ENGINEERING FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT Jelgava, 28.-29.05.2009. 156 FLEET OF TRACTORS ON FARMS OF LATVIA AND TRENDS OF DEVELOPMENT

Abstract. The article deals with the renewal rates of the fleet of tractors on the farms of Latvia, the changes in the quantity of tractors, and their energy intensity. It shows the rate of the growth of the number of tractors in the fleet of tractors which were produced during the last six years, as well as its diversity. It presents a study of the interrelation between the formation of the structure of the fleet of tractors and the total area under crop on the farm. It exposes the distribution structure of energy provision by the engine capacity of the tractor depending on the total area under crop of the farm, prioritary acquisition of new tractors having a small share among those tractors which are being purchased nowadays. Perspectives are revealed for further formation of the fleet of tractors by reducing the quantity of tractors and increasing the number of energy intensive machines on the farms. Keywods: fleet of tractors, energy provision, farms, power capacity, area of farms