No abstract

Compared with results from other studies of dairy farm production in developing countries, this study finds that the samples of 132 dairy farmers in Burdur province, Turkey, are producing at a low level of technical efficiency. Using Data Envelopment Analysis, technical efficiency ranges from 28.6 to 100.0%, with the average being 64.2%. Forage feed and labor inputs are used most inefficiently. A statistically significant, positive relationship between a herd size and efficiency underscore the importance of larger herd size to catch benefit of scale economics. This study also finds no statistically significant relationship between contact with extension and the degree of farm production efficiency. In contrast to expectation, negative and statistically significant relationship was found between forage feed land size and production efficiency.

-This study estimates the technical efficiency of goat rearing in the province of Isparta in Turkey using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). The data used were collected from 92 goat farmers using the stratified sampling method by means of a questionnaire. The technical efficiency of the goat farming varied widely between 0.13 and 1.00. The mean efficiency of 92 goat farms was calculated to be 0.44 and 0.66 for constant and variable returns to scale assumptions, respectively. The greatest slacks were in feedstuff concentrates and labour used. The most significant factors affecting efficiency of goat production were farmer experience, cooperative membership, milk yield per goat, and family and hired labour. Technical efficiency should be improved by providing farmers with well-organised education, an extension program, and research and development programs on goat rearing.

No abstract

ABSTRACT:The purpose of this study was to analyze the economic structure of different dairy farm sizes in Burdur province in Turkey. Data were acquired by conducting a survey on 132 dairy farms selected by the stratified random sampling method. Dairy farms were divided into three groups according to their sizes and were analyzed accordingly. It was found that production cost decreased and profit increased as animal unit per farm increased. Production costs per animal unit for the first, second, and third group were 2 634.09, 2 252.01 and 1 930.52 YTL, respectively (1 USD = 1.42 YTL), whereas the net profit was -267.36, 25.95 and 405.99 YTL, respectively. When the average profit of all farms was considered, it was found that the profit was not high enough to sustain a farm household's living. In the study area the retail sale price of 1 kg of milk was 0.468 YTL and production cost of 1 kg milk was 0.455 YTL. Hence it could be said that the profit margin (0.013 YTL/kg), defined as the difference between these two prices, was small. It was found that besides milk production, the cattle value appreciation increased farm income.

The aim of this study was to conduct cultural energy (CE) analyses of beef cattle animals with different initial weights. Data were obtained by a questionnaire administered to 100 beef farms selected by stratified random sampling. The beef farms were divided into three groups based on initial animal weights and were analyzed. Initial weights were assigned as light (< 226 kg, 37 farms), medium (226-276 kg, 31 farms) and high (> 276 kg, 32 farms). Cultural energy used for feed for the treatments was derived from their lot feed consumption and values from the literature. Transportation energy was included in the analysis. As the objective of the study was to evaluate CE analysis of the feeding systems, energy that the calves had deposited in muscle and fat tissue, when they were purchased was deducted from carcass energy. Total expended CE was highest for the lighter animals (P < 0.05). Feed energy was more than half of total CE and again was highest for the lighter animals (P < 0.05). Energy expended kg -1 live weight did not differ among the three initial weight groups (P > 0.05). Cultural energy Mcal -1 of protein energy decreased as initial body weight increased (P < 0.05). Efficiency, defined as Mcal input Mcal -1 output, was best in heavier cattle and was worst for lighter animals (P < 0.05) The medium weight animals did not differ from the other groups (P > 0.05). The results showed that efficiency became better as initial body weight increased and that to be more sustainable the initial animal weight should be taken into account.Additional key words: cultural energy, efficiency, energy conversion. ResumenEfecto del peso inicial en el desarrollo sostenible de la producción de ganado vacuno en engorde intensivo a corral El propósito de este estudio fue realizar análisis de la energía para el engorde (CE) de ganado vacuno con diferentes pesos iniciales. Los datos se obtuvieron mediante un cuestionario dirigido a 100 granjas de vacuno seleccionadas por un método de muestreo estratificado y al azar. Las granjas fueron clasificadas en tres grupos, de acuerdo a los pesos iniciales, y analizadas. De acuerdo al peso inicial fueron agrupadas como ligeras (< 226 kg, 37 granjas), intermedias (226-276 kg, 31 granjas) y pesadas (> 276 kg, 32 granjas). La energía utilizada para la alimentación en los tratamientos se obtuvo de los consumos correspondientes de cada uno de los lotes y de los valores de la bibliografía. La energía de transporte también se incluyó en el análisis. Puesto que el objetivo del estudio fue evaluar el análisis de CE de los sistemas de engorde, la energía que los terneros habían depositados en músculo y en tejido graso cuando fueron comprados se descontó de la energía de la canal. La CE total gastada fue superior para los más ligeros (P < 0,05). La energía de alimentación constituyó más de la mitad del total de CE y fue superior en el ganado más ligero (P < 0,05). La energía gastada por kg de peso vivo no fue diferente entre los grupos por peso inicial (P > 0,05). La energía por Mcal de energ...

In this study, different capacity laying hen farms in Afyon province, which are of a considerable importance in the laying hen farming in Turkey, were compared in the terms of performance, including feed consumption, production cost and profitability per chick and egg and the most profitable farm size was determined. Data were obtained by conducting a questionnaire research with 75 farmers. Laying hen farms were divided into three groups according to their sizes and were analyzed accordingly. It was found that higher capacity farms had a higher egg yield and a better feed efficiency. It was also found that farms with a higher capacity were advantageous in terms of the technical and economic criteria. Results showed that as farm capacity increased, production cost per hen decreased and net profit per hen increased. It was found that profit margin was negative for group I and positive for group II and III, and profit margin increased as the farm capacity increased.

Demircan, V., Koknaroglu, H., Yilmaz, H. and Dernek, Z. 2007