|
BAMA BEEF NEWS | AUGUST ROUND-UP
News and updates from the Alabama Cattlemen's Association
| | |
NCBA Action Alert: It's Time for Congress to Hear Directly from Cattlemen
After years of drought, high input costs, and shrinking inventories, strong demand for high-quality American beef is sending the right market signals for producers to reinvest and expand. Flooding the market with discounted foreign beef sends exactly the opposite signal. Government intervention designed to force down prices will create long-term harm to family farms and ranches, domestic beef production, and the stability of the U.S. cattle industry.
Take action today and tell Congress and the White House to oppose plans to increase foreign beef imports.
| | |
Board Members Gather in Montgomery for Summer Meeting
ACA county presidents and leaders gathered in Montgomery in August for the Summer Board of Directors Meeting, where members received updates from ACA staff and officers and looked ahead to upcoming association activities.
Board members received a draft of the 2026-2027 ACA Policy Handbook and were encouraged to take the document back to their home counties for review ahead of a vote at the November Board Meeting.
Members also participated in a staff-led workshop covering October Beef Month plans, county governance and resources available to county chapters through the state office.
The Board of Directors will meet again in November, when 29 “Over the Top” county presidents will be recognized for their achievements and presented with their iconic ACA red coats.
| | |
Political Round-Up: Special Election Edition
Following just over 5% voter turnout, Alabama’s August 11 special primary election brought few surprises as voters in Congressional Districts 1, 2, 6 and 7 selected their nominees for the November general election.
Here’s how the races are shaping up:
- Congressional District 1: Former U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl secured the Republican nomination and will face Democrat Clyde W. Jones, Jr.
- Congressional District 2: State Rep. Rhett Marques won the Republican nomination and will challenge incumbent U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures.
- Congressional District 6: Incumbent U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer will face Democratic nominee Maurice Mercer.
- Congressional District 7: Incumbent U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell will face Republican nominee Ammie Akin.
The general election is set for Tuesday, November 3.
| | |
Membership Report
The ACA is proud to be home to 10,016 members and counting as the third and final batch of membership remittances have hit mailboxes statewide! We are just 113 members away from going Over the Top in 2027 and are grateful for the grassroots efforts of our county organizations.
Recruitment Prizes
Each year at convention, the ACA awards individuals and county chapters for their grassroots recruitment efforts. Thanks to the generosity from our membership sponsors at Priefert, Hartford Veterinary Supply LLC, SunSouth LLC, TriGreen Equipment and John Deere, the ACA looks forward to awarding outstanding prizes for grassroots recruitment efforts at the 2027 ACA Convention & Trade Show— February 19-20, 2027 in Montgomery, AL.
Over the Top County Chapters
Twenty-nine county Cattlemen's chapters achieved “Over the Top” status by the June 30 deadline. This means the county surpassed total membership from the previous year. With this accomplishment, each Over the Top county president earned a coveted ACA red coat to be presented at the Fall Board of Directors Meeting. The iconic red coat is well-known in the state for the hard work that goes into growing county membership.
The following counties went over the top by June 30: Autauga, Barbour, Bullock, Chambers, Cherokee, Choctaw, Clarke, Coffee, Colbert, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, DeKalb, Elmore, Hale, Houston, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lee, Limestone, Lowndes, Perry, Randolph, Shelby, St Clair, Talladega, Tallapoosa, Walker, and Washington counties.
County Meetings
County leaders, be sure to call or email ACA Director of Membership Jessica Kennedy with the date, time, and location of your upcoming annual meeting and let her know if a postcard will need to be sent out to members informing them of the meeting. Reminder: those need a minimum of two weeks’ notice for processing and mailing!
| |
Young Cattlemen's Leadership Program Class XIII Convenes for Second Session
The 24 members of Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program (YCLP) Class XIII headed to Northwest Alabama in August for their second session, spending two jam-packed days learning from cattle producers, industry leaders and fellow YCLP members across the region.
The group’s stops included Curtis Farms in Athens, hosted by past ACA State President Donna Jo Curtis; Star B Cattle & Aussies in Russellville, led by YCLP alumnus Caleb Beason; Stutts Farm in Cherokee, hosted by Alabama State Sen. Dr. Larry Stutts; Edgin Cattle & Beef in Cherokee, led by Colbert County Cattlemen’s Association President Janna Edgin; and Wallace Farms in Cherokee, hosted by YCLP Council member Layla Wallace.
The class also enjoyed dinner at Rattlesnake Saloon in Tuscumbia, a past Bama’s Best Beef winner and 60 Savory Stops feature, along with a steak sandwich lunch provided by the Colbert County Cattlemen’s Association.

Thank you to each of the hosts, speakers and local organizations who welcomed Class XIII and helped make the session a success!
| | |
Alabama Cattlemen's Foundation Scholarships- Opening Soon!
Alabama Cattlemen’s Foundation scholarship applications open Tuesday, September 1 at BamaBeef.org/Scholarships.
Thanks to Cowboy vanity car tag holders and generous endowment donors, funding is available for all stages of postsecondary education—from incoming freshmen to doctoral candidates.
Applicants must be a member (or the child/grandchild of a member) in good standing for at least two consecutive years.
Explore available opportunities and apply online beginning September 1 at BamaBeef.org/Scholarships.
Applications close Monday, November 2.
| | |
Heifers for Youth Fundraiser
The Alabama Cattlemen’s Foundation is hosting a Heifers for Youth fundraiser, offering cattlemen the chance to win two registered bred heifers or $8,000 in cash. Donated by Little Mountain Farm of New Market, Alabama, these high‑quality heifers—complete with detailed pedigree and EPD information—represent a valuable genetic investment for any herd.
Each $100 chance directly fuels educational opportunities for young people across the state, making this effort both a meaningful cause and an exciting opportunity for participants. To purchase a ticket, visit www.BamaBeef.org/Heifers4Youth
Your donation is tax deductible through the Alabama Cattlemen’s Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
| | |
AJCA Fall Youth Field Days, Happening Soon!
Registration is now open for the 2026 AJCA Fall Youth Field Days, a free youth education opportunity designed to give Alabama youth hands-on experience in the beef cattle industry! This year, participants can choose from two convenient locations—JYJ Red Angus on September 9 or Bar V Genetix on September 30—with each field day offering the same educational experience. Youth will learn directly from industry professionals through interactive sessions on cattle reproduction, genetics, and calf care.
Registration for the South Alabama Youth Field Day at JYJ Red Angus will close on September 2, and registration for the North Alabama Youth Field Day at Bar V Genetix will close on September 23.
Don't miss this opportunity to expand your knowledge, connect with fellow junior cattlemen, and learn more about Alabama's beef industry! Learn more and register here.
| |
Summer Conference Series Finishes Strong
ACA wrapped up the 2026 Regional Cattlemen’s Conference series in Atmore, where more than 320 cattlemen and women joined us for the 5th Annual Gulf Coast Cattlemen’s Conference.

Attendees enjoyed a full day of education, fellowship and networking, including an Alabama Beef Systems Extension educational program, cattle industry trade show and steak luncheon. Sessions covered drone technology for livestock producers, herd development, cattle marketing, animal disease and pest updates, and the value of ACA membership.
We would like to extend a special thank you to our 2026 Regional Cattlemen’s Conference sponsors—First South Farm Credit, Envu, Livestock Marketing Association, Agoro Carbon Alliance and the Alabama State Beef Checkoff Program—for their support of this summer’s meetings.
While our summertime regional meetings have come to an end, we’re already looking ahead to our next opportunity to gather! Save the date for the 84th Annual ACA Convention & Trade Show, February 19-20, 2027, in Montgomery.
| | | | |
Support Alabama BeefPAC In Style
Ties & Wild Rags Now IN STOCK
Order your Alabama BeefPAC neck tie or wild rag—featuring unique brands from cattle farms across the state—for $100 each. Every purchase directly supports pro-agriculture candidates across Alabama’s executive, judicial, and legislative branches. Don’t miss your chance to represent the industry while giving back—those interested are encouraged to purchase online at www.BamaBeef.org/Store.
| | | |
Fall Beef 101 Program Kicks Off
On August 24, ACA’s Bailey Watson kicked off the first Beef 101 session of Fall 2026 with culinary and agricultural science students from Holtville High School. Hosted at Auburn University’s Beef Teaching Unit and Meats Lab, the program gives students a firsthand look at Alabama’s beef industry through lessons on beef production, conversations with industry professionals, and a live beef carcass fabrication demonstration.

We are grateful to our industry guest speakers who volunteer their time, along with Beef Unit Manager Whitney Blackmon and Meats Lab Manager Barney Wilborn and their hardworking crews. Their expertise and teamwork help make this program possible!
Funded by the Alabama Beef Checkoff, Beef 101 helps participants better understand the journey of beef from pasture to plate. We look forward to sharing the story of Alabama’s beef industry with more groups throughout the rest of the year!
| | |
LFP Available in 60 Alabama Counties
Drought conditions have plagued a majority of the state, triggering numerous counties eligible for the Livestock Forage Program (LFP). This program, offered through the Farm Service Agency (FSA), provides compensation to eligible livestock producers who have suffered grazing losses for covered livestock. It also covers producers of grazed forage crop acreage of native and improved pastureland with permanent vegetative cover or acreage planted specifically for grazing. For more information about this program or to sign up in one of the counties listed below, contact your local FSA office or visit www.farmers.gov.
Counties qualified for LFP include Autauga, Baldwin, Barbour, Bibb, Bullock, Butler, Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee, Chilton, Choctaw, Clarke, Clay, Cleburne, Coffee, Colbert, Conecuh, Coosa, Covington, Crenshaw, Cullman, Dale, Dallas, DeKalb, Elmore, Escambia, Etowah, Franklin, Geneva, Greene, Hale, Henry, Houston, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Lee, Limestone, Lowndes, Macon, Madison, Marengo, Marshall, Mobile, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Perry, Pickens, Pike, Randolph, Russell, St. Clair, Shelby, Sumter, Talladega, Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa, Washington, and Wilcox counties.
| | |
Cattle Connect Podcast, Tune In!
Tune into the Cattle Connect podcast weekly on Friday mornings at 7AM.
This month's line-up of Cattle Connect podcast episodes includes:
- From Stockyards Roots to National Screens: The Reach of Elite Livestock ft. Jerry Etheredge and Hardin Utsey
- You Can't Buy Showmanship ft Heather Welper
- Checkin' on the Checkoff: The Not-So-Lazy Days of Summer
- Tackling Fall Weeds ft Dr. David Russell
This podcast is available on Apple Podcast, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music and at www.BamaBeef.org/Podcast.
| | |
Black Vulture Depredation Sub-Permit
Livestock producers experiencing depredation from black vultures may now apply for a no cost Black Vulture Depredation Sub-Permit through the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries.
All approved applicants will be allowed to take up to three black vultures as long as the statewide take number has not exceeded 500. If 500 vultures are harvested in the state, applicants will receive an email notifying them that no more vultures may be taken during the permit period.
For more information, visit agi.alabama.gov.
| | Thanks for reading this month’s report, brought to you by the Alabama Cattlemen's Association, the Alabama Beef Checkoff Program and the Southeastern Livestock Exposition! Until next time, we want to remind you that you can stay in touch with us by following us on Facebook or Instagram. | | STAY IN TOUCH WITH THE ACA | | | | |
