From left, Doug Wigginton, Doyle Whitlow, Gerry Holmes, Linda Holmes, Joyce Bryant, Mike Bryant and Rassie Wallace pose for a photo. Holmes and Bryant were named Morgan County Cattlemen of the Year at the Cattlemen’s Dinner Saturday evening at Hartselle High School. | Brent Maze

Holmes, Bryant named Cattlemen of Year at banquet

Beef producers in Morgan County and across Alabama are seeing some of the highest prices ever, and experts expect that success to continue into the future.

Woody Clark, president of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association, attributes the increased beef prices to an increase in demand from foreign countries.

“Realistically, I expect those higher beef prices to continue for the next five years,” Clark said Saturday during the annual meeting of the Morgan County Cattlemen’s Association at Hartselle High School. “Sixty million people have moved up to the middle classes in foreign countries. They want more protein in their diet and they love our beef.”

Clark said Alabama beef is making its way into numerous foreign markets, even through the “back door” of China. The Alabama beef industry has an economic impact of $524.5 million and creates 10,000 jobs.

In January 2014, Alabama’s cattle was worth $873 million and ranked the ninth largest in the U.S.

Also at the Morgan County Cattlemen’s Association’s annual meeting, the association awarded its 2014 Cattlemen of the Year.

Gerry Holmes, with Hillview Beefmaster Farms, was awarded the Master Cattleman of the Year honor. This award recognizes successful individual cattle growers for having mastered the skill of raising cattle while demonstrating excellent stewardship over both the animals and the land in their care.

Mike Bryant of Liberty Farms was named the Innovative Cattleman of the Year.

This award recognizes the successful individual cattle growers for implementing innovative ideas and processes that improve cattle genetics, soil and water conservation practices used in raising quality cattle while demonstrating excellent stewardship over both the animals and the land in their care.