Classification of cow diet based on milk Mid Infrared Spectra: A data analysis competition at the ?International Workshop on Spectroscopy and Chemometrics

In April 2022, the Vistamilk SFI Research Centre organized the second edition of the International Workshop on Spectroscopy and Chemometrics - Applications in Food and Agriculture. Within this event, a data challenge was organized among participants of the workshop. Such data competition aimed at developing a prediction model to discriminate dairy cows' diet based on milk spectral information collected in the mid-infrared region. In fact, the development of an accurate and reliable discriminant model for dairy cows' diet can provide important authentication tools for dairy processors to guarantee product origin for dairy food manufacturers from grass-fed animals. Different statistical and machine learning modelling approaches have been employed during the workshop, with different pre-processing steps involved and different degree of complexity. The present paper aims to describe the statistical methods adopted by participants to develop such classification model.

Automated summary

In April 2022, the Vistamilk SFI Research Centre organized the second edition of the International Workshop on Spectroscopy and Chemometrics - Applications in Food and Agriculture. During the workshop, a data challenge was conducted to develop a prediction model for distinguishing dairy cows' diet based on milk spectral information. The accurate and reliable discriminant model is essential for ensuring product origin for dairy food manufacturers. Various statistical and machine learning approaches were used, along with different pre-processing steps and levels of complexity. This paper aims to describe the statistical methods employed by participants in developing the classification model.