A study was conducted to assess the existing village chicken and egg marketing system of Bure district, North West Ethiopia. A participatory rural appraisal and a formal survey were used to collect all the relevant data, using a multistage sampling technique. Seven farmer kebeles (2 from high land, 3 from mid altitude and 2 from low land agro ecologies) and a total of 280 village chicken owner households were selected and considered for the study. In addition, 30 chicken and egg collectors (middle men) were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. All local and urban markets were visited once in a month in all seasons of the year. The result of the current study revealed that there was no any formal chicken and egg marketing operation in the study district. The result showed that 69.3% and 99.6% of interviewed village chicken owners involved in marketing of chicken and eggs, respectively. Producer-Consumer, Producer-Middle men, Producer-Retailer, Middle men- Retailer, Middle men-Consumer were the prevailing chicken and egg marketing channels of the study district. According to the result of the study village chicken owners traveled, on average, a distance of 5.5km and 15.9km to reach to nearby local markets and urban markets, respectively. It is identified that the majority (59.3%) of chicken owners used both hand carrying (hanging birds with a piece of stick) and carrying birds with bamboo-made containers to transport live birds to markets. The result of the current study revealed that the price of chicken and eggs showed variation between months of the year. The percentage increase in market prices of chicken products at holyday market days, as compared to ordinary market days was 19.2% for cocks, 15.3% hen, 24.2% for pullets/cockerels and 16% for eggs. Some of the major marketing problems identified in this study were: low supply of marketable chicken products, presence of only few/limited market out-lets and lack of appropriate marketing information. It is suggested that chicken and egg marketing of village chicken producers can be improved through development of market information system at farmer’s level and strengthening of agricultural extension services, through trainings and advisory services.

The study was conducted in Goma district of Jimma Zone of Ethiopia with the objectives of documenting the reasons why farmers in coffee dominant mixed-farming systems of western Ethiopia keep small ruminants, and identifying the constraints and opportunities for improvement of this sector. Results are based on diagnostic survey of 160 sample households, group discussions and personal observation. The study district was stratified into three groups based on flock distribution as: sheep dominating, goat dominating and mixed flock sites. The average land holding per household was 1.93 ha. In Goma where coffee and chat are the major cash sources for farmers, small ruminant are also primarily kept for cash generation as reported by 94% of the sampled households. The second main reason for keeping small ruminant in the study area was for saving mainly in time of coffee failure. Keeping small ruminants as a source of manure was the third important reason. From the interviewed households, 59.4, 32.1, 23.5, and 19.4% of them utilize communal grazing, aftermath grazing, roadside grazing, and riverside grazing, respectively for their animal as a sources of feed. Most small ruminants are either tethered or herded all the seasons due to the cultivation of perennial crops and predators. All small ruminants are housed for protection from adverse weather conditions and predators. The major problems for small ruminant production and marketing were: feed and grazing land shortage, lack of input, predators, diseases and parasites and marketing problems. In order to exploit the current growing demand of small ruminant meat at local and international markets, research and development interventions are required with regard to the identification of alternative feed resources and strategic feeding management, identification of causes of diseases and their control methods and improving marketing efficiency through appropriate policy.

The objectives of the investigation were to determine the transgressive lines of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) for grain quality traits (1000 kernel weight, and content of crude protein, starch and β-glucans) in the six cross combinations between covered and hull-less barley genotypes. The trial was carried out at the State Stende Cereal Breeding Institute during 2007 and 2008. Lines representing either positive or negative transgression were found in each cross combination if compared covered and hull-less lines with their parent varieties. These lines during the two years of investigation exceeded both parents in positive or negative direction by one standard deviation according to any of the four analyzed grain quality traits. Seven positive transgressive lines were observed regarding 1000 kernel weight, and two transgressive genotypes regarding crude protein content within the population of covered barley lines. No line with positive transgression regarding starch and β-glucan content was found within the covered barley population. 27 hull-less lines showed positive transgression regarding any of the four analyzed grain quality traits. The results show that it is possible to increase grain quality of spring barley grain by implementing selection practices.

The aim of the study was to find out the differences of blood biochemical and morphological parameters in cows with and without retained foetal membranes. Sixty cows of different age of Latvian blackand- white breed from two Joint Stock Companies were used in the research that was divided into two groups: control group of 15 cows, and 45 cows with retained foetal membranes. Research was done from September 2007 to January 2009. In haematological parameters on the second day postpartum, control group cows had increased leukocyte count on the account of mature neutrophils, but in the group of cows with retained foetal membranes leukocytes were within the range of normal values. The difference of the above mentioned parameters between both of the groups was significant (p is less than 0.05). At the same time, in cows of both investigated groups the number of band neutrophils was slightly increased (p is greater than 0.05). Haematological analyses showed leukocytes shift to the left and lymphopenia with a tendency to get normal within six weeks postpartum in both cow groups. On the third week postpartum, in cows with retained foetal membranes the band neutrophil count increased significantly (p is less than 0.05) indicating that the inflammation process has flared up. Blood for biochemical examination was sampled from cows within 48 hours postpartum in order to evaluate the functional condition of liver in milking cows. A significantly higher (p is less than 0.05) total and direct reacting bilirubin was observed in cows with retained foetal membranes, although it was within the range of normal values.

There are several unique features in the anatomy of the stomach in African ostrich in comparison with other birds. The goal of this study was to determine changes in the main morphometric parameters and histological features of gastric mucosa in ostrich chickens from the 38th day of embryonal development until 60 days of age. For the study, 6 embryos (38th day of development) and 36 chicks (1, 3, 7, 14, 30, and 60 days post hatching; 6 chicks per time point) of both sexes were obtained from African ostrich farm in Latvia during May - October, 2009. Tissue samples were investigated in Preclinical Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. The total area of proventricular mucosa (cm2) and surface area of deep glands (cm2) was measured. Tissue sections for histological assessment were stained with: hematoxylin and eosin and alcian-blue pH 2.5 - periodic acid – Schiff reaction. Thickness of proventricular and ventricular mucosa, depth of proventricular superficial glands as well as surface area of parenchyma occupied by deep glands were measured in histologic sections. As the chick age increased, there were changes in the ratio of areas occupied by proventricular superficial and deep glands with relative decrease in area occupied by deep glands. Proventricular deep glands developed rapidly after hatching; at the age of 30 days deep glands histologically resembled glandular structure of adult birds. Gastric mucosal epithelial cells of 38 days old ostrich embryos and of just hatched ostrich chicks contained neutral, acidic, and mixed mucopolysaccharides. Meanwhile, in the pyloric region of ventriculus acidic mucopolysaccharides predominated.

The non-spore forming gram-positive bacterium Listeria monocytogenes is a food pathogen bacterium and the causative agent of listeriosis. The aim of study was to determine the survival limits of L. monocytogenes inoculated in manufactured cold smoked sausages depending on water activity (aw) and pH values. Enumeration of L. monocytogenes colony forming units per gram (cfu gE-1) was done according to ISO standards. The decreasing water activity conditioned by moisture (weight) loss during ripening and pH decrease ensured negative exponential growth rate of inoculated L. monocytogenes lg cfu gE-1 - 0.44 each day. A significant Pearson's correlation (p is less than 0.01) was established between decreased values of L. monocytogenes count, aw (0.99), pH (0.92), moisture % (0.96), and weight loss (0.93) in sausages during ripening. The experiments were done at the Faculty of Veterinary medicine of the Latvia University of Agriculture and in a sausage manufacturer's laboratory.

The study was accomplished in 2010. The applied research methods are based on the analysis of the studies by other authors, industry experts, statistic data and the (unpublished) information provided by the Latvian district heating merchant “xxx”. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was used for evaluating data regularity. In 2020 the energy produced from renewable sources (Directive 2009/28/EC) in total energy consumption in Latvia has to reach 40%. Such an objective can be achieved by promoting the use of biomass at cogeneration (CHP) plants, the potential of which is the district heat supply system. Wood as an energy resource in its structure accounts for only 25-30%; therefore, the primary condition is the introduction of modern technology which would provide the possibility to diversify energy resources. The calculations confirm that the realised amount of thermal energy indirectly affects profit; directly it is affected by the rate of thermal energy, so the structure of use of energy in heat supply enterprises is associated with lowering the cost of (restrictive) factors - the energy cost, specific production technologies, energy efficiency. Currently, the primary condition of heating companies is to find such energy resource(s) to ensure the approved schedule of temperature and thermal load. The next determining factor is the energy price. In assessing the factors that will affect energy usage in the future, the main strategic principle of energy consumption will be linked to limiting the growth or even reducing heat tariff, by realising optimal efficiency and minimal environmental pollution during energy transmission.

Systemic view on tourism as an economic activity is the best way how to characterise an economic nature of this industry. The paper presents the methodology which integrates the system approach and other research methods of social sciences; this methodology forms the basis for identification of social agents and models of tourism system. The methodology is approbated in the survey of providers of rural tourism services in Zemgale planning region. The research results are useful in future application of models for development of tourism whereas the models are useful for other purposes: they can provide additional information necessary for evaluation of tourism influence on economy. They form a basis for detecting participants in tourism clusters in regions and for evaluation of cooperation between social agents of public, nongovernmental and private sectors, and as an instrument in tourism marketing strategies.

The paper deals with the evaluation of resource price preferences and resource utilization efficiency in Latvian dairy sector that shows Latvian relative competitive position both in terms of producing competitive products for the market, as well as ensuring competitive salaries and a general rise in living standard for the employees. The evaluation is carried out through analyzing price levels of the main production resources and the utilization efficiency of these resources, based on the comparison with other EU countries. The efficiency indicators in Latvian primary milk production sector are considerably lower and despite resource price preferences the cost level per production value in Latvia is higher than in other countries. The analyzed resource utilization efficiency is low in Latvia also at the processing industry level, though the current price level of the main production resources helps to ensure competitive positions of Latvian dairy products. But considering large differences in compensation levels for labour force between Latvia and other EU countries, without increase in productivity, the situation is not sustainable in long-term.

Carcass quality in deer and purchasing prices in comparison with beef carcass quality and purchasing prices were assessed in the research from the bio-economic aspect. Specific gravity of muscle tissue in deer carcass in comparison with specific gravity of cattle carcass component was 13.2% higher and specific gravity of bone tissue was 2.8% higher, but adipose tissue was 16% less. Venison quality was higher than beef quality. In venison when compared with beef a cholesterol level (45.2 mg %) was 31.8 mg % lower, but crude protein content was 2.9% higher (23.4%). Meat quality index was 26.0, which is 8.9 higher than in beef. These indicators characterise venison as a healthy product of higher quality for consumer food in comparison with beef. Purchasing price (LVL 4.21 per kg) of venison carcass in 2009 was 1.6 times higher in comparison with beef carcass purchasing price. Research results lead to the conclusion that deer farming products on the market can be positioned as a high-quality, nutrient-rich food with higher sales price than one of beef.