The ACA is focused on four pillars:
Legislation
Education
Advocacy
Development
Arkansas Cattlemen's Leadership Course
The Arkansas Cattlemen's Leadership Course (ACLC) formerly YCLC is an ACA program that began in 2011.
ACLC was created to educate future leaders by giving them hands-on experience with legislative sessions, commerce, commodities, media and PR, as well as various segments of the beef industry. Participants not only gain invaluable knowledge, resources and networking connections, but they also become more prepared to lead the cattlemen of Arkansas toward economic success.
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We are now accepting applications for the ACLC. Selected applicants are expected to attend all four sessions as well as the graduation. Most of these sessions will be two-day, one-night events held during the week with the exception of graduation which is a Saturday in December.
Each year the ACA receives well-qualified applicants, from which they select approximately 20 as members of the class for that year. If you would like more information, please contact the ACA staff at 501-224-2114. Apply at this link or the embedded form below.
Applications will open in October 2025.
Arkansas Cattlemen's Leadership Course
Beef Short Course Feeder Calf Program
For the last 5 years, the University of Arkansas has hosted the final session of ACLC, which is the beef cattle short course. This program provides participants with a deeper understanding of the beef industry beyond the farm gate, focusing on feeding cattle, fabricating a carcass, and consumer education.
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Beginning in 2025, we are excited to open up the ACLC Beef Short Course Feeder Calf program. This will allow producers to nominate a calf to be utilized in this session.
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If your calf is selected there will be a $500 fee, in exchange for that fee the animal will be fed and producers will receive the nutritional and carcass data collected throughout the program, along with the meat from the animal.
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Requirements:
Weight range: 750-950 lbs. by May 2025
Preference is given to animals that are pre-conditioned
Producer Requirements:
Producer must be an ACA member
Must fill out the application and provide videos & photographs of the calf
Producers Receive:
Feed Intake Data
Final Carcass Performance Data Report
Meat from their animal