May Roundup: Beef Month, Leadership Development, Youth Education, and Convention Prep

May was a busy month for the Arkansas Cattlemen's Association as members celebrated Beef Month, invested in leadership development, supported youth education, and continued preparations for the summer ahead. From Northwest Arkansas to Little Rock, ACA remained focused on promoting and strengthening Arkansas's cattle industry.

Here’s a look back at what ACA accomplished this month.

Celebrating Arkansas Beef Month

May is Beef Month in Arkansas, and we were proud to join Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and industry partners as she officially proclaimed May as Arkansas Beef Month.

The proclamation ceremony provided an opportunity to recognize the thousands of cattle producers who help make Arkansas agriculture successful and supply consumers with a safe, wholesome, and nutritious product.

Beef Month serves as an important reminder of the economic and cultural impact of the cattle industry across Arkansas and the hard work of producers in every corner of the state.

ACLC Continues Leadership Development

The Arkansas Cattlemen's Leadership Course (ACLC) completed its second session in May with an in-depth tour of Northwest Arkansas.

Participants visited several operations representing different sectors of the beef industry, including feed and farm supply businesses, commercial cow-calf operations, seedstock producers, and animal health companies. The session provided valuable insight into the diversity of Arkansas agriculture while helping participants build relationships with fellow industry leaders.

ACLC continues to be one of ACA's premier leadership development programs, helping prepare the next generation of advocates and leaders for Arkansas agriculture.

Supporting the Next Generation

This month marked the first annual Arkansas Youth Stockmanship Contest facilitated by U of A Animal Science staff and sponsored by the ACA.

This contest challenged youth participants on practical cattle handling skills, communication, teamwork and overall stockmanship, emphasizing the importance of low-stress cattle handling and strong stewardship practices.

We are proud of all the contestants who participated and represented the future of Arkansas agriculture so well. Congratulations to the winning team, Perry County 4-H, for earning the opportunity to represent Arkansas at the national competition!

Thank you to the students, parents, coaches, volunteers and sponsors who helped make this inaugural event a success. We look forward to continuing to grow this program and invest in the next generation of cattle producers across our state.

Board Meeting Highlights

The ACA State Board held its Second Quarter Board Meeting in May, marking the first board meeting at ACA's new headquarters near the State Capitol.

Directors reviewed membership and financial reports, area conference results, and plans for upcoming programs and events. The association continues to remain financially strong, with recent investments into long-term savings and positive returns from area conference activities.

The board also discussed drought conditions across Arkansas. While many producers received much-needed rainfall during May, drought remains a concern in several areas of the state. ACA encourages producers to submit local conditions through the Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) program to help improve drought monitoring and ensure accurate on-the-ground reporting.

Convention Preparations Underway

Planning continues for the 2026 Arkansas Cattlemen's Association Convention and Trade Show, scheduled for August 7-8 in Fort Smith.

The event will feature educational programs, trade show exhibits, industry meetings, youth activities, live entertainment, and opportunities for members to help shape the future of the association. Convention remains one of the most important opportunities each year for cattle producers to learn, network, and conduct ACA business. For a full convention schedule and to register as an attendee or vendor visit here.

Recognizing Outstanding Producers

Nominations for ACA Producer of the Year remain open through June 30. This award recognizes cattle producers who demonstrate excellence in production, stewardship, leadership, and service to the industry.

If you know a producer who deserves recognition, we encourage you to submit a nomination and help us celebrate the individuals who continue moving Arkansas's cattle industry forward. To nominate someone - click here.

Looking Ahead

As summer begins, ACA remains focused on serving members through leadership development, youth education, industry promotion, and member programs. Thank you to our members, volunteers, county affiliates, and industry partners for your continued support.

We look forward to seeing many of you throughout the summer and in Fort Smith for the 2026 ACA Convention and Trade Show.

Thank you for your membership and for being part of the Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association. You can join or renew here.