Cattle fattening, first of all, should be beneficial for a farmer, therefore, in Latvia more suitable are such average intense fattening methods as fattening with grass fodder. In the world, demand for beef, produced in an environmentally friendly manner, ensuring the appropriate animal welfare conditions, is growing. The aim of the study was to find out the fattening results of Hereford (HE) and Aberdinanguss (AB) pure-bred bulls and their crosses when fed with grass fodder. The study was conducted in 2015 and 2016 within the framework of the project ‘Baltic Grassland Beef’. AB crossbreed bulls were slaughtered when they were 519 ± 16.6 days old, but HE pure-bred bulls − 584 ± 7.3 days old (p ≤ 0.05). The biggest live weight and slaughter weight showed HE crossbreed group bulls – 557 ± 19.4 kg and 293 ± 12.2 kg, respectively, but the biggest live weight daily gain from birth to slaughter was observed to AB pure–bred group bulls – 952 ± 24.7. Carcass conformation score in muscle development was the highest for AB pure–bred group bulls. Their average conformation score was 3.2 ± 0.08 points. In terms of fat score development, carcass with the best quality was obtained from HE crossbreed group bulls, the resulting fat score – 2.4 ± 0.10. The obtained results prove that pure-bred and crossbreed bulls used in this research are suitable for fattening with grass in the conditions of Latvia

In Latvia, different breeds of beef cattle are grown; therefore, it is important to explain their suitability to organic farming systems, because most Latvian beef cattle breeders work with organic farming methods. The aim of this research was to compare fattening of different beef breed bulls (Bos Taurus) in organic farming system at similar housing and feeding conditions. In the research, there were included Blonde d’Aquitaine (BA), Hereford (HE), Simmental (SI) and crossbred (CB) bulls. Fattening period started after calf weaning from suckler cows at 7 – 8 months of age. Fattening results were significantly affected by factors like breed, live weight and age before fattening, but slaughter results were significantly affected by breed, live weight and age before slaughter. During the fattening period the biggest daily weight gain was showed for SI breed bulls (849 g), but the biggest live weight increase was recognized for BA breed bulls (295 kg). The required slaughter weight the fastest was reached for XG bulls, which average slaughter age was 532 days (p is less than 0.05). The greatest slaughter weight – 342 kg (p is less than 0.05) and dressing percentage (58% (p is less than 0.05)) was recognized for BA breed bulls; also, carcass conformation score in muscle development was the highest for BA bulls (2.0 points (p is less than 0.05)). The greatest economic benefit was from CB bulls, income calculated per one rearing day from CB bulls was - EUR 1.80.

Requirements concerning the welfare of production animals and the low profitability of beef cattle breeding have brought exercise yards and feedlots to Finnish farms. Depending on the use of the yard, there are different aspects that have to be taken into consideration. The structure of the yard, the surface material and the space allowance are important from the point of view of both animal welfare and environmental impact. Two exercise yards have been designed, constructed and monitored, together with two feedlot areas. Samples of runoff water, gravity water, subsoil and topsoil have been taken. Their nutrient concentrations and hygienic quality have been analysed. The behaviour of animals has been observed.