Welcome to Fjordfegarden
- The Fjordfe Farm
- Producing 100 % pure Norwegian beef
Fjordfegarden - the Fjordfe Farm - is located on Gausland outside of Nærbø, in the south of Jæren in Norway. We breed the original Norwegian cattle breed Vestlandsk Fjordfe in their natural environment and on a pure 100 % grass-based diet.
Breeding the original Norwegian cattle breed

On an area measuring about 247 Acres, you’ll find Norway's largest herd of Vestlandsk Fjordfe - the original Norwegian cattle breed.

There are currently a total of only 700 heifers or first-calf heifers of Vestlandsk Fjordfe in Norway and the world, and the breed is classified as endangered by the UN. Fjordfegarden has today a herd of about 100 animals of Vestlandsk Fjordfe in all colors and shapes. Our vision is to keep this unique breed alive, by focusing on the excellent meat quality that is famed by many Norwegian famous chefs and food experts.

Through high focus on animal welfare, the herd roaming free-range 24/7 all year round on the fields, and a 100 % grass-based diet without the use of feed concentrate, we wish to increase both the familiarity and the popularity of this great cattle breed which has been with us here in Norway since the times of the Vikings and the Edda saga.

We want our animals to live good lives.

Animal welfare is one of our highest priorities. All animals, including the bulls, are roaming free-range on the fields 24/7 all year round, with plenty of room to live like natural cattle herds. We want our animals to live good lives. The calves may spend the upbringing with their mothers, until they reach the maturity age. We have regular and close contact with the animals, walking among the herd while grooming, to prevent stress and to increase comfort.

When buying meat from Fjorfegarden you help to preserve an unique cattle breed and support a value-based food production.

The idea behind Fjordfegarden is to produce clean, safe and tasty beef, based on local produce and with animal welfare in focus. The animals are fed a 100 % grass-based diet without the use of feed concentrate. This results in the Fjordfe meat having a healthier fatty acid composition with higher content of Omega 3 fatty acids and lower levels of Omega 6 fatty acids. This produces quality beef, tender and with fine marbling, with a beneficial fatty acid composition and a unique and tasty flavor.

We gladly accept your pre-order. If you are interested in placing an order or have questions, please contact Ingve Berntsen by phone: (+47) 90874673 or by e-mail: gausland@hotmail.com

A traditional family farm since the 18th century

Gausland gard - Fjordfegarden has been in the family since the first half of the 18th century. Ingve took over the farm after his father, Steinar, who again took it over after his uncle Johannes Gausland. The buildings of the original farm date from 1910, built by the grandfather and great-grandfather of Ingve. All buildings were completely renovated around the year 2000. The old barn is no longer used for domestic animals, but is currently being rebuilt to become a conference center. In 2005, a neighboring farm was bought and added to the main farm, and it is on this location the cattle herd is living today. In 2010 two new barns were built, consisting of an open hall where the animals feed during winter, and another building where the animals can seek refuge during cold or rainy nights. Currently, another new barn is under construction. All buildings follow the principle that the animals have a lot of space to roam free, good cleanliness and the opportunity to go outside whenever they want. The farms total size is about 247 Acres.

Great quality and tasty beef

The idea behind Fjordfegarden is to produce clean, safe and tasty beef, based on local produce and with animal welfare in focus. We breed the original Norwegian cattle breed Vestlandsk Fjordfe which has been with us here in Norway since the times of the Vikings and the Edda saga.

The animals are fed a 100 % grass-based diet without the use of feed concentrate. This results in the Fjordfe meat having a healthier fatty acid composition with higher content of Omega 3 fatty acids and lower levels of Omega 6 fatty acids. Animal welfare is one of our highest priorities. All animals, including the bulls, are roaming free-range on the fields 24/7 all year round, with plenty of room to live like natural cattle herds. We want our animals to live good lives. The calves may spend the upbringing with their mothers, until they reach the maturity age. We have regular and close contact with the animals, walking among the herd while grooming, to prevent stress and to increase comfort. The combination of this results in a tasty, clean and unique beef, that is tender and with fine marbling, with a beneficial fatty acid composition and an unique flavor.

When buying meat from Fjorfegarden you help to preserve an unique cattle breed and support a value-based food production with high focus on animal welfare.

About Vestlandsk Fjordfe

Vestlandsk Fjordfe is considered being the original Norwegian cattle breed, with roots reaching thousands of years back in time and with long ties with Norwegian cultural history. The breed was first officially registered in 1890. There are currently a total of only 700 heifers or first-calf heifers of Vestlandsk Fjordfe in Norway and the world, and the breed is classified as endangered by the UN.

Fjordfe is the most slow-growing cattle breed in Norway, and is characterized by a rather small body compared to "modern" cattle breeds. They are not particularly picky in their diet and mostly eat all kinds of grass, herbs and weeds that traditionally and naturally grows in Norwegian nature. They have shorter legs than other major breeds, and have quite large and strong cloves compared to their size. These things make the Fjordfe cattle very well adapted to conquer the wild nature of the Norwegian fjord and mountain environment.

The meat is more marbled with an unique and excellent quality that is famed by many Norwegian famous chefs and food experts. Fjordfe comes in amazingly many colors and shapes, such as white, silver, red, yellow, black, brown, stained, with horns or without horns. Fjordfegarden currently has 100 animals of the breed, in all colors and shapes.

Winner of the Norwegian Young farmer of the Year Award - 2016

Ingve B. Berntsen was named Young Farmer of the Year 2016 during the Young Farmers Convention in Oslo on 12 November 2016. About 400 young farmers under the age of 35 were nominated before Ingve eventually was named the winner by the jury.

The jury's reasoning was as follows: - The winner of this year's Young Farmers Award shows courage and an innovative spirit. The winner has a clear commitment to local food and how to utilize resources in a good way. He is a person who cares about innovation and social development, and puts a lot of personal effort in developing his farm. He is a particular good representative for the industry, a brave person and an inspiring role model.

The Norwegian Minister of Agriculture and Food Jon Georg Dale was chairman of the jury and congratulated with the following words: - It is crucial that we have young farmers who want to invest in agriculture, and who utilizes the resources of their farms and deliver high quality produce. This year's young farmer is a worthy winner!