The main objective of this research is to find out if quantitative factors describing agriculture have a statistically significant role on the parliamentary election results in Latvia. If this statistical relationship can be proven, then it is important to interpret the causality behind it. 18 agricultural indicators from the 2001 Census of Agriculture were selected to be analyzed with the 8th Saeima political party election results by using multiple linear regression analysis. These 18 parameters are different in their character, and they describe the size of farms, level of education for farmers, land usage statistics, proportion and productivity of certain crops, livestock and the usage of farm machinery. The main hypothesis of this research was that the rural civil parishes with a high intensity of agriculture have a statistically significant difference in election results when compared to the rest of the election results in Latvia. Initial results showed a strong correlation between election results and agricultural indicators, but when the ethnic factor was taken into account in the linear regression model the role of these agricultural indicators was greatly diminished.

This article analyses the elements of R. Hackman’s and G. Oldman’s work characteristics model: the essential work characteristics, critical psychological states, as well as personal and activity results. Research aim is to offer municipal administrative staff innovative elements of the motivation system. The elements of employee motivation are linked with certain work characteristics, distinguishing specific features of the work process that would meet the needs of workers such as the use of self-expression and potential opportunities, ensuring satisfaction with the content of work, independence and recognition. Before suggesting innovative motivation system elements, the factors and motivation measures that most influence municipal administrative staff of Raseiniai, Joniškis, Pakruojis, Akmenė had been found out. Essential elements of work characteristics model (essential work characteristics, psychological states and personal and activity results) among the employees were identified. It presents the characteristics of innovative motivation system elements of municipal administrative staff. Main analysis methods were used: analysis of documents, quantitative research – survey, comparative analyses, methods of statistical and cluster analysis.

Environmental conditions and climate change on a global scale affects the overall agriculture and food supply. Consumers demand for vegetables with high nutritional value is increasing. Consumers more and more are thinking about a healthy and balanced diet, but it is not easy to provide year-round fresh vegetables. Nettle (Urtica) leaves traditionally are used in early spring as a leafy vegetable in salads and soups. Young leaves before flowering are used for human consumption. Nettle contains a lot of vitamins and biologically active compounds. The research aim was to evaluate different stinging nettle clones, which grow in Pūre village (Tukuma district, Latvia). Samples were collected, when shoots were 10 – 15 cm long. Content of chlorophyll, carotenoids and anthocyanins in five nettle clones leaves were analysed. Biochemical analysis was done in Latvia University of Agriculture, Institute of Soil and Plant Science laboratory. Differences were observed between all clones. Significant difference between genotypes was observed in anthocyanins content, but not in chlorophylls and carotenoids content. Higher anthocyanins content was observed in samples, which grow in places with low nitrogen and phosphorus content. Content of biochemical compounds can influence some metal ions, environmental and other factors.

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.

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of fruits maturity stages at harvest on chemical composition, in vitro digestibility and in sacco degradability of Ficus surfruits (FSF). The treatments involved different maturity stages of Ficus sur fruits . Color, moisture content, and texture were used to distinguish among the fruit maturity stages. Fruits at early, mid, and late stages of maturity were collected from five trees and analyzed. The proximate composition of the fruits varied only slightly (0 to 3%) with the progress in maturity of the fruits. The exception was the DM content which increased from 45 to 87% with increasing maturity. The condensed tannins were low (<2%) for all the stages of maturity. In vitro and in sacco measurements indicated that the fruits at all stages of maturity were theoretically only slightly inferior to cereal grains as sources of digestible energy. However, the high washing loss in the in sacco study (38 to 42%) indicates that much of the digestible carbohydrate was in the form of soluble sugars which, depending on the levels used in the diet, could compromise the realizable net energy value of the diet. As in cereal grains, the crude protein content was relatively low (7.07 to 7.33% in DM).

Dairy cow production is an important livestock activity in the highlands of Madagascar and specifically in the Vakinankaratra region. Despite the increase of global milk production over the last decades, cow productivity remains low due to both quantity and quality feed constraints. Elephant grass and Italian ryegrass are the most cultivated forage grass, during the wet and warm season and the dry and cool season, respectively. An experiment under field conditions was carried out to evaluate the ability of the satellite-derived normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) to develop a tool for estimating biomass yields of Elephant grass and Italian ryegrass. Results showed moderate to strong but significant relationship between plant height and biomass yield (R² = 0.64 to 0.92), between NDVI and biomass yield (R² = 0.52 to 0.73) and between NDVI and plant height (R² = 0.61 to 0.74) of Elephant grass and Italian ryegrass, respectively. These results suggest that NDVI has potential to provide a tool for dynamic monitoring and management of pastureland forage production. (Résumé d'auteur)

L'état des parcours steppiques de la région de M'Sila traverse de profondes évolutions que nous avons étudiées en nous intéressant à la caractérisation et la forte transition des systèmes d'élevage moutonniers de cette région. Nous avons mené des entretiens auprès de 30 éleveurs, répartis sur 11 zones potentiellement pastorales de la steppe algérienne (pluviométrie entre 100 et 400 mm/an) autour de M'Sila. Les systèmes d'exploitation des parcours sont le système pastoral (13,3%), en régression, et le système agro-pastoral (86,7%) qui augmente avec les défrichements. Les déplacements pour l'été en mauvaise année peuvent être importants. Tous les éleveurs ont recours à une complémentation alimentaire, économiquement rentable. Cette situation induit une rapide dégradation des sols qui se traduit par une désertification du milieu (64,5 % des sols sont très dégradés pour seulement 17,6% corrects). Par ailleurs, les cheptels continuent à augmenter. En conséquence, les pâturages (parcours naturels et vaine pâture) se trouvent chroniquement en état de surcharge, parfois toute l'année. Devant cette situation préoccupante, de nouvelles stratégies à envisager devraient s'appuyer à la fois sur des réhabilitations (régénération naturelle ou plantation pastorale) et sur des systèmes alternatifs d'associations élevage – agriculture (avec les périmètres agricoles). (Résumé d'auteur)

peer reviewed