Cattle Connect

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. 

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, and some additional things producers need to keep in mind as they are selecting and caring for their breeding stock.

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 started ten years ago as a way to feed their family locally produced food and grown that into a steady meat sales and social media affiliate income. 

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 determine better methods of predicting heifer fertility from specific genetic markers; the future in in vitro fertilization in livestock; and an update on the Auburn University Department of Animal Sciences Graduate Program. 

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 of The Traveling Farmacy, as they discuss one tool many producers are using to find success in the freezer beef game - websites.  

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 maintaining high-quality grazing and hay land. 

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 and Kacy tackle one of the hardest parts of estate planning— starting the conversation.