Things are heating up around the ACA…and we don’t just mean the weather! We are heading into quite the busy season as the AJCA Round-Up rides into town next week! But that’s not all that’s happening in our neck of the woods. Keep reading to catch up with your Cattlemen’s Assocition this week.
Brainstorming Session
On Tuesday, we were thrilled to host over 50 members of the 
Southeastern Livestock Exposition (SLE) as we looked ahead and shared ideas on the 2020 SLE Rodeo and Livestock Week. The morning hosted a quick update and recap from the 2019 show, then led into breakout groups where members had the opportunity to speak on a variety of topics such as: Sponsorships & Rodeo Entertainment, Advertising & Communications, Membership and Ticket Sales, Day-Of Rodeo Promotions and Children’s Events. After a delicious lunch, the members split out again— this time to new groups— where we continued the idea sharing! It was truly a great meeting with lots to chew on for the staff and executive committee. Be sure to save the dates for the 2020 show held at Garrett Coliseum March 19-21!
YCLP Class VI Meeting in Calera
On Friday, YCLP Class Vi students will be attending their second session in Calera. The group will be meeting with Sysco, which is one of the global foodservice leaders in selling, marketing, and distributing food products. Here they will learn more about the foodservice side of our industry and about how the beef checkoff aids foodservice companies like Sysco. After our tour, Dr. Don Mulvaney will host leadership training in their conference room. The class will wrap up their day at A.C. Legg which is a spice and seasoning company down the road from Sysco.
FHSHTE Meeting at ACA
Today, the ACA is hosting 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. It is also a great opportunity for our staffer, Ali Cantrell, who has been invited to sit on the advisory council.
WE’RE HIRING
The Alabama Cattlemen’s Association, in partnership with the Southeastern Livestock Exposition, is seeking to hire a Director of Rodeo Programs. Responsibilities of this job largely include the execution of the annual SLE Rodeo, sponsorships and serving as field staff for the Cattlemen’s Association. To learn more and apply, visit www.BamaBeef.org/Staff. A copy of the job description can also be viewed by clicking here>> Director of Rodeo Programs.
Stakeholder Meetings
This morning (Wednesday), ACA Exec Erin Beasley spent some time at the Alabama Department of Ag and Industries and the Alabama Department of Environmental Management as she represented Alabama’s cattle producers in meetings involving the regulation of on-farm activities and animal health.
BCIA Board Meeting
On Thursday, ACA Director of Field Services will take a break from putting the final touches on the Round-Up as she heads to Clanton for the Alabama Beef Cattle Improviment Association (BCIA) Board of Directors Meeting held at the Chilton Research & Extension Center. While there, she will report on ACA happenings and the help the group meet the main goal of reviewing and approving the 2018-2019 fiscal year-end financial report and the 2019-20 financial budget from the budget committee. She will also enjoy a lunch where she will have the opportunity to network with BCIA members and leaders.
Biscuits Are Better with Beef
On Thursday, ACA Director of Education & Outreach Ali Cantrell will be meeting with Montgomery Biscuits Corporate Sponsorships director to discuss future partnerships. This potential partnership will provide exposure within the River Region. With attendance on the rise, and new ownership continuing to add new off-season events to their agenda, this is a perfect opportunity for the ACA to tap into this market.
THE MOOSEUM: CLOSED FOR CONSTRUCTION
Don’t forget! The MOOseum has shut its doors and is under construction
as we renovate throughout July and August! Doors 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 in August with a fresh, new look. You won’t believe what all we’ve got in store!!
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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!
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!
This article was funded by the Alabama Beef Checkoff Progam. Paid for by Alabama beef farmers and ranchers.
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.