About Heinåli

Experience Agritourism in Western Norway

Heinåli Farm is located ca 2 km from center from Isfjordenabout 150 meters away from Heinåli Hytta. We hope the daily activities do not disturb, but rather complement the idyllic nature picture.

Farming requires constant attention. The work has to often take full advantage of good weather conditions, making sure tasks such as grass cutting are finished before any rainfall. The farm's operations are viewed as enhancing the beautiful natural environment for visitors rather than causing any disruption.

The cows are large, but act as a calming element. Studies show that their slower heart rate and warmer body temperature give people a relaxing experience. It is well worth taking a walk around the pasture to enjoy the quiet atmosphere and the beautiful scenery.
Experience the joy of being surrounded by lush meadows, fresh air and the sound of nature's silence.

Aslak has been running the farm since 1997. He took over from his parents who built it in 1972. You can read what he thinks about being a farmer here.

The farm consists of 35 dairy cows, and an equal number of heifers and calves, which are varied all the time. Milking is now done by a robot, which has proven to be a great asset! The robot performs the milking more efficiently than any human. The daily routine benefits the cow and makes the farmer's life more productive.

Aslak values the close bond he has with the animals, and how the farm has developed over the years with modernisation. He is passionate about sustainable practices and animal welfare, which has been a central core of the farm operation.

Cows are great companions. Although they may appear large and intimidating, they are actually calm and curious, except when they have a calf. Just like people, each cow has its own unique personality and habits. Some are kind, some are a bit neurotic, some are troublesome, while others always have to come first. An experienced farmer quickly learns what to expect from each individual cow.

In the past we gave the cows names, but it hurt when we had to part with them due to old age or illness. That's why we chose to stop doing that, and now we only identify them by number.
Cows are also social animals and form close bonds with each other. They like to share food and lie down together to rest. Some cows can even develop close friendships and prefer to spend time with certain conspecifics.

It's fascinating how observant and empathetic cows can be, and it's important to treat them with care and respect for their individual needs and personalities.

Visitors to Heinåli and passers-by often enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and picturesque landscape surrounding the farm. Being able to witness the daily routine of a working farm adds to the charm of the experience.
Many guests enjoy watching cows grazing or calves enjoying the new experience of being outdoors, albeit behind a fence.

Heinåli Farm takes pride in its farming practices, striving to maintain a harmonious relationship with the environment. The farm aims to preserve the natural beauty of the region for future generations to appreciate.
With a focus on animal welfare, Heinåli Farm ensures that its livestock are well-cared for and live in comfortable conditions. The cows are provided with spacious barns and outdoor areas to roam freely, promoting their physical and mental well-being. This dedication to animal welfare reflects the farm's commitment to ethical and responsible farming practices.

"I have lived at Heinåli all my life. I have always thought it was interesting with milk production. It is the complexity of the whole process that makes it fascinating. The long way from cultivating the soil, removing roots and stones, growing something to be harvested and stored, and eventually fed to become milk and meat. There is also a long way from a cow is pregnant, to the calf being born and can get its own calf. It takes 3 years.
Development goes as fast as everything else. In the 1970s, the cows stood on booths in Heinåli as well. We had to sit down at each cow to milk. In the 1990s we did some changes in the cowshed and released the animals. We milked by chasing 5 and 5 in a milking parlor. It was fine work, better for the knees and back of my father and mother who were running the farm then.

I took over the farm in 1997 and drove it the same way till 2007 when I built up a large extension with better berths for animals and a milking robot. Something that facilitated the work even more, but also set significantly greater demands on me as a farmer. New knowledge of technology and a better understanding of animals and production.
Farm life has its ups and downs. Today, May 10, it snows and I really should be out and set up the fence to a field that will be food to the cows.
The more pleasant it is to sit on the terrace watching the cows eating fresh grass on the fields. Or watch the old cow of 11 years check if there are guests in the cabin, there is so nice juicy grass around there.
The farmer's life is good, I would not change a single thing."

Cows, while grazing, make bowls of grass and swallow them. Later, the cow regurgitates one by one from its stomach into its mouth and then chews them. The cow chews each bite 55-60 times before sloughing it.
Cows do not sleep. They lie a lot and relax. When they relax, they chew the food they have eaten earlier.
Chewing produces approximately 200 - 250 liters of saliva. The saliva is necessary for enzymatic degradation of the feed.
One cow drinks about 100 liters of water per day.
Adult cow weighs about 700 kg.
Half year old cow is called heifer.
The female gets her first calf when she is 2 years old. The calf weighs about 40 kg at birth.
Our oldest cow is 11 years old and had 9 calves.
A cow gives in averages about 8,000 liters of milk per year.

Use the Magnifier Glass to explore details of the cow.

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Image gallery from the farm

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