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

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

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.

• Language: English
• Keywords: alternative bedding material, cattle housing systems, clustering algorithm, Gustafson–Kessel, dairy cows, water holding capacity
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: BF - Biotechnical Faculty
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2020
• Number of pages: 14 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 10, iss. 2, art. 351
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-133277
• UDC: 636.2
• ISSN on article: 2076-2615
• DOI: 10.3390/ani10020351
• COBISS.SI-ID: 4355720
• Publication date in RUL: 19.11.2021

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Animals
• Shortened title: Animals
• Publisher: MDPI AG
• ISSN: 2076-2615
• COBISS.SI-ID: 519120409

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.
• Licensing start date: 22.02.2020

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: govedo, krave molznice, nastil, stelja

Projects

• Funder: EC - European Commission
• Funding programme: ERA-NET SusAn
• Name: Develop economic sound free walk farming systems elevating animal welfare, health and manure quality, while being appreciated by society
• Acronym: FreeWalk

• Funder: EC - European Commission
• Funding programme: H2020
• Project number: 696231
• Name: European Research Area on Sustainable Animal Production Systems
• Acronym: SusAn