Range Cubes Research Articles

Efficient fractal video coding algorithm using intercube correlation search

We propose an efficient fractal video coding algorithm that exploits the correlation between range cubes. Four domain cubes mapped by the previous neighboring range cubes are considered as the good candidates for the input range cube. Two search methods, which take advantage of the correlation between intercubes in the spatial and spatial-temporal directions, are developed to reduce the computational complexity in the encoding phase. In order to raise the compression efficiency, a search-order coding technique is applied to encode the candidate domain cubes. Simulation results show that when the proposed method is implemented with a fast fractal video coding algorithm, it can further reduce the encoding times and bit rate with insignificant loss of video quality.

Supplementation strategies for forage-fed beef steers (2000)

A comparison was made of different supplementation strategies for steer calves wintered on brome hay for 109 days. Treatments consisted of no supplement, 1.33 lb/head daily of a 30% protein range cube, a commercially available free-choice block supplement containing 40% crude protein (19% as non-protein nitrogen), and a soy-based block supplement containing soy solubles and full-fat soybeans with 40% crude protein (25% as nonprotein nitrogen). Following the backgrounding phase, steers were placed onto finishing rations and fed for an additional 152 days before being slaughtered. Gain during the growing phase was greater for all supplemented cattle than for unsupplemented controls. Cattle fed blocks or no supplement tended to compensate during the finishing phase, suggesting that differences in gastrointestinal tract fill may have impacted body weights at the end of the back grounding phase. When performance was evaluated over the entire 261-day trial, cattle fed blocks were more efficient than controls, whereas efficiencies of cattle fed range cubes were essentially equal to those of cattle that previously received no supplement. Additionally, soybean solubles and full-fat soybeans were viable alternatives to traditional ingredients for manufacturing free-choice block supplements.

Quality as a Factor in the Optimal Choice of Fertilization and Harvest Date of Meadow Hay

Feed costs represent nearly two-thirds of the total cost of raising beef feeder cattle in the Great Plains and West. Harvested forage from wild meadows is an important input to such operations, especially in the northern and central Great Plains and inter-mountain West. Feed costs can be reduced if cattle producers manage their hay production by adjusting harvest date and N-fertilization to achieve the optimal tradeoff between quality and quantity. This requires that the producer knows the feeding value of different quality hay. However, market prices for wild hay seldom reflect quality and methods for valuing quality are not well established. We develop a method and derive an equation that measures the value of quality. This equation calculates the per pound cost savings (i.e., benefit) of feeding hay of improved quality, given production costs and prices of feed substitutes. The cost savings (price premium) equation is incorporated into a continuous model for maximizing the net value (NV) of hay through the choice of N-fertilizer level and harvest date. The model is applied to agronomic data from research conducted on a sedge-dominated, wet meadow site in the Nebraska Sandhills. The agronomic data included crop yield, crude protein (CP), and total digestible nutrients for four N-fertilizer levels and three first cutting harvest dates. The analysis shows that quality and quantity management of hay can yield NVs that are 23 to 38%/acre higher than when only quantity is considered. Optimal harvest dates are 9 to 20 d earlier than the normal start date of harvest (5 July) in the Nebraska Sandhills. Optimal N-fertilizer quantity is increased by valuing quality. However, our analysis also indicates that when there is concern about nitrates leaching to groundwater, N can be reduced by over 25 Ib/acre with less than a $1/acre loss in NV. The study shows that valuing quality has an important effect on economically optimal harvest dates and fertilizer levels. In addition, it demonstrates that knowing how to produce higher quality forage will help cow/calf producers reduce costs.

Potassium Level and Wintering Cow Performance: Study Two

Ninety-six crossbred gestating cows were randomly assigned to one of three treatments that provided the following levels of supplemental K: 1) 7, 2) 47, and 3) 78g/h/d, respectively, in a cottonseed meal (CSM)-based range cube. Treatments 2 and 3 included potassium chloride as the source of additional K. A CSM-based range cube was fed to provide .18kg crude protein/h/d. Cows were gathered from the same dormant winter pasture three times per week, individually stalled, and fed their respective supplements.During the 93- to 96-d gestation period, cows fed supplemental K (treatments 2 and 3) tended to lose less weight than those not supplemented with potassium chloride. Supplementing K during the 23-d lactation period at the 94g/h/d K level tended to reduce weight loss compared to the control or 156gK level. Condition score change through calving was significantly improved with potassium chloride supplementation. Calf daily gain from birth to mid-April tended to be improved when cows were supplemented with 94gK. The K requirement for dry gestating beef cows appears to be approximately .65% on a dietary dry matter basis.

Potassium Level and Wintering Cow Performance

Eighty crossbred gestating cows were randomly assigned to one of four treatments that provided the following levels of supplemental K: 1) 1.37, 2) 3.58, 3) 8.52, and 4) 12.23% supplemental K, respectively, in a cottonseed meal (CSM)-based range cube. Treatments 2, 3, and 4 included KCI as the source of additional K. Cows were gathered from the same dormant winter pasture three times per week, individually stalled, and fed their respective supplements. A CSM-based range cube was fed to provide .18kg crude protein per head per day during gestation.During the approximate 104-d gestation period, cows fed the 12.23% K supplement gained significantly faster than cows fed any of the other supplements. Cows fed the low level of KCI (3.58% K) lost more weight during gestation than cows fed either no KCI (1.37% K) or 8.52% K in the supplement. Cow condition score change mirrored weight gain change. Weight change during lactation, calf average daily gain, and reproductive performance was not significantly affected by supplemental K level. Potassium supplemented at 12.23% in the protein supplement during the precalving period appeared to produce beneficial weight gain for gestating cows grazing sand hills native range during the winter.

Economics of Using Cotton Gin Trash as a Supplemental Feed for Range Cattle

The economic use of alternative supplemental feeds was evaluated for a 2,024-ha cow-calf ranch operation in the Texas Rolling Plains. Particular interest was focused on the use of gin trash as a supplemental feed. The estimated value of gin trash compared with alternative supplemental feeds ranged up to $23.75 per ton. Potential ranch carrying capacity and annual net income were expanded with a supplemental feeding program including gin trash. Returns to rangeland resources may be increased by supplemental feeding. Supplemental feeding programs may be used to expand carrying capacity, improve performance on rangeland, and relieve grazing pressure when range conditions are poor. On the Texas Rolling Plains, typical supplemental feeds used are range cubes, protein blocks, cottonseed meal, and alfalfa hay or other roughage during winter months. Ranges in this region are dominated by warm-season species that usually furnish adequate amounts of quality forage from April to November. In the remaining dormant months, however, the range tends to be deficient in protein, phosphorus, vitamin A, and sometimes energy, particularly with heavy stocking rates. Cotton gin trash is a relatively cheap and abundant by-product available from gins in the Southern High Plains of Texas. Gin trash is used currently in commercial feedlot rations in the Texas-Oklahoma Panhandle as a substitute for traditional roughages and is available in bulk form directly from gins or in pellet form from processors. The major purpose of this paper was to evaluate the economic use of alternative supplemental feeds on a cow-calf ranch in the Texas Rolling Plains, with particular reference to use of gin trash as a supplemental feed.

Drylot Wintering of Range Cows: Adaptation to the Ranching Operation

The progressive rancher always looks for ways to cut cost without reducing production. He also looks for ways to improve his range. Drylotting offers one way of doing both. Recent work on drylotting with silage (Marion et al., 1965) and with all-concentrate rations (Thomas and Durham, 1964) indicates the possibility of integrating, either of these drylot techniques into the ranching operation. In a five-year study, Marion et al. (1965) found that drylotting a cow herd with sorghum silage and grain compared favorably with maintaining a cow herd on native range throughout the year. Their studies suggest that drylotting can be successfully integrated into the ranching operation to increase ranch production without increasing ranch size. Thomas and Durham (1964) reported studies which show distinct advantages of limited feeding of all-concentrate rations for cattle maintenance. They pointed out possibilities of integrating all-concentrate feeding into the ranching operation, the need for further study of all-concentrate feeding, and its place in ranching operations. The cost of grains is often such that net energy obtained per dollar spent for concentrate feed, such as sorghum grain or corn, may be greater than for roughage. Ellis (1965) reviewed recent developments in the use of allconcentrate rations in commercial feedlots. The pros and cons of all-concentrate feeding are about evenly divided, and in the fin al analysis economic factors will determine whether roughages or concentrates should be used. When local surpluses of grains occur, maintenance rations of concentrates may be cheaper than roughage rations. Too, the ease of handling and transporting concentrated feedstuffs give them a distinct advantage for isolated ranches. Because of these factors, more information is needed on the adaptability of range cattle to all-concentrate feeding. This study was designed to determine whether pregnant beef cows could be wintered successfully on limited all-concentrate rations and whether they could readjust back to the native range environment. The drylot technique was compared with commonly used methods of wintering the brood cow herd. Procedures The study was initiated on November 30, 1964 on the Edwin Forrest Ranch, Slaton, Texas. The 144 grade Hereford cows used for the study were maintained on a sorghum (Sorghum vulgare Pers.) stubblefield for 45 days prior to beginning the study. After an overnight shrink the cattle were weighed, tagged individually, and randomly separated into four groups of 36 each. The following feeding treatments were established: 1. Pasturing on native range supplemented with 1.0 lib. of 20% protein range cubes per head daily (native range). 2. Pasturing on a combination of