Application of Classification and Regression Tree (CRT) Method for Predicting the Some Environmental Factors Affecting Weaning Weight of Awassi Lamb

Abstract

: In this study, the effects of some environmental factors on the weaning weights of Awassi lambs, raised within the scope of the Awassi sheep breed sub-project of the Ovine Breeding National Project in the Hands of the People Project under the coordination of the General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies affiliated to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, were investigated. For this purpose, estimation was made with the regression decision tree (CRT) method, which is one of the machine learning algorithms. In the study, the effects of age of dam, gender, birth type and flock type (elite and base flock), which are thought to influence weaning weight in Awassi lambs, were considered independent variables, while weaning weight was considered as the dependent variable. According to the regression tree estimations, the most effective environmental factor on weaning weight of Awassi lambs was found to be the birth type. While the effective factor for singleton lambs was the gender, it was determined that the important factor for male lambs was the type of flock. Age of dam was found to be effective on the weaning weights of the lambs in the base flock.