Cattle Connect

What do networking opportunities, forage research projects, carcass fabrication demonstrations, and youth livestock shows have in common? The Alabama Beef Checkoff Program! Hear from 2025 Alabama Beef Checkoff Council Chairman Steven Smith on this year’s priorities for Beef Checkoff programming, while host Josie Jones gives an overview of the history of Beef Checkoff Programs across the US and the...

New positions and new priorities take a foothold at the Alabama Cattlemen's Association as a season of change invites staff transitions and new hires! Host Kayla Greer sits down with ACA Executive Vice President Erin Beasley to talk about those changes and the inspiration behind them. Following, the newest face at the ACA, Michael Smith, introduces himself and shares his vision for his role at Man...

“I believe in the future of agriculture.” These first seven words of the FFA creed only begin to tell the story of The National FFA Organization and the effect it has on today’s youth and tomorrow’s leaders. Hot on the heels of Alabama’s 97th Annual FFA State Convention, Josie sat down with Mackenzie Smith - 2024-2025 Alabama FFA State Treasurer, AJCA member and Marshall County cattle showman - to...

Grassroots advocates are the lifeblood of the ACA, and our Connect to the Cattlemen series is here to highlight their efforts! From steak sandwich sales, to beef donations and youth events, to scholarship presentations, county Cattlemen’s chapters often get creative on how to engage in the local community. In Franklin County, this means taking to social media video production, highlighting those i...

In a world where consumers are constantly bombarded with ads, influencer reviews, sales pitches and new products, building a brand that is easily recognizable can be key to a sustainable beef operation. Listen as host Josie Jones sits down with Kenny Woodham, owner of Sowega Meat Company, to discuss how consistency and quality have been integral in growing the direct-to-consumer facility. 

The New World Screwworm (NWS)— a parasitic pest eradicated from the U.S. in 1966— is climbing north from Panama, and getting a little too close to the homeland. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins closed the U.S./Mexican border for live imports of cattle, equine and bison for a second time this year as eradication protocols ramp up in Central and South America. Alabama State Veterinarian Dr. T...

As of Wednesday, May 14, the final gavel of the 2025 Alabama Legislative Session has fallen! ACA lobbyists Erin Beasley and Kayla Greer gathered in the Cattle Connect studio after the motion to adjourn “Sine Die,” and the duo debriefed some of the milestone moments from the past 105 days in the State House.

Alabama’s agricultural and forestry industries significantly contribute to the state’s economy. The Agriculture & Forestry Grow Alabama: An Economic Contribution Study revealed that in 2022, the economic contribution of Alabama’s food, fiber, forestry, and green industries was $77.3 billion and 273,271 jobs, which accounted for 10% of Alabama’s workforce.  Learn more about how this study came...

Building a high-quality, healthy cattle herd depends on producers utilizing quality genetics and good herd management practices on their farms. Listen as host Reid McGuire sits down with Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine Associate Clinical Professor of Theriogeneology Dr. Chance Armstrong to discuss the important role bull development plays in the longevity of Alabama operations, an...

What do Facebook and rural Alabama communities have in common? The ability to support growth of local small businesses from the ground up! For this week’s episode of the Marketing Your Farm series, Join host Josie as she visits with cattle producer, business owner and social media influencer Karah Skinner from Rock House Farms. Learn how the Skinner family has taken the first-generation farm they...

The volunteer leaders of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association are vital to the success and leadership of our trade organization. On this episode, Josie will sit down with 2025 ACA Vice President Randy Moody from Madison County. Learn more about his background, family and the priorities and goals has has for the association during his tenure as a state officer. 

Tomorrow’s beef industry relies on today’s research, and heifer fertility quickly rises to the top of the list when producers start discussing crucial improvements left to be made.    Join Reid McGuire and Auburn University Department of Animal Sciences Associate Professor and Graduate Program Officer Dr. Paul Dyce as they discuss a current study funded by the Alabama Beef Checkoff Program to dete...

In a time when people are very invested in knowing the story behind the food on their plate, those involved in agriculture have an excellent opportunity to educate their local communities while expanding income streams through niche, direct-to-consumer markets. But kicking off steak sales on the cattle operation takes more than beef in the freezer. Join Josie Jones and Anna Marie Herrington, owner...

With springtime showers comes… Pasture weeds??? Tune in as Reid McGuire and Dr. David Russell discuss ways producers can better manage the forage component of beef production. Listen as they cover previous research done across the state (thanks to the Alabama Beef Checkoff Program!), the most common weeds found in Alabama pastures and how cattlemen can take a proactive, sustainable approach to mai...

With 16 days of the 2025 Alabama Legislative Session already on the books, only 14 remain to conduct the work of the State. Listen in as co-hosts Kayla Greer and Erin Beasley chat about bills of interest this session, their progression in the political process, and what the duo expects to see in the final 14 days of session.

Springtime is just around the corner! With the longer days and warmer weather comes many outdoor education events. Listen as Reid and Josie offer a spring update on 2025 Alabama Beef Checkoff Program activities and offer some insight into how producers can get involved. 

Estate planning— it's not a favorite topic, but it's one that is vitally important to the preservation of the family farm. While at #BamaBeefMeet, Cattle Connect host Kayla Greer spoke with Kacy Atkinson. Kacy is a Wyoming rancher and estate planning advocate who brought her knowledge and unique experience to our General Session panel titled "Planning for the Future of the Farm." Tune in as Kayla...

National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) CEO Colin Woodall headlined the Cattlemen's Luncheon at the 82nd Annual ACA Convention & Trade Show in Birmingham. His charisma and in-depth knowledge of the American beef industry— as well as his insightful knowledge of D.C. politics—resonated with all who listened. Host Kayla Greer sat down with Colin after the luncheon to re-visit his discussion...

The 2025 Alabama Legislative Session has kicked off in downtown Montgomery, bringing with it a busy 105 days for both lawmakers and lobbyists. House Rules Chairman, Rep. Joe Lovvorn of Alabama House District 79 joins co-hosts Kayla Greer and Erin Beasley in the Cattle Connect studio to share about his agricultural background, his role as Rules Chairman, and what we can expect to see this session,...

Supporting Alabama's youth in agriculture— that's the goal of the Southeastern Livestock Exposition (SLE), and your ticket to the show contributes to that mission. SLE President Linwood McClain joins host Kayla Greer in studio to reflect on the SLE's history, its unique mission and share details about this year's event. Learn more at www. SLERodeo.com. 

Health insurance is one of those things "you'd rather have and not need, than to need it and not have it." But unfortunately, affordable health coverage is a tough commodity to come by for many of Alabama's farmers and small business owners. That is why our friends at the Alabama Farmers Federation are working toward legislation that will allow them to offer affordable health plans to the hardwork...

“There will always be a need for land because it’s under everything.” Host Erin Beasley sits down with longtime land broker and host of The Land Show, Jonathan Goode, to chat about considerations and preparations to have on hand when it comes time to buy or sell your land. 

Tune in as host Kayla Greer sits down in studio with Shelby Easterling, president of the Alabama CattleWomen's Association (ACWA). Kayla and Shelby chat about the ACWA's mission, highlight a few of Shelby's goals as president and— in true Cattle Connect fashion— shed a little light on the history of the organization. Learn more or join the ACWA at www. AlabamaCattleWomen.com. 

What began as feedback from membership meetings held in 2024 evolved into five educational opportunities at the 82nd Annual ACA Convention & Trade Show. From estate planning to life-saving tips in an emergency, and calf health to diversifying your farm's financials, the 2025 convention will feature a variety of educational sessions you don't want to miss. Learn more and register today at BamaB...

In celebration of the ACA's 81st birthday, hosts Kayla Greer and Erin Beasley take to the history book to chat about some of the association's milestone moments and their little-known details!