Tag Archives: Jason Banta
Using Vaccines This Spring? Keep ‘Em Cool.
By Rhonda Brooks Vaccines are effective tools against a host of cattle diseases but how they’re handled – from the time purchased to the time used – can significantly affect their efficacy. “It’s our job to keep as much of that vaccine effectiveness as possible until we actually get it injected into the animal that is going to need it for disease protection,” says Glenn Selk, Oklahoma State University emeritus Extension animal scientist. Keeping the vaccine at the temperature prescribed by the label is a key factor. “Use… Read More →
Baling decisions, storage can reduce waste
Management decisions, equipment maintenance and proper storage can have a big impact on waste and efficiency when baling hay. Andy McCorkill, a University of Missouri livestock specialist, says producers should tailor bale size to their facilities and animals, but overall bigger bales are more efficient. “The larger diameter bales, you’ll have less loss,” he says. “Smaller bales, you have basically two times the surface area exposed for the same amount of hay.” Jason Banta, an Extension beef specialist with Texas A&M University, says it is important to get… Read More →
Nitrate toxicity becomes a factor during hot, dry conditions
By Lacey Newlin When the rain stops, the heat persists and the plants start to stress, nitrate toxicity concern starts to creep to the surface. “With nitrate toxicity, the plant will either absorb nitrate or ammonia from the soil,” explained Jason Banta, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist. “In the case of nitrate, when the plant is absorbing it through the roots and if, for some reason, the plant stops growing normally, then it will not convert that nitrate to amino acids and then protein so we… Read More →
Winter feeding program for beef cattle producers in Overton Aug. 16
OVERTON – A program on the reduction of winter feeding by stockpiling warm-season forage and/or planting cool-season pastures is scheduled for Aug. 16 in Overton. The event is from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, 1710 N. Farm-to-Market Road 3053. The cost is $60 per person if registered by Aug. 6 and $75 per person if registered by Aug. 14. Fees include lunch and all program materials. Two Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units, one integrated pest management and one… Read More →
Lice in cattle herds can bite producer profits
Writer: Adam Russell, 903-834-6191, adam.russell@ag.tamu.edu Contact: Dr. Jason Banta, 903-834-6191, jpbanta@ag.tamu.edu OVERTON – A common wintertime pest in cattle herds – lice – can suck money from producers’ pockets, said Dr. Jason Banta, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service beef cattle specialist, Overton. Banta said lice can infest cattle throughout the year, but more problems are seen from December to March. “As the weather gets colder, cows grow longer, thicker hair and that produces better cover and protection for lice, which means the lice have better reproductive rates,” he said…. Read More →
Producers should prepare for winter supplement needs
Writer: Adam Russell, 903-834-6191, adam.russell@ag.tamu.edu Contact: Dr. Jason Banta, 903-834-6191, jpbanta@ag.tamu.edu OVERTON – Many beef producers may need a Plan B when it comes to winter forages due to dry conditions, said Dr. Jason Banta, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service beef cattle specialist, Overton. Banta said supplemental feeding started earlier than usual for many producers around the state because of dry fall conditions. The Texas state climatologist’s long-term winter forecast called for warmer, drier conditions. “Compared to 2016, we’ve been much drier, so that means less stockpiled forage and shorter… Read More →
Stockpiled forages reduce need, cost of hay, supplemental feed
Writer: Adam Russell, 903-834-6191, adam.russell@ag.tamu.edu Contact: Dr. Jason Banta, 903-834-6191, jpbanta@ag.tamu.edu OVERTON – Stockpiled forages and winter annuals can reduce the need for and cost of hay and other supplemental feed for beef cattle producers in regions with adequate annual rainfall, said a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert. Dr. Jason Banta, AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist, Overton, said producers can reduce the need for hay and supplements by providing stockpiled forage mid-November through December and winter annuals October through May. “If they choose these options, we want them… Read More →
Winter forages can reduce costs and boost cow/calf weight gains, experts say
Writer: Adam Russell, 903-834-6191, adam.russell@ag.tamu.edu Contact: Dr. Jason Banta, 903-834-6191, jpbanta@ag.tamu.edu; Dr. Vanessa Corriher-Olson, 903-834-6191, vacorriher@ag.tamu.edu OVERTON – Planting successful winter forage pastures can reduce supplemental feed costs and boost cow/calf weight gains, said Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experts. Dr. Vanessa Corriher-Olson, AgriLife Extension forage specialist, and Dr. Jason Banta, AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist, both in Overton, said following recommended practices regarding winter pastures can improve producers’ bottom line. Corriher-Olson said producers have several winter forage options for grazing, including annual ryegrasses and small grains, such as… Read More →
AgriLife Extension experts offer advice on livestock safety, care after Harvey
Writer: Paul Schattenberg, 210-859-5752, paschattenberg@ag.tamu.edu Dr. Jason Cleere, 979-845-6931, jjcleere@tamu.edu Dr. Joe Paschal, 361-265-9203, joe.paschal@ag.tamu.edu Dr. Jason Banta, 903-834-6191, jpbanta@ag.tamu.edu COLLEGE STATION – Livestock in the wake of Hurricane Harvey are still at risk for lack of feed, injury or disease, said Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialists. “Water is the first priority with livestock, so producers should try and find a safe drinking water source and make sure their animals have an adequate supply,” said Dr. Jason Cleere, AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist, College Station. “Some animals may not eat wet… Read More →
Reproduction And Mineral Nutrition
By Associate Professor & Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Beef Cattle Specialist Jason Banta, PhD., PAS Is mineral nutrition the magic bullet for reproductive success in your beef operation? The number of mineral products for sale may give the impression that the answer is yes. However, in reality, mineral nutrition is just a part of a good nutrition and management plan. First, protein and energy requirements must be met. A good mineral program can’t make up for a lack of protein and energy and low body condition scores in… Read More →