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.

Despite Latvia being a small country, it bears marked territorial or regional differences both between smaller administrative territorial units (local municipalities, republican cities and districts) and between larger territories – regions. From 2004 till 2008 Riga received 50% of all European Union (EU) funding. Latgale received the smallest part of financing (10%); the rest of the funding was split almost equally among Zemgale (12%), Vidzeme (12%) and Kurzeme (13%). As specific tasks for the development of specific territories or a balanced distribution of financing were not put forward for the strategy of acquiring funds, the fund investment has been attracted only to those territories where the yield could be the biggest or where the absorption capacity was the highest.

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.

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.

The objective of the present studies is to estimate a distribution of nitrogen and phosphorus compounds in filter media of horizontal filters. The studies were carried out in 2009 within two wastewater treatment facilities of horizontal flow in Lithuania. From both treatment facilities sand samples of different depth and separate profiles in the direction of water flow were taken. These samples were used to determine sandmoisture and concentration of N-NO3, N-NH4 and total P. The measurements of sand moisture showed that the filtration of wastewater through the sand is in process only in the lower layer of sand filter and near the distribution pipe. Moisture regime in the sand influences the composition of nitrogenous compounds in it. In the part of the filter, where sand's moisture is lowest, nitrate concentration is highest. Ammonia concentrations are completely opposite. In the lower part of the filter anaerobic conditions are dominant and nitrification processes stop. Analysis of phosphorus concentrations in filter's sand showed similar tendencies as nitrogen analysis. In the upper part of the sand phosphorus concentration turns out to be 2-3 times lower than in the lower part of the sand. In the filters of horizontal flow, part of the sand contributes little or does not contribute to the wastewater treatment process at all; therefore, it is advisable to use wastewater recirculation for the improvement of nitrogen and phosphorus removal. For that purpose in the part of the filter not included in the treatment process the filter of vertical flow could be arranged.

The development of the multi-storey residential areas in the Baltic Sea region shows an inequality that changes the spatial environment of the territory. The major part of the city territory is occupied by the multistorey residential area that reveals multiple problems of the spatial environment. Therefore, it is necessary to resolve these problems by building new more multi-functional zones in the multi-storey residential areas that would further ensure the sustainable development of the spatial environment. To find the relevant data and material, a scheme of questions for analysis was developed. The scheme reflects all the necessary aspects for the analysis of the landscape composition in multi-storey residential areas. The analysis from the theoretical aspect with the usage of empirical methods determined the current state of the multi-storey residential areas in the Baltic Sea region. The paper presents the study of historical development and the causes of changes, as well as the current state and potential future development of the landscape composition of the multi-storey residential areas. It also reflects the development framework of the landscape composition. The multi-storey residential area that carries a great load of the multi-functional areas, needs an improvement, a renovation and needs to be reconstructed and developed according to all the mentioned characteristics of the spatial environment.

One of key elements when implementing e-learning system is integration in already existing system. System implementation begins with a planning process and ends with installation and maintenance. First of all, it is necessary to determine project team and set responsibilities, collect all information about current situation and possible changes. Latvia University of Agriculture has just started to plan implementation of Moodle system, as its e-learning environment. This article attempts to provide answers on some implementation questions during the system development lifecycle process.

The aim of studies was to identify how different morphological and biological characteristics influence spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) competitiveness against weeds in various organic and conventional farming locations. Do those traits have an influence on the yield and in which growing conditions the selection of genotypes for organic farming should be done? The plant traits related to competitiveness against weeds at the beginning of the vegetation period are important in breeding for organic agriculture. Ten different varieties were included in trials for three years in two organic and two conventional environments. The included varieties were divided in four groups with respect to time of release and adaptation to growing environments: old extensive varieties and landraces for low input agriculture, medium old varieties with good adaptation to unfavourable conditions, modern varieties for low input, and modern varieties for high input conditions. Results showed that such traits as productive tillering ability, development speed and plant height at the beginning of stem elongation stage provide good soil shading. The most of traits were negatively related to the grain yield. Selection of genotypes for traits which influence spring barley competitiveness against weeds, such as a growth habit in the tillering stage, development speed in tillering stage, plant height at the beginning of stem elongation, length of flag leaf and the width of flag leaf, and the plant height before harvest, may take place in conventional conditions as well as in organic conditions.