Cattle Connect

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 pr...

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-f...

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...

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 ...

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...

When it comes to Alabama cattle producers, one thing is for certain- their hearts are even bigger than their pastures. The Alabama Cattlemen's Foundation serves as the non-profit charitable arm of the Alabama Cattlemen's Association to extend the kindness of local producers and supporters to those in need across the nation. Join Erin and Josie as they discuss the Foundation's many purposes, growth in the scholarship program, recent...

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 Al...

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 th...

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 mor...

This episode is all about bovine AI— artificial insemination, that is! Join host Erin Beasley as she chats with Extension Veterinarian Dr. Soren Rodning about Auburn’s upcoming bovine AI schools at the E.V. Smith Research & Extension Center. Dr. Rodning explains AI advantages and challenges, who should consider AI, program expectations, and how to sign up for the educational opportunities where producers will spend two days lea...

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 i...

Beef promotion is a year-round priority for ACA staff, but between industry programs and grilling season, the summer months are particularly impactful! 

While leadership development events like the Young Cattlemen's Leadership Program Class XII sessions and the 19th Annual Alabama Junior Cattlemen's Association Round-Up focused on the future of agriculture, digital marketing strategies and in-person outreach at consumer and influen...

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 C...

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 interconnected...

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. Jo...

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,...

Alabama cattle producers are known for showing up and showing out when it comes to education about the beef industry! Host Josie Jones is joined in studio by Geneva County producer Nikki Dyess to discuss Geneva County's impressive October Beef Month win - The Heart of Beef Month award - and the youth education initiatives through local schools to enhance food literacy and appreciation for beef production among students that got the...