By Haley Mitchell Godwin

The Crenshaw County Cattlemen’s Association (CCCA) held its annual meeting on March 2 at the Tom Harbin Ag Center. Over 100 people were in attendance, including many notable members of the local cattle industry. 

Kai and Kayden Dunn, 2022 graduates of Brantley High School, were recognized as the 2022 scholarship recipients. Also honored was Edwin Mitchell who has chaired the association’s cooking committee for 42 years. Mitchell has only missed two of the annual meetings over the course of his tenure, and according to other CCCA members, has been an integral part of what has made the annual meeting a success year after year

Guest speakers at the event, who provided valuable insights into the current state of the cattle industry in the Alabama, included Chuck Madaris, the state president of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association, Morgan Deselle, executive assistant for Commissioner Rick Pate of the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries, and Wyatt Sasser, regional vice president of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association.

Sasser, who is a well-known name in the construction business and also a cattleman and farmer from the Eoda Community in Covington County, spoke about the importance of CCCA membership. Sadder also discussed the upcoming Southeastern Livestock Exposition (SLE) rodeo and the significance of the SLE, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of farming and ranching by creating opportunity for youth through rodeos, livestock competitions, community activities and educational events.

Sasser described a bill that will be introduced into the House of Representatives, probably sometime this month, that deals with the issue of black buzzards.

“The bill aims to give farmers the authority to harvest three black buzzards per year if the birds are causing harm and they need to,” Sasser said. “This has been a long-awaited solution to a problem that has been plaguing cattle farmers for some time.”

News of the bill was met with enthusiasm by the farmers in attendance. According to many CCCA members, this legislation is a clear demonstration of how the association is actively working to support its members and the industry as a whole.

Paige Lester Ray, CCCA secretary/treasurer,  said that Wyatt’s talk on membership was also a very important topic. 

“We had a great turnout at our annual meeting this year,” Ray said. “It means so much to be a part of such a great organization. I grew up going to the cattlemen’s meetings with my grandparents, now I enjoy taking my children.  We are always happy for new members to join. I feel that it’s important to keep membership up and to have young members so that the organization can continue to be successful. If anyone is interested in becoming a member, please feel free to reach out to one of our officers or directors.”

Yes I am concerned. We don’t have very many younger members & I feel it is very important that young members join & become involved so our organization can continue to be successful

Both Ray, Sasser, and CCCA members agree the association’s strength lies in its numbers, and the more members it has, the more effective it can be in achieving its goals. 

The association invites those considering membership to join CCCA in preserving and building the cattle industry and the agricultural industry. 

For information, visit https://www.bamabeef.org/

The Southeastern Livestock Exposition (SLE) will be held March 17-19 at the Garrett Coliseum. For more info, or to purchase tickets, visit https://www.slerodeo.com/events