The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the addition of different amounts of organic selenium (ALKOSEL® R397) in concentrate mixtures on the selenium content in the blood plasma and feces of ducks. The experiment was performed on 240 one-day-old ducklings (Cherry Valley) which were freely selected into 4 groups, one control K0 group, and three experimental K1, K2 and K3 groups. In two phases of feeding in fattening, ducklings were fed with two and nutritionally different concentrate feed mixtures: starter (from 1 to 14 days) and finisher (from 15 to 49 days of fattening). The control group of ducklings (K0) during feeding received food without added organic selenium in both phases of fattening. In both phases of fattening, the experimental group of ducks K1 was fed with food as well as the control group, but with the addition of 0.2 mg/kg of organic selenium, while the experimental group K2 used food with 0.4 mg/kg, and the experimental group K3 with 0.6 mg/kg of organic selenium. The addition of organic selenium to duck feed had the effect of increasing selenium content in both blood plasma and duck feces. The highest content of selenium in blood plasma and feces was determined in the group of ducks that received the highest amount of organic selenium through food during the entire experiment.

The aim of this research was to determine the actual data available to the dairies and to compare them with the statistical data. The actual data obtained from dairy can be used for further research and development of the dairy sector. Dominant production system in BiH are small farms (3‒5 cows) dealing with mixed livestock production, with the primary goal of self-sufficiency of which only 3.5% are farms with more than 20 dairy cows. The data used in the paper were derived from statistical agencies, as well as own research in the 7 largest milk processors in B&H (purchase about 86.10% of total milk in B&H). The number of dairy farmers of these 7 largest milk producers was 9.865 in 2015 (and 15.311 in 2012), who owned a total of 49.865 dairy cows in 2015 (42.364 in 2012). Average per producers of raw milk was 5.05 cows in 2015 (or 2.77 cow per producer in 2012). Average milk production per dairy cow was 4.149 L in 2015 (and 4.026 L in 2012). E‒class quality of milk is only 77% from the deliverables milk and 68% from the number of samples.

The aim of the present study was to assess effects of selenium (Se)-yeast diet supplementation on performance and carcass composition in ducks. The study was performed on 240 1-day old ducklings of the same origin (Cherry Valley hybrid), during a 49-day period, which were fed diets supplemented with the following four different levels of Se yeast (ALKOSEL® R397): groups with Se at 0 mg/kg of the diet as-fed, 0.2 mg/kg, 0.4 mg/kg and 0.6 mg/kg. Growth performance (bodyweight, daily weight gain, daily feed intake, feed-conversion ratio) and carcass characteristics (hot and cold carcass weight, chilling losses, dressing percentage, carcass cut yields, and percentage of tissues in breast and thighs with drumsticks) of the ducks were determined. Animals fed high-Se diets (0.4 mg/kg) had higher (P < 0.05) final bodyweight and daily weight gain (from 15 to 49 days) compared with those fed diets with inadequate (0 mg/kg) or with supranutritional (0.6 mg/kg) Se levels. Ducks fed only with basal diet showed a higher (P < 0.05) feed-conversion ratio (from 15 to 49 days) compared with those supplemented with Se at 0.4 mg/kg and 0.6 mg/kg. Dressing percentage was higher (P < 0.01) in the control group (69.50%) than in the group with Se added at 0.6 mg/kg (66.85%). The weights of basic cuts from the duck carcasses did not significantly differ among compared groups. Moreover, the percentage of skin with subcutaneous fat in breast and thighs with drumsticks increased in Se-supplemented groups compared with the control group, while the opposite was determined with the percentage of muscle. It was concluded that a diet containing 0.4 mg of added Se per kilogram produced the greatest growth-performance results in ducks.

The research objective was to monitor and compare the quality of corn silage on farms in the period 2008 - 2012 by years of the research. The analysis of corn silage was done at 65 farms in the northern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, where is the largest production of raw milk - about 85 % of total production in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The medium value of crude protein (CP) per years of the research is 6.94 % in 2008; 6.82 % in 2010 and 6.31 % in 2012. The acidity (pH), the medium value per years of the research is 3.81 in 2008; 4.03 in 2010 and 4.01 in 2012. The medium value of crude cellulose (SC) per years of the research is 31.69 % in 2008; 31.9 % in 2010 and 33.99 %  in 2012. The moisture con­tent (SV), the medium value per years of the research is 68.48 % in 2008; 68.75 %  in 2010 and finally, 68.43 % in 2012.

The business efficiency, stable and long-term growth aims to accomplish each farmer who is engaged in intensive chickens fattening. In order to achieve this, there are concerns about the capacity utilization of farms for chickens fattening. It can be observe through stocking density. The stocking density is one of the most important factors that influence the fattening of chickens. That has a great impact on the economic efficiency. In determining the stocking density in intensive fattening it should take into account the welfare of chickens and the maximum density according to the Council Directorate 2007/43/EC. The other factors affecting on the economy of chickens fattening, such as: broiler hybrid, gender, type and feed conversion and health. In addition to these factors affecting the appropriate climatic conditions, mortality, the selling price of chicken meat that can be achieved in the market, the possibility of placement and billing as well as the cost of fattening. The goal of this paper was to determine the effect of density on productivity and production efficiency on Cobb 500 chickens. The research was conducted on 225 day-old chicks, which are arranged in the same 3m boxes. Performance and economics were performed economics of fattening, gross profit margin, gross profit per m and chicken, as well as per unit kg. The following densities were examined: control group (G0) was settled at a density of 15 birds/m as the Primljeno: 20.06.2014; Prihvaćeno: 06.07.2014 Recceived: 20-06-2014; Accepted: 06-07-2014 * Mr.sc. Edin Salihbašić, Limitless d.o.o. Tuzla ** Dr.sc. Meho Bašić,vanredni profesor, Univerzitet Tuzla, Tehnološki fakultet *** Mr.sc. Amir Zenunović, Poljoprivredni zavod TK Tuzla Corresponding author: Edin Salihbašić, Limitless d.o.o. Tuzla, Stupine B12, Lamela „A“ 4/15 75.000 Tuzla, BiH, 0038762 233 122, e-mail: e.salihbasic@bih.net.ba ISSN 1512-5785 TRANZICIJA / TRANSITION UDK 330-142 Godina XVI Vitez-Tuzla-Zagreb-Beograd-Bukarest, januar juni 2014. Broj 33 Vol. XVI Vitez-Tuzla-Zagreb-Beograd-Bucharest, January June 2014. No. 33 106 technological norm, experimental group G1 of 13 chickens/m, G2 with 14 chickens/m, G3 of 16 chickens/m and G4 with 17 chickens/m. Terms of nutrition and environmental conditions were the same for all chickens. It is observed the efficiency of the sale of live chickens on the farm, per kilogram of body mass after 42 days of fattening. The best results is maintained control group G4 with the economic efficiency of 1,18 and a profit margin of 15.5%, and the worst results recorded control group G1 with the economic efficiency of 1,00 and no profit margin.

The main goal of the research is to determine the conditions of welfare and housing of farm animals for milk production. Milk producers in the region of northeastern BiH are not informed enough about the protection and welfare of animals. This research was conducted in May 2012. The results were obtained on the basis of the questionnaire methodology in five freedoms in the welfare and accommodation of animals (Webster, 1987). Farms are divided into three groups, farms that have up to 5 dairy cows (they are in majority in the region), farms that have up to 20 dairy cows and farms with more than 20 dairy cows. On farms that have up to 5 dairy cows all farms posses tied system of keeping cows and cows are kept in closed conditions. Farms with up to 20 dairy cows also a large percentage of 67% related to the system of keeping cows in indoor conditions. A smaller part of the farm has a free system of keeping cows and stables open with good light and ventilation. Only 16% of farms with more than 20 dairy cows are tied housing system and the rest of the free system of keeping cows. All farms meet freedom from hunger and thirst, but the big problem is freedom from discomfort, freedom from stress and fear, freedom of injury and illness and the freedom to express natural behavior. The research was carried out within the project "Improvement of milk production in northeastern Bosnia and Herzegovina" funded by the Development Agency of the Czech Republic.

The aim of this research paper was to determine the value of grass silage and haylage on farms for milk production in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and on the basis of a result analysis to make recommendations for improving the quality of forage and for feeding dairy cows. We analysed samples of grass silage from 10 farms and haylage samples from 17 farms having more than 20 dairy cows in the herd. The following parameters of grass silage and haylage were determined: the degree of acidity (pH), dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), crude cellulose (CC) and mineral matter (MM). The results show a satisfactory level of average pH values (4.76 grass silage, 5.33 haylage), a satisfactory level of DM (29.80% grass silage, 48.26% haylage), low content of CP (grass silage, 11.66%; 12.69% haylage), high content of CC (43.36% grass silage, 42.03% haylage), low content of MM (2.22 grass silage, 2.05 haylage). The results show large variations in all the tested quality parameters. pH value of silage ranged from 3.74 to 5.92, and for haylage from 4.65 to 6.37; DM grass silage 19.10 to 29.80 and haylage from 37.84 to 64.13; CP grass silage from 6.55 to 18.34 and haylage from 7.36 to 24.36; CC grass silage 23.87 to 57.34 and haylage from 25.76 to 63.76; MM grass silage 1.54 to 2.87 and haylage from 2.10 to 2.87.

This paper analyzes the production of milk as one of the most important branches of agriculture, which has been and should remain the backbone of its further development. The structure of agricultural production in Bosnia and Herzegovina is unfavorable. Share of livestock production in the value of total agricultural production is about 40%. The main problems that face livestock and animal production in Bosnia and Herzegovina are small production, excessive imports, unfavorable structure of production, and low price of milk purchased and a very low standard of producers who are on the edge of existence. Milk production in BiH, unfortunately, is still underdeveloped, disorganized and often does not meet the needs of industrial dairy processing capacity. Only 5% of milk producers with produced the quantity and quality of milk is fitting with their results in the requirements of market economy. Larger quantities of produced cow’s milk do not meet the criteria of quality, particularly hygienic criteria in accordance with the requirements of international standards and quality regulations. Milk processing (and the market) and the consumption of milk and dairy products is the consequence of the unfavorable economic situation, decreasing living standards and purchasing power, and insufficient education of consumers about the importance of milk and milk products in the daily diet. Dominant production system are small farms (1-3 cows) dealing with mixed livestock production, with the primary goal of self-sufficiency. The data used in the paper were derived from statistical agencies, as well as his own research in the 6 largest milk processors in BiH (purchase and processing about 85% of total milk purchased in BiH). Number of dairy farmers of these 6 is 15,311, who own a total of 42,364 dairy cows. Average per cooperant is 2.77 cows. Average milk production per dairy cow is 4.081 liter. Milk quality in accordance with Milk quality decree is unsatisfactory. E-class quality of the milk is only 42%, and worrying data is constant increase the milk quantity which, in accordance with the Decree, puts the raw milk outside of the class (2012th year 26%).

: The subject of this paper is the research of the influence of different ratios of buckwheat, in concentrated feed, on the qualitative values of laying hen eggs. The study was conducted in four groups of laying hens: one control and three experimental, which were formed with respect to different proportions of buckwheat in meals. Within the first group of laying hens, a concentrated feed mixture with 10% relative share of buckwheat was used, within the second group with 20% relative share of buckwheat and within the third group with 30% relative share of buckwheat, while in the control group standard concentrated food was used. Based on the conducted research, it can be concluded that buckwheat in the meal of laying hens has positive effects on quality, physical properties, sensory properties and frequency of carrying. It was shown that there are statistically significant differences in mean values for the following variables: protein content in egg white, protein content in egg yolk (%), fat content in egg yolk (%), where the highest value was recorded in the third group of laying hens. Also, statistically significant differences were found in terms of shell weight (g), shell thickness (mm), yolk diameter (mm) and egg white pH. The highest average frequency of egg laying was found in the first group and the lowest average frequency of egg laying was in the control group. The general conclusion is that buckwheat can be used in poultry feed, because it has a much greater positive than negative effect on the production and quality characteristics of eggs for consumption.