Trends in development of tractor fleet in Latvia

The article analyses the development of the fleet of tractors in the period 2000–2015. Major brands of tractors registered in Latvia have been clarified. It has been established that, alongside with the purchase of new tractors meeting the EU regulations, there are still approximately 55 thousand tractors enlisted in the State Register, which are produced in the CIS countries and are older than 20 years, constituting about 65 % of the total number of tractors. The registration procedure allows a great number of worn-out tractors being in the Register. The average number of the tractors purchased a year is 650.8 new tractors, or 9762 new tractors during the period. The average age of the registered tractors is 24.1 years, and it is gradually increasing, as a result of which the technical condition of the tractor fleet is deteriorating – in the recent years only 33-34 % of the total number of tractors were in good technical condition . However, the production of goods for the market takes place using highly efficient contemporary machines, the worn-out tractors performing a small amount of work on small peasant farms and on private plots around the farmhouse. A methodology has been worked out for the estimation of the adequate number of tractors for timely cultivation of the areas under agricultural crops. The methodology is based on the calculation of the total increase in the engine power of the tractor fleet per years and its comparison with the increase in the areas sown per years. It is assumed that 10 % of the sowing areas are cultivated by worn-out tractors, but 7.5 % of the new tractor power is required for the replacement (amortisation) of the worn-out tractors. We consider that the increase in the total power should compensate the increase in the sowing areas. It has been found that during the period the total power has grown 1.48 times, the area sown increasing in the same period approximately 1.34 times. Specific power has also been calculated in kW. ha E-1 , which is considered by several authors as a criterion for the estimation of the tractor adequacy, as well as its variations in a 15 year period. The specific power has increased 1.18 times but the average weighted power of a new tractor – 1.5 times. The increase in the total power of the tractor fleet compensates the increase in sowing areas and even exceeds it a little. The average specific power kW• ha E-1 can be regarded as relatively high, and a decline in this indicator is possible in the future. As the replacement of the worn-out machines will be necessary, and further increase in the sowing areas is expected, upgrading of the tractor fleet should be continued at approximately the same rate – by purchasing, on the average, 600 to 700 new tractors every year.