The Hagshult cows - the taste of care, slow-growing grass and a good life
In the Småland countryside, surrounded by pastures and wooded hills, live some of Sweden's most prosperous cows. They are called Hagshultskossorna, and here in Hagshult, Carl-Johan Bertilsson and Ulrica Björnhag run Sweden's only cows' home - a place where old dairy cows are given a dignified end to their lives, and where sustainability, care and taste are at the center.
If you live in Smålandstorpet and want to experience something genuine, caring and close to nature - then a visit to Hagshultskossorna is both touching and inspiring.
Read more about the Hagshult cows here.
What is a copensionate?
Usually, dairy cows are sent to slaughter when they no longer produce enough milk. But in Hagshult, the whole approach has been turned on its head. Instead, these cows are welcomed with open arms and given a new, peaceful life in the countryside. At the guesthouse, they can walk in green pastures, rest in straw, eat the farm's own grass mixture, get a massage from spinning brushes - and just be cows, at their own pace.
It is from these cows, which have lived long and rich lives, that the unique meat from Hagshultskossorna comes. The meat is climate-certified, full of flavor, and produced with both animal welfare and the environment in mind. This circular idea has been given the name Recow - a combination of "recover" and "cow", but also an expression for utilizing and refining rather than wasting.
Grass, patience and taste
At Hagshult's cattle farm, cows grow slowly. They don't get any unnatural supplements or concentrated feed. Instead, they graze on herbs, leaves and grasses from meadows and forests, which not only makes them calm and healthy - it also affects the taste of the meat. It becomes deeper in color, fattier in texture and richer in character. A meat that tastes more - and tastes right.
In addition, the meat is rich in omega-3, vitamins and antioxidants. All this takes time to develop. That's why each cow is allowed to stay for at least six months before the meat reaches the shop or restaurant.
That is the taste of Hagshult - and the taste of a good life.
A unique concept - with care all the way
The Hagshult cows live in a barn where the peace is palpable. You can hear the birds chirping and the cows ruminating. The light is regulated by sensors and mimics the natural rhythm of daylight. Technology is used smartly, as a support, not as a replacement for humans. Cows passing scales are automatically weighed. When it's time to leave the farm, it's done with as little stress as possible - at a leisurely pace and in an already close-knit group.
The animals are transported to slaughter within an hour's journey and the whole process is designed to be as gentle as possible. It's a clear vision: healthy cows make for better meat - both in taste and in heart.
The farm shop - a tasty stop near Smålandstorpet
Hagshult also has a charming farm shop, open all year round, where you can buy meat and charcuterie from the farm's own cows. Here you will also find leather products, barbecue accessories, spices, sauces and carefully selected food products from other small-scale producers. You'll always get good advice on cooking and flavor combinations.
Farm shop opening hours (summer hours week 26 onwards)
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Tuesday-Friday: 11:00-17:00
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Saturday: 11:00-14:00
Other times throughout the year
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Friday: 14:00-17:00
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Saturday: 11:00-14:00
If you are passing by on other days, just give us a call - there is often someone at home who will be happy to open the shop for you.
A sustainable vision with roots in Småland
Hagshultskossorna is a story about how curiosity, care and tradition can shape a new way forward. The farm is climate certified according to the Swedish Seal, has been completely fossil-free since 2022, and follows scientific guidelines according to Science Based Targets to reduce its environmental impact.
It is a modern agriculture deeply rooted in both history and nature - where taste takes time, and where every animal counts.
Stay close to the good - at Smålandstorpet
Living at Smålandstorpet means being close to the best flavors, smells and encounters of the landscape. A visit to Hagshultskossorna is an insight into a farm where everything is done with care - for the animals, for the soil and for the future.
Welcome to book your accommodation at Smålandstorpet - and experience the sustainable Småland with all your senses.
