Baltic States’ dairy sectors are important to their economies. All Baltic States have had substantial current account deficits that exceeded acceptable thresholds until the year 2009. The States are dairy product exporters. Export capability largely depends on international competitive position of dairy processing companies. Several factors, inter alia, company size determine the position. Largest companies have been formed by horizontal integration. At Baltic scale dairy processing is still fragmented. The aim of this paper is to evaluate economic effect aspects of integration related to exports in the Baltic States’ dairy sector secondary level. As the subject has not been explored earlier at company level, the author researched data of 188 annual reports of 53 Baltic dairy processing companies over the period 2003 to 2009. Descriptive statistics, time series analysis and regression analysis methods were primarily used. The author establishes that among dairy companies which generate significant exports turnover two-thirds are horizontally integrated and include all largest dairy processing firms in the Baltic States. A few smaller firms have succeeded in exporting due to suitable channel management. Among a large group of companies that generate less than 1% turnover from exports, 77% are non-integrated and all are small. Using regression analysis the author estimates that 1% increase in net turnover in the exporting dairy company group is expected to create 0.93 – 0.94% increase in net turnover from exports. Policies promoting mergers of some companies may thus lead to increased dairy exports, higher milk production and fuller realisation of economic potential of the sector.

The investigations were carried out in the Lithuanian Agricultural University Water Research Institute land plots in the Endocalcari Endohypogleyic Cambisols (CMg-n-w-can). The basis of the investigation is 3 variants field experiment. Each variant consists of 3 in 0.54 ha drainage. The traditional arable farming is applied in variant I. In the variant II the land is not being cultivated, but in spring the perennial ryegrass (‘Lolium perenne L’) is being seeded into the spring barley and kept till spring. In the variant III the land is not being cultivated after the harvest and left for the rest till spring. The variant II is distinguished by the minimal mineral nitrogen content. Applied to cultivated and uncultivated land, the min N reserves are increased 51 - 83 and 33 - 40 and 11 - 101 and (38 - 134%) (to 9.5 - 14.3 mg kgE-1 and 152 - 68 and 154 - 61 kg haE-1). The average investigation of N concentration in the drainage water shows, that the minimum concentration of this element was in the second variant. Applied to the traditional farming and uncultivated land, the N concentration is increased by (30 - 42% to 34 and 37 mg lE-1). By average data the min N, leaching by drainage water in the variant II was minimal and about 27 kg haE-1. Applied to the arable farming and uncultivated land, the min N leching is increased (30 - 55%) (to 35 - 42 kg haE-1).

In 2003 an experimental model of the dairy waste water cleaning facility was equipped for cleaning the wastewater of the milk collection station. We examined the possibilities to destruct the organic pollutants present in the dairy wastewater in the sand filters of vertical and horizontal filtration. The pollution level of the dairy wastewater is from 2 to 4 times higher than that of the domestic wastewater. The dairy wastewater was cleaned following the procedure: cleaning in the aeration-flocculation system-cesspool-two stage sand-reed filter. The pollution of the wastewater leaving the cleaning facility never exceeded the allowable norms. The average BOD5 was 4 mg O2 LE-1 and the maximal value was 9.6 mg O2 LE-1. The investigation revealed that the horizontal sand-reed filter with the filtration path of 7 meters ensured cleaning of the dairy wastewater up to the allowable norms. The organic pollutants were cleaned with the efficiency of 97.2% after filtration through such a sand layer. In order to find out the possibilities of vertical filtration filters use for cleaning the dairy wastewater leaving the milk collection stations, we performed a modelled investigation. The wastewater cleaning efficiency in respect to BOD5 reaches 99.3% in these filters. The calculation according to the regression equation received showed that filtration through 0.6 m sand layer ensured successful cleaning of the wastewater up to the allowable norms. In such a vertical filtration filter the average BOD5 cleaning level was 20 mg O2 LE-1.

The aesthetic quality of landscape is one of the most threatened values in our environment. The methodology chosen to evaluate the landscape for the first time has to be precise and effective. The objective of this study was to find the most appropriate method for the first time evaluation of sacral landscapes. The paper compares two methods – the Scenic beauty estimation method, and the Q sorting method for evaluating the scenic beauty. Comparison of the two methods was made in the winter of 2010 – 2011. The Scenic beauty estimation method is effective for getting a quick estimation of general scenic beauty. The Q method gives the estimation of general scenic beauty and the explanation of perception priority. The visual quality is deeply connected with perception. Placing perception in numbers leaves some doubt, but it is quite an effective way of observing the main visual qualities in the perception of spectators. Both methods give the first impression of the landscape elements. But Q method gives more significant results than the Scenic beauty estimation method.

Since the change of the paradigms of competitiveness is taking place now, the concept ‘competitiveness’ also changes its semantic meaning. In the article the concept ‘educator’s competitiveness’ is analyzed and scientifically substantiated according to different views. The aim of the article is to present the results of theoretical research, performed by author for several years in the field of concurentology, actualizing the new meaning of the concept ‘educator’s competitiveness’ in the pedagogy science and education, and proposing an insight into the substantiation of the philosophic methodological basis for the evaluation of educator’s competitiveness. In the article, the author applies the concept ‘educator’ according to its broader meaning. The research shows that there exists: 1) diversity in relation to the definitions and explanations of the competitiveness of an educator as a specialist; 2) three methodological approaches in the research of competitiveness: a biometric, a functional and a structural approach. According to the author’s opinion, the structural approach would be the most appropriate for the development of the evaluation methodology, including the system of evaluation indicators, in relation to the components of an educator’s competitiveness structure.

The yield and quality (1000 kernel weight, protein, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content) of peas was studied in cultivar 'Madonna'. The peas (Pisum Sativum L.) were part of the five-year crop rotation experiment where red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), peas, potato (Solarium tuberosum L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), were following each other. There were two production variants which followed the crop rotation. In one variant mineral fertilizers and pesticides were used, and the other variant was conversion to organic without any synthetic agrochemicals. In mineral fertilizing variants the background in all variants was N20, P25, and K95 kg haE-1. The previous crop was winter wheat which received in fertilized variants mineral fertilizers with the background of P25 and K95 kg haE-1, the N amount varied from 0 to 150 kg haE-1. The aim of this paper was to study a mineral fertilizing after-effect on the peas which followed the winter wheat. Herbicide MCPA 750 was used. In conversion to organic, the pea grains which followed the crop rotation and mineral fertilizing Nl50 after-effect variants had higher yield, protein and nitrogen content compared to the other variants where mineral fertilizing after-effect was investigated. Phosphorus contents were higher in NO, and conversion to organic variants. Potassium content remained lower in Nl00, and Nl50 mineral fertilizing after-effect variants. The 1000 kernel weight was significantly higher in the variant of conversion to organic compared to the other variants.

Renewable energy resources play an important role in energy production both in Latvia and in the world. Bio-ethanol is used as a substitute for oil products in various countries of the world. It is produced from the plants containing starch: cereals, potatoes, beet, maize. The task of the research was to evaluate the suitability of different varieties of winter wheat, triticale and rye for extraction of bio-ethanol in Latvia. The research was carried out at the State Stende Cereals Breeding Institute in 2009, and the following varieties and lines of cereals were examined: winter wheat varieties 'Mulan', 'Skalmeje', and the line '99-115', developed at the State Stende Cereals Breeding Institute; winter triticale varieties 'SW Valentino', 'Dinaro', and the line '0002-26', developed at the State Priekuli Plant Breeding Institute; winter rye varieties 'Matador', 'Placido' Fp and 'Dankowskie Nowe'. The content of crude protein and starch of grains, the grain yield, and the bio-ethanol yield were determined. The highest bio-ethanol yield was acquired from the winter wheat and triticale varieties that had the highest starch content and the lowest crude protein content of grains. The best results were obtained from winter wheat line '99-115' and variety 'Mulan' (409.4 and 406.8 L tE-1), triticale variety 'Dinaro' (423.3 L tE-1), and winter rye variety 'Matador' (370.1 L tE-1.).

β-Carotene (BC) and a-tocopherol in milk fat have positive implications in human nutrition, besides the specifically protecting polyunsaturated fatty acids from oxidation. To determine the possible effect on some milk components, nutritional value and lipid stability of including carrots in the diet of lactating cows, ten cows were selected in a dairy farm and divided into 2 groups (control and experimental) by 5 cows in each. In experimental group's diet additionally 7 kg carrots per cow per day were included. Individual cow milk samples were obtained 1 day before feed enrichment, in days 7, 24, 35, 42 (during the feed enrichment), and 1 week after feed enrichment. Analyses of milk fat, protein content, somatic cell count (SCC), retinol, BC, vitamin C, tocopherols, immunoglobulins (Ig), lysozyme, fatty acids (FA) were made, and milk yield was measured. Supplying cow diet with carrots showed a tendency to improve milk quality by promoting the faster decrease of SCC, and significantly (p is less than 0.05) increasing Ig and lysozyme content, thus potentially improving milk nutritional value. The vitamin content rose significantly (p is less than 0.05) by retinol and tocopherol contents, but b-carotene content increase in milk was not observed. Also milk fatty acid (FA) stability changes during 5 day storage in temperature of 4 - 6 deg C were not observed.

Colour, texture and aroma are the main quality attributes of food influencing consumer acceptability of food products. Colour of the product is one of the factors affecting hedonic evaluation. Strawberry mass for a consumer is characteristic by its distinct red colour. The stability of anthocyanins becomes most significant in the case of colour quality. To investigate colour quality, it is necessary to measure colour, as well as pigment concentration. Fresh and thermally treated strawberry mass was analyzed. Formation and stability of anthocyanins, which is the main colour formation substance of berries, are determined by different factors. Anthocyanin colors can be enhanced and stabilized by the addition of different natural or artificial acidifiers. Data of the research indicate that anthocyanin amount during storage period decreases. After 2 days storage their amount increased, but afterwards decreased, both, in fresh and thermally treated mass. The taste evaluation of strawberry mass was essentially affected by the enhancers added. The aim of research was to analyze the quality parameter – colour of strawberry mass with added acidifier which further could be used in production of different products for the needs of public catering, e.g. in production of desserts. The anthocyanin content in strawberry mass with acidifiers was determined to see the organic acid impact to colour stability. Research shows, that natural enhancers – quince and sea buckthorn juices used in the research, did not substantially affect each other’s pH in the product.

Highbush blueberries are thought to provide protection against oxidative damage of free radicals and contribute to positive health benefits. They have been studied little in Latvia; therefore, the aim of study was to evaluate the soluble solids content, titratable acidity and sugar content of berries harvested in 2010. Seven varieties of cultivated highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) grown in Latvia were analysed. Analyses were done for frozen berries of varieties ‘Bluecrop’, ‘Chandler’, ‘Chippewa’, ‘Duke’, ‘Northblue’, ‘Patriot’ and ‘Polaris’. All experiments were performed at the Latvia University of Agriculture, Faculty of Food Technology. The content of titratable acids (TA) was detected using standard method ISO 750:1998 by titration with 0.1N NaOH. Soluble solids content (SSC) was analysed using standard method ISO 2173:2003 by hand refractometer. Sugars (fructose, glucose and sucrose) were analysed by high-pressure liquid chromatography HPLC analysis. Results showed that there are significant differences between varieties (p is less than 0.05) for all parameters. TA content varied from 0.4 – 1.2%, SSC - 8.5 – 10.8 degBrix and total sugars from 7.6 to 9.3 g 100 gE-1. The highest ratio between sugars and titratable acids was for ‘Polaris’ while the lowest – ‘Chandler’ and ‘Bluecrop’.