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

Abstract

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.

Keywords

govedo;krave molznice;nastil;

Data

Language: English
Year of publishing:
Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
Organization: UL BF - Biotechnical Faculty
UDC: 636.2
COBISS: 4355720 Link will open in a new window
ISSN: 2076-2615
Views: 192
Downloads: 78
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Other data

Secondary language: Slovenian
Secondary keywords: govedo;krave molznice;nastil;stelja;
Type (COBISS): Article
Pages: str. 1-14, e 351
Volume: ǂVol. ǂ10
Issue: ǂno. ǂ2
Chronology: 2020
DOI: 10.3390/ani10020351
ID: 13990458