Cattle Connect

2025 ACA Yearbook ft. The Entire Cattle Connect Team

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 Season Three airing January 2, 2026. 

Connect to the Cattlemen: Clay County's Winning Recipe ft. Jim & Kim Jordan

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 rural community.
They also discuss practical planning tips, the value of mentorship, and why involving young people is essential to keeping agriculture strong at the local level. The conversation offers actionable ideas and inspiration for county associations looking to replicate Clay County’s success.

Stewarding Deep South Cattlemen's Associations ft. Andy Berry

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 their Beef Councils to keep the industry strong and moving forward.
While meeting in Washington, D.C., Erin and Andy also shine a light on the importance of building up young leaders within each state association, making sure the next generation is ready to carry the banner for Southeastern cattlemen.

The WHY Behind YCLP: Inside Alabama's Young Cattlemen's Leadership Program ft. YCLP Council Chairman Aisling Walding

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 learn more about what to expect when it comes to YCLP class experiences, council work, industry and D.C. trips, leadership training, and application details for Class XIII (applications open now through March 22). 

From The Plains to Producers: Practical Beef Insights ft. Dr. Maggie Justice

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 their operations.
She breaks down practical takeaways from her research, explains why management strategies must be tailored to Alabama’s unique forage systems, and previews upcoming efforts to test and demonstrate new technologies across the state. Dr. Justice also reflects on lessons learned from international study tours across New Zealand, Australia, and Kenya, offering global perspectives that inform her approach at home.
Looking for support or more information? Connect with your County Extension office or explore resources at AlabamaBeefSystems.com.

Checking on the Checkoff: Wrapping Up a Busy Fall

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 Beef Month promotions, Beef Checkoff-funded initiatives continued to strengthen connections with consumers and inspire the next generation of cattlemen. Plus, learn how producers can share their feedback through a brief, anonymous survey helping shape the future of Beef Checkoff programs. To complete the Alabama Beef Checkoff Program Survey, click here.

Developing Heifers for the Long Haul ft Kent Stanford

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.

State of the Beef Consumer

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 will guide statewide beef promotions heading into the new year.

When Words Move Markets

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 can take action by contacting your members of Congress.

From Pasture to Policy ft. Mary Bea Halimeh

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 decisions, and why Alabama’s cattle producers have a powerful seat at the table in Washington, D.C. Whether you're a rancher, policymaker, or simply passionate about the beef industry, this episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look at how the beef community stays connected from pasture to policy. Learn more at NCBA.org