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.

The quality of forage grass mostly depends on the harvesting time. In early vegetation stages, grasses have a high protein and energy content and high dry matter digestibility. The data on the protein content and energy value of different grasses gives a possibility to choose the best conservation method. Changes in the chemical composition of perennial grasses during the vegetation were investigated at the Laboratory of Biochemistry of the LUA Research Centre "Sigra". The dynamics of the content of amino acids was evaluated.

During the last decade economy of Latvia has experienced a decrease, crises and also depression. Further development process of Latvia could lead to a rapid economical boom. The application of scientific researches into the development of nationaly economy of Latvia is one of the important aspects. Though the globalisation and commercalisation of scientific researches must be taken into account as well. Science development is opening wide range of possibilitities for research perfection. Most of the Latvian, Lithuanian and Slovakian entrepreneurs are 30-40 years old, who suddenly appeared in the circumstances of conventionally free economy in their twenties.

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.

The broadbean seed beetle (Bruchus rufimanus) is a significant pest of faba bean (Vicia faba) both in Latvia and in many other parts of the world. The objective of this study was to check the susceptibility of the faba bean variety ‘Merkurʼ to the broadbean seed beetle in Latvia, comparing it with other popular varieties: ‘Boxerʼ and ‘Lauraʼ. The trials were conducted in 2021 and 2022 at the Research and Study Farm ‘Peterlaukiʼ in Jelgava County and at a commercial farm in Cēsis County. The larval infestation rate of seeds of different varieties, the survival rate of individuals (larvae, pupae, imagines) in the seeds, as well as the percentage of seeds damaged by the pest in the yield were compared. It was observed that ‘Merkurʼ seeds were significantly less infested than ‘Boxerʼ and ‘Lauraʼ seeds. However, the survival rate of larvae in the seeds of ‘Merkurʼ was similar to that in ‘Lauraʼ seeds and higher than in ‘Boxerʼ seeds. The highest proportion of seeds damaged by the pest was found in the ‘Merkurʼ and ‘Boxerʼ yields, varying between 5–75% between years and trial locations. Therefore, it was concluded that the variety ‘Merkurʼ, evaluated from a practical point of view, does not differ from the other two varieties. Without taking additional plant protection measures, the percentage of seeds damaged by the broadbean seed beetle can significantly exceed the maximum limit (3%) specified in the buyersʼ quality criteria.

This article presents the results of studies on biological samples collected from 640 swabs taken from dogs and cats across various regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan. These samples were part of a monitoring study on the spread of coronavirus among domestic animals. Total RNAs were isolated using the magnetic sorption method with the ALPREP kit and subsequently analysed with the ALSENSE-SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR kit. Real-time RT-PCR analysis revealed that 104 samples tested positive within 22–37 amplification cycles. These positive samples were then cultured in Vero cell lines to confirm the presence of the virus. The biological activity of the resulting virus-containing suspension was determined using the Reed-Muench method. During cultivation, one viral isolate with a biological activity of 5.83±0.08 lg TCID50/ml was obtained. A microphotograph of the virus was taken using an electron microscope to determine its size, shape, and structure, which confirmed its morphology corresponding to the Coronaviridae family. The data obtained further indicate that domestic animals can suffer from and carry coronavirus. It is becoming increasingly evident that the virus can infect and replicate in the organs of various farm and domestic animals.