. Jason Sawyer and Ali Cantrell will present on beef and the industry.

 

 

Beef Cattle Short Course & Other Events

Morgan will stopping by her second short course next Tuesday in Oneonta. Producers new to the cattle business should attend Alabama Extension’s new Beef Systems Short Course.   The short course is a multi-night lecture series covering the fundamentals of beef production and is geared for new and limited experience producers. The price is $40.00 to register. To register or learn more visit their website or check out our Bama Beef Events Calendar where you’ll find MANY upcoming events, sales and educational workshops. The fall calendar is filling up!

 

 

BEEFFEST AT SWEETCREEK

70361182_1690994467703216_6002921969660461056_oOctober 12-13 is sure to be a great time as we team up with the folks at SweetCreek Farm Market and Alabama Department of Ag and Industries to host the first-ever BeefFest in conjunction with the venue’s annual pumpkin festival! Make a road trip to Pike Road, AL for fun games, craft vendors, a beef chili cook-off and a coloring contest for kiddos. ACA staff and volunteers will be present to tell the pasture to plate story while serving up some delicious beef chili samples. Don’t miss out on all the fun!

 

 

JUNIOR PASTURE TO RAIL REGISTRATION OPEN

If you’re interested in teaching your youth about marketing cattle on the grid and retained ownership, we’ve got just the program for you! Youth are invited to register their animals into he Junior Pasture to Rail Program— a partnership between the Alabama Beef Checkoff Program and Alabama Beef Systems Extension— where they’ll ship calves in November, participate in a few pasture to plate educational opportunities, their receive the carcass data on their animals after harvest. To learn more about program requirements and to register, visit www.BamaBeef.org/JP2R.

 

 

TRADE SHOW REGISTRATION NOW LIVE

Registration is open for the trade show at the 77th annual ACA ConventionACA logo- meme size copy & Trade Show happening in Montgomery on February 14-15. That’s right, bring your sweetheart to town and enjoy promoting your product or service to Alabama’s largest gathering of cattlemen! Please contact staffer Ali Cantrell if you would like to be a vendor at the 2020 show or visit www.BamaBeef.org/Convention to register online with a credit card.

 

 

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 FacebookTwitter or Instagram.