Evaluation of the physical properties of bedding materials for dairy cattle using fuzzy clustering analysis

Ponciano Ferraz, Patrícia Ferreira (avtor), Ferraz, Gabriel Araújo e Silva (avtor), Leso, Lorenzo (avtor), Klopčič, Marija (avtor), Rossi, Giuseppe (avtor), Barbari, Matteo (avtor)

The bedding materials used in dairy cow housing systems are extremely important for animal welfare and performance. A wide range of materials can be used as bedding for dairy cattle, but their physical properties must be analysed to evaluate their potential. In the present study, the physical properties of various bedding materials for dairy cattle were investigated, and different fuzzy clustering algorithms were employed to cluster these materials based on their physical properties. A total of 51 different bedding materials from various places in Europe were collected and tested. Physical analyses were carried out for the following parameters: bulk density (BD), water holding capacity (WHC), air-filled porosity (AFP), global density (GD), container capacity (CC), total effective porosity (TEP), saturated humidity (SH), humidity (H), and average particle size (APS). These data were analysed by principal components analysis (PCA) to reduce the amount of data and, subsequently, by fuzzy clustering analysis. Three clustering algorithms were tested: k-means (KM), fuzzy c-means (FCM) and Gustafson–Kessel (GK) algorithms. Furthermore, different numbers of clusters (2−8) were evaluated and subsequently compared using five validation indexes. The GK clustering algorithm with eight clusters fit better regarding the division of materials according to their properties. From this clustering analysis, it was possible to understand how the physical properties of the bedding materials may influence their behaviour. Among the materials that fit better as bedding materials for dairy cows, Posidonia oceanica (Cluster 6) can be considered an alternative material.

• Jezik: Angleški jezik
• Ključne besede: alternative bedding material, cattle housing systems, clustering algorithm, Gustafson–Kessel, dairy cows, water holding capacity
• Vrsta gradiva: Članek v reviji
• Tipologija: 1.01 - Izvirni znanstveni članek
• Organizacija: BF - Biotehniška fakulteta
• Status publikacije: Objavljeno
• Različica publikacije: Objavljena publikacija
• Leto izida: 2020
• Št. strani: 14 str.
• Številčenje: Vol. 10, iss. 2, art. 351
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-133277
• UDK: 636.2
• ISSN pri članku: 2076-2615
• DOI: 10.3390/ani10020351
• COBISS.SI-ID: 4355720
• Datum objave v RUL: 19.11.2021

Gradivo je del revije

• Naslov: Animals
• Skrajšan naslov: Animals
• Založnik: MDPI AG
• ISSN: 2076-2615
• COBISS.SI-ID: 519120409

Licence

• Licenca: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Priznanje avtorstva 4.0 Mednarodna
• Povezava: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.sl
• Opis: To je standardna licenca Creative Commons, ki daje uporabnikom največ možnosti za nadaljnjo uporabo dela, pri čemer morajo navesti avtorja.
• Začetek licenciranja: 22.02.2020

Sekundarni jezik

• Jezik: Slovenski jezik
• Ključne besede: govedo, krave molznice, nastil, stelja

Projekti

• Financer: EC - European Commission
• Program financ.: ERA-NET SusAn
• Naslov: Develop economic sound free walk farming systems elevating animal welfare, health and manure quality, while being appreciated by society
• Akronim: FreeWalk

• Financer: EC - European Commission
• Program financ.: H2020
• Številka projekta: 696231
• Naslov: European Research Area on Sustainable Animal Production Systems
• Akronim: SusAn