Analysis of Logistical and Machine Work Costs of the Cultivation of Sweet Sorghum as Raw Material for Renewable Energy Production

Abstract

This work is a comprehensive examination that analyses the machine fleet formation and machine use of plant production farms that grow sweet sorghum too by using computer aided modelling. It considers the characteristics of machines used at the production technologies of different plants and it especially focuses on the appliance of machines with the convenient capacity and level from the side of costs at different farm sizes. The survey was based on the work tasks of a “classical” crop production farm. By the technicaleconomical analysis of the production-technology of sweet sorghum it has been determined that the total production cost of this plant per hectare in case of small-scale farm size is minimum 965 EUR. Examining the large-scale production, the costs are decreasing, but they cannot be reduced under the 860 EUR/hectare level.