Abstract

In this study, the production function approach to determine the optimal quantity of inputs used in the production of milk in Zanjan province. To achieve this goal, the data collected through questionnaires randomly (the number of samples obtained from Cochran 57). In the production function approach after estimating the form of the Cobb-Douglas function, transcendental, quadratic generalized, generalized Leontief, and Translog and compare them with econometric parameters, Translog function with the input of forage production, labor, costs, and concentrate were selected as the best function that calculated with the marginal product value, elasticity and the rate of marginal product value to price of inputs. These ratio of inputs for concentrate, forage, labor, hygiene costs and fuel, respectively were 2.56, -0.14, -0.006 and -1.21 and shown that the ratio for concentrate is above one and it is used less than optimal value and for the other ones were below and it is used more than optimal value. The recommended strategies are to inform executive producers to use optimal factors of production and the benefits of farm mechanization. Key words: Farm sizes, Optimum allocation of resources, Dairy farms, Zanjan