Siljanhjort wins regional agriculture award

Since 2005, the farm in Siljan has operated a deer farm with its own abattoir, supplying the region with safe, traceable, locally sourced food. By offering slaughtering, butchering and packaging of game – and contract slaughtering of cattle since 2024 – Siljanhjort has become an important partner for local producers and hunting teams.

'Siljanhjort meets an existing market need and helps put locally sourced, safe and traceable food on the agenda. Siljanhjort promotes Norwegian food culture, and the company performs strongly in terms of environmental, economic and social sustainability,' says Anniken Fægri Damm-Larsen, our Regional Director for Vestfold and Telemark.

'We congratulate Siljan Hjort on winning Telemark's 2025 Rural Business Development Award and wish them every success in the national competition,' she says.

The award winners were delighted to receive the accolade:

‘This was unexpected, but we are delighted to receive the 2025 BU Award. It is a great source of inspiration for us and our fantastic employees. We will continue to deliver quality in every way and develop new products for the future,’ says Morten Nystad, owner of Siljanhjort.

The jury particularly highlights how Siljanhjort combines high standards of animal welfare, environmental responsibility and business development. The pastures reflect the deer’s natural habitat, ensuring high standards of animal welfare, while short transport distances help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The company has also created a much-needed service in the region. The option to slaughter cattle locally reduces transport needs and strengthens the value chain for local food in Telemark.

Siljanhjort stands out as a company with a clear commitment to sustainability, a strong ability to deliver and a significant impact on local agriculture. The company performs well across social, economic and environmental sustainability.

Each year, we award the Business Development Award in Agriculture on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. The award recognises those who have built a successful business or industry based on rural and agricultural resources. Each year, one winner from each county receives NOK 50,000. The county winners then compete for the national award of NOK 250,000.