Cattle Connect

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.

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 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). 

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.

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 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 to grow junior membership, expanding outreach through social media and on-site events, and the importance of networking and leadership development for youth. This episode also highlights AJCA activities like Round-Up, field days, and October Beef Month outreach in Alabama.