Gheorghe Slobozeanu, a farmer from the Giurgiu County in Romania, started working in agriculture at the age of 22, marking a significant milestone in his path to maturity. Post-1989, during the land redistribution period, he started his farming enterprise on 3.5ha of his parents’ land. Initially he grew maize and vegetables using the contracting services of SMT due to the absence of tractors and machinery in the area.
“In 1996, I acquired my first U650 tractor, which was in bad condition. It took me two years to refurbish it, given the financial constraints at the time.” Subsequently, he started providing agricultural services to fellow farmers, gradually accumulating funds to buy essential implements like ploughs, cultivators and seed drills. As agricultural lease agreements became prevalent in 2000, he expanded his operations, buying some land parcels from older landowners.



The business developed gradually and in in 2007 Gheorghe received his first APIA subsidy, allowing him to acquire his first new tractor. “It was the first John Deere tractor in our region, which we still use today: An 80hp tractor primarily used for weeding. Later, we purchased a second John Deere tractor with 220hp, as well as additional equipment including a plough, cultivator, sprayer, drill, and a combine, marking significant progress in our farm’s mechanisation.”
Back then, he managed 360ha, but the operation has since expanded to 850ha, equipped with a fleet comprising seven tractors and three John Deere combines. “Green seems to run in our veins, which can be seen from our latest addition – a 410hp 8RX crawler tractor purchased last year,” states the farmer proudly. With no irrigation available in the region, the farm is gradually transitioning to minimum-tillage practices, a shift that Gheorghe says has advantages: Fewer field passes, lower costs, and reduced soil water loss.


Price fluctuations in the market have led to significant challenges for farmers, impacting their profitability. The expenses associated with establishing and managing crops have escalated to 6000RON/ha (£1,017/ha), while the market price for grain has fallen to levels seen before the Russian-Ukrainian war. For instance, while maize was selling for 1300RON/t (£220/ha) in the autumn of 2022, by 2023, the price had plummeted to 850RON/t (£144/t). Coupled with the effects of drought, agricultural operations are increasingly difficult. Enduring years of depressed prices has prompted farmers to diversify their operations by integrating livestock to de-risk their farm income.
Risk-sharing
In 2018, Gheorghe imported a herd of 14 Angus heifers from Germany. Since then, the herd has flourished through careful breeding, expanding to 180 cattle, 80 of which are suckler cows. The decision was motivated by the declining cereal prices, prompting a strategic shift to enhance the value of crops by establishing a self-sufficient feed system. With a dedicated team comprising two employees, a machinery operator, and a herdsman, managing the cows has proven to be cost-effective.

From December to June, the cattle are fed a balanced forage ration comprising maize silage, alfalfa hay, straw, and a blend of barley, wheat, and sunflower meal, providing an average of 20kg of forage per animal per day. The breeding practices on the farm are conducted naturally, using licensed bulls, allowing the animals ample space for free-ranging activities, and ensuring the 80 cows calve early in the season. To date, approximately 50 animals are sold annually, at a satisfactory price.
Heifers are typically weaned at seven months of age and bulls at nine months. In this time, weight gains range from 0.8kg to 1.5kg per day, reaching 400-450kg before Gheorghe sells them, which yields him a better return than selling just grain.
“Maintaining a herd of 100 cattle aligns well with our capacity to sustainably feed them on the farm, allowing for summer grazing. With the recent decline in grain prices, the Angus business has proven to be profitable,” states the farmer.
Now that grain prices have fallen, the Angus business is profitable.
Gheorghe Slobozeanu
Looking ahead, there are plans to explore processing capabilities as well. A local slaughterhouse is under construction, providing an opportunity for collaboration and the potential to offer various meat cuts and products. Gheorghe envisions a future where premium-quality meat products will be directly available to consumers. His youngest daughter is currently studying food chemistry and shows a strong interest in a processing component within the business.