Forterra

The family farm of Antonín Šťastný is located in Julčín, Ústecký Region. Mr Šťastný has been farming the land since 1991. A year later, he started to breed beef cattle of the Blonde d´Aquitaine breed. Apart from cattle, the farm also keeps bees (producing their own honey) and pigs of the Mangalica breed. Part of the remises is also a biogas plant. During our visit, we were hosted by the plant’s manager, Mr Petr Horák.

He told us how important ZETOR tractors are in running both the plant and the farm. Tractors are distributed and serviced by ZEMĚDĚLSKÝ SERVIS s.r.o. Třeboutice. The total of four PROXIMA tractors are used for mowing, snow blading and other kinds of maintenance. Yet, their main job is to transfer biomass from storage houses around the farm to the plant. The most important part is taken by PROXIMA HS 110, which was bought in January 2021. The family of ZETOR tractors on the farm is going to extend soon by PROXIMA HS 120. The family includes also several older ZETORs, e.g. Z 6911, Z 7211, Z 7011, and Z 5011.

The biogas plant in Julčín operates 24/7. Altogether, it employs 30 permanent members of staff and several part-timers. Running a biogas plant is both economical and environment-friendly. It results in reduction of greenhouse gases and, when burnt, biogas emits only little pollutants. Eventually, it is important to say that biogas is one of real renewable resources.

Vážany nad Litavou is a town with long farming history. The farm itself used to keep several farming animals before the year 1990; however, there was no soil to farm. ‘In 1970s, we used ZETOR 25 A and then, from 1986 on, Zetor 4011,’ the story goes. After 1990, the farm was equipped with new machinery. They currently farm 189 hectares of land and specialise in crop growing. They grow wheat both for food and forage, barley and since 2018 also grass and alfalfa for hay and haylage production. Previously, also rapeseed and pea were grown.

Another milestone in the farm’s history was the year 2004 when the area of lands started to grow larger. This required new farming machinery with higher power. They bought new ZETOR FORTERRA 11441 (by purchasing a front loader Trac-Lift 260 SLi for this tractor they have had no problems with handling material, hay and so on) and ZETOR FORTERRA HD 150 (mainly for heavy-duty field jobs) from an authorized dealer, Ehl, s.r.o. company. From BOHATEC s.r.o. company, also an authorized ZETOR dealer, they bought another tractor, new ZETOR FORTERRA 12441. Mostly, the tractor works with a sprayer NAPA 24 and spreader RM 071.

The Hložek brothers appreciate ZETOR tractors for their low-cost service, availability of spare parts and straightforward technical design. Their patriotism is another good reason. They say that they have never been let down by ZETOR tractors that can be relied on even in the toughest conditions.

As the saying goes, farming jobs never end. Mr Jakub Stolle from Habrovany in Ústecký Region knows that it is really true. Still, when you have reliable helpers in your job, just like ZETOR tractors are, you might understand that you can also enjoy your work.

Mr Stolle runs a farm after his father. The total area of land is 130 hectares. He also breeds about 150 pieces of beef cattle. The lands are partly used as pastured because cattle are kept outside from May to October; partly it is used for forage for the farm’s own needs.

The farm purchases ZETOR tractors from an authorized dealer N&N KOŠÁTKY s.r.o. from Kropáčova Vrutice. The first in 2005 was PROXIMA 8441; in 2014 there was another one – PROXIMA 100 POWER with equipment. The latest tractor is FORTERRA HD 150. It was purchased in May 2021. Mr Stolle has been so satisfied with the tractor that he is considering buying another model of the CRYSTAL range. This makes us very happy as multiple purchases are the best acknowledgement for both the producer and the dealer.

The Venekamp family has farmed the same farm for several generations. They currently own 65 hectares of land and keep 100 dairy cows and 50 small animals. Henri’s grandfather bought his first ZETOR 3011 tractor in 1955. Henri himself bought his first ZETOR (model 7711) in the 1990s. Over the years, this has led to an interesting ZETOR collection consisting of a dozen vintage machines as well as newer FORTERRA HSX 140 and PROXIMA HS 120 tractors.

Henri Venekamp does almost all the work on the farm himself. He says FORTERRA is excellent for mowing, ploughing and fertilising the fields, while PROXIMA for feeding the cows and also for working with the silage cutter, for example, and ZETOR 7711 for raking grass clippings. ’In short, ZETOR is suitable for every job,’ he says. He would not consider any other brand; for him and his family, ZETOR has always been the obvious choice. The fact that there used to be a ZETOR dealer about a kilometre from the farm helped.

The farm is currently testing new ZETOR CRYSTAL HD 170. ’I’m really curious to see what CRYSTAL offers. From what I have seen and tried so far, I am very pleasantly surprised,’ he says. ’The tractor runs really well, the gearshift is comfortable and the cab is impressive. In addition, the tractor looks really good.’ We believe that the user-friendliness of the tractor together with its design will convince Henri this time again

George organic farm is located in Jerlochovice at the outskirts of the town of Fulnek. It produces high-quality veal and beef meat and farms on 310 hectares of permanent pastures. The farm keeps top stud bulls of the Simmental breed and produces first-rate marbled meat of the Hereford breed. It is proud to have been awarded the certificates of Ecological Farming and Product of Ecological Farming. The farm is equipped with farming machinery of the ZETOR brand that makes their work easier and is friendly to the environment. Efficient design and economical operation help to save energy.

‘It is our main focus to keep our customers satisfied,’ says Jiří Ševčík, the owner of George Farm. And this makes a common ground with us. Customer satisfaction is the most important target for ZETOR as well. Thus, cooperation of the two brands is beneficial for both of them.

Jobs around the farm are done with four ZETOR tractors, which are taken good care. They are PROXIMA PLUS 105 from 2008, three years younger PROXIMA POWER 115. The most powerful tractor until recently was FORTERRA HD 150 from 2016. In 2021 Mr Ševčík extended his ZETOR fleet, with the most powerful and best-equipped tractors of the ZETOR portfolio: CRYSTAL HD 170. Due to longer wheelbase, higher weight and engine power, CRYSTAL is more convenient for ploughing. Mr Ševčík is really satisfied with the new helper

All tractors of the ZETOR brand on the George Farm were distributed by MITRENGA a.s. company. And how does Mr Ševčík assess CRYSTAL HD 170? Due to better performance and improved drag, CRYSTAL can work with tools with a bigger reserve. Mr Ševčík appreciates that this lowers the wear of both the tractor and the tool. Another positive fact is that speed can be kept between 7 and 10 kph at constant pace of 1,300-1,500 rpm even with the plough. This decreases fuel consumption to the lowest level, below 200 g/kWh.