The aim of the study was to investigate the beef and dairy cow parasitosis epizootic situation in Vidzeme region. Research was done throughout Vidzeme territory during the period of the years 2013-2014. The total number of animals examined was: 273 dairy and 90 young beef cattle aged from 6 months to two years and 248 dairy and 29 beef cows older than two years. For the diagnosis of helminthes standardized ovoscopic and larvoscopic methods were used. For the diagnosis of protozoa flotation and modified Ziehl-Neelsen methods were used. The main species in the samples were Cryptosporidium spp., Eimeria spp. and Strongylus spp. In the young dairy and beef cattle aged from 6 months to two years and cattle older than two years Cryptosporidium spp. invasion accordingly was 32.6% and 19% (dairy cattle) and 62.2% and 65.5% (beef cattle); the invasion of Eimeria spp. 30% and 7.3% (dairy cattle) and 55.6% and 10.3% (beef cattle); and the invasion of Strongylus spp. was 17.6% and 13.7% (dairy cattle) and 43.3% and 27.6% (beef cattle). Both dairy and beef cattle were infected with Moniezia spp., Paramphistomum spp., Strongyloides spp. Dairy cows aged from 6 months to two years had Trichuris spp., Dictyocaulus spp. and Neoscaris spp. invasion.

Quality of information about cost structure of farm is of high importance when making management and production process improvement decisions. Aggregating and analyzing production process cost information by correct and unified methodology provides possibility of evaluating the structure of expenditures. Moreover, it is possible to identify most important cost positions and get perspective on production process. By collecting and processing data using unified methodology it is possible to conduct comparing evaluation between different farms. This is done to identify the most and less efficient farms, their work methods and cost structure. When developing unified methodology, it is essential to take into account that different farms might use different production systems and structure. When creating revenue and expense calculations, it is essential to receive accurate data. Good quality data is fundamental for receiving good quality and usable results. Precise data accounting is another important factor that ensures good quality of cost calculation. Precise accounting decreases number of cost allocation coefficients used for allocation of cost positions and thus decreasing effect of assumptions on unit production cost calculation. Fixed cost allocation by its nature to divide all costs by farm specializations is the most challenging when calculating unit production cost. In order for calculations to be of good quality, precise data on use of assets, specifics and intensity of farming is necessary. By identifying these indicators it is possible to create maximally precise calculation of unit production cost of beef.

To develop the Latvian National Inventory reports on greenhouse gas emissions it is necessary to have data on the amount of nitrogen (N) in livestock manure. Such data are available in the Regulations of the Latvian Cabinet of Ministers No. 834. Still, these data can be also obtained from the available literature or calculated according to the methods given in the 2006 IPCC Guidelines, or determined in experimental investigations of the farm manure samples taken on the farms and analysed in laboratories. Therefore, the aim of the present research is to compare the data from literature (L), calculations (T), the Regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers (MK) and the experimental research (E) on the amount of N emitted with cattle manure and to evaluate further suitableness of application of the above mentioned methods. In Latvia, different farm animals are bred, but in the previous research it has been stated that approximately 75 % of the total greenhouse gas emissions created by animal breeding are caused by cattle. Therefore, in the present article the amount of N in manure is analysed for six groups of cattle: dairy cows, their calves and young stock, other (beef) cattle, their calves and young stock. In the research it has been found that all the above described methods give correct research results. But the amount of N in cattle manure is a variable value as it depends on the productivity of the animals, live weight, feeding and other factors. Because of this reason it is necessary to specify the amount of N emitted with cattle manure regularly, and the method of theoretical calculations is the most suitable in the given case. This method can be employed using the statistical data and zootechnical information, but special developed software programme can be used for calculation.

Agriculture is multifunctional in its nature. It encompasses much more than just cultivation of plants and rearing of animals for food. An agriculture not just milks a cow or gathers crops from a field, he also sustains rural environment, makes image of his country more attractive and decorative. These are special environmental values that agriculture is giving to the society because neat and tidy environment is a national wealth. Agriculture is a style of life. The Baltic countries have recently joined the European Union. It means we have a lot of changes in our economical, political and social life. Each member state has an opportunity to choose how to contribute to the prospective development of its agriculture and its rural policy. We face the increase in speed of our lives and the increase in volume of information exchange between countries. A pending matter in livestock farming is the use of the breeding stock animals in selection. Therefore we have to develop a new approach in the animal breeding and genetic technologies using the latest scientific discoveries and achievements. It has been proved that different countries have to cooperate sharing their knowledge and experience. This year 12th Baltic scientific conference of the animal breeders and geneticists has a title Development and use of breeding programms for the improvement of animal breeds.

World beef production is increasing at a rate of about one percent a year. Beef is one of the most consumed meat types in the European and American cuisine. Profitable beef farming requires continuous appraisal and adaptation of production systems in response to advances in technology and evolving mark et and agricultural policy conditions. Meat cattle farming is regarded as a prospective industry in Latvia, a s there are appropriate conditions for the industry and it is a n alternative for dairy and pig farming that faced various problems in recent years. The aim of this research is to identify the key technological and economic solutions in meat cattle farming. In Latvia cattle herds mostly consist of intensive breeds such as Charolais and Limousine, medium intensive breeds – Hereford and Aberdinangus – and the extensive Highland breed. In 2012 and 20 13 in Latvia the feed, capital and technology costs prevailed in the percentage distribution of the beef production costs. In Latvia meat cattle farming usually employs a pasture system. Other feeds and their quality play an essential role in achieving high cattle growth and productivity rates. The provision of dietary energy, protein and dry matter play a crucial role in the increase of live weight of young cattle. The provision of dietary energy and protein are essential in raising suckler cows and breeder bulls.

The article is devoted to the most popular cattle breeds in Latvia. The author describes the development of the Latvian Brown breed, analyzing the productivity and other characteristics of the cows as well as their suitability to the climatic, economic and soil conditions of Latvia. The Latvian Brown breed is compared with the black-and-white coros having higher productivity, but being more susceptible to diseases. The author gives some suggestions concerning crossbreeding.

The paper explains a methodology developed at Latvia University of Agriculture for calculating a percentage distribution for cattle manure management systems based on the 2006 IPCC recommendations. Calculations are based on the following input data: legal information on the output of manure and the dry content of manure, the length of grazing period, the size of herd at which transition from farmyard manure to liquid manure takes place as well as statistical data on the number of cattle and the amount of manure used for biogas production. Computer programs developed earlier may be conveniently employed for performing calculations.

Myostatin (MSTN), a member of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily, is a highly conserved, potent negative regulator of skeletal muscle growth in many species from rodents to humans. Loss of MSTN activity in cattle, mice, and humans leads to a profound phenotype of muscle overgrowth associated with more numerous and larger fibres and enhanced regenerative capacity. Several MSTN gene structural variations have been reported as potentially significant in cattle phenotype performance. Here we report preliminary data on the microsatellite polymorphism of the first intron of the MSTN gene in Latvian Blue cattle breed.

Latvia reports emissions from cattle (including dairy cows), sheep, swine, goats, horses, rabbits, and fur-bearing animals. Emissions from poultry enteric fermentation have not been estimated. According to 2006 IPCC Guidelines methodology for enteric fermentation calculation from poultry is not developed. However methane emission from poultry is calculated below in the Manure management category. Cattle are the largest source of enteric methane emissions (95.2% from total methane emissions from enteric fermentation) in Latvia. In 2013, dairy cattle produced 64.5% and non-dairy cattle – 30.7% of methane emissions. Emission from sheep made 2.1%, swine – 1.7%, horses – 0.6%, and goats – 0.2% of the total emission from enteric fermentation. In 2013, methane emissions from enteric fermentation of domestic livestock increased by 0.11 Gg or 3.6%, if to compare with 2012. This is caused by the increase of the number of all livestock, excepting goats and horses. The number of non-dairy livestock increased up to 5.7% in 2013. Since 1990 generally due to evident fall of the number of livestock emissions methane emissions decreased by 64.9%.

The paper presents results of study on the development and implementation of cattle carcasses classification system, particularly payment system, in Latvia. The dynamics of cattle and beef production is described; thereto import and export balance and beef cattle breeds in Latvia have been characterized. Some advantages and disadvantages of the classification system, especially payments to farmers, are discussed and some proposals for the improvement of classification system of classification system of cattle carcasses, especially in payment system and training the classifiers and, are given.