Comparison of Bayesian Regularized Neural Network, Random Forest Regression, Support Vector Regression and Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines Algorithms to Predict Body Weight from Biometrical Measurements in Thalli Sheep

Abstract

In this study, it is aimed to compare several data mining and artificial neural network algorithms to predict body weight from biometric measurements for the Thalli sheep breed. For this purpose, the prediction capabilities of Bayesian Regularized Neural Network (BRNN), Support Vector Regression (SVR), Random Forest Regression (RFR) and Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines (MARS) algorithms were comparatively investigated. To measure the predictive performances of the evaluated algorithms, body measurements such as body length, heart girth, ear length, ear width, head width, head length, withers height, rump length, rump width neck length, neck width of Thalli sheep were used for predicting the body weight. In this context, 270 female Thalli sheep were used to predict body weight. Model comparison criteria such as root-mean square error (RMSE), standard deviation ratio (SDR), performance index (PI), global relative approximation error (RAE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r), determination of coefficient (R2) and Akaike’s information criteria (AIC) were used to compare all algorithms. In conclusion, the MARS algorithm can be recommended to enable breeders to obtain an elite population of Thalli sheep breed.