Estimation of technical efficiency of industrial fattening units of male calf in Guilan province

The purpose of this study was to investigate the technical efficiency of male calf fattening units in Guilan province and to determine the yield to their scale using the data envelopment analysis method. The cost and income information required was collected by completing the questionnaire using 52 units of fattening in Guilan province. The results showed that the average technical efficiency was 0.961 and 0.494 using the variable and constant returns approach to scale, respectively, which showed the efficiency of the production of fattening units. In order to evaluate the factors influencing the technical performance of the fattening units, two components of the equipment and facilities of fattening units and knowledge of fattening knowledge were used. Using the interval of standard deviation from mean (ISDM) method, scores for these two components were categorized into four groups. Then, using ANOVA and paired comparison of the groups determined by the ISDM method with the help of Tukey test, the impact of facilities and equipment privileges and fattening knowledge was studied on the technical efficiency score of fattening units. The results showed that the couples of the four groups of facilities and equipments and fattening knowledge were significantly influenced by the technical efficiency of the units.