A study was conducted to assess the existing village chicken and egg marketing system of Bure district, North West Ethiopia. A participatory rural appraisal and a formal survey were used to collect all the relevant data, using a multistage sampling technique. Seven farmer kebeles (2 from high land, 3 from mid altitude and 2 from low land agro ecologies) and a total of 280 village chicken owner households were selected and considered for the study. In addition, 30 chicken and egg collectors (middle men) were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. All local and urban markets were visited once in a month in all seasons of the year. The result of the current study revealed that there was no any formal chicken and egg marketing operation in the study district. The result showed that 69.3% and 99.6% of interviewed village chicken owners involved in marketing of chicken and eggs, respectively. Producer-Consumer, Producer-Middle men, Producer-Retailer, Middle men- Retailer, Middle men-Consumer were the prevailing chicken and egg marketing channels of the study district. According to the result of the study village chicken owners traveled, on average, a distance of 5.5km and 15.9km to reach to nearby local markets and urban markets, respectively. It is identified that the majority (59.3%) of chicken owners used both hand carrying (hanging birds with a piece of stick) and carrying birds with bamboo-made containers to transport live birds to markets. The result of the current study revealed that the price of chicken and eggs showed variation between months of the year. The percentage increase in market prices of chicken products at holyday market days, as compared to ordinary market days was 19.2% for cocks, 15.3% hen, 24.2% for pullets/cockerels and 16% for eggs. Some of the major marketing problems identified in this study were: low supply of marketable chicken products, presence of only few/limited market out-lets and lack of appropriate marketing information. It is suggested that chicken and egg marketing of village chicken producers can be improved through development of market information system at farmer’s level and strengthening of agricultural extension services, through trainings and advisory services.

The study was conducted in Goma district of Jimma Zone of Ethiopia with the objectives of documenting the reasons why farmers in coffee dominant mixed-farming systems of western Ethiopia keep small ruminants, and identifying the constraints and opportunities for improvement of this sector. Results are based on diagnostic survey of 160 sample households, group discussions and personal observation. The study district was stratified into three groups based on flock distribution as: sheep dominating, goat dominating and mixed flock sites. The average land holding per household was 1.93 ha. In Goma where coffee and chat are the major cash sources for farmers, small ruminant are also primarily kept for cash generation as reported by 94% of the sampled households. The second main reason for keeping small ruminant in the study area was for saving mainly in time of coffee failure. Keeping small ruminants as a source of manure was the third important reason. From the interviewed households, 59.4, 32.1, 23.5, and 19.4% of them utilize communal grazing, aftermath grazing, roadside grazing, and riverside grazing, respectively for their animal as a sources of feed. Most small ruminants are either tethered or herded all the seasons due to the cultivation of perennial crops and predators. All small ruminants are housed for protection from adverse weather conditions and predators. The major problems for small ruminant production and marketing were: feed and grazing land shortage, lack of input, predators, diseases and parasites and marketing problems. In order to exploit the current growing demand of small ruminant meat at local and international markets, research and development interventions are required with regard to the identification of alternative feed resources and strategic feeding management, identification of causes of diseases and their control methods and improving marketing efficiency through appropriate policy.

The objectives of the investigation were to determine the transgressive lines of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) for grain quality traits (1000 kernel weight, and content of crude protein, starch and β-glucans) in the six cross combinations between covered and hull-less barley genotypes. The trial was carried out at the State Stende Cereal Breeding Institute during 2007 and 2008. Lines representing either positive or negative transgression were found in each cross combination if compared covered and hull-less lines with their parent varieties. These lines during the two years of investigation exceeded both parents in positive or negative direction by one standard deviation according to any of the four analyzed grain quality traits. Seven positive transgressive lines were observed regarding 1000 kernel weight, and two transgressive genotypes regarding crude protein content within the population of covered barley lines. No line with positive transgression regarding starch and β-glucan content was found within the covered barley population. 27 hull-less lines showed positive transgression regarding any of the four analyzed grain quality traits. The results show that it is possible to increase grain quality of spring barley grain by implementing selection practices.

The aim of the study was to find out the differences of blood biochemical and morphological parameters in cows with and without retained foetal membranes. Sixty cows of different age of Latvian blackand- white breed from two Joint Stock Companies were used in the research that was divided into two groups: control group of 15 cows, and 45 cows with retained foetal membranes. Research was done from September 2007 to January 2009. In haematological parameters on the second day postpartum, control group cows had increased leukocyte count on the account of mature neutrophils, but in the group of cows with retained foetal membranes leukocytes were within the range of normal values. The difference of the above mentioned parameters between both of the groups was significant (p is less than 0.05). At the same time, in cows of both investigated groups the number of band neutrophils was slightly increased (p is greater than 0.05). Haematological analyses showed leukocytes shift to the left and lymphopenia with a tendency to get normal within six weeks postpartum in both cow groups. On the third week postpartum, in cows with retained foetal membranes the band neutrophil count increased significantly (p is less than 0.05) indicating that the inflammation process has flared up. Blood for biochemical examination was sampled from cows within 48 hours postpartum in order to evaluate the functional condition of liver in milking cows. A significantly higher (p is less than 0.05) total and direct reacting bilirubin was observed in cows with retained foetal membranes, although it was within the range of normal values.

Reduced fertility associated with fluid accumulation has been recognized for many years in broodmares. Fluid present in the uterus after ovulation is often associated with mare susceptibility to endometritis. Objective of this study was to determine amount of intrauterine fluid secretion and endometrial oedema in mares at the time of artificial insemination (AI), 6 h, 25 h, and 48 h after AI and at the time of ovulation. A total of 22 cycling light breed mares from MTT Agrifood Research, Ypaja, Finland, were used in the study. Relaxation of the cervix, the number and size of follicles, corpus luteum, and the degree of endometrial oedema were examined by transrectal palpation and ultrasonography every other day. According to the closing and opening time of the cervix which was regulated using Bivona catheter, mares were distributed into 3groups. Group A (n=7): immediately after artificial insemination (AI) the catheter was inserted into the uterus. After 25 h, the catheter was opened and the fluid drained. Group B (n=8): immediately after AI, Bivona catheter was inserted into the uterus. After 6 h and 25 h the catheter was opened and the fluid drained. Group C (n=7)-control group: no catheter was inserted into the uterus. According to our investigation, we concluded that the amount of intrauterine fluid accumulation (IUFA) in mares increased within 25 h after AI. Mares with delayed uterine clearance had a significantly larger amount of intrauterine fluid than mares with normal uterine clearance. Open cervix during oestrus period is important for adequate clearance of intrauterine fluid in mares. Opening of intrauterine catheter at 6 h post AI didn’t diminish intrauterine fluid accumulation at 25 h post AI.

There are several unique features in the anatomy of the stomach in African ostrich in comparison with other birds. The goal of this study was to determine changes in the main morphometric parameters and histological features of gastric mucosa in ostrich chickens from the 38th day of embryonal development until 60 days of age. For the study, 6 embryos (38th day of development) and 36 chicks (1, 3, 7, 14, 30, and 60 days post hatching; 6 chicks per time point) of both sexes were obtained from African ostrich farm in Latvia during May - October, 2009. Tissue samples were investigated in Preclinical Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. The total area of proventricular mucosa (cm2) and surface area of deep glands (cm2) was measured. Tissue sections for histological assessment were stained with: hematoxylin and eosin and alcian-blue pH 2.5 - periodic acid – Schiff reaction. Thickness of proventricular and ventricular mucosa, depth of proventricular superficial glands as well as surface area of parenchyma occupied by deep glands were measured in histologic sections. As the chick age increased, there were changes in the ratio of areas occupied by proventricular superficial and deep glands with relative decrease in area occupied by deep glands. Proventricular deep glands developed rapidly after hatching; at the age of 30 days deep glands histologically resembled glandular structure of adult birds. Gastric mucosal epithelial cells of 38 days old ostrich embryos and of just hatched ostrich chicks contained neutral, acidic, and mixed mucopolysaccharides. Meanwhile, in the pyloric region of ventriculus acidic mucopolysaccharides predominated.

The non-spore forming gram-positive bacterium Listeria monocytogenes is a food pathogen bacterium and the causative agent of listeriosis. The aim of study was to determine the survival limits of L. monocytogenes inoculated in manufactured cold smoked sausages depending on water activity (aw) and pH values. Enumeration of L. monocytogenes colony forming units per gram (cfu gE-1) was done according to ISO standards. The decreasing water activity conditioned by moisture (weight) loss during ripening and pH decrease ensured negative exponential growth rate of inoculated L. monocytogenes lg cfu gE-1 - 0.44 each day. A significant Pearson's correlation (p is less than 0.01) was established between decreased values of L. monocytogenes count, aw (0.99), pH (0.92), moisture % (0.96), and weight loss (0.93) in sausages during ripening. The experiments were done at the Faculty of Veterinary medicine of the Latvia University of Agriculture and in a sausage manufacturer's laboratory.

The aim of the work is to investigate raw milk from different bulls' daughters to clear up the influence of cows' genetic predisposition to milk microbial contamination and somatic cell count (SCC). Particular attention is paid to develop productive cow milk yield, milk fat, milk protein and in recent years, the SCC heredity. The literature describes a variety of lines and families, representatives of the resistance to certain diseases (leucosis, mastitis, tuberculosis, brucellosis, foot disease), it shows the determination of a genetic factor for this trait. If the selection results show increased resistance to a disease, then this indicates a genetic disease resistance and shy. The paper focuses on microbial contamination of raw milk at 7 different studies of bull daughters in the same line for housing, feeding and conditions of use. Raw milk samples were obtained from the breed Latvian brown (LB) from dairy cows shed of cattle shed Saujas, which belongs to SIA Palsa and is located in the civil parish Varini, Smiltene county in the year 2008/2009. Compared between the lines of bulls' daughter milk yield of the sample average value of the uniformity of variance analysis shows that they significantly differ (F=2.452, p=0.039). Comparing each line of bulls' daughters SCC of the sample average value of the uniformity of variance analysis showed that the SCC was statistically significantly different (F=2.083, p=0.075) of the various lines of bulls daughters.

Systemic view on tourism as an economic activity is the best way how to characterise an economic nature of this industry. The paper presents the methodology which integrates the system approach and other research methods of social sciences; this methodology forms the basis for identification of social agents and models of tourism system. The methodology is approbated in the survey of providers of rural tourism services in Zemgale planning region. The research results are useful in future application of models for development of tourism whereas the models are useful for other purposes: they can provide additional information necessary for evaluation of tourism influence on economy. They form a basis for detecting participants in tourism clusters in regions and for evaluation of cooperation between social agents of public, nongovernmental and private sectors, and as an instrument in tourism marketing strategies.

Appropriate resources, availability of infrastructure, economic significance and food market forecasts determine the rationale for development of the dairy sector in the Baltic States. The sector is faced by significant economic problems; inter alia, production structure fragmentation, lack of investments and low labour productivity. Several sector's problems can be directly or indirectly solved by integration. Competition legal acts setting strict penalties directly and widely apply to integration processes, imposing a high level of legal risks on integrating parties. Thus, competition legislation forms a central framework limiting and guiding integration. As the subject has not been explored earlier, the author researched the Baltic dairy sector integration options at primary and secondary levels as influenced by the EU and Baltic national competition legislation and its implementation practice. Abstract-logical, monographic and interview methods have been used. The author concludes that law-compliant cross-border integration opportunities for the Baltic dairy sector exist to form larger integrated undertakings with higher market power. Reference to market shares in the competition legislation in countries with lower aggregate crude milk market sales puts the dairy sector participants at a disadvantage in case of integration processes resulting in smaller absolute size of the allowable integrated undertaking. Integration by agreements, decisions and concerted practices is appropriate for national level arrangements but is with limited applicability in the Baltic states cross-border integration at both levels of the dairy sector. In case of concentration, integration may be used to create cross-border integrated structures increasing concentration at every level of the Baltic dairy sector.