Alabama Beef Systems Extension

📍 Wiregrass, we're headed your way!

Join us and Alabama Cattlemen's Association at the upcoming Regional Cattlemen's Conference and hear from members of the Auburn Beef & Forage Team as we discuss some of the most pressing issues facing the beef industry today, including:

- New World Screwworm
- Asian Longhorned Tick
- Emerging technologies in beef cattle management

Don't miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and stay ahead of the challenges and innovations shaping the future of cattle production.

🔗 Register today: https://www.bamabeef.org/RegionalCookoutss

Way to go Ali! We couldn't be more proud!

𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗔𝗔𝗖𝗔𝗔𝗦 𝗔𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿

𝑨𝒍𝒊 𝑮𝒐𝒕𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒓

Ali covers seven counties in the Northwest Region as a member of the Animal Science & Forages Team. She began her Extension career in March of 2023 and is housed in the Lauderdale County office. Prior to Extension, Ali was Director of Education and Outreach for the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association. As one of the longest-tenured agents on the team, Ali leads the successful Women in Ag program and is co-coordinator for the Beef Quality Assurance program, the largest in the nation. She is a graduate of the elite ALFA Leaders program, a top ten finalist in the American Farm Bureau “Excellence in Ag” competition and the state winner in 2024. In just a brief time span, Ali moved and got married, started a new job, had a child, and took on significant leadership roles. She serves as a District Director and values collaboration that leads to trust and further engagement with her colleagues and clients.

If you were not at the North Alabama Cattlemen’s Conference today, you missed a great day of quality livestock information!

Today’s program agenda included:
- Introduction to Virtual Fencing by Charles Hord with No Fence
- Update on Asian Longhorn Tick and New World screwworm by Alabama Extension Veterinarian Dr. Soren Rodning
- Selecting Replacement Animals by Alabama Extension's Kent Stanford
- Talks from Alabama BeefPAC-backed candidates Katherine Robertson, Corey Hill and Wes Allen
- Your Value-Added Membership by ACA staffer Erin Beasley and 2026 President Wyatt Sasser
- Cattle Industry Economic Outlook by University of Tennessee's Andrew Griffith
- Fixing Nutritional Gaps by Dr. Maggie Justice with Alabama Extension and Auburn University

Special thanks to our Platinum Sponsors;
Elite Livestock Marketing Group, LLC
Valley Stockyard
Northwest Alabama Livestock Auction
For sponsoring the educational sessions!

And to North Alabama Co-op - Hartselle for the coffee and Breakfast!

And especially thanks to Alabama Cattlemen's Association for their outstanding partnership with us.

Learn about our upcoming meetings and register today at www.BamaBeef.org/RegionalCookouts

With New World Screwworm making headlines, flies are top of mind for many cattle producers. While staying informed on emerging threats is important, we can't forget about the flies that impact cattle performance every summer right here at home.

Horn flies and other external parasites can reduce weight gain, increase stress, and ultimately cost producers money. Now is a great time to evaluate your fly control program and make adjustments if needed.

Learn more in our latest article here:

https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/farming/it-pays-to-control-flies-in-beef-cattle-herds/

Reach out to your county extension office today for help in making your fly control plan!

It Pays to Control Flies in Beef Cattle Herds - Alabama Cooperative Extension System The high temperatures and humidity levels of summer are perfect conditions for flies, which can quickly cause issues for beef cattle.

The US Department of Agriculture has confirmed the presence of New World screwworm in Zavala County, Texas, which is about 50 miles from the US-Mexico border. This is the first detection of this pest in the United States during this outbreak.

Devastating to warm-blooded animals, the New World screwworm is a live-animal health concern, not a food safety or quality issue. As a preventative measure, livestock producers are encouraged to implement routine fly control in their herds.

If you have a suspected infestation, immediately contact Alabama State Veterinarian Dr. Tony Frazier at (334) 240-7253.

For more information about the New World screwworm, read the press release from the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries at https://agi.alabama.gov/animalindustries/2026/06/usda-confirms-new-world-screwworm-in-texas/.

Bom dia from Brazil! 🇧🇷

It’s officially day 3 of our study abroad and so far we have:
- Visited a church built in 1540 ⛪️
- Toured the historic streets of Old Olinda 🌸
- Attempted to learn key phrases in Portuguese
- Learned about the 6 unique biomes of Brazil
- Met a few water buffalo 🐃
- Explored the facilities of UFRPE

Our group has become family fast and we still have 16 more days together to see all that we can in Brazil!

Hey Autauga County! Now's your chance to join the more than 9,000 BQA certified participants in Alabama!

Beef Quality Assurance is a nationally coordinated, state implemented program that teaches beef producers to raise cattle under optimum management and environmental conditions.

Register to earn your 3-year BQA certifications for free: https://www.aces.edu/event/beef-quality-assurance-training-autauga/

Hear from our very own Josh Elmore and Ken Kelley!

Register today! https://www.aces.edu/event/operation-grow-bootcamp/

Calling all military veterans interested in agriculture or interested in getting started in agriculture.

The Operation Grow Boot Camp is a hands-on, two-day training designed just for you. May 28 - 29 at Petals from the Past in Jemison, Alabama.

This exciting program provides valuable information, practical training and networking opportunities with industry experts and organizations ready to support veterans and their families on their agricultural journey. Don’t miss this chance to gain skills, build connections and discover new opportunities in agriculture. Register here: https://www.aces.edu/go/6205