The study was undertaken to evaluate the efficiency of selection on growth performance of Menz sheep under a community-based breeding program (CBBP) from the period of 2009 – 2017. A total of 3996 lamb records (ram lambs 2025/ ewe lambs 1971) were used to evaluate the phenotypic and genetic factors affecting the growth traits of Menz sheep. REML in Wombat and General linear model on SAS (version 9.0) were used to evaluate selection efficiency for growth of Menz sheep. The least squares means and standard errors on phenotypic growth weight for birth, weaning age, six month age and yearling age were 2.58±0.004, 8.99±0.02, 13.28±0.02 and 19.94±0.06 kg, respectively. The effect of sex was significant (p<0.001) only for birth weight and no significance effect (p>0.05) was observed for weaning, six month and yearling weights. All growth traits were not affected by fixed effect of parity and birth type in this particular study. However, birth season and birth year had a great influence (p<0.0001) on all growth traits. The genetic trend on estimated breeding values (EBV) was not consistent across years and varied between sexes. The highest EBV for weaning, six month and yearling were recorded for the year 2013 and the lowest in 2009 (at weaning and six month) and 2015 (at yearling).The female EBV (at weaning, six month and yearling) was higher than male for the current (2017) and base population (2009).The responses to selection as compared to base population (2009) for birth, weaning, six month and yearling weight were – 0.00446Kg, + 0.11Kg, + 0.54Kg and + 0.75Kg respectively. This study indicates that improvement in body weight for Menz sheep through CBBP is possible; however, the response to selection varied across years and its pattern was irregular for the implemented years due to the problem on selection of breeding rams (lower availability of breeding rams) and management effect.

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters of reproduction traits of pure Fogera cattle at Metekel Ranch. Metekel cattle Breeding and Improvement Ranch has so far been engaged in maintenance of Fogera cattle population outside their adapted environment (ex-situ conservation). The breeding program has two components: selection and crossbreeding. The establishment of the pure breed unit is meant for the improvement of the Fogera breed and for providing heifers to cross- breed to exotic dairy sires (by Artificial insemination). In cross breeding program; crossbred animals are produced through artificial insemination of Fogera cows with Friesian semen. Around three to six months of pregnancy, the F1 cross heifers are sold to farmers for milk production (Melaku et al., 2011a, b). Very recently the ranch started to distribute non pregnant F1 cross heifers. WOMBAT software was used to estimate genetic parameters. The variance components and heritability were estimated using a Uni-variate animal model using four models which fitted direct additive, dam genetic and permanent environmental effect as a random effect and the fixed effects (year, season, sex and parity). Parameter of age at first calving (AFC) were estimated using Model 1 (Y= Xb + Z1a + e), Model2 (Y= Xb + Z1a + Z3c + e), Model3 (Y= Xb + Z1a + Z2m + e (cova, m = 0), and Model4 (Y= Xb + Z1a + Z2m + Z3c + e (cova, m = 0) whereas parameters of reproductive traits including gestation length (GL), calving interval (CI) and days open (DO) were estimated using model 2 and 4 which fit permanent environmental effect due to repeated records per cow. Correlations (genetic and phenotypic) among the different traits were estimated from bi--variate analysis by using model 1 for growth traits and AFC and model 2 to estimate the correlation between CI, GL and DO and birth weight (BWT) and GL. Correlation between birth weight and gestation length were estimated by treating gestation length as a trait of calf. Due to record limitation correlation between AFC with other reproductive traits were not estimated. Estimates of direct heritability of reproductive performance traits from the best model were 0.003 ± 0.05 for AFC, 0.00 ± 0.03 for GL and CI and 0.013 ± 0.03 for DO. The phenotypic correlations between reproductive traits were 0.003 ± 0.034 for CI and GL, 0.37 ± 0.041 for CI and DO and 0.167 ± 0.036 for DO and GL and the genetic correlation between reproductive traits ranged from -0.94 ± 0.2 for DO and GL to 0.83 ± 0.579 for CI and DO. Genetic correlation between growth and AFC ranged from 0.77 ± 0.24 for BWT and AFC to 0.87 ± 0.03 for pre-weaning average daily gain (PADG) and AFC. The phenotypic and genetic correlations between BWT and GL were 0.03 ± 0.05 and -0.84 ± 0.013 respectively. The results of genetic correlation between considered traits was ranged from moderate to high and it indicates that selection for one trait would have a significant effect on the other traits not considered however selection must be done with caution. The heritability estimates confirmed the presence of high environmental effect among the study population and it masks the individual animal genetic difference. Given the low heritability estimates obtained, effective improvement in reproduction performance of Fogera cattle could be achieved by improving the production conditions and through crossbreeding.

A study to develop body weight prediction equations based on various body measurements was conducted in rural Kamuli district, Uganda. Body weight (kg) and body measurement data (cm) were collected from 411 pigs between 15 and 127 kg from both local and exotic (mainly crossbreds) pigs. Five body measurements; body length, heart girth, height, body width and flank-to-flank were taken from each pig. Prediction models were developed by regressing weight on pig body measurements. The models were developed for pigs categorized as < 40kg, ≥ 40 kg and an overall single prediction model. Mean weights of < 40 kg and ≥ 40 kg were 27 ± 6.5 kg and 63 ± 19.6 kg, respectively. Body length and heart girth were used to predict (R2 = 0.89) weight for the < 40 kg pigs with the prediction equation; Weight = -41.814 + 0.296 (body length) + 0.654 (heart girth). Four body measurements; body length, heart girth, height and body width were strongly predictive (R2 = 0.92) of live body weight for the ≥ 40 kg pigs with the prediction equation; Weight = -108.198 + 0.228 (body length) + 1.094 (heart girth) + 0.267 (height) + 0.922 (body width). The flank-to-flank measurement did not affect model prediction (p > 0.05) and quadratic terms also did not improve accuracy and were not included in any prediction models. These results suggest that live weight could be accurately estimated using two or more pig body measurements. It was concluded that this weight estimation tool would empower Ugandan small scale pig farmers by providing them with an accurate estimate for the animal’s live weight and giving them better bargaining power when selling their pigs.

Fire is a major disturbance in hemiboreal forests; it affects not only trees, but also ground vegetation. Previous studies have analysed the succession of ground vegetation after the fire, but not addressed the impact of the size of the burned area on revegetation of it. Therefore, the aim of our study was to assess the differences in post-fire ground vegetation in relation to the distance from the edge of the affected area. Vegetation data were collected using Braun-Blanquet method in three sites (122 sample plots) affected by forest fire and five clearcuts (not affected by fire) (92 plots), all regenerated by Scots pine 6 – 7 years before the assessment. The number of ground vegetation species (in all sites predominantly birds or wind dispersed) as well as their projective cover was not affected by the distance from the nearest edge of burned or clearcut, except in burned sites on dry sand soil (Vaccinosa and Myrtillosa), where herbaceous plant and shrub cover was decreasing (from 23.5% to 11.6%) and bryophyte and lichen cover – increasing (from 3% to 13.9%) with an increasing distance from the edge of the area. The total number of plants in burned areas was twice smaller than in clearcut in the same soil conditions but such large difference in projective cover was not observed. There were no significant differences between burned and clearcut areas in respect to Ellenberg’s indicator values on both soil types, as well as no trend in Ellenberg’s values for soil moisture in relation to distance from the nearest stand edge.

Fast-growing hybrid aspen clones are recommended for establishment of plantation on abandoned agriculture land in Northern Europe. In this study we assessed the productivity, quality and assortment structure of hybrid aspen clones at final felling. Data were collected during the hybrid aspen clonal experiment conducted in the central part of Latvia. Large variation in the productivity level between different clones was affected by growth and survival. From the compared 5 most and least productive clones, based on the yield m**3 haE-1, the faster growing clones have about 17% better survival rate at age 10. Also, the mean annual increment (MAI) differed notably and significantly (p is less than 0.05, α = 0.05) between hybrid aspen clones at the age of 18 years ranging from 7 to 34 m**3 haE-1 yearE-1. Theoretical assortment structure of hybrid aspen at the age of 18 years was the following: 43 ± 4.86% of small dimension saw logs (SDS logs), 21 ± 4.86% high quality saw logs (HQS logs), 18 ± 4.33% pulpwood, 4 ± 0.77% firewood and 13 ± 0.08% of logging residues (tops). The outcome of HQS logs on average is more than 30% from the 5 best clones and further increase can be predicted with age. Stem volume (H2 = 0.32), height (H2 = 0.47) and quality parameters (stem straightness - H2 = 0.73, branch angle - H2 = 0.60) had a high heritability and large differences between clones, indicating notable possibilities to improve the productivity of plantations via selection of the best-growing genetic material.

Recently, a renewed interest in non-harmful, environmentally friendly adhesives has ensued among the industry professionals, both environmental and healthcare scientists. In this study, organic rich lake sediments (sapropel) from two lakes located in Latgale Region of Latvia were used as a glue to investigate the potential use of such adhesive for manufacture of composite materials from wood. Sapropel is a valuable resource with multiple areas of application, e.g., agriculture, balneology. Available amount of sapropel in Latvia is estimated at up to 2 billion m**3. Prior the tests, characterization of sapropel samples was done. Properties of the obtained composite material samples from wood and sapropel, as well as the mechanical properties were investigated. Tests involved the assessment of static bending strength and shear strength tests, durability according to their operating performance (D1-D4), as well as dried natural peat tensile strength perpendicular to the grain direction were determined and compared to the literature data; and the opportunities to use new composite materials in accordance with to the standards were discussed. The results of the study revealed an insight into possibilities to develop products of higher added value from sapropel as adhesive in combination with various resources. Results indicated that the samples made from Lake Pilvelis sapropel gain to better results of bending strength determination (parallel bending - 88.7 MPa). The aim of this study was to explore options to produce veneer using two kinds of sapropel as a glue and to determine the optimal properties according to the standards, as well as to characterize properties of the obtained composite material.

Turkish traditional food producers are mainly subsistence and semi-subsistence farmers who have a limited marketing knowledge. They thus encounter a significant number of problems during the supply chain due to the lack of capital, awareness and equipment, as well as underutilized resources and insufficient rural infrastructure. They are also not actively encouraged by the policies implemented at the regional level. The majority of the food reaches consumers either directly (the less common purchases from the farmer) or via a number of intermediaries. If the current volume of traditional food is compared with the past production volume, it can be clearly seen that there is a sharp decrease in the production in contrast to the rapidly increasing population. This study aims to find willingness of Turkish consumers to pay for a MarketMaker website – an electronic trading platform of traditional products in Turkey. The estimations rely on data collected from 157 persons covering all regions in Turkey through an online survey in August, 2015. The average willingness to pay (WTP) annually was found to be about 32 Turkish Liras (TRY) for all observations including zero bids and TRY 164 excluding zero bids. The results of the probit model show that age, marital status and shopping in traditional food markets were identified by the model to have a significant impact on the probability of WTP.

The paper analyses sustainable development situation in Šiauliai and Telšiai counties between 2004 and 2013 and compares it with respective situation in the Republic of Lithuania. In order to provide an integrated assessment of the situation, the analysis employed the method of calculating sustainable development indices, close to the Compass method, often applied in research practice all over the world. The calculated indices of economic and social development and environmental state in Šiauliai and Telšiai counties and in Lithuania have shown changes in sustainable development during the period of 10 years. Integrated sustainable development indices, obtained by summing up economic and social development and environmental state indicators demonstrated that sustainable development situation in Šiauliai and Telšiai counties and the Republic of Lithuania between 2004 and 2013 was very similar. Due to the first EU investments between 2005 and 2007, a huge improvement of economic and social situation took place, environmental protection also improved. However, the global economic crisis of 2008 – 2010 decreased the sustainable development of Lithuania and the mentioned counties. In 2011 – 2012, the sustainable development situation started improving again, however, not in such big proportions as in 2005 – 2007. Recession in 2013, in fact, brought the level of sustainable development of Lithuania, Šiauliai and Telšiai counties down to the level of 2004. Conclusions provide generalisation of the research outcomes and possible sustainable development trends for Šiauliai and Telšiai counties.

The paper presents theoretical and practical aspects of content marketing decision application for rural tourism development using a case of a farmstead ʻĮlankos sodybaʼ. The first part of the article deals with theoretical insights into content marketing ability to stimulate rural tourism development. Results of literature review reveal that there are connections between elements of the content marketing and rural tourism development, which means that the use of content marketing can be economically valuable for the wider range of the farmsteads. The second part of the paper focuses on the case analysis of the farmstead ‘Įlankos sodybaʼ. In order to explore how the application of content marketing decisions can impact rural tourism development, an experiment of content marketing usage in search advertisement of selected farmstead was carried out. Separate content marketing elements were involved in search advertisement and changes of advertisement effect upon the customers were measured. The given results show that content marketing elements can improve the chosen advertisement effect upon the customers. This leads to presumption that the wider use of content marketing can improve not only the effect of separate marketing tool, but also can contribute to the development of rural tourism. The paper concludes with findings and discussion; limitations and future research possibilities are given as well.