This paper deals with the results of focus group discussions concerning the Baltic Pulp project carried out among inhabitants of Jekabpils district in February and March 2001. Group discussions were a base for qualitative analysis where differences between opinion within different social groups had been fixed. This gives an insight into opinions as well as suggestions concerning ecological, economical and social factors, connected to the planned pulp mill.

The effect of different fertilizer backgrounds on the potato yield and its chemical composition of different varieties, destined for processing into chips, was investigated at the Elmininkai Research Station of the Lithuanian Institute of Agriculture in 2000. The investigation showed, that potato tuber yield depended on fertilization and genetic characteristics of the potato variety. The most productive potatoes of the following varieties were: early Voke (20,6-36,0) t ha*[-1) and medium late Saturna (27,0-35,4 t ha*[-1)).

One of the main preconditions for an economical milk production is a balanced cow feeding that contains high quality grass forage. Chemical composition of cocksfoot forage during vegetation was investigated at the Research Centre "Sigra" in the Biochemical laboratory of the Latvia University of Agriculture. Changes in the content of crude protein, NEL MJ kg*[-1) of DM, NDF, ADF and DM digestibility were determined. The chemical composition of grass forage depends on many factors, the most significant of which is the harwesting time. The feeding value of the cocksfoot grass decreases during its growing stages as the content of fibre increases and becomes lignified.

In 1999-2000 the field trials with spring wheat 'Munk' on optimisation of a nitrogen fertilizers were established at the Skriveri Research Centre of the Latvia University of Agriculture. The field trials were conducted on two different kinds of Luvisol soil: loam and loamy sand. As the influence of the previous crops-grass, grain and potatoes on efficiency of different (0; 50; 100; 150; 200; 250 kg ha*[-1)) nitrogen fertilizers was investigated. Is stated, that as well as predecessor, and mechanical structure of soil considerably influence efficiency of use of ammonium saltpetre by spring wheat. Some relevant soil properties at the beginning of the experiment were: in loam pH (KCl) 6.3; available phosphorus (DL-method) 100 mg P2O5 kg*[-1), available potassium (DL-method) 135 mg K2O kg*[-1); and soil organic matter (Tyurin's method) 2.3% in sandy loam pH (KCL) - 5.7; available phosphorus - 142 mg P2O5 kg*[-1); available potassium - 92 mg K2) kg(-1); and soil organic matter - 2.2%. The data mathematical processing was done using the General Linear Model criterion Tukey of the program SPSS.

However, the last case of tuberculosis to cattle was registered in Estonia in 1986, rapid and accurate diagnosting of the disease is still an actual veterinary problem. On farms, tuberculin testing has been regularly carried out showing that tuberculin positive cattle constitute 5,47% from all the herd. During 1997-2001, 23 clinical samples were isolated from the tuberculin positive cattle. Each sample was analysed with conventional morphological and bacteriological methods and by PCR. None of eleven mycobacterial cultures, isolated from the lymph modes of cattle, belonged to M. tuberculosis complex. There were seven cultures identified as M. avium and one as M. avium complex (MAC). The research confirmed that M. avium is the most frequently isolated bacteria causing NTM-Mycobacterioses in cattle in Estonia (63,6%). Two cultures of MAC were isolated from the milk of tuberculin-positive cows, verifying that milk can be a potential source of MAC transmission to man.

A questionnaire related to the wood drying was carried out among wood processing enterprises in Latvia to clarify the main problems and possible differences depending on production capacity and products. Deformation (twist, bow, spring, cupping etc.) during the kiln drying has been identified as the most important problem for all enterprises. Many problems are related to the product area as very often improper drying technology or incorrect drying schedule is used. Others are connected to the organization and control of drying process - optimisation of the drying schedule, energy consumption, kiln control unit, maintenance of measuring equipment, MC measurement, quality control during drying. There is a difference between softwood and hardwood drying in the product and sales area. Considerably more problems are recognized in hardwood drying (hardwood is often used in furniture production and has higher quality demands).

A field trial concerning optimisation of a mineral fertiliser (NPK) in the production of perennial ryegrass 'Spidola' seeds was established at the Skriveri Research Centre of the Latvia University of Agriculture in 1999. Experiments were conducted on sod-podzolic sandy loam soil (Luvic Phaeozem, WRB 1994). In 2000, the first seed production year, which was quite unsuitable in terms of climatic conditions, the nitrogen fertiliser showed significant influence on seed and straw yields. The use of phosphorous and potassium fertilisers in all combinations with nitrogen decreased the resistance of the crop to lodging.

To investigate flood and hydraulic parameters of the river, the hydraulic models of the river Daugava near Jekabpils have been built at the Rural Engineering Faculty of the Latvia University of Agriculture and at the Research Scientific Institute of Water Managmenet and Land. Several possible solutions have bee proposed as a results of these investigations, though only the most effective and economically acceptable variant should be selected.

Production of cereals is mostly processed by operating the machinery. Operation of machinery influences the yield, i.e. also the income on one side, but it is also one of the biggest sources of expenses from the other side. Increasing the yearly operation time and amount of work of the machinery leads to decreasing costs per unit. Increasing the yearly amount of work is limited by agrotechnical terms. The crop yield depends on the time and duration of field work, and affects the farm income. The methods and formulae to prognosticate the averageoptimum yearly operation time of farm's machinery, i.e. also farm's cereal-growing area was composed by the author, concerning biological, technical and economical factors and relations, affecting cereal production. Farm profit and profitability were used as optimization criteria.