The Strand Family Bringing New Life to the Farm

Strand Farm is located in idyllic Rolvsøy, Fredrikstad, close to forests and hiking trails. Here, Lars and Marianne, together with their children Maya and Amund, run the last remaining beef cattle operation in the area.

After nearly 70 years without livestock on the farm, the family has brought life back to the place. It’s now filled with cows, horses, sheep, pigs, and the two loyal farm dogs, Willi and Truls.

A Challenge with Open Grazing and the Cultural Landscape

Lars wanted a solution that allowed the cows to use the entire area, from ditches to open fields, without disturbing the environment or wildlife.

Since the cows are grass-fed, it was important that the herd could stay out as long as possible and make use of the regrowth grazing in autumn. “Cows are born with their coats on,” Lars says with a twinkle in his eye, adding that he hopes to keep them out until Christmas to save on winter feed.

When he came across an ad for Monil, he got curious. After a bit of research, Lars discovered that Monil’s virtual fences could be the solution he needed.

“Fencing off an area with electric wire changes the landscape,” Lars explains. “With Monil, we can let the animals roam freely without disturbing nature.”

The Benefits of Monil on the Farm

Monil makes it easy to manage rotational grazing, and the GPS feature lets the entire family track where the animals are, providing extra reassurance.

With Monil’s virtual fencing, Lars and his family at Strand Farm can:

• Preserve the cultural landscape by letting cows graze freely without permanent fences, preserving natural areas and wildlife.
• Provide better forage through grass-feeding, without concentrate feed. The cows grow large and more robust from natural grazing.
• Keep the animals out on the pastures longer, reducing winter feeding costs. Lars aims to have cows out on pasture until Christmas.
• Utilize the entire acreage, including ditches and less accessible areas, and eventually use strip grazing to offer fresh grass.

Lars’s 3 Best Tips for Those Considering Monil

Lars doesn’t hide the fact that there’s a steep learning curve for humans and animals. Completing a thorough training period means fewer escapees and a smoother transition for the remainder of the grazing season. After a few months with Monil’s virtual fences, Lars gathered his top tips for other farmers who want to get started and avoid similar issues:

1. Study the terrain first: Use elevation maps and walk the pasture. Animals are most comfortable when the fence follows natural lines, and makes setup easier.
2. Include natural resting spots within the grazing area: Resting areas within the virtual fence reduces the temptation to wander and gives animals get more from the pasture.
3. Get started – don’t wait! It may feel unfamiliar at first, but both you and the animals will quickly adapt. “The farmer has to learn as much as the cow,” Lars says.

The Farm as a Living Hub for a Forward-Leaning Operation

As the last beef cattle producer on Rolvsøy, Lars is focused on preserving both the farm and the possibility of future farming.

“Agriculture needs a boost, and Monil contributes to that,” he says.

For Lars, it’s about running things efficiently and sustainably while maintaining the cultural landscape. With Monil’s virtual fencing, Strand Farm has found a solution that makes farm operations easier and safer, allowing him to focus on creating a vibrant farm environment.

A Role Model for Everyone

At Monil, we’re incredibly proud to have customers like Lars Strand, who shares not only his experience with our technology but also what it means to run a modern farm. Farmers like Lars play a key role in shaping the future of agriculture, and we’re grateful for his efforts, both in farming and in preserving the cultural landscape in Rolvsøy.

Experience fenceless grazing – order Monil today or fill out this form: