Cattle Connect

As we prepare to send off 2024, tune in as hosts Kayla Greer, Erin Beasley, Josie Jones and Reid McGuire sit down for a month-by-month review of programs, key moments and successes for the Alabama Cattlemen's Association and the Alabama Beef Checkoff Program. Be sure to tune into Season 2 of the Cattle Connect podcast, kicking off January 3, 2025. Happy New Year! 

From the Young Cattlemen's Leadership Program to BEEF 101 and digital advertising to BQA in classrooms, the Alabama Beef Checkoff Program covers a lot of ground. This week's segment, the Beef Checkoff team highlights some 2024 wins and what to look forward to in 2025! BONUS FOOTAGE: Listen to the end for a little banter about the staff's favorite beef cuts for the holidays!

From Millennials to Gen X'ers and Gen Z'ers to Boomers, cross-generational leadership and management can create questions...for both leaders and followers! Host Erin Beasley sits down with Auburn University Professor of Practice in Agricultural Communication and Leadership Dr. Adam Cletzer to unpack generational differences, tips for leadership development and even a few resource recommendations f...

Sweet Grown Alabama has become a recognizable brand for Alabama agriculture. In this episode, host Josie Jones sits down with Sweet Grown Alabama Assistant Director Aisling Walding to learn about the launch of this program, the purpose it serves and how producers can take advantage of the resources it has to offer. 

The 2025 ACA Convention & Trade Show will be in Birmingham February 21-22. Co-hosts Kayla Greer and Erin Beasley chat about what you can expect at the 82nd annual event, including what's new! Learn more and register today at www. BamaBeef.org/Events . 

Give the gift of membership this holiday season! Whether it’s a friend, family member, neighbor— or someone who’s just plain hard to shop for— we’ve got just what you need! Our 2024 Christmas From Cowboys membership drive offers a one-year membership with all the benefits of being a member of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association, wrapped up in a western-themed Christmas card. ACA President Dr. Terr...

Did you know you could qualify for up to a 75% rebate on herd health practices like corrals, feed bunks with heavy use pads and squeeze chutes? Thanks to Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee’s Conservation Incentive Program (CIP), you can! ASWCC Assistant Executive Director Ashley Henderson joins host Kayla Greer in the Cattle Connect studio to dive into those programs. Find your local of...

Dr. Kimberly Mullenix recently assumed the role as the Head of the Department of Animal Sciences at Auburn University behind the successful tenure of Dr. Wayne Greene. A former Beef Cattle Extension Specialist, Dr. Mullenix joins host Erin Beasley in studio to introduce herself and to share her vision for the department moving forward. 

Advertising beef to Alabama's consumers requires knowledge of market trends and buying power, and thanks to a recent trip out to Denver, ACA Director of Consumer Outreach Josie Jones is up for the challenge. Tune in to learn more about the many mechanics behind encouraging consumers to choose beef. #BeefItsWhatsForDinner

A new addition to Beef Month in recent years is a contest titled "Cattlemen of Beef Month." This friendly competition between county Cattlemen's Associations awards points based on beef promotional efforts hosted during October Beef Month, and it ends with one county earning the crown! In October 2023, the Elmore County Cattlemen's Association went above and beyond to design unique ways to promote...

This year, we are proud to celebrate 60 years of October Beef Month in Alabama! In honor of this milestone, we looked back over the past decade of Bama’s Best Beef, Bama’s Best Burger and Alabama’s Best Steak contest winners and finalists to design a roadmap we've titled "60 Savory Stops." Listen in as co-hosts Kayla Greer and Josie Jones talk about how this campaign came to life, and join in the...

2024 marks 60 years since the very first October Beef Month in Alabama. To discuss the past six decades of beef promotion across the state, host Josie Jones is joined by previous Alabama Cattlemen’s Association employee Ed Whatley. Ed worked as both the ACA Field Representative and the Director of Retail and Foodservice Promotion during his many years at the association, and played a key role in g...

Regardless of your preferred breed, industry segment, or stance on grass-fed vs. grain-fed, we can all agree on one thing- beef production is important. Join host Josie Jones as she discusses the Three P's of Beef Production with Mason Hills Farm owner Joseph Mason. 

In honor of National Farm Safety Week, host Josie Jones sits down with Jackson Chance, RN, PM, to discuss farm-related accidents and safety. Currently an assistant fire chief, EMS director, and flight nurse covering rural Alabama communities, Jackson has participated first-hand in many of the facets of Alabama’s emergency medical response and care systems during his 10 years of experience. Listen...

"The goal is not to get a bred heifer. It's to get a three-year-old pair." Listen in as host Reid McGuire talks with Animal Sciences & Forages Extension Specialist Kent Stanford about retaining and raising the right heifers for your herd. 

The Alabama Cattlemen's Association website houses 58 pages of content, all linked to our association! While we won't dig into all 58 pages, join hosts Erin Beasley and Kayla Greer as they discuss some of the highlights, hidden gems and important resources housed on www. BamaBeef.org . 

In June, Bullock County Cattleman and YCLP Council Chairman Daniel Adams took to a 10-day trip across the country to explore the American beef industry. As the Alabama representative on the National Cattlemen's Beef Association's Young Cattlemen's Conference, Daniel experienced the beef industry from pasture to plate along with 67 other young producers from across the nation. Listen in as host Kay...

Are you interested in getting your junior cattlemen involved in livestock judging...but maybe have a few questions? Look no further! Host Reid McGuire welcomes AU Livestock Judging Coach Jesse Henson to the studio to take a deeper look into competitive livestock judging, the variety of skills it instills in its competitors, and its practical applications to everyday management decisions on the far...

Bull sale season is on the horizon! Alabama Beef Cattle Improvement Association (BCIA) Director Michelle Elmore joined ACA's Reid McGuire in the Cattle Connect studio to discuss ways to make sense of sale catalogs and to share points to consider when making a decision on a herd bull for your operation. Tune in to learn more, and explore upcoming sales and educational opportunities online at BamaBe...

It's time to head back to school and there are so many things to prepare. Shopping carts in stores across Alabama are filled with school supplies, families are visiting schools to meet the new teachers, and educators are adding the final touches to their lesson plans. But success in the classroom relies on far more than great crayons and new shoes. Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries...

The time of year has come when calves are weaned and truckloads are formed to market. It's board sale season in Alabama, and joining host Reid McGuire in the Cattle Connect studio is Ken Kelley, a farm and agribusiness regional Extension agent who hails from the southwest corner of the state. Tune in as Reid and Ken talk about what a board sale is, tips to increase profitability on your next calf...

The Producer Profitability Initiative has been the featured event held in conjunction with the 2024 Regional Cattlemen's Cookouts. This grassroots movement put into motion by the Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) was created by cattle ranchers who have a vision to create a sustainable future for the American livestock industry. Through listening sessions, cattlemen of all ages, management styl...

Today's average consumer is very aware of their food choices. Common headlines include GMOs, sustainability, local products, pesticides, and the list goes on. This overwhelming interest gives those involved in agriculture the opportunity to develop a local customer base and grow strong relationships with the consumers in their communities, and beef producers are no exception. Join Josie as she vis...

Join Josie and Reid as they visit with 2023-2024 Alabama Junior Cattlemen's Association President Alyvia Watson! Hear the Mobile County native discuss her agriculture background, future plans and favorite parts of being involved in the AJCA. 

The Alabama Junior Cattlemen's Association 18th Annual Round-Up is coming to town July 18-21! Reid and Josie are here to give you all the details about each contest and the role they play in developing career-based skills among our junior cattlemen. Tune in to find out all the details to attend and hear how our producers are encouraged to get involved in this fantastic summer event.