Wood-based ash landfilling is increasing issue not only in Latvia but in the whole world as more biomass is used for energy production. Utilization of wood burning waste as fertilizer is already used worldwide, but there is lack of information about chemical composition of wood ash obtained from Latvia plants, so the aim of this study was to determine chemical composition and analyse possible utilization options of wood-based ash from Latvia plants. Therefore wood ash samples from 53 companies were collected, sieved and chemical composition of samples was determined. It was concluded that within higher capacity of furnace more coarse fraction of wood ash was observed which is less valuable as fertilizer. Wood ash is good liming material consisting alkali compounds and other biogenic elements but also heavy metals, which are pollutants and could cause environmental problems.

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.