More than 17,5% of Latvian agricultural land is abondoned, therefore effective use of this land is a significant issue in national economics. One of the alternatives of how to use abandoned agricultural land is its afforestation by birch. The present research is based on the Scandinavian experience. Calculations have been made on the necessary investments and management costs. The recovery and possible impact on price changes in raw birch materials are analysed as well.

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.

The general purpose was to study productivity of organic grasslands and compare it with productivity at a conventional farm under the same or similar climatic and pedologic conditions. The investigation was based on field experiments that were carried out in 5 different regions of Estonia in 2000. In the current research, the DM-yield of sward (on 4 research plots of 5 square m), the botanical composition, soil pHKCL and humus content (by Tjurin) were measured. Also the content of soluble plant nutrients P and K were measured by DL-(Egner-Riehm) method and Ca and Mg- by AL- (ammonium acetate extraction) method.

In majority of cases, a positive effect can be observed upon application of Laser Agnis-L01 in treatment regimen of bone fractures. Positive effect of the laser was observed in 66.7%, no change in 22.2% and negative effect in 11.1% of the rabbits in experiment. To accelerate healing of bone fractures, we recommended the following parameters in treatment regimen with Agnis L01: impulse power 1.5 W, impulse frequency 250 Hz, modulation frequency 50 Hz and duration of treatment episode 240 seconds, 5 squares of treatment, 1 dosage per day, 10 treatment episodes. The treatment should start from day 4 after occurrence of fracture. Efficacy of laser treatment depends on individual properties of animal. Treatment of bone fractures is complex, laser treatment could be an element of the treatment regimen.

There are five programming regions and regional development agencies. Regional development agencies must be involved in the administration process of the EU's prestructural funds. Research is done using Richard Rhod's classification of regions and the experience and practice of Great Britain in specially supported regions. The program of specially supported areas is the main financial instrument in Latvia, which promotes territorial development in depressive regions. The administrative territorial reform will make rectification in specially supported areas and in planning regions.

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.

Weather conditions in Latvia are very favourable for the development of potato late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans (Mont) de Bary. The control of potato late blight can be performed using different approaches: standardised technology, prognoses of the first infection and prognoses of the progress of disease development. The negative prognosis model Negfry is based on the last two mentioned above. For the control of potato late blight in Latvia mainly has been used - standardised technology. The first field treatment was made during the row closing or according to prognoses. Regular treatments were made each 8-14 days. The use of NegFry model started in Latvia in 1998. Local varieties and weather data have been used for the trial. For the control of potato late blight in field trials standartised fungicide application was compared with the NegFry model and the untreated variant. The major task of the use of the model is possibility to reduce the number of fungicide treatments. The NegFry model helps to realise an integrated plant protection system, which decreases fungicide application and increases economical efficiency.

The aim of research was to analyse the spread of goats eimeriosis in Latvia, determine the structure of eimeria species as well as the efficiency of treatment of goats eimeriosis. Coprological examination of goats, carried out with Fileborn method, showed that the average level of eimeriosis influence on goats was about 25.2% and 3 dominant species of emeria such as E.arloingi, E.ninakohlyakimovae and E.alijevi. The highest level of influence was discovered to animals under 1 year of age, as with E.ninakohlyakimovae (62.5%) as the dominant specie, to animal above 1 year of age - E.arloingi (57.3%-66.7%), respectively. As the result, such preparations as sulfadimetoxine in dosage 75 mg kg*[-1) amprolsol 50 mg kg*[-1) showed high level (about 91%) of efficiency of emeriosis treatment.

The article deals with the current situation in production of building materials and foreign trade in Latvia. Export and import of building materials are one of the most important factors influencing the production of building materials. The report analyses import and export development trends within two sections of the harmonized system: wood and articles of wood; the articles of stone, plaster, glassware and ceramics.

It is well known that secretion of gastric acid is regulated neurally by the stimulation of n.vagus and humorally by the activation of histamine H2 receptors in parietal cells. The purpose of the investigation was to clear up neural and humoral regulation mechanisms of gastric acid secretion in the postnatal ontogenesis of calves. Four calves from 5 to 14 weeks of age with chronical fistulae in abomasum have been investigated. Two electrode pH-probe has been used for measures. Atropine sulphate (0,06 mg kg*[-1) IV infusion) has been used to stop function of n.vagus, and cimetidine (0.16 mg kg*[-1) IV infusion) to block humoral regulation. The results clearly show that both, atropine sulphate and cimetidine, demonstrate some blocking influence on the HCL of abomasum in calves of different age.