Cattle Connect

Hosts Kayla Greer and Erin Beasley share an update on association activity as 2026 closes— covering elections, upcoming events, and member opportunities.

Join Kayla Greer and Bailey Watson as they unpack insights from the Partnerships in Action conference, revealing how national research guides Alabama's 2027 Beef Checkoff marketing. Discover the consumer trends and data that inform promotion strategy, recipes, and outreach across the state, and learn how producers can share ideas to shape the checkoff’s plans for 2027.

As October Beef Month festivities continue, Cullman County producers Coltin and Lauren Rainwater share their unique road back to beef production and how the gift of an opportunity from an older couple launched their direct-to-consumer beef operation known as Rainwater Ranch. This journey inspired the farm's faith-driven initiative, Rainwater Ranch Gives Back. In this episode, the Rainwaters and host Josie discuss the program, how it has helped build a community around their operation, raising a young family in agriculture and the role their faith plays in it all.

On this episode, host Michael Smith sits down with Dr. Brandon Smith, an Auburn University ruminant nutritionist, to explain why mature summer forages can look green but lack nutrition—and how targeted supplementation can bridge the gap.

They discuss practical signs to watch for, supplement options, cost considerations, and share about the work of the Beef Checkoff in the research space.

To kick off October Beef Month festivities in Alabama, host Josie chats with Kathy Adams Phillips — Alabama's "Beef Lady" and creator of Kathy's Southern Kitchen — as Kathy looks back over the four years she has spent on the beef promotion trails as the Alabama Cattlemen's Association (ACA) Beef Influencer. Tune in to hear favorite funny stories from the road, important beef lessons learned and how her grandfather's heritage with the Alabama Cattlemen's Association lead to her being welcomed into the Alabama beef industry family.

Alabama Extension Specialist Kent Stanford sits down with host Kayla Greer to share practical drought planning strategies for cattle producers. Their conversation covers drought monitoring, taking "boots on the ground" forage measurements, the importance of sound stocking rates, proactive culling, supplemental feeding economics, and it offers helpful tools for when times get dry. The episode’s main message—play offense. The time for drought planning is not once the grass is gone.

In this Alabama Cattlemen's Foundation (ACF) highlight episode, Trevor Haney (a past-Alabama Junior Cattlemen's Association member and recipient of several ACF scholarships) shares his journey from growing up on a cow-calf operation in Hope Hull to now serving as the south-central regional manager for the American Angus Association where he works with Alabama producers who poured into him as a student.

Join host Josie and Trevor as they discuss the impact youth livestock programs and internships have on developing leaders, the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone within the agriculture industry and how the ACF Scholarship Program plays a role in developing a growing group of beef advocates across the country.

In this episode of Cattle Connect, ACA Past President Chuck Madaris of Lowndes County shares his story, talks about his service in the Alabama Cattlemen's Association, and highlights the mentors and family who shaped his work. A well-known mentor himself, Chuck discusses the importance of membership and grassroots leadership, challenges facing the industry, and offers practical advice for producers considering leadership roles.

In this junior cattlemen-focused episode, host Bailey Watson sits down with Caleb Cook, newly elected 2026–2027 president of the Alabama Junior Cattlemen’s Association. Caleb shares his journey from FFA and the show ring to serving on the AJCA board, along with his goals for growing membership and making the most of his year as president.

They also discuss how young cattlemen can get involved in AJCA leadership, AJCA events taking place this year, and Caleb’s advice for youth looking to find their place in the beef industry.

In this episode of Cattle Connect, Auburn researchers Drs. Mykel Taylor and Kelli Russell discuss findings from the 2025 Alabama Farm Poll, which gathered responses from nearly 400 producers across the state. The conversation covers farmer quality of life, financial pressures and household adaptations, succession planning and retirement concerns, and the optimism producers still hold for Alabama agriculture.

On this episode of Cattle Connect, Dr. David Russell of Alabama Extension walks through the fall weeds Alabama cattle producers should watch for, how to identify them, and practical timing and control options.

He stresses the importance of maintaining healthy forage stands, taking soil samples and using the right herbicide at the right time to set pastures up for success next spring.

On this episode of our Checkin’ on the Checkoff series, hosts Michael Smith and Bailey Watson look back at the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association’s summer checkoff activities. From targeted digital advertising to in-person outreach at minor league ballparks, they highlight how the ACA kept beef front and center throughout summer grilling season.

They also cover education and youth efforts across the state, including BQA Train the Trainer sessions for ag teachers, the 20th Annual AJCA Roundup, YCLP Class XIII’s second session and upcoming Alabama Junior Cattlemen’s field days.

2026 Alabama Junior Cattlemen's Association Round-Up Educational Speaker Heather Welper - a Texas native, agriculture communicator, show stock producer and industry advocate - joins the Cattle Connect podcast to share her "You Can’t Buy Showmanship" philosophy. This concept emphasizes that a determined mentality and hard work often contribute far more value to exhibitors' experiences than price tags on their animals. She shares how this concept affected her show journey and offers practical insight into how youth, producers, parents and mentors can help grow this mindset - and other critical skills - in the next generation of agricultural leaders.

In this episode, Erin visits with Elite Livestock Marketing Group's Jerry Etheredge and Harden Utsey about the journey from traditional stockyard auctions to a growing cattle video auction business. They discuss the team’s history, adding a partnership with Live Ag, monthly nationwide sales, services for purebred and commercial producers and the benefits of working with local representatives who know the industry.

Tune in to learn how Elite markets cattle to a wider buyer base, hear about upcoming sales and their new Hope Hull headquarters, and find out how to connect with their team for marketing, farm visits and risk-management resources.

In this special-edition episode of Cattle Connect, ACA intern Abby Burgess interviews Charles and Cooper Holmes of the Holmestead Company in Perry County, one of Alabama’s 13 designated Bicentennial Farms. They share their family’s 200+ year history, how the farm adapted through generations, and the role of cattle, timber, and conservation in rebuilding and sustaining the land.

While beef production is the backbone of the Alabama Cattlemen's Association, scholarships through the Alabama Cattlemen's Foundation reach students beyond traditional agricultural pathways associated with the cattle industry in hopes of building a stronger future for generations to come. Caroleene Dobson, a past Tagged for Greatness scholarship recipient, joins host Josie Jones to discuss how the program played a role in keeping her involved in agriculture through law school, a successful career as an attorney, and a current political campaign. Listen to learn more about her fond memories from a childhood spent on her close-knit family's cow‑calf operation, her journey to law school, how her real estate practice serves rural landowners and producers across the state, and the role an agriculture background played in Caroleene's decision to run for Alabama's next Secretary of State.

On this episode of Cattle Connect, Alabama State Veterinarian Dr. Tony Frazier provides an update on the New World screwworm (NWS) — a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on living tissue of mammal hosts. He explains the fly's life cycle, past eradication efforts, current detections and response actions in Texas, available treatments, and how producers can spot and report suspicious cases.

Host Erin Beasley sits down with Matthew Durdin of the Alabama Farmers Federation to break down Alabama's intense primary season, explain key outcomes, and preview what's at stake in the November General Election.

They discuss notable wins like Corey Hill and Katherine Robertson, the surge in incumbent challenges, the role of grassroots outreach and candidate training, the impact of social media versus real-world relationships, and what voters should expect as campaigns shift toward November 3rd.

Behind the ACA's newest membership benefit with Watt Cattle Company's WW Livestock is a story that goes deeper than a discount. On this episode of Cattle Connect, host Michael Smith talks with Tyler Watt of Sumter County about growing up in the cattle business and the challenges he faced as a beef producer. Tyler shares how faith, family, a little endurance, and entrepreneurship helped him rebuild and support other producers today.

If you or a farmer or rancher you know is struggling with mental health challenges, remember that help is available and you are not alone. Find resources through A Healthy You, A Healthy Farm at https://agi.alabama.gov/hyhf/.

In this episode of Cattle Connect, Erin Beasley talks with Dr. Hannah Ennis from the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries about the state's meat inspection program. They cover inspection types, the inspection process from live animal checks to postmortem evaluation, labeling requirements, and resources for producers interested in direct-to-consumer sales.