Production Cost of Alfalfa, Sainfoin, Vetch and Meadow in Farms Owning Agricultural Machinery and Renting Machinery in Erzurum Province

This research was conducted to determine whether owning or renting agricultural machinery and equipment is more profitable in the farms by calculating alfalfa, sainfoin, vetch and meadow production costs in farms in Erzurum Province in 2006. A total of 200 questionnaires was conducted on farmers in 30 villages in Erzurum Central District, Ilıca, Aşkale, Pasinler, Köprüköy and Horasan districts to obtain primary data for the study. Secondary data was obtained from Literatures related to the topic, information from web pages and publications of some organizations. Collected data was divided into two groups as machinery owner and machinery renters and analyzed accordingly. According to the results of analysis, it was determined that owning machinery was more advantageous than renting machinery. Cost calculations were made for three products. It was determined that the farms with their own equipments have met all of the production costs and gained profits for all three products. On the other hand, it was also determined that variable costs were met in the farms for alfalfa, sainfoin, vetch and meadow but not for the production of vetch in the farms renting agricultural machinery and equipment.