The New World Screwworm (NWS)— a parasitic pest eradicated from the U.S. in 1966— is climbing north from Panama, and getting a little too close to the homeland. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins closed the U.S./Mexican border for live imports of cattle, equine and bison for a second time this year as eradication protocols ramp up in Central and South America. Alabama State Veterinarian Dr. Tony Frazier with the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries joined host Erin Beasley in studio to discuss this pest and the measures it will take to keep it out of the U.S. cowherd.

As of Wednesday, May 14, the final gavel of the 2025 Alabama Legislative Session has fallen! ACA lobbyists Erin Beasley and Kayla Greer gathered in the Cattle Connect studio after the motion to adjourn “Sine Die,” and the duo debriefed some of the milestone moments from the past 105 days in the State House.

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.