Alabama BCIA May 2012 Newsletter - AL BCIA

Performance Tips, Topics and Trails 

Vol. 16, No. 2 

www.albcia.com 

May 2012 

Quarterly newsletter published by Alabama BCIA, whose mission is to promote, educate and facilitate the use 

of performance data, record keeping and marketing opportunities for BCIA members, while providing a leadership 

role to improve the Alabama cattle industry. 

Alabama BCIA 

President: John Bambarger, Northport 

Vice-President: Linda Newman, Banks 

Secretary: Michelle Elmore, Clanton 

Treasurer: Win Parmer, Selma 

Board Members 

Dr. Tony Frazier, Montgomery 

Dr. Wayne Greene, Auburn 

Dr. Lisa Kriese-Anderson, Auburn 

Dr. Paul Mask, Auburn 

Rickey Hudson, Headland 

Kevan Tucker, Grove Hill 

Nathan Jaeger, Montgomery 

Bill Lipscomb, Prattville 

Dr. Billy Powell, Montgomery 

Al Golden, Notasulga 

Donny Stephens, Marion Junction 

Rusty Graydon, Montgomery 

Doug Gibbs, Ranburne 

Tim West, Centre 

Tommy Martin, Moundville 

Crawford Jones, Prattville 

Randy Moody, New Market 

Ex-Officio Board Members 

Tommy Brown, Clanton 

Publication 

Managing Editor: Michelle Elmore 

The planning for the 2012-13 BCIA 

sale and evaluation season has been completed. 

A call for nominations for the Alabama 

BCIA bull evaluations is being issued 

to Alabama BCIA members and all 

interested seedstock producers. 

The North Alabama Bull Evaluation 

held on the Donaldson Farm in Cullman is 

currently in its 40 th year, having been established 

in 1972. The 2012 North Alabama 

Bull Evaluation will evaluate bulls 

born between August 15, 2011 through 

November 15, 2011 to be nominated by 

June 12, 2012. Bulls will be delivered to 

Donaldson Farms on July 10 and will be 

offered for sale on Saturday, December 8 

at Cullman Stockyards at 11 am. Bulls are 

managed and evaluated for growth performance 

in outside paddocks located on 

steep inclines making for strong physical 

condition. 

The Wiregrass Forage Based Bull 

Evaluation will begin its 24th year in 2012 

-2013 to evaluate bulls for grazing performance. 

Advance Genetic Resource, LLC, 

Max Bozeman and Larry Reeves, are hosts 

for this evaluation in Elba. Forage evaluations 

evaluate growth performance of bulls 

under grazing conditions more similar to 

commercial cow/calf producers. These 

evaluations identify bulls with the genetics 

to more efficiently utilize forage resources. 

Nominations of bulls born between October 

15, 2011 to January 31, 2012 will be 

sought. The nomination deadline is September 

1 and delivery will be November 

14. The 2012-13 sale event will be held on 

October 26, 2013 in Elba at the evaluation 

site at 12 noon. The sale to market bulls 

from the 2011-12 Wiregrass evaluation 

will be held on October 27, 2012 in Elba at 

12 noon. 

Performance evaluations provide a 

uniform environment to develop, evaluate, 

and market bull calves and the genetics 

they reflect. Evaluations provide an excellent 

opportunity for breeders to display the 

genetics in their breeding programs, compare 

sires, and obtain performance data 

that is difficult to measure on the farm. 

2012-2013 Plans Continued on Page 4...

May again, where did the year go Being May, it is 

that time of year for the beginning of hay season and 

weaning the calf crop. It is also that time of year for my 

annual reminder for BCIA members to collect 205 day 

weights and hip heights for your calves and report your 

data for processing of your BCIA records. Weaning time 

is a pinnacle of the BCIA year, for it is the time that our 

producers evaluate their calf crop and cow herds. Take 

full advantage of BCIA and the information it can provide 

to your operation. Even with high cattle prices, input 

costs are also high, so maintaining performance records 

is still crucial. BCIA records guide members to 

identify cows or bulls in the herd that are not performing 

up to par and to select the best replacement heifers to 

retain. 

Also being May, it is also that time on the calendar 

for seedstock producers to sit down and design a plan for 

marketing this year’s bull crop. This is best done early to 

design your strategy to take full advantage of the BCIA 

bull evaluations and consignment sales planned for the 

fall and winter months. Remember, your seedstock operation 

is a reflection of your vision and initiative! Plan 

thoroughly and investigate your industry. Investigate to 

learn and remain current in performance data elements, 

trends and goals of your breed, and in the needs your 

customers. Plan ahead on how you will evaluate the performance 

traits in your genetics to meet the goals of your 

breed, your industry and for your customer. BCIA bull 

evaluations are a great resource. You will find detailed 

information for all BCIA evaluations and sales featured 

in this newsletter. 

Also featured in this newsletter is the GREAT lineup 

of educational opportunities for the summer. First on 

May 24 in south Alabama, an educational meeting for 

cattle producers to discuss Estrus Synchronization and 

Artificial Insemination (ESAI) will be held on Thursday, 

May 24 at the Auburn University Gulf Coast Research 

and Extension Center in Fairhope. Results from the 

ESAI Demonstration held on November 28 at the Gulf 

Coast Research and Extension Center in Fairhope will be 

presented, along with reproductive herd health and estrus 

synchronization tools. See page 7 for more details. 

Alabama Travels… 

Michelle Elmore 

Next, the new 2012 Alabama Cow-Calf Conference: 

“Meeting Global Beef Demand One Cow and Calf at a 

Time” will be held on Friday, June 15 at the Ham Wilson 

Livestock Arena on the campus of Auburn University. 

Today’s excitement and opportunity for top managers in 

the beef industry, management tools to meet beef demand, 

opportunities to lower production costs, responsible 

herd expansion, marketing feeder calves, feeding byproducts, 

pre-weaning and post-weaning calf management 

practices with break-out sessions featuring functional 

facility design, calf management and water resource 

techniques and managing risk in the cow-calf sector 

will all be featured. Visiting the trade show will also 

be available during morning registration, at lunch and 

during mid-morning and mid-afternoon breaks. See page 

7 for more details. 

BCIA is a great source of education for seedstock 

producers. The BCIA Seedstock Continuing Education 

Program offers specialized education and resources. 

This program enables established seedstock producers 

with the knowledge and skills to improve aspects of their 

business and also cattle producers interested in establishing 

a new operation. 

In July, the BCIA Seedstock Continuing Education 

Program will hold its third annual statewide field day on 

Saturday, July 28 at the Auburn University Beef Teaching 

Unit. This event will be hosted along with the Auburn 

Animal Sciences Department and the Alabama Cooperative 

Extension System. Discussions will focus on 

forage with grazing management strategies, weed control 

options and a weed identification demonstration. A producer 

panel to discuss donor cow selection and results 

from the estrus synchronization and artificial insemination 

demonstrations held last fall, with replacement heifer 

development and estrus synchronization tools, will 

also be discussed. Please see page 11 for more details. 

Summer months are usually busy, but do not miss 

out on these great opportunities to position your cattle 

operation for the future! 

Thanks for listening, 

Michelle 

How to contact BCIA: 

Mail: 40 County Road 756, Clanton, AL 35045 

Phone: (205) 646-0115 Fax: (205) 646-3607 

Email: elmormf@auburn.edu 

Website: www.albcia.com 

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BCIA news 

Estrus Synchronization Educational 

Meeting to be held Thursday, May 24 

at the Gulf Coast Research & Extension 

Center in Fairhope. See page 7 

for more information. 

The Alabama Cow-Calf Conference: 

“Meeting Global Beef Demand One 

Cow & Calf at a Time” will be held on 

Friday, June 15 on the campus of Auburn 

University. Please see page 7 for 

more information. 

BCIA Seedstock Continuing Education 

Program Field Day to be held Saturday, 

July 28 at the Auburn Beef Teaching 

Unit. See page 11 for more information. 

DATES TO REMEMBER 

May 

24 Estrus Synchronization & AI Educational Meeting, 6:30 PM, 

Gulf Coast REC in Fairhope 

June 

12 Nomination deadline for 2012 NABEC Bull Evaluation 

15 Alabama Cow-Calf Conference, 8:00 AM, Auburn University 

July 

10 Delivery for NABEC 2012, Cullman 

12 BCIA Board of Directors Meeting, 10 AM, Clanton 

28 BCIA Seedstock Continuing Education Program Field Day 

Auburn University Beef Teaching Unit, Auburn 

August 

15 Nomination deadline for 2012 Fall Round Up Sale 

31 Herd Builder Replacement Heifer Sale. 11 AM, Uniontown 

September 

1 Nomination deadline for 2012-13 Wiregrass Bull Evaluation 

October 

27 2011-12 Wiregrass Forage Based Bull Evaluation Sale 

12 Noon, Elba 

November 

9 Fall Round Up Bull & BCIA Genetic Verified Heifer Sale. 

11 AM, Uniontown 

14 Delivery for 2012-13 Wiregrass Bull Evaluation, Elba 

December 

8 North Alabama Bull Evaluation Center & BCIA Genetic Verified 

Heifer Sale. 11 AM, Cullman 

The Alabama BCIF recently sponsored a 2nd annual benefit 

raffle as a fund raising event along with the BCIA Annual Meeting. 

Four exciting items were offered. The winning tickets were drawn 

at the BCIA Annual Meeting and Awards Program on March 31 in 

Huntsville held in conjunction with the 69 th Annual Alabama Cattlemen’s 

Convention. 

The benefit raffle featured a football signed by the University 

of Alabama head coach of the 2011 BCS National Champions and 

three times National Coach of the Year, Nick Saban. For Crimson 

Tide fans, this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to have a bit of 

Alabama football history donated by the University of Alabama! 

Carol Marsalis of Northport won this exciting featured item. 

For those who operate a farm, ranch or just like the outdoors, 

three items were offered. A $150.00 gift certificate to select your 

favorite item from Alabama Farmers Cooperative to use in any 

store location around the state and two $100 Tractor Supply gift 

cards, donated by Alabama BCIA, to use at any store or online. 

The winning raffle ticket holder for the $150.00 gift certificate 

from Alabama Farmers Cooperative, Inc. was Donny Stephens of 

Marion Junction to use the gift certificate at his local store in Northport. 

The winning ticket holders for the two $100 Tractor Supply 

gift cards were Terri Mayfield of Brent and Thomas Kirkland of 

Headland. 

Thank you to all our sponsors of these exciting items and for 

all who purchased or sold raffle tickets. Through your efforts, Alabama 

BCIF was able to raise $1,890.00 on this fund raising event! 

Alabama BCIF was also very excited to be able to provide support 

for the next generation of cattlemen by awarding a Alabama 

BCIF graduate fellowship. A $1,000 graduate fellowship was 

granted to Staci DeGeer, a doctoral student in meat science within 

the Auburn Animal Sciences Department. 

3 

For more details on this presentation, please read the feature article 

on page 6. 

A memorial donation to BCIF is a enduring way to honor 

someone’s memory in the cattle industry. Donations, honorariums, 

or donations of proceeds from animals sold in BCIA and production 

sales are other various avenues to contribute. Alabama BCIF’s mission 

is to educate and facilitate the utilization of performance principles 

for the cattle industry. BCIF provides a vehicle for individuals 

to make tax deductible contributions to support beef cattle performance 

educational programs, research, and activities. 

Alabama Beef Cattle Improvement Foundation 

Contribution Form 

Please Select and Mark Your Level of Contribution 

_______ ALBCIF Visionary $10,000 + 

_______ ALBCIF Benefactor $5,000-10,000 

_______ALBCIF Builder $2,500-5,000 

_______ ALBCIF Patron $1,000-2,500 

_______ ALBCIF Pacesetter $500-1,000 

_______ ALBCIF Associate $250-500 

_______ ALBCIF Partner $100-250 

_______ ALBCIF Friend $1-100 

Name:__________________________________________ 

Farm Name:_____________________________________ 

Address:________________________________________ 

City:______________________State:______Zip:______ 

Amount Contributed:_____________________________ 

Please make all checks payable to the Alabama Beef Cattle 

Improvement Foundation, Inc. and mail to ALBCIF, 

40 County Rd 756, Clanton, AL 35045.

Alabama BCIA bull evaluation sales present complete 

performance data featuring all evaluation gain data, carcass 

ultrasound, and breeding soundness exams on all 

bulls offered for sale. For more information and guideline 

requirements, please visit the BCIA website to view 

the entire nomination guidelines. 

For on-farm evaluated bulls, the Fall Round Up Bull 

Sale, which will be in its 17th year, will be held on Friday, 

November 9 at the Alabama Livestock Auction in 

Uniontown at 11 am. The age range of bulls to be accepted 

for nomination will include bulls born from November 

1, 2008 to May 31, 2011 to market 4 year to 16 

month old bulls. The nomination deadline will be August 

15, 2012. 

Plans have also been set for the 2012-13 BCIA heifer 

sales. The Herdbuilder Replacement Female Sale will be 

held on Friday, August 31 at 11 am at the Alabama Livestock 

Auction in Uniontown. Bred heifers, open heifers, 

and a select group of cows with BCIA data will be sold. 

BCIA Genetic Verified Heifer Sales will also be held in 

conjunction with at the Fall Round Up Sale on Friday, 

November 9 in Uniontown and the North Alabama Bull 

Evaluation Center Sale on Saturday, December 8 in Cullman. 

These sales will target open and bred heifers, with 

genetic documentation, group age, and source information. 

See page 5 for more information on BCIA 2012- 

2013 evaluation and sale opportunities. 

Alabama BCIA recently 

honored two individuals 

with a newly created 

honorary award during 

their Annual Meeting and 

Awards Program held in 

conjunction with the 69th 

Annual Alabama Cattlemen’s 

Association Convention 

in Huntsville on March 31. 

The Spirit of BCIA Award is in honorable memory 

of Jamie Cates of Columbiana, past BCIA Vice- 

President, and Jamey Clary of Akron, former Alabama 

Cooperative Extension Agent and BCIA member, 

and the spirit in which they both actively supported 

Alabama BCIA. This award recognizes and honors 

an Alabama BCIA member or members who exemplify 

the commitment to BCIA performance principles 

within their own cattle operation and who have 

also sought to promote the BCIA program to their fellow 

cattle producers. This spirit of leading by example 

and the drive to cheerfully help others represents 

how Jamie Cates and Jamey Clary both served Alabama 

BCIA and their fellow cattlemen. Randy Moody 

of New Market and Johnny Morrow of Tuscaloosa 

were both honored with the inaugural Spirit of BCIA 

Award. 

Randy Moody of New Market has exemplified 

commitment to BCIA performance principles, both 

within his seedstock operation and as an energetic 

ambassador for Alabama BCIA. Little Mountain 

Farm, owned and operated by Randy Moody, was 

4 

honored as the Alabama BCIA Purebred Producer of 

the Year in 2007 and has earned numerous top bull 

honors at the North Alabama Bull Evaluation. Randy 

has served as a strong leader within Alabama BCIA 

and other cattle organizations. He has served on the 

Alabama BCIA Board of Directors since 2006 in various 

positions, serving as President in 2009. He is 

currently serving as President of the Madison County 

Cattlemen’s Association, served as a Past-President 

of the Alabama Purebred Beef Breeds Council and, 

for the last 6 years has served as President of the Alabama 

Simmental Association. 

Johnny Morrow of Tuscaloosa has also exemplified 

commitment to BCIA performance principles both 

within his commercial cattle operation and as a committed, 

active ambassador for Alabama BCIA. Morrow 

Farm, owned and operated by Johnny and his 

brother Aaron, have maintained BCIA performance 

records for the past 10 years, being honored with numerous 

BCIA Commercial Herd Awards. Johnny 

Morrow is an effective leader within Alabama BCIA 

and many other cattle and agricultural organizations. 

He has served on the Alabama BCIA Board of Directors 

since 2006 as a commercial producer representative 

and has served as President of BCIA for the 

past 2 years. Johnny serves as a Regional Vice- 

President of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association 

and is a Past-President of the Tuscaloosa County 

Cattlemen’s Association. He also serves on the President’s 

Commission on Agriculture Advisory Committee 

at Auburn University.

Alabama BCIA recently named the 2011 

Commercial Producer of the Year during 

their Annual Meeting and Awards Program 

held in conjunction with the 69th 

Annual Alabama Cattlemen’s Association 

Convention in Huntsville on March 31. 

Jones Brothers Farm, owned and 

managed by Crawford and Cooper 

Jones, was named the 2011 Alabama 

BCIA Commercial Producer of the Year. Jones Brothers Farm 

is located in Autauga County Alabama and includes beef cattle, 

cotton, small grains, and hay production. Jones Brothers Farm 

began in 2000, with the purchase of 11 open replacement heifers 

from the Chilton County BCIA Heifer Sale, and has currently 

grown to 300 breeding females, with a goal of aggressive 

growth to 400 females by 2014. The cow herd consists of a 3 

way cross of Simmental, Chiangus and Brangus cattle. The 

herd has been honored for ranking in the top 3 herds within the 

Alabama BCIA large herd division for the past 3 years and has 

produced Alabama BCIA Gold Star Dams for the past 6 years. 

Performance-minded cattle production is a tradition in the 

family of the Jones brothers. Their grandfather, Ed Wadsworth, 

was a charter member and served as the first president of Alabama 

BCIA in 1964, and further supported by their mother, Carol 

Wadsworth Pearson, who gave them their first pastureland to 

begin their cowherd from the original Wadsworth Brothers 

Farm. Applying their family tradition of performance-focused 

cattle production and applying 21st century savvy business 

skills, these young cattlemen are building toward the future. 

Both Crawford and Cooper Jones of Prattville serve the 

state cattle industry as past-presidents and directors of the Autauga 

County Cattlemen’s Association. Crawford Jones also 

currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Alabama BCIA 

and the Autauga County Farmer’s Federation. Jones Brothers 

Farm will also be nominated by the Alabama BCIA for the Beef 

Improvement Federation’s Outstanding Commercial Producer 

of the Year. 

Alabama BCIA recently named 

the 2011 Purebred Producer of 

the Year during their Annual 

Meeting and Awards Program 

held in conjunction with the 69 th 

Annual Alabama Cattlemen’s Association 

Convention in Huntsville 

on March 31. 

Williams Angus Farm, owned 

and operated by Joe and Faye Williams of Newton was named 

the 2011 Alabama BCIA Purebred Producer of the Year. Williams 

Angus Farm is located near Newton in Dale County. 

Angus cattle were first purchased 49 years ago and farm operations 

began at the current location in 1964. Today, Williams 

Angus Farm has an Angus seedstock operation with a cowherd 

of approximately 150 head. In addition to Angus seedstock 

production, the farm is comprised of several agricultural 

enterprises, such as commercial beef cattle, peanuts, cotton, 

small grains, grain sorghum, hay and corn silage. While complimentary, 

these enterprises were selected to diversify the 

farm for flexible, sustainable production. 

The prime directive of the Williams Angus Farm’s seedstock 

operation is to produce high quality seedstock, which are 

functional, practical and performance oriented for commercial 

beef production in the Southeast. The ultimate goal is to produce 

high quality, high value herd sires that will sire feeder 

cattle that excel in all beef industry segments and demand premium 

market prices. The breeding program of the seedstock 

operation, emphasizing economically important traits, is designed 

to compliment and fill the needs of their commercial 

customers, as well as, their commercial operation. 

Joe Williams serves the state cattle industry as a director 

and past-president of the Dale County Cattlemen’s Association, 

chair of the Dale County Farmer’s Federation Beef Committee 

and vice-chair of the hay and forage committee. He is 

also a founder, director and past-president of the Southeast 

Alabama Feeder Cattle Marketing Association. Williams Angus 

Farm will also be nominated by Alabama BCIA for the 

Beef Improvement Federation’s Outstanding Seedstock Producer 

of the Year. 

Changes to the BCIA Board of Directors 

The Alabama BCIA executive committee has undergone 

its annual shift. The BCIA president for 2012- 

13 will be John Bambarger of Northport as a commercial 

representative. Linda Newman of Banks will serve 

as vice president as a commercial representative, and 

treasurer will be Win Parmer of Selma as a commercial 

representative. 

Tommy Martin of Moundville will begin a term as a 

commercial representative, and Tim West of Centre 

will begin a term as a purebred producer representative. 

Crawford Jones of Prattville and Randy Moody of 

New Market will continue to serve as at-large producer 

5 

representatives. 

Johnny Morrow of Tuscaloosa was honored and 

recognized for his 2 years of service to Alabama BCIA 

as President of the BCIA 

Board of Directors at the 

2012 BCIA Annual Meeting. 

The presentation of a 

appreciation plaque, presented 

by incoming President 

John Bambarger and 

Michelle Elmore, was given 

to honor Mr. Morrow.

Alabama BCIA recently honored William 

“Bill” Lipscomb as the 2011 Richard 

Deese Award recipient during their 

Annual Meeting and Awards Program 

held in conjunction with the 69 th Annual 

Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Convention 

in Huntsville on March 31 st . 

The Richard Deese Award was 

established in 1986 to honor Deese, an 

extension animal scientist in charge of the BCIA program in the 

1970s and early 1980s. The award is presented to individuals 

who uphold the principles of performance testing and genetic 

improvement of beef cattle in Alabama. Since 1986, cattle producers, 

extension workers and beef industry supporters have 

received the award. 

Bill Lipscomb, a fourth generation cattlemen, owns and 

operates Three L Ranch with his family located near Prattville 

and also serves as General Manager for Autauga Farming 

Company in Autaugaville. Bill Lipscomb is a native of Autauga 

County and a graduate of Auburn University in 1975 with a 

degree in Agricultural Science. Mr. Lipscomb has earned 

many honors and has served many leadership roles within Alabama 

BCIA. He was honored, along with his family of Three L 

Ranch, as Alabama BCIA’s Commercial Producer of the Year 

in 1998, and he served as president of the organization in 

1991. Three L Ranch has actively participated in the Alabama 

BCIA program since 1971 to maintain performance records 

and has been honored with numerous BCIA Commercial Herd 

Awards. In the past decade, Three L Ranch earned BCIA Gold 

Star Cow Awards for 69 cows and, under Mr. Lipscomb’s management, 

Autauga Farming Company has earned 354 BCIA 

Gold Star Cow Awards. 

Bill Lipscomb is also a leader in many agricultural organizations. 

He served as president of the Autauga County 

Cattlemen’s Association in 1985-1987, was honored as Autauga 

County Farmer of the Year in 1996, has served as Chair of 

the Alabama Farmer’s Federation Beef Committee in 2010 and 

Regional Vice President of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association 

from 2006-2010. Mr. Lipscomb now serves as a Lifetime 

Director of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association. 

. 

Alabama BCIA recently honored Rickey Hudson 

as the 2011 Outstanding Extension Educator 

during their Annual Meeting and 

Awards Program held in conjunction with the 

69 th Annual Alabama Cattlemen’s Association 

Convention in Huntsville on March 31 st . 

Alabama BCIA honored Rickey Hudson with 

this award for his support and implementation 

of beef cattle performance programs in 

Southeast Alabama. Rickey is an Animal Science and Forages 

– Regional Extension Agent for southeast Alabama with the 

Alabama Cooperative Extension System. 

Rickey Hudson began his career with the Alabama Cooperative 

Extension System in 1992, serving the past 20 years as 

an extension educator. He has provided education and assistance 

to beef cattle producers and has worked intensively with 

BCIA members in the southeast region during his career. Rickey 

serves as the bull evaluation coordinator of the Wiregrass 

Forage Based Bull Evaluation and is currently serving on the 

Alabama BCIA Board of Directors as a Regional Extension 

representative. Rickey actively assists feeder calf producers 

with risk management and marketing issues. Rickey has coordinated 

and hosted numerous beef educational programs such 

as the Master Cattlemen’s Training Program, Better Beef Basics 

Training Program, Beef Plus Training Program and has 

also coordinated and hosted many beef cattle youth programs. 

Rickey was been honored by the Alabama Association of 

County Agricultural Agents and Specialists (AACAAS) with 

numerous awards including an Achievement Award in 2000, 4- 

H Certificate of Achievement Award in 2001 and the Distinguished 

Service Award in 2003. Rickey has served as the 

Treasurer of AACAAS since January 1, 2003 and also served 

on the Board of Directors from 1999-2001. 

Rickey Hudson is a native of Covington County and is a 

graduate of Brantley High School and Auburn University with a 

Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science in 1985. While 

at Auburn, he served as an officer of the Auburn University 

Block and Bridle Club, an Auburn University Livestock Judging 

Team member, an Auburn University Meats Judging Team 

member and also represented the university in the Ak-Sar-Ben 

Collegiate Contest. 

The Alabama Beef Cattle Improvement 

Foundation (BCIF) recently awarded 

a graduate fellowship to an outstanding 

young person at the Alabama Beef 

Cattle Improvement Association Annual 

Meeting and Awards Program held in 

conjunction with the 69 th Annual Alabama 

Cattlemen’s Association Convention 

in Huntsville on March 31. 

The 2012 Alabama BCIF Graduate Fellowship was awarded 

to Staci L. DeGeer, a doctoral student in meat science and 

food safety within the Auburn University Animal Sciences Department, 

under the direction of Dr. Christy L. Bratcher. A native 

of Erie, Kansas, Staci holds Bachelor and Master of Science 

degrees from Kansas State University in food science 

6 

and industry. Staci was raised on a Gelbvieh and Balancer 

seedstock operation and was actively involved in both the 

Kansas Gelbvieh Junior Association and the American Junior 

Gelbvieh Association, holding numerous leadership positions. 

Being self-proclaimed as “raised in a barn,” Staci has maintained 

involvement with the cattle industry and maintains a 

small herd managed within her family’s seedstock operation. 

She has also gained much hands-on experience working as a 

microbiology specialist, a teaching assistant, a research assistant 

and numerous internships. She has also studied abroad 

in tours to both Italy and Australia. 

Staci’s goals after completion of her doctoral degree are to 

help shape the future by educating future meat scientists and 

food safety experts as a college professor and to continue to 

lead research in food safety to improve our food supply.

Most cattlemen would agree that estrus synchronization 

and artificial insemination (ESAI) enables producers 

to use genetics superior to available natural service sires, 

however these technologies are utilized by less than 5% 

of the national cowherd. Although not widely used, 

ESAI offers significant potential to add value, improve 

production efficiency and improve profitability. The 

widespread use of ESAI has been limited due to the lack 

of consistent performance, cost, additional labor, facilities 

and management skills. ESAI allows the use of genetically 

superior sires, increasing the proportion of cattle 

calving earlier in the breeding season, increases the 

uniformity of the calf crop, calving ease, weaning 

weights and marketing opportunities. Adoption of ESAI 

also enables producers to better compete in a value based 

marketing system. 

An educational meeting for cattle producers to discuss 

Estrus Synchronization and Artificial Insemination 

(ESAI) will be held on Thursday, May 24 at the Auburn 

University Gulf Coast Research and Extension Center in 

Fairhope, with registration beginning at 6:30 PM. Results 

from the ESAI Demonstration held on November 

28 at the Gulf Coast Research and Extension Center in 

Fairhope will be presented, along with reproductive herd 

health and estrus synchronization tools. An online decision-making 

tool, The Estrus Synchronization Planner 

designed by the Beef Reproduction Task Force, will also 

be presented. This user-based tool is designed specifically 

for cattle producers and allows users to evaluate and 

select estrus synchronization protocols, schedule breeding 

and evaluate costs. 

To attend, interested cattle producers need to RSVP 

to the Auburn University Gulf Coast Research and Extension 

Center by calling (251) 928-2740 by Wednesday, 

May 23. This educational meeting is sponsored by 

Alabama BCIA and the Alabama Cooperative Extension 

System. For more information, please contact Josh 

Elmore (205) 646-3610, Anthony Wiggins (251) 575- 

3477, Dr. Soren Rodning (334) 844-7502 or Michelle 

Elmore (205) 646-0115. 

There are quite a few reasons to be happy about 

being in the beef cow-calf business in Alabama. Picking 

up checks for sold cattle at the auction barn has producers 

grinning from ear to ear these days. Prices are very good 

for feeder calves, cows and cull bulls. The winter was 

mild and grass turned green much earlier this spring than 

last year. Experts keep saying the U.S. Beef Export Market 

is strong, domestic demand is holding steady and there 

is less beef in the pipeline that last year. In fact, U.S. beef 

cow inventory is at its lowest level since 1952. 

With all this optimism, why attend the 2012 Alabama 

Cow-Calf Conference on June 15 th 

1) Prices are good right now, but are you positioning 

your operation for the future 

2) Should you expand your herd numbers now 

3) What should you do with your heifers – sell or keep 

4) Are you a good candidate to sell calves in economical 

packages 

5) Can my operation really achieve 300 days of good 

grazing every year 

6) What to feed the cows the other 65 days of the year 

7) How much money is your operation leaving on the 

table when selling feeder calves 

8) How can water be conserved water on your operation 

9) Are the facilities on your operation functional and safe 

for you and the cattle 

10) Opportunity to learn the latest techniques and learn 

about new animal industry products 

The Alabama Cow-Calf Conference is a one-day conference 

and trade show. It is being held at the Ham Wilson 

Livestock Arena on the campus of Auburn University 

on Friday, June 15, 2012. Pre-registration is required. To 

view the full program details and to register, please visit 

http://www.aces.edu/animalforage/2012AlabamaCow- 

CalfConference.php or your local Alabama Cooperative 

Extension office. Top speakers and experts from around 

the United States will provide information for all levels of 

cow-calf operations. Trade show experts will also be present 

to help you with your cow-calf needs. Preregistration 

deadline is June 1, 2012. The registration cost 

of $60/person includes the conference, trade show, written 

proceedings, breaks, lunch, and steak dinner. After June 

1, registration costs increase to $75/person. For further 

information, contact Lisa Kriese-Anderson at (334) 844- 

1561 or by email at kriesla@auburn.edu. 

7

Commercial Herd Awards 

Small (5-29) Herds 

1st Place: Hollon Cattle Farm, Stan 

Hollon and Family of Prattville—14 

calves with a 692 lbs average. 

2nd Place: Pleasant Hill Farm, Dwight 

Headley of Billingsley—28 calves with 

a 613 lbs average. 

3rd Place: Sipsey Valley Farm, Dr. 

Chris Gladney of Buhl—28 calves with 

a 574 lbs average 

2011 Top Weaning Weights & Most Improved Herds 

Medium (30-99) Herds 

1st Place: Oneil Smith of Uriah—30 


2nd Place: Gulf Coast Research & 

Extension Center in Fairhope—69 


3rd Place: Joe Wilkerson of Greensboro 

—37 calves with a 647 lbs average. 

Most Improved: Bambarger Cattle 

Farm, John & Jim Bambarger of Northport 

Large (100+) Herds 

1st Place: Morrow Farm, Johnny 

Morrow of Tuscaloosa—122 calves 

with a 653 lbs average. 

2nd Place: Jones Brothers Farm, 

Crawford & Cooper Jones of Prattville 

—176 calves with a 604 lbs average. 

3rd Place: Harrell Watts, Jr. of Sardis—187 


Most Improved: Cleveland Land & 

Cattle, Chip Cleveland of Prattville 

2011 Gold Star Cows—190 Awarded from 4,716 Total Dams 

Presented each year to members with brood cows that produce beef cattle offspring that meet the criteria of today’s market. Producer’s 

brood cow must be a commercial cow, have two or more calves in the BCIA record-keeping system (205 days weights of 160 to 

250 days of age), have a calving interval of 370 days or less, and produce calves that meet or exceed the current state average 

adjusted 205 day weight with an average 205 day weight ratio of 105 or higher. 

12 Star Cows 

Jimmy Friday, Dallas county—1 cow 

11 Star Cows 

Winslow Farms, Autauga county—1 cow 

Billy H. Bolding, Chilton county—1 cow 

10 Star Cows 

Three L Ranch, Autauga county—1 cow 

Autauga Farming Co., Autauga county—2 cows 

Hidden Valley Farm, Autauga county—1 cow 

Billy Bolding, Chilton county—3 cows 

Coffee Creek Farms, Fayette county—1 cow 

9 Star Cows 




Black Belt Res & Ext Center, Dallas county—1 cow 

Triple M Farms, Hale county—1 cow 

XL Farm, Tuscaloosa county—1 cow 

8 Star Cows 



Hidden Valley Farm, Autauga county—2 cows 

Jones Brothers Farm, Autauga county—1 cow 

Harrell Watts, Jr., Dallas county—1 cow 




7 Star Cows 


Winslow Farms, Autauga county—2 cows 


Gulf Coast Res & Ext Center, Baldwin county—1 cow 


Harrell Watts, Jr., Dallas county—5 cows 

Bambarger Cattle Farm, Tuscaloosa county—1 cow 

8 

6 Star Cows 

Autauga Farming Co., Autauga county—1 cow 

Winslow Farms, Autauga county—1 cow 


Gulf Coast Res & Ext Center, Baldwin county—2 cows 

Billy Bolding, Chilton county—1 cow 

Triple M Farms, Hale county—1 cow 

Joe Wilkerson, Hale county—1 cow 

Cyril & Linda Newman, Pike county—1 cow 

Bambarger Cattle Farm, Tuscaloosa county—2 cows 

Calyx Star Ranch, Mississippi—1 cow 

5 Star Cows 

Three L Ranch, Autauga county—2 cows 




D & D Farms, Bibb county—1 cow 


Henry Farms, Chilton county—1 cow 

Harrell Watts, Jr., Dallas county—1 cow 

Stephens Farm, Inc., Dallas county—1 cow 


Joe Wilkerson, Hale county—1 cow 

Cyril & Linda Newman, Pike county—1 cow 


Calyx Star Ranch, Mississippi—2 cows 

4 Star Cows 

Win Parmer Ranch, Autauga county—4 cows 



Winslow Farms, Autauga county—2 cows 



D & D Farms, Bibb county—1 cow 

Burkhalter Cattle, Chilton county—1 cow 

Henry Farms, Chilton county—1 cow 

**See Page 9 For more 4, 3 and 2 Star Gold Star Cows!

2011 Gold Star Cows (continued from page 8): 

4 Star Cows (continued) 


Stephens Farm, Inc., Dallas county—1 cow 


Bambarger Cattle Farm, Tuscaloosa county—1 cow 

Calyx Star Ranch, Mississippi—1 cow 

3 Star Cows 




Cleveland Land & Cattle Co., Autauga county—32 cows 




Sand Mountain Res & Ext Center, Dekalb county—3 

cows 

3 Star Cows (continued) 

Oneil Smith, Monroe county—2 cows 


2 Star Cows 


Hidden Valley Farms, Autauga county—5 cows 

Jones Brothers Farm, Autauga county—5 cows 

Hollon Cattle Farm, Autauga county—1 cow 

Burkhalter Cattle, Chilton county—1 cow 


Stephens Farm, Dallas county—1 cow 

Triple M Farms, Hale county—2 cows 


Scenes from the Presentation of 2011 BCIA Commercial Herd Awards 

& BCIA Gold Star Cow Awards 

Autauga county—Pictured Left to Right: Win Parmer, Bill Lipscomb, 

Crawford Jones and Michelle Elmore 

Dallas county—Pictured Left to Right: Jimmy 

Holliman & Donny Stephens 

Hale county—Pictured Left to Right: Hubert 

Colvin (representing Joe Wilkerson) and Tommy 

Martin 

Tuscaloosa county—Pictured Left to Right: Johnny Morrow, 

Mona Plyer (representing Gordon Rosen & Chris Gladney), 

John Bambarger 

9

Event Type Birth Date 

Range 

WDA 

Required 

Nomination 

Due 

Delivery 

Sale Event 

Date 

Site 

Contact 

North 

Alabama 

Feed 

evaluation 

8/15/11- 

11/15/11 

2.5 6/12/12 7/10/12 12/8/12 Cullman Gerry Thompson 

Wiregrass 

Forage 

evaluation 

10/15/11- 

1/31/12 

2.0 9/1/12 11/14/12 10/26/13 Elba Rickey Hudson 

Fall Round 

Up 

On-farm 

evaluation 

11/1/08- 

5/31/11 

2.0 for 2 to 

16 mo. old 

bulls* 

*Please read rules for weight requirements for bulls older than specific ages listed. 

8/15/12 11/8/12 11/9/12 Uniontown Michelle Elmore 

Contact Office Phone Cell Phone Email 

Gerry Thompson (256) 353-8702 (256) 508-2020 thompgl@auburn.edu 

Rickey Hudson (334) 693-2010 (334) 726-6814 hudsorg@auburn.edu 

Michelle Elmore (205) 646-0115 (205) 287-1080 elmormf@auburn.edu 

Event Heifer Type Sale Type Nomination Due Event Date Location Contact 

Herdbuilder 

Bred/Open/Bred 

Cows 

BCIA Sanctioned- 

Regional 

Focus 

Fall Round Up Bred/Open BCIA Genetic 

Verified Heifer 

Sale 

North Alabama Bred/Open 

BCIA Genetic 

Verified Heifer 

Sale 

6/30/12 8/31/12 Uniontown Kevan Tucker 

8/15/12 11/9/12 Uniontown Michelle Elmore 

10/15/12 12/8/12 Cullman Michelle Elmore 

Contact Office Phone Cell Phone Email 

Kevan Tucker (251) 275-3121 (334) 534-2539 tuckejk@auburn.edu 

Michelle Elmore (205) 646-0115 (205) 287-1080 elmormf@auburn.edu 

10

Alabama BCIA, working in cooperation with the 

Auburn Animal Sciences Department and the Alabama 

Cooperative Extension System, will host the 3rd 

annual statewide field day for interested seedstock 

producers as part of the BCIA Seedstock Continuing 

Education Program on Saturday, July 28 at the Auburn 

University Beef Teaching Unit. Discussions will 

focus on forage grazing strategies with emphasis on 

forage varieties and legume management, weed control 

options and a demonstration for weed identification, 

a producer panel to discuss donor cow selection 

for embryo transfer programs and results from estrus 

synchronization and artificial insemination demonstrations 

held last fall, with replacement heifer development 

and estrus synchronization tools. 

The schedule of events for the field day are currently 

being planned so stay tuned for more detailed 

information very soon. Early registration by July 18 is 

recommended with a registration fee of $25.00 per 

person. On site registration will also be offered at 

$35.00 per person. For more information, please contact 

Michelle Elmore at (205) 646-0115 or 

elmormf@auburn.edu. 

Producers who have attended regional and 

statewide field day events for the past 3 years of this 

program have been asked to provide input to improve 

educational efforts. When producers were asked if 

the education presented was applicable, all attendees 

to program events for 2009, 2010 and 2011 replied 

yes. When producers were asked if they would recommend 

the program to a friend or fellow seedstock producer, 

all attendees to program events for 2009, 2010 

and 2011 also replied yes. So, survey says, do not 

miss out on a great event! 

The purpose of the Alabama BCIA Seedstock 

Continuing Education Program is to provide specialized 

education and resources for seedstock producers. 

This program enables established seedstock producers 

with the knowledge and skills to improve aspects 

of their business and also cattle producers interested 

in establishing a new seedstock operation. 

Seedstock producers, regardless of operational size 

or breed, can utilize this resource. Alabama BCIA is 

welcoming all seedstock producers to utilize this program 

by attending this field day, viewing the program 

resource manual at www.albcia.com or hard copy by 

request. 

The 44th Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) 

Research Symposium and Annual Meeting was 

held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Houston, Texas 

on April 18 – 21. This year's meeting was hosted 

by Texas A&M University AgriLife Extension Animal 

Science and the American Brahman Breeders 

Association (ABBA). The symposium’s focus was 

the impact of Bos indicus genetics in the U.S. 

Alabama BCIA was represented by our nominee 

for the BIF Outstanding Commercial Producer 

of the Year, Jones Brothers Farm, Crawford and 

Cooper Jones of Prattville. Our current President 

John Bambarger of Northport, Josh and Michelle 

Elmore and Jimmy Holliman of Marion Junction also 

represented Alabama at the conference. 

Williams Angus Farm, Joe and Faye Williams of 

Newton was also nominated by BCIA for the BIF 

Outstanding Seedstock 

Producer of the Year. 

Pictured on Left: BIF nominees for Outstanding 

Commercial Producer of the 

Year. Crawford Jones of Jones Brothers 

Farm on far right. 

Pictured on Right: Crawford and Marsha 

Jones of Jones Brothers Farm in Prattville 

as BCIA’s nominee for BIF Outstanding 

Commercial Producer of the Year 

11

Alabama Beef Cale Improvement Associaon, Inc. 

Alabama BCIA 

40 County Rd 756 

Clanton, AL 35045 

TO: 

Alabama BCIA is a cooperative agreement between the Alabama Cooperative Extension 

System and the Alabama Beef Cattle Improvement Association, Inc. The Alabama Cooperative 

Extension System offers educational programs, materials, and equal employment 

opportunity without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran 

status, or disability.

Alabama BCIA May 2012 Newsletter - AL BCIA

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