Cattle Connect

In the premiere episode of Cattle Connect Season Three, host Erin Beasley sits down with longtime Alabama Secretary of the Senate Pat Harris to reflect on his career, explore the Senate’s rules and legislative process, and share memorable moments from the Alabama Statehouse. The conversation also covers progress on the new Statehouse construction project and offers a preview of key themes expected...

The Cattle Connect team walks through 2025 with a lively month-by-month recap — from a rare statewide snowstorm and industry conventions to youth field days, record scholarship giving, staff transitions, and an impactful D.C. advocacy trip. Staff share behind-the-scenes stories, practical takeaways, and plenty of laughs. Tune in to this season finale to catch the highlights and get excited for Sea...

In this episode of Cattle Connect, host Michael Smith sits down with Jim and Kim Jordan of the Clay County Cattlemen's Association— the 2025 winner of the Cattlemen of Beef Month contest. The Jordans share how family involvement, community outreach, and creative efforts—like videos and steak sandwich sales—helped the county chapter engage schools, recruit members, and promote beef across their rur...

On this episode, Erin Beasley visits with Andy Berry, Executive Vice President of the Mississippi Cattlemen’s Association and a state senator, for a conversation rooted in the traditions and teamwork of Deep South cattle country. Together, they look back at the history and structure of Mississippi’s association and talk about how state cattlemen’s groups across the region work side-by-side with th...

The Young Cattlemen's Leadership Program is one of the Alabama Cattlemen's Association's leading opportunities for young cattle producers in Alabama. In this episode, host Michael Smith talks with YCLP Council Chairman Aisling Walding about YCLP — what it teaches, how it builds industry connections, and why it prepares young producers for leadership in Alabama's beef cattle communities. Listen to...

Host Kayla Greer welcomes Dr. Maggie Justice, Auburn University’s new State Beef Cattle Extension Specialist, for a conversation packed with insight for Alabama’s beef producers. Back to her home on the Plains, Dr. Justice shares how her role blends cutting-edge research with hands-on Extension support, and she highlights the many ways the Auburn Beef & Forage team helps producers strengthen t...

Fall was a busy and productive season for the Alabama Beef Checkoff team as efforts ramped up across the state to promote beef and support producers! Join co-hosts Michael Smith and Bailey Watson as they dive into the latest updates from the Alabama Beef Checkoff program. From youth field days and the Beef 101 program at Auburn University to the Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program and October Bee...

Host Michael Smith sits down with Alabama Extension Specialist Kent Stanford to discuss intentional heifer development— which includes matching females to your environment, key management practices, and the economics of retaining versus selling replacements in today’s high-price market.

ACA Manager of Youth Programs and Marketing Bailey Watson sits down with host Kayla Greer and shares key national beef marketing insights she learned at the Partnerships in Action (PIA) Conference hosted at the National Cattlemen's Beef Association in Denver. The two dive into the top priorities shaping consumer decisions—taste, budget, value, safety, and nutrition—and discuss how these insights w...

In this episode, host Kayla Greer sits down with Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Executive Vice President Erin Beasley to break down President Trump’s recent remarks about importing beef from Argentina. They talk through the immediate reaction of the markets, why producers are raising red flags about safety and precedent, discuss ACA’s position on mandatory country-of-origin labeling, and how you...

In this episode of Cattle Connect, host Erin Beasley sits down with Mary Bea Halimeh of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) to discuss how state organizations—like the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association—play a vital role in shaping national beef policy and advocacy efforts.   Together, they explore the unique partnership between the ACA and NCBA, how grassroots voices influence national...

In this junior cattlemen's focused episode, host Bailey Watson interviews Lyndee Meadows Jordan, the newly elected 2025–2026 president of the Alabama Junior Cattlemen's Association (AJCA). Lyndee shares her lifelong roots in the cattle industry, from showing cattle and swine at a young age to holding county and state AJCA leadership roles. Listen as Bailey and Lyndee discuss her presidency goals t...

When it comes to Alabama cattle producers, one thing is for certain- their hearts are even bigger than their pastures. The Alabama Cattlemen's Foundation serves as the non-profit charitable arm of the Alabama Cattlemen's Association to extend the kindness of local producers and supporters to those in need across the nation. Join Erin and Josie as they discuss the Foundation's many purposes, growth...

Host Erin Beasley sits down with Craig Taylor from the Livestock Marketing Association to review the Common Ground Coalition — an initiative that grew from Producer Profitability listening sessions. They outline five shared priorities: ag-friendly tax policy, improved risk management tools (like LRP), better access to labor, flexibility for livestock haulers, and support for young and emerging pro...

The Alabama Soil & Water Conservation Committee's Conservation Incentive Program (CIP) can help beef cattle producers access cost-share funding for the implementation of necessary practices like watering systems, forage planting, nutrient management, fencing, working systems, and feed troughs. Will Gotcher, Supervisor of the Colbert County Soil & Water Conservation District, joined host Ka...

This episode wraps up the Marketing Your Farm series as host Kayla Greer chats with a familiar voice— Josie Jones, as she sits in the studio guest seat representing her family's operation, Jones Farm of Autauga County. Josie shares how the family business has managed growth with changing consumer trends, and she shares their recipe for forging strong local partnerships, which keeps consumer dollar...

This episode is all about bovine AI— artificial insemination, that is! Join host Erin Beasley as she chats with Extension Veterinarian Dr. Soren Rodning about Auburn’s upcoming bovine AI schools at the E.V. Smith Research & Extension Center. Dr. Rodning explains AI advantages and challenges, who should consider AI, program expectations, and how to sign up for the educational opportunities wher...

Grassroots advocates are the lifeblood of the ACA, and our Connect to the Cattlemen series is here to highlight their efforts! From a countywide rodeo, to the culinary classroom, cattlemen in Shelby County have gotten creative on how to highlight cattle production and promote beef in the Birmingham Metro area! In this episode, host Michael Smith sits down with Shelby County Cattleman Rickey Colqui...

Beef promotion is a year-round priority for ACA staff, but between industry programs and grilling season, the summer months are particularly impactful!  While leadership development events like the Young Cattlemen's Leadership Program Class XII sessions and the 19th Annual Alabama Junior Cattlemen's Association Round-Up focused on the future of agriculture, digital marketing strategies and in-pers...

Bailey Watson has joined the herd at the Alabama Cattlemen's Association as the new Manager of Youth Programs and Marketing. Bailey joined host Kayla Greer in studio to share her background growing up on cow‑calf operation in Virginia, her degrees in animal sciences (Virginia Tech) and agricultural communications (University of Tennessee), and her experience working with youth livestock programs....

Discover the core challenges and promising opportunities facing the state's agricultural industry, including insights on land loss, labor shortages, and the potential for growth through food processing and workforce training. Featuring expert perspectives and research conducted by Dr. Mykel Taylor and Dr. Kelli Russell from Auburn University's Department of Ag Economics & Rural Sociology, this...

As temperatures soar to record heat, planning for the colder months may seem premature, but this episode of Cattle Connect uncovers why now is the perfect time to strategize for winter success. Host Kayla Greer sits in studio with Regional Extension Agent Josh Elmore as he shares his expertise on choosing the right forages, managing grazing to maximize regrowth, and the importance of soil testing...

Host Kayla Greer dives into a critical topic for today’s tech-savvy farmers: cybersecurity in agriculture. Joining her is Amanda Senn, Director of the Alabama Securities Commission, who shares expert insight on how digital threats are shaping the future of farming. From mobile devices in the field to desktops in the office, your farm’s data is a valuable asset—and a potential target. Amanda unpack...

Alabama cattle producers are known for showing up and showing out when it comes to education about the beef industry! Host Josie Jones is joined in studio by Geneva County producer Nikki Dyess to discuss Geneva County's impressive October Beef Month win - The Heart of Beef Month award - and the youth education initiatives through local schools to enhance food literacy and appreciation for beef pro...

In this episode of the Cattle Connect podcast, the 'Marketing Your Farm' series continues by exploring the logistics of selling beef at local markets. Host Josie Jones is joined by guest, Don Wombles from the Department of Agriculture and the Farmers Market Authority, to share valuable insights into the rules and requirements for farmers looking to market their beef directly to consumers. The conv...