Latvia University of Agriculture - Latvijas Lauksaimniecības ...

Z. Gaile Development of the Research and Study Farm “Vecauce”Number of cows390380370360350340330320310300383 64126813 66766307553737436349493593403322003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008Years800070006000500040003000200010000Milk yield, kgFigure 2. Changes in the average number of cows and milk yieldper cow per supervision year (on October 1 of the respective year), 2003-2008:bars – number of cows; line – milk yield.The beef cattle breeding was started with Hereford breed in 1995. Later alsoLimousin and Charolais cattle were added to the herd, and now the total number ofcattle, depending on a year, is varying from 100 to 120 heads.The most recent project realised at “Vecauce” was designing and building of thebiogas production plant in 2007-2008. This is the first project of biogas productionfrom manure together with plant biomass (silage from maize and other plants) inLatvia. Three biogas plants that use organic waste are operating now in Latvia, but infuture the greatest potential of biogas production is related to agricultural sector: from13 million m 3 of the biogas produced in 2011, about 64% will be produced usingsubstrates from agriculture. The biogas produced at “Vecauce” is used for electricityco-generation; the planned capacity of the plant was achieved in March 2009.The RSF “Vecauce” nowadays is a unique centre for studies and research, and ischaracterised by a great diversity of soils and relief. It is a many-branched farm whereplant production with specialisation in seed multiplication and forage production occupiesa stable place, but the main specialization in animal husbandry is milk production andbeef cattle breeding. The new project – biogas production and electricity co-generation– was launched in 2008.The farm “Vecauce”, like Riga, is never finished. New plans, connected with increasein the biogas production capacity and improvement of the dairy farm with a room forveterinary services, already occupy the minds of the farm staff.During this period, directors of the RSF “Vecauce” have been agricultural engineerL. Teteris (1986-2003), economist A. Aizsilnieks (2003-2008), and starting fromMay 2008 agronomist I. Grudovska. As head agronomists have worked D. Upmacis,I. Zaika, and A. Čapus, but as head zootechnicians – I. Brahmane, I. Klovāne, I. Eihvalde,and E. Guša.Teaching and Practical Training of Students at “Vecauce”The period from 1990 to 1998 was characterized only by students’ practical trainingand practical work in the fields and farms. Get-together meetings of agronomists tookplace at “Vecauce” on a regular basis at that time. Constantly there were discussions aboutthe role of the practical training of the new agronomists and other professionals who areengaged in agriculture or have some work in the countryside. The leaders of “Vecauce”considered teaching of students in real production conditions as vitally important,which was greatly supported by LLU rector V. Strīķis and vice rectors P. Bušmanis andLatvia University of Agriculture – 70, 2009 131