i've also tried making it at home, but i think $60/kg isn't too bad, considering that you need at least 3kgs of meat to make one kg of jerky anyway. that said, if you get it right, then it is more cost effective.
just not worth the time IMO (buying the right cuts of meat, cutting it to size, trimming the fact, getting the marinade etc etc). i'm going to try some samples from micks jerky and see how it goes, if it is good stuff, might just stick with that!