Innlandet supports 64 dairy farms in transition to loose housing barns

Innlandet County Council has provided financial support to 64 dairy farms over a two-year period to facilitate the transition to loose housing barns. This initiative aims to secure future food production, enhance national preparedness, and support rural communities in Norway's largest agricultural county.

The program was established following a 2024 report indicating that 80% of milk producers using tie-stall barns were unlikely to convert to loose housing by 2034, with many considering decommissioning instead. In response, the Labor Party, Conservative Party, and Green Party allocated 40 million NOK in the 2025 budget for a unique subsidy scheme managed by Innovasjon Norge.

Innlandet is reportedly the only Norwegian county offering this specific type of top-up financing for loose housing investments. On average, recipients received approximately 565,000 NOK, which officials state has been a decisive factor in making these large-scale investments financially viable for farmers.