And just like that, this is the last blog post for June 2019 as it will soon be in the rear view mirror like the first half of the year already is! Time flies when you’re having fun, or super busy, or sweating a lot…basically time just flies all the time! Believe it or not, we are beginning preparations for our August Board Meeting, are getting ready to close Round-Up registration and have already begun to think about plans for October Beef Month! It’ll all be here before we know it. Keep reading to learn about what all is happening and stay in touch with your state Cattlemen’s Association.
Disaster Relief Discussion in AL
After a long battle in D.C., the disaster bill was finally passed in early June with $3 billion available for agriculture. This bill encompasses the aid needed to help our folks who were severely impacted by Hurricane Michael along with many other natural weather disasters across the country in the last year. Recently, Commissioner Pate held a meeting of agriculture stakeholders to discuss how Alabama will handle the disaster money available. At this point, there are a few options on the table including the possibility of a state block grant. This would give the state some more control over how the money is distributed and with any luck expedite the process to get producers paid for damages sustained last fall. A follow up meeting will be held today (Wednesday) of industry stakeholders to further discuss compensation plans.
AJCA Round-Up Registration Ends FRIDAY
Santa’s checking his list and checking it twice…make sure your name is on it 
for a very merry Christmas in July!! The Alabama Junior Cattlemen’s Association is proud to host the 13th annual AJCA Round-Up at Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery, AL. You don’t want to miss this event and all the competition it brings through cattle shows and 14 other contests! Registration closes THIS FRIDAY, June 28 at 11:55 p.m.
Bring your best Christmas spirit to Montgomery July 18-21.
Register Now>> www.BamaBeef.org/RoundUp
This year’s event will be like no other! We’ve got a great novice contest in the works, new faces on the judging platform, great prizes, AND some little elves mentioned that this year we are adding a dunking booth to the event! Bring your dollar bills and have a chance to soak some of the AJCA Directors while raising money for the juniors of Alabama.
Also, we’ve only received two director applications, which are also due this Friday! We have an open seat in each district, so in order to have a full board, WE NEED APPLICANTS! Here’s a quick link to the director app >> Click Here.
Don’t forget! You can sponsor the Round-Up easily online now by clicking here.
Franklin County Junior Cattlemen’s Field Day
This Saturday staffer Ali Cantrell will be traveling to Franklin County to participate in the 2nd annual Junior Cattlemen’s Summer Field Day. This field day will host almost 40 kids and will go over livestock judging, analyzing beef cuts as well as quality grades and hay sampling. Ali is excited to meet with these outstanding juniors to discuss beef cuts as well as beef nutrition!
Staff Position Opening
With the big changes made in the Southeastern Livestock Exposition (SLE), we’ve got a new position open within the ACA under the title “Director of Rodeo Programs.” The ACA is seeking to hire an individual full time that will dedicate the majority of their year planning and executing the annual SLE Rodeo while also serving in a field staff role within in the Cattlemen’s Association. To learn more about the opening or to apply, visit www.BamaBeef.org/Staff and scroll to the bottom of the page where you’ll find the job description!
ACA Sits on FHSHTE Council
This week, staffer Ali Cantrell was invited to sit on the Family Human Services, Hospitality and Tourism, and Education (FHSHTE) Advisory Council through the Alabama State Department of Education. The purpose of the State Advisory Council is to provide advice and counsel to the FHSHTE State Staff by making suggestions and recommendations for the improvement of the instructional program. This council enables the FHSHTE maintain successful and viable programs across the state. The advisory council will meet on July 10.
Summer Grilling Campaign
Our July grilling campaign kicks off next week! We will have commercial 
spots on iHeart media radio stations such as 97.7 the Kicker, 102.1 WDRM, 95 KSJ, 98 TXT, and WWMG. Everyone across the state will hear the wonderful sound of a sizzle and our classic tagline of Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. Billboard signs in Birmingham are already displaying a savory and patriotic burger to encourage consumers to celebrate freedom by firing up the grill!
THE MOOSEUM- CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONs
Don’t forget! The MOOseum has shut its doors and going under construction as we renovate throughout parts of June, July and August! Doors closed last Thursday and won’t open again until mid-August! We’re excited to see this project coming quickly to a fruition and cannot wait to re-open our doors in August with a fresh, new look. You won’t believe what all we’ve got in store!!
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.
As you may have already seen on our social media, last week ACA Director of Field Services Morgan Pounds joined Extension Specialist Kent Stanford as the duo visited Sand Mountain Stockyard in Crossville. This week, the stockyard visits continue on as Morgan and staffer Kayla Greer head over to Livingston Stockyard and then Morgan will head south to Double A Auction in Brewton on Saturday! We’re hauling those big ole Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner signs with us, so look out for your favorite market on social media!
Chuck Bradley for being named Reserve World Champion at the Livestock Marketing Association’s (LMA) World Livestock Auctioneer Championship held in Dinuba, Calif. at Tulare County Stockyard two weekends ago. Chuck is a Rockford, Ala. native and was joined on his journey by Dallas County cattleman, market owner and LMA Past President Jerry Etheredge. Look out for more info in the July issue of the Alabama Cattleman magazine.
Hogs, goats, sheep…and of course, cattle…youth from across Alabama competed on Tuesday in the 4-H State Livestock Judging Contest in Auburn. ACA staffers Morgan Pounds and Ali Cantrell were at the event to show support of our youth industry partner, help out where needed and cheer on junior cattlemen in the contest! We’re always so impressed with the caliber in which our youth compete, and yesterday’s event was absolutely no exception. Great job to all who came out, competed and/or placed!
The membership count of the day is 8,361 members and counting! It’s a big week in the membership office…Don’t forget that the “Over the Top” deadline is THIS SATURDAY! To qualify four your red coat, your county has to go Over the Top by having membership input in i4a or by having names AND money into the office by June 15. Got questions about our “Over the Top” program? Give Jessica a call at (334) 265-1867.
ACA Director of Field Services Morgan Pounds is in Sand Mountain today as she visits with the owners and presents them with their new Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner signage for use at the facility. She enjoyed watching the sale and lunch with market owner John Hamilton (pictured) and Regional Extension Agent Kent Stanford. We appreciate the market for being such a generous host and look forward to getting around to all of Alabama’s livestock markets.
Those iconic corduroy jackets have painted Downtown Montgomery as thousands of young students in agriculture are in town for the annual Alabama FFA Convention! We’re proud to be involved with this outstanding association in a number of ways this week as today we host the FFA Wall of Honor Luncheon, man a booth representing the AJCA at the Trade Show and tomorrow President Chris Langley will have the honor of presenting the Livestock and Meats Evaluation CDE awards to outstanding FFA chapters who competed in these events. The MOOseum is also open for tours, and the opportunity to tour the entire ACA building is on the table for any teacher who stops by with a group. If you’ve got children or students in town, make sure to tell them to stop by and see us!
passage and is on its way to the desk of President Trump for consideration. The ACA would like to the thank the Alabama delegation for its continuous efforts to see this bill through.
ICYMI: House Bill 518— the association’s meat labeling bill— received final passage last Thursday morning, May 23. Special thank you’s are in store for Sen. David Sessions (R-Grand Bay) and Rep. Danny Crawford (R-Athens) for the support and sponsorship of this bill. The bill ensures that the definition of “meat” only applies to products sourced from livestock on farms and ranches and harvested through processing. It also clarifies that laboratory-grown products cannot be labeled as meat. “This is proactive legislation to ensure clarity in food labeling. Around the country, there are more and more companies trying to market lab-grown products as meat, which is misleading since they aren’t derived from actual livestock production,” Sessions said. “The passage of this bill is a win-win for the consumers who love to buy beef, and the cattlemen who work hard to produce a high-quality product,” ACA Executive VP Erin Beasley concluded.
On Tuesday, ACA Director of Field Services Morgan Pounds headed south to visit Opp Stockyards. She is working with the goal of introducing herself to all of the yards in the state in an effort to build mutually beneficial relationships at each yard. Morgan delivered Opp their “Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner” sign and got to speak to the crowd. Be on the lookout for Morgan at your local yard, and be sure to say hi if you see her!
A summer grilling consumer e-newsletter shipped out to over 10,000 inboxes on Friday just in time for the Memorial Day holiday, which also happens to be the kickoff of summer grilling season! This digital newsletter featured recipe collections, a doneness chart, rub and marinade inspiration, tips for delicious side dishes to serve alongside beef and a quick grilling guide. It also featured information on grilling provided by Registered Dietitian Elesha Ergle, whose summer grilling information can be found by 
New to the staff at ACA, Director of Field Services Morgan Pounds wants to engage with youth at field days across the state. On Saturday, Morgan visited Blountsville, AL for the Alabama Santa Gertrudis Association Field Day & Show. Hats off to the Alabama Santa Gertrudis Association and Quail Valley Farms for hosting an excellent event. Morgan engaged in conversations with cattlemen throughout the day and enjoyed welcoming juniors to the field day and speaking to the audience about 2019 Round-Up.
Farmers Conference at Wallace State Community College. ACA provided a gold-level sponsorship for the event as well as resource materials to the attendees of the conference. Cullman County cattlemen provided a delicious lunch! Ali had the honor to talk with farmers who have served our country and are now stewards of the land as well. We tip our hat to those with a servant’s heart, especially as we head into Memorial Day weekend!
If you are spending a weekend with family by the pool, don’t forget to break out those burgers and fire up the grill. Memorial Day Weekend is the official kick-off to summer grilling season! Celebrate with a juicy burger, a sizzlin’ steak or fall-off-the-bone beef ribs.
It’s the final week of the 2019 Bama’s Best Beef contest, hosted on the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Facebook page. We’re on the hunt for a delicious, well-loved dish served up at an Alabama restaurant or food truck, and our finalists have come down to the Beef Brisket at Smokin’ on the Boulevard in Florence and the Bourbonzola Brisket Burger at Roadside ‘Que in Fort Payne. Let us tell you, folks, it’s a nail-biter of a contest. Right now, only 10 votes separate these finalists from their fight for the title. Polling ends Thursday morning, and we’ll have a statewide announcement out by the afternoon. If you haven’t already, 
floor this afternoon. If it passes, it will be sent upstairs to the Senate next week for committee action. The bill outlines that cell-cultured products cannot be labeled as meat in Alabama. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Danny Crawford and co-sponsored by Reps. Joe Lovvorn, Will Dismukes, Ralph Howard, Reid Ingram, Rodney Sullivan and Wes Kitchens. Stay tuned!
This week we hosted Congressman Mike Rogers for a brunch at the Cattlemen’s building. This event draws several associations in Montgomery to attend as he provides an snapshot of the current events in Washington, D.C. ACA President Chris Langley was able to attend and visit with the Congressman.
It’s a busy season…and one perfect for county field day events before the weather gets too steamy! This past weekend, staffer Kayla Greer enjoyed gathering with the Montgomery County Cattlemen’s Association for a farm tour of CK Cattle and Frank Turner & Sons farms. The group of 20+ enjoyed a day of learning about local farms’ beef cattle and forage programs! Meanwhile, ACA President Chris Langley visited the St. Clair County Cattlemen’s Association who also hosted an excellent field day with over 70 in attendance. Kayla Greer is also looking forward to spending this coming Saturday in Lee County for the chapter’s annual field day with an added bonus…a steak cook-off!!
a.m. on Thursday morning, May 16 to update you on association and checkoff news where Board members even get a sneak peak into the upcoming construction project of the The MOOseum. GET EXCITED! After lunch, we’ll head over to the State House to mingle with our legislators and learn more about the legislative process and get updated on current issues taking place. Don’t forget to
Board meeting, but because we’ll be kicking off the SIXTH class of the Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program (YCLP). This program, funded by the Alabama State Beef Checkoff, is designed to develop young cattlemen ages 20-40 into future leaders for Alabama’s beef cattle industry. We meet throughout the year, learn about our many different leadership styles, discuss industry hot topics, encourage leadership growth and explore the industry from pasture to plate through farm tours, educational workshops and consumer events. We’re excited next week to kick off the class with the Board meeting, where the 25 students will be introduced to the Board and will explore the legislative world, followed by farm tours at Frank Ellis Charolais, McLane-Garrett Cattle Company and a tour of the Cargill Feed Mill here in Montgomery. We’ll also host a social on the evening of May 16 at Kick Back Ranch & Events Center for alumni of the program! It’s gonna be a great time. Be on the lookout for photos.
ACA staffer Ali Cantrell attended a briefing on Alabama Bicentennial Day on Monday to learn more about the upcoming festivities to come on December 13 -14. To celebrate Alabama’s 200 years of statehood, Montgomery will be hosting a parade on December 14 with 75 floats and entries showcasing Alabama history, counties, high school All-Star bands, Alabama notables, and the parade would not be complete without the beef truck and steer in tow! The rest of the day will host several celebrations, performances and demonstrations throughout downtown Montgomery including The MOOseum. Make it a point to come see us on December 14 and witness a wonderful chapter of history for the great state of Alabama!
and throw down those steaks and burgers…yuuummmm. Also, throughout April we celebrated the bright, flavorful tastes of spring with savory springtime salads! Beef Checkoff Contract Dietician Elesha Ergle 
This week’s Facebook poll challenge has the Steak & Mushroom Pie going head-to-head with the Bourbonzola Brisket Burger, and so far, the burger has got the lead! Walker County folks- get voting! And great work to Jackson County fans on pushing your local dive so far to the lead! Next week’s contest will put our other two finalists in a dual…then the two winners will duke it out for the title! Head on over to the 
It may come as no surprise to you- especially you parents out there- as kids these days are just busy! Due to so many spring activities lining up on top of each other here at the end of another school year, we decided it best to reschedule the Spring Youth Production Field Day scheduled for this Friday, April 26 in Atmore to a later date! Between important FFA eliminations, sporting events, a judging clinic and end-of-year activities, youth have too much on their calendars for now! We look forward to getting down to south Alabama for this field day later on in the year.
activities! Your state checkoff team is at work pulling numbers, putting our writing caps on and evaluating programs from 2018. After the report comes together, it will take a trip to Denver for design and approval then come back just in time for the June issue of the Alabama Cattleman magazine. Be on the look out and get last year’s report in the palm of your hand!
The Alabama CattleWomen’s BEEFit 5k is THIS SATURDAY, April 13 in downtown Montgomery, and we’re excited to launch Team Bama Beef at this event. Team Bama Beef will be comprised of beef-loving fitness enthusiasts and will be supported by the beef checkoff. We’re looking for people who are committed to living an active, healthy lifestyle and who love eating beef! If you’re interested in being a part of Team Bama Beef, contact Ali Cantrell by phone or email to get some more information.
