Strengthening generations through innovation - Orcik family

Mr. Cyril Orcik, a trained zootechnician and graduate of the Secondary Vocational School of Agriculture in Orava Podzámek, has been involved in the agricultural sector for several decades. As the current chairman of the cooperative, now in his third term, he plays a pivotal role in guiding the company’s sustainable growth and operational improvements.

Samuel Orcik represents the next generation. While working on the farm as a zootechnician, he is simultaneously expanding his expertise at the University of Agriculture in Nitra. His interest in innovative livestock solutions has contributed to further professionalising the cooperative’s operations.

The cooperative operates two farms, each with a specific focus. The Tvrdošín farm specialises in dairy cattle, while the Štefanov nad Oravou location is home to approximately 1,000 Lacaune sheep, with 600 production ewes forming the core of their dairy operations. This dual-farm model enables the family to diversify production while maintaining a high level of control and quality.

“The proximity to the Polish border opens up valuable opportunities for cross-border cooperation and trade,” Samuel explains. “It also challenges us to remain competitive through constant innovation.”

The origins of the Orcik family’s enterprise lie in the cooperative model—a structure that unites multiple shareholders under a democratically governed system. Elected positions, such as chairman and board members, can only be held by landowners or stakeholders, ensuring direct representation and long-term commitment.

Reflecting on the early years, Mr. Orcik says: “The beginning was not easy. We had to navigate the complexity of aligning shareholder interests while adapting to technological advancements. Yet, through cooperation and persistence, we laid a foundation that has enabled our continued growth.”

In the early stages of sheep production, the family experimented with producing their own starter feed for lambs. “It initially seemed to work,” Samuel recalls, “but we soon discovered the lambs were not developing optimally. Growth rates were poor, condition was subpar, and mortality was high.”

This prompted the cooperative to explore new nutritional solutions, leading to a collaboration with De Heus. The results were immediate and impactful. “After switching to De Heus lamb starter pellets, our lambs were healthier, heavier, and mortality decreased significantly,” says Samuel.

Encouraged by these results, the family expanded their collaboration, adopting the Sheep Balance nutritional concept for their ewes. De Heus experts, including specialist Alojz Timko, provided guidance on roughage analysis and ration balancing using on-farm grains combined with a protein concentrate.

The support from De Heus went far beyond feed supply. Key improvements included:

• Early weaning protocols to reduce udder inflammation
• Installation of milk powder machines to ensure adequate feeding stations and system redundancy
• Transition to Lamb Starter pellets and milk replacer, resulting in healthier lambs
• Precision ration design, tailored through regular forage analysis
• Holistic support in zootechnics, nutrition, and veterinary care

“The technical knowledge shared by Mr. Timko was crucial,” Samuel emphasizes. “Even when veterinarians struggled, De Heus helped us identify root causes and effective solutions.”

Cyril and Samuel Orcik describe their relationship with De Heus not only as a business partnership but also as a strategic alliance.

“What we value most about De Heus is their professionalism, expert advice, and commitment to helping us improve,” Cyril says. “Their team continuously shares knowledge and organises seminars that help us stay ahead in an evolving agricultural landscape.”

The cooperative now looks ahead with confidence, continuing its investments in technology and knowledge, knowing that with the right partners, tradition and innovation can go hand in hand.