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The Cattle Connect Podcast is brought to you by the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA). Tune in weekly to hear current beef cattle industry news and to learn more about the ACA!
88 Episodes
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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 Manager of Industry Outreach.
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.
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 will guide statewide beef promotions heading into the new year.
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.
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
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 producers.
The episode explains how Alabama producers contributed to the priorities and a call to action asking listeners to sign the Common Ground Coalition letter of support to help advance industry-wide solutions available at: www.commongroundcoalition.net
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 Kayla Greer in studio to share how this program supports producers across Alabama through funding and technical assistance. Will brings firsthand insight into the benefits of these efforts, from improving pasture health and water quality to reducing erosion and supporting long-term farm viability.
Learn more at alabamasoilandwater.gov, or visit your local Soil & Water Conservation District office. Funding decisions for 2026 begin October 1.
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 dollars within their community. Learn more about vetting partners by shared values and quality, balancing human-centered relationships with business needs, and practical tips for connecting consumers to local beef.
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 Colquitt to discuss how a steak tasting in the classroom has turned into an educational experience that reaches hundreds of future consumers. Discover how this hands-on approach is building a deeper understanding of the beef industry— and creating lifelong beef fans in the process!
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.
Bailey describes her Alabama Beef Checkoff staff role leading the Alabama Junior Cattlemen’s Association and managing the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. campaign across Alabama. Tune in to meet Bailey!
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 episode reveals the interconnectedness of prosperous agriculture and rural communities. Learn how Alabama's agricultural sector is gearing up for future growth while tackling the crucial issues that shape its landscape. Explore the research findings at www.aces.edu.
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 for optimal pasture performance. Josh also discusses the unique aspects of Alabama's diverse climate and soil that benefit cattle producers, offering practical advice for both seasoned and new farmers. Tune in to equip yourself with the tools and knowledge to enhance your winter forage strategy.
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 unpacks the risks and delivers practical, actionable strategies to help you protect your personal information, farm records, and connected systems.
Whether you're managing smart equipment or storing sensitive data, this episode will help you stay a step ahead of cyber threats. Tune in and learn how to safeguard your farm’s future in a connected, fast-moving digital world.
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 important role they play in a sustainable beef industry.
“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 discuss this great organization and the role it plays in strengthening Alabama’s beef industry.
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 in the community and tying it all back to the beef business! Listen in as host Kayla Greer chats with Caleb Beason of the Franklin County Cattlemen's Association, and check out their Facebook page to watch their videos today!
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. Tony Frazier with the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries joined host Erin Beasley in studio to discuss this pest and the measures it will take to keep it out of the U.S. cowherd.
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 to light and about the role of the Alabama Agribusiness Council (AAC) as host Kayla Greer chats in studio with AAC Executive Director Grace Ellis. Find more facts and figures at www.GrowAlabama.org.
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