This study was undertaken to assess the potential for sweet potato silage making business by estimating sweet potato vines and root wastage and assessing the economic feasibility of investing in sweet potato silage. Information was collected through key informant interviews, secondary data review, sweet potato root peeling and weighing, focus group discussions with pig and sweet potato producers covering a sample of 180 farmers. Semi-structured interviews with 240 respondents (120 sweet potato farmers, 60 pig farmers and 60 sweet potato traders) were also conducted. The results showed that sweet potato production is seasonal with substantial wastage of sweet potato components existing across the various nodes of the sweet potato value chain. The study concludes that there is an opportunity for investment in sweet potato silage business that has the potential to reduce wastage of sweet potato and bridge the feed scarcity gap faced by pig farmers.

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters of reproduction traits of pure Fogera cattle at Metekel Ranch. Metekel cattle Breeding and Improvement Ranch has so far been engaged in maintenance of Fogera cattle population outside their adapted environment (ex-situ conservation). The breeding program has two components: selection and crossbreeding. The establishment of the pure breed unit is meant for the improvement of the Fogera breed and for providing heifers to cross- breed to exotic dairy sires (by Artificial insemination). In cross breeding program; crossbred animals are produced through artificial insemination of Fogera cows with Friesian semen. Around three to six months of pregnancy, the F1 cross heifers are sold to farmers for milk production (Melaku et al., 2011a, b). Very recently the ranch started to distribute non pregnant F1 cross heifers. WOMBAT software was used to estimate genetic parameters. The variance components and heritability were estimated using a Uni-variate animal model using four models which fitted direct additive, dam genetic and permanent environmental effect as a random effect and the fixed effects (year, season, sex and parity). Parameter of age at first calving (AFC) were estimated using Model 1 (Y= Xb + Z1a + e), Model2 (Y= Xb + Z1a + Z3c + e), Model3 (Y= Xb + Z1a + Z2m + e (cova, m = 0), and Model4 (Y= Xb + Z1a + Z2m + Z3c + e (cova, m = 0) whereas parameters of reproductive traits including gestation length (GL), calving interval (CI) and days open (DO) were estimated using model 2 and 4 which fit permanent environmental effect due to repeated records per cow. Correlations (genetic and phenotypic) among the different traits were estimated from bi--variate analysis by using model 1 for growth traits and AFC and model 2 to estimate the correlation between CI, GL and DO and birth weight (BWT) and GL. Correlation between birth weight and gestation length were estimated by treating gestation length as a trait of calf. Due to record limitation correlation between AFC with other reproductive traits were not estimated. Estimates of direct heritability of reproductive performance traits from the best model were 0.003 ± 0.05 for AFC, 0.00 ± 0.03 for GL and CI and 0.013 ± 0.03 for DO. The phenotypic correlations between reproductive traits were 0.003 ± 0.034 for CI and GL, 0.37 ± 0.041 for CI and DO and 0.167 ± 0.036 for DO and GL and the genetic correlation between reproductive traits ranged from -0.94 ± 0.2 for DO and GL to 0.83 ± 0.579 for CI and DO. Genetic correlation between growth and AFC ranged from 0.77 ± 0.24 for BWT and AFC to 0.87 ± 0.03 for pre-weaning average daily gain (PADG) and AFC. The phenotypic and genetic correlations between BWT and GL were 0.03 ± 0.05 and -0.84 ± 0.013 respectively. The results of genetic correlation between considered traits was ranged from moderate to high and it indicates that selection for one trait would have a significant effect on the other traits not considered however selection must be done with caution. The heritability estimates confirmed the presence of high environmental effect among the study population and it masks the individual animal genetic difference. Given the low heritability estimates obtained, effective improvement in reproduction performance of Fogera cattle could be achieved by improving the production conditions and through crossbreeding.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of probiotics, herbals and buckwheat bran (Fagopyrum esculentum L.) on growth, profile of blood, gut microbiota, profile of fatty acid in meat and shedding of resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) in piglets. A total of 44 piglets (Sus scrofa domesticus) from age of day 14 to 56 were divided into 4 groups. Control received basal diet (group C), basal diet + probiotics (group P), basal diet + 3% buckwheat bran (group PB) and basal diet + 1.5% herbals (group H). No effect was observed in growth in all groups. The count of Lactobacillus spp. increased (p is less than 0.05) in jejunum in group P. In the faeces, Enterobacteriaceae decreased in the group P (p is less than 0.05) of 35 days old piglets, but Enterobacteriaceae and E. coli decreased in the group H (p is less than 0.05) of 56 days old piglets. The prevalence of resistance to at least one antibiotic class was 66.7% before and 50% after the experiment in all groups. Multidrug resistance of E. coli was not observed in 14 days old piglets, but was observed in 50% and more in all of study groups of 56 days old piglets. The fatty acid composition of Longissimus thoracis muscle had higher levels of α-linolenic acid and palmitoleic acid (p is less than 0.05), but lower level of stearic acid (p is less than 0.05) in group P. In conclusion, probiotics and herbals improved gut microbiota, fatty acid profile and affected shedding of resistant E. coli, but not growth performance.

Wheat crown rot is a harmful disease that can be caused by different pathogens. The control of this disease is complicated because of the diversity of pathogens and an insufficient efficacy of fungicides; therefore, the agronomic practices of wheat production are an important tool for reducing the disease development. The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence of wheat crown rot depending on soil tillage system and on the pre-crop of wheat in the year 2016. The field experiment was carried out at the Research and Study farm ‘Peterlauki’ of the Latvia University of Agriculture in the autumn of 2008. The data obtained in 2016 are analysed in this study: A – soil tillage system: 1 – traditional soil tillage with ploughing at the depth of 22 – 24 cm, 2 – reduced soil tillage with disc harrowing up to the depth of 10 cm; B – pre-crop of winter wheat: 1 – wheat, 2 – oilseed rape, 3 – faba beans. The incidence of crown rot was not influenced by soil tillage system, but the impact of pre-crop was significant (p = 0.006). The level of disease was essentially higher in continuous wheat sowings. The experiments showed that the main causal agents of the disease were Fusarium spp. and Oculimacula spp. The spectrum of pathogens was not dependent on a particular agronomic practice.

The aim of our study was to determine up to what extent the number of services per calving (NSPC) affects dairy cow productive and reproductive performance. The study contains data from the Agricultural Data Centre of Latvia about 26888 Latvian Brown (LB) and Holstein Black and White (HBW) breed cows that were born from year 2005 – 2010, closed at least 5 full lactations and were culled from herds. In data set we have included data about cow milk productivity (calculated in ECM), longevity traits and reproduction traits. The reproduction traits included the number of services per conception (NSPC), calving interval (CI) and calving to conception interval (CCI) in the first five lactations. The average lifespan of LB and HBW dairy cows was 3149.5 days and in this period 39570.6 kg ECM were obtained. LB breed cows were characterized by 23.5 days longer lifespan and by 6035.4 kg ECM lower lifetime milk productivity than HBW breed cows, but they showed higher reproduction trait scores than LB breed group. HBW cows had a significantly (p is less than 0.05) higher NSPC, CCI, number of milking days (MD) and CI than LB breed cows in all five analysed lactations. The NSPC in the first lactation increased the calving age at the fifth lactation – cows with NSPC in the first lactation is greater than 4, fifth time calved 170.7 days in LB breed group and 190.8 days in HBW breed group later than cows with one NSPC in the first lactation.

Milk yield, composition and milk coagulation properties can be affected by kappa-casein (κ-CN) and beta-lactoglobulin (β-LG) genotypes and breed. Latvian Brown (LB) and Latvian Blue (LZ) are local dairy breeds in Latvia. These breeds are not so high-yielding than other commercial dairy breeds, besides, the number of those animals decrease each year. The aim of the research was to analyse the influence of κ-CN, β-LG and breed on milk composition and milk coagulation properties. Data were collected from 56 Latvian Brown and 26 Latvian Blue in 2016. Widespread κ-CN genotype was AA (0.593) in LB breed and AB (0.636) in LZ breed, while β-LG highest frequency was BB genotype. Significant effect was not observed on milk yield; however the highest daily milk yield was from AB κ-CN genotype (19.7 ± 1.52 kg) in LB breed. Significant differences were observed in fat content – the highest fat content accordingly κ-CN was from AA genotype in LB (46.3 ± 1.89 g kgE-1) and 45.5 ± 1.37 g kgE-1 from BB β-LG genotype in LB breed (p is less than 0.05). A lower protein content was observed from AA κ-CN genotype in LZ breed (33.8 ± 1.30 g kgE-1), while highest from BB genotype in both breeds. Curd firmness was not significantly different by genotypes and breed. Significantly shorter milk renneting time of β-LG was obtained from LB breed (14.6 ± 2.76 min, p is less than 0.05), while κ-CN genotype was not significantly affected.

The research was conducted with the aim of studying the possibility of using automatic feeding stations for individual sheep (Ovis aries) feeding. The research was organized in 3 periods, in which 10–13 months old sheep – female only (1st research period), 6–10 months old sheep – female only (2nd research period) and 8–12 months old sheep – female only (3rd research period) were used. Part of the sheep did not visit the feeding station at all. Sequentially, over the research periods the percentage was 13%, 37% and 49%. Upon setting the concentrate daily ration 400 g per sheep, on the average the number of visits to the particular feeding station was 6.1 and 4.7 (sequentially in the 1st and 2nd research period). Upon increasing the concentrate ration amount up to 700 g per day, the average number of feeding station visits was 6.9 (in the 3rd research period). The number of visits to the automatic feeding station was varied (V is greater than 10%). Over the research period live weight of the sheep increased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) for the subgroups of animals which made visits to the feeding station regularly during the entire research period. In all research periods, the average daily concentrate intake (373.5 g in the 1st research period, 333.1 g in the 2nd research period and 581.2 g in the 3rd research period) was 93%, 83% and 83% respectively, of the maximum established feeding standard.

Smart specialisation strategy (RIS3) is topical for each European Union member state – including the Baltic States. It is a smart tool for the European Union (EU) Structural Funds absorption from 2014 to 2020. Each EU member state has set their own priorities based on the country specialisation and economy strengths and weaknesses. For RIS3 development evaluation, there is RIS3 Assessment Wheel developed – a tool for assessing the RIS3 in a chosen region and positioning it between other regions. The aim of research is to find main differences between RIS3 development in the Baltic States. The tasks of research are 1) to compare existing RIS3 Assessment Wheel of Latvia and create authors version of RIS3 Assessment Wheel of Latvia; 2) to create RIS3 Assessment Wheel of Lithuania and Estonia; 3) to make comparisons between created RIS3 Assessment Wheels. The research performed is mainly based on the desk research by using content analysis and the monographic method. In all three Baltic States, there is a lack of information available about revision of priorities in connection with RIS3 development. In order to achieve the aims set in RIS3, it is essential to finish work on RIS3 legislation in Latvia, and introduce the systematic approach to RIS3 target evaluation in all Baltic States.

The paper presents an approach for the analysis of rural areas’ socio-economic development. Rural regions include spheres of human activity: institutional, environmental, social, labour, industrial, economic, technological development spheres. Under the development of the rural regions, changes in the variables of different spheres of human activity in the region, increasing the potential for human development, is understood. Human Development Index measures the potential for human development measurement. The model of socio-economic development of the rural regions presented in the article is characterized by both endogenous and exogenous variables of the model. Model of socioeconomic development of the rural regions is presented in the form of six econometric equations, each of which is an ADL-model. Each ADL-model contains endogenous and exogenous variables. The article presents the structural form of a system of economical equations in each one equation there is more than one endogenous variable. It shows the transition from the structural form to the form of the system of economical equations, where each equation has only one endogenous variable. The system of equations was developed for the rural regions of Russia. Baseline data were obtained from the database of the State Statistics Committee of Russia. The article provides a solution to the system of equations. The solutions to the model can be used for developing strategic development of each separate rural region or a combination of all the rural regions.

Foreign trade as part of the main economic relationship between a country and the global market, its regions and super-players is a significant research object. This paper deals with a particular case, exploring Latvian import in first one and a half decade of the 21st century. Since in Latvian academic society economic issues are largely dominated by economic scientist, this is an attempt by geographer to look at special aspects of mentioned ties and relationships. Research is focused around main producing sectors of economy such as agriculture, fisheries and forestry. With the aim of establishing clear ties between Latvia and its major import markets, the statistics of foreign trade was analysed using frequency analysis. The research shows that Latvian major import markets, although, similarly with its export markets, are located in the Baltic Sea region and have some differences. Major import markets are usually countries with bigger internal market, than Latvia’s. Import does follow the pattern of export markets in its separation into East and West groups with similar characteristics. Major difference, however, is differentiation of markets, where majority of high quality goods are being imported from a wider variety of markets, in contrast to export, where consolidation was a major pattern. This shows a rather close competition on world markets for potential clients, and a way for further economic change in Latvian industrial structure and operations.