– I am 53 years old, and I have no one after me who says they want to take over the farm. If I am to convert the barn from stall to louse operation, I will probably have to invest close to NOK 10 million. When you have other debts in addition, it is completely out of the question, says Årsandøy to news. Norwegian agriculture is facing a major transformation when all stall barns are to be converted into open-farm barns within ten years. In recent years, around one Norwegian farm has been shut down every single day. In 2022, there were 37,682 farms in Norway, and that was almost 400 fewer than the year before. The cow thrives in the barn at Brembu. But in a while the barn on Høylandet will be empty. Photo: Espen Sandmo / news Giving up on the Highlands From 2012 to 2022, the decline was almost 16 per cent. This means that, on average, more than one farm was shut down every day from 2021 to 2022. Dairy farmer Tor Årsandøy on Høylandet in Trøndelag is one of many to give up. And he is not alone in giving up. Only in Høylandet are more people thinking of doing the same. – Yes, there are probably around eight stall barns left. I don’t think many of them will invest in brand new barns. It is sad for agriculture, and sad for a village like Høylandet, where many people make a living from agriculture, says Årsandøy. The Norwegian Farmers’ Association is concerned that so many farmers are giving up. – We must get better profitability in order to get more people to invest, says manager Bjørn Gimming. Photo: Camilla Alexandra Lie / news The development is worrying The Norwegian Farmers’ Association is also concerned about the development. Not only because the farmers have to change from stall barns to free-run barns by 2034. – It is of course good for animal welfare to change operations. It will also make everyday work for the farmer easier. But we are worried about the economics of it, says leader of the farmers’ association, Bjørn Gimming. Almost 4,000 Norwegian barns are still so-called stall barns. The requirement is therefore a conversion to loose operation. This means that the cows can walk freely around the barn. It must happen by 2034. – When a report was drawn up on the costs associated with this a few years ago, a sum of around NOK 18 to 22 billion was stipulated in total in Norway. With increased interest rates, and costs in general, that sum is probably even higher today, says Gimming. There are still almost 4,000 stall barns in Norway, but within ten years all of them must be converted to louse operation. Photo: Espen Sandmo / news – Good in the long term Nevertheless, the Norwegian Farmers’ Union believes that the restructuring will be good for Norwegian agriculture in the long term. – We see that consumers want Norwegian milk and Norwegian food. Now we have to put in place better profitability in agriculture, so that more people will invest, says Bjørn Gimming. The latest agricultural settlements have given Norwegian farmers a financial boost. But nowhere near enough, says the farmer in Høylandet. – Unfortunately, I don’t have very high expectations for this year’s settlement either. We are still far behind many other groups. This is a job where you have to be in the barn every Sunday morning. Those who come after us will not have it that way. That’s why I give up, says Tor Årsandøy. Agriculture Minister Geir Pollestad believes that it is not just the economy that is important for agriculture. But also better welfare schemes, and a better reputation. Photo: Lars Tore Endresen / news – Challenging economic situation Agriculture Minister Geir Pollestad (Sp) will not be a part of the closures in Norwegian agriculture happening at record speed. But he sees the challenges many face. – Precisely the demanding economic situation in agriculture is the reason why we will present both a new base of figures and an escalation plan for income this spring. – The last two agricultural settlements have been record-breaking. The large increase in costs has been necessary. The government’s goal is to continue investing in Norwegian food production, says Pollestad to news. But the Minister of Agriculture does not believe that it is only the economy that will determine whether Norwegian youth will invest in agriculture in the future. – It is not just a strengthened economy alone that is needed to get young people to take over. An improvement in the welfare schemes and a better reputation are other factors I would like to point out, emphasizes Pollestad. Here in the barn at Brembu, there are currently around 30 cows, but Tor Årsandøy believes it is not profitable to rebuild in order to invest further. Photo: Espen Sandmo / news
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Agriculture will be restructured – but many farmers quit – news Trøndelag – Local news, TV and radio
