Success and innovation in the family business through collaboration with De Heus

22 Aug 2024

For nearly three decades, Petrović Family Farm has been a symbol of successful family business in Serbia. Established in 1996 by Zvonko Petrović, a former footballer from Yugoslavia, the farm has grown from a small operation with 10,000 layers to a modern facility with 4 buildings, 7 silos, and a capacity of 90,000 birds, including 40,000 layers and 50,000 broilers.

Zvonko (L) and Vladimir (R) Petrović
Serbia

Family tradition and growth

 After his sports career, Zvonko Petrović decided to turn his passion for agriculture into reality. His vision and determination laid the foundation for a successful farm. Twenty years later, his son Vladimir took over the business, continuing the family tradition and significantly expanding the farm's capacity. “Family is our strength and the foundation of our success,” says Vladimir. “Everything we do, we do together, and that’s what sets us apart. Now, with my son Matija, we are working to take this farm to the next level.”

Collaboration with De Heus: key to results

The partnership with De Heus, which began in 2018, marked a turning point for the Petrović farm. De Heus poultry feed, known for its premium quality, has brought stable and optimal results to the farm. Introducing De Heus feed led to significant improvements in animal health, reduced mortality, and extended the productive lifespan of the layers. “Our layers, currently 55 weeks old, are achieving an outstanding 92.5% laying rate with minimal mortality,” Vladimir highlights. “These results are not easy to achieve, but with the support of De Heus's expert team, particularly Dejan Spasić, who has been instrumental in guiding us, we’ve made it happen and are working to maintain these high standards.”

"Family is our strength and the foundation of our success. Everything we do, we do together, and that’s what sets us apart."

Vladimir Petrović

Farmer, Serbia

Exceptional product quality: L-sized eggs

 The Petrović farm focuses on producing high-quality eggs. Even during the summer months, when temperatures exceed 40 degrees, the farm consistently produces L-sized eggs. While the market is often flooded with smaller eggs during this time, the Petrović family prides itself on consistently delivering large, high-quality eggs. “Our large-sized eggs are recognised in the market,” says Vladimir. “This is a direct result of our collaboration with De Heus and the quality of De Heus feed, which allows us to maintain high production standards year-round.”

Financial success and future plans

With improvements in farming practices and cost reduction, Petrović farm has seen increased revenue and stable profits. A consistent supply of high-quality feed and efficient farm management have contributed to financial security and allowed for forward planning. “Our profits have increased over the past 18 months,” Vladimir notes. “With De Heus, we’ve put all the basic parameters in place – from optimal farm design and quality ventilation to excellent nutrition – enabling us to enhance our operations and be confident in our future.”

Inspiration for all farmers

For farmers looking to improve their farm operations, Vladimir Petrović has simple advice: “De Heus is the right choice for any serious farm. Their feed is optimal for animal needs, and partnering with them brings security and stability in business. I wholeheartedly recommend all fellow farmers follow our path – with De Heus, you’ll achieve growth and stability in your business.”

Collaboration can lead to extraordinary success

The Petrović family farm is a prime example of how family tradition, combined with innovation and the right partners, can lead to extraordinary success. Their collaboration with De Heus has enabled them to achieve great results in both production and financial performance, making them leaders in the industry. This inspiring story motivates all farmers to strive for high standards and always move forward, with the goal of realising their business dreams.