When we had just a few mini Jerseys, we were able to utilize all the resulting milk. But as our herd grew, so did the steady supply of milk. Even after learning to make yogurt, butter and even hard cheeses, we still had extra milk. What better to do with all that extra whey, buttermilk and skimmed milk than raise a few happy and well-fed pigs?
Gloucestershire Old Spots were always on our short list of preferred pigs because, goodness… aren’t they adorable? Once we learned that Old Spots were docile, easy to care for, enjoy foraging on pasture and make the most delicious pork, we knew they were the breed for us.
Luna, one of our first GOS sows, loves being a mom!
In the fall of 2021, we purchased a registered breeding trio, two gilts and a boarling, through Fawn Crossing Farm in Virginia, sourced from several farms across the southeast. It was a bit of a learning curve but these pigs truly are “beginner pigs”!
We were able to get a gilt out of our first breeding pair, Luna and Cosmo, and named her Aster. She farrowed for the first time in August of 2025, bred to a Berkshire boar from Shipley Swine. She had 11 piglets born, 11 live, and has been an amazing first time mom! We sold almost all the piglets before we could even advertise them – so thankful for all the wonderful feedback we’ve gotten from folks who have purchased piglets from us over the years!
We raise our pigs on pasture, in the fresh air and sunshine, and love to spoil them with extra fruit from our small orchard and milk from our cows!
Aster’s first litter of adorable Berkshire/Old Spot piglets
We will be breeding Aster again for spring 2026 piglets, and plan to use a Berkshire boar again, so the piglets will be Old Spot/Berkshire crosses. If you would like to be put on the waiting list for a piglet (or two), message me on Instagram or via email at stefanie@tinstonecattleco.com.
All weaned and almost time to go out with the big girls 🥹 I think he’s going to love hanging out with the older ladies, but I know he’s going to miss his current ladies for sure 🥰 Honestly, my biggest concern is that he’s so small he’ll be able to slip under the fencing we use for the big girls 😅 #miniaturecowproblems #easytheminijersey #minijersey #miniaturebull…
It’s so dry here – we’re having to feed hay already 🥺 We weren’t happy with the round bales we got last year so this year has been a lot of trial and error – currently waiting on a third hay analysis to see if the most recent hay we bought will be the hay we purchase in bulk for the winter 🌿 We work with a nutritionist who formulates a custom feed mix for our milkers and it all hinges on the hay we choose, it’s such an important part of wintertime nutrition! #honeybeetheminijersey #minijersey…
Good morning, Birdie ☀️ We are still putting a halter on her every morning, just to get her 100% comfortable with being haltered. She was dam raised and not handled much until she was a few months old, but her temperament is so sweet and docile, just like her brother Bear 💛 She is not shy to being touched on the head any longer and even comes up to us now for scratches 🥰 #birdietheminijersey #minijersey…
Woohooo! Lilibet is pregnant 💛 She is due May 19, 2027 with a calf by HBF Patriot ✨ She will turn four soon and has matured into such a lovely, deep-bodied cow… we just love the way she’s put together 🤩 #lilitheminijersey #minijersey…
The baby in the herd, Miss Darcy, is just 2.5 months old, and staying so petite 🥰 Her mama is DC Waffle, a gorgeous cow that I adore, and a granddaughter of DC Fanciful Shower, one of my all time favorite cows ❤️ Will be such fun to watch her grow over the next few years 😍 #darcytheminijersey #minijersey…
Happy half-year to our adorable Esmeralda ❤️ Can’t believe it’s already been six months since she was born – she’s growing out so nicely, and will definitely stay miniature 🥰 She has a wonderful temperament and is just super laid back about everything! Her presence as the oldest in our calf herd brings a lot of peace and calm… two things we love on our farm 😍 So many reasons we love our little Essie! #essietheminijersey #minijersey…
Two weeks since Birdie and Darcy joined the herd and they’re doing fantastic 🥹 Moving to a new home, combined with the intense heat we’ve been experiencing, had me extra watchful for any respiratory issues… thankfully they’ve both done great 🙏🏻 So happy to have these two cuties in our herd ❤️ #birdietheminijersey #darcytheminijersey #minijersey…
Tin Stone Evermore will be available at weaning next month 😍 We have not found a perfect fit for her yet – she’s such a lovely girl and has such a sweet temperament…. we know she will be a wonderful addition to the right farm ❤️ Feel free to message me for more info, we taking rehomjng our girls very seriously and are happy to answer any and all questions you may have 🥰 #evertheminijersey #minijersey…
Darcy and Birdie are now running with Easy, Essie and Evie 💛 I waited a week to let Darcy and Birdie get settled and form a friendship, so that when I put them out with the established herd they wouldn’t feel alone 🥰 And they all did great! Everyone except Easy is stalled overnight so they can eat and rest (and not get in to trouble)… but their days are spent grazing, playing and napping in the shade 🌳 #darcytheminijersey #easytheminijersey #birdietheminijersey #minijersey…
Behind that goofy weaning ring is one handsome little hunk ❤️ Easy is almost five months now (and still gets one bottle a day), soon we’ll wean him completely and he’ll go out with the big girls 🥰 #easytheminijersey #minijersey #a2a2…
She’s 10+ years older (and a little slower 🥹) than her herd mates, but she’s still one amazing little milk cow 💛 So thankful we took the chance on this girl five years ago when we bought her as an “aged” cow 🥰 She’s just confirmed pregnant by HBF Patriot, due with a May 2027 calf ❤️ #ettajanebutters #ettatheminijersey #minijersey…
Meet SNS Songbird, aka Birdie 🐦⬛ She came to us from @shortnsweethomestead, the same wonderful farm we got Bear from… and Bear is the reason we have Birdie now! I loved Bear’s conformation and temperament so much, and he was so well handled and cared for before he came to us, I told Jessi to let me know if she ever had a heifer available. Well, not long after that, she reached out and said she did ❤️ Birdie is four months old and was dam raised, so we will be working to continue the gentling and halter training her breeder has begun. She and Darcy have become fast friends and, as soon as this heat wave is over, will join our other calf group – can’t wait 🥰 #minijersey…
Wisteria Hill Darcy ❤️ She is out of Dexter Corner Waffle (DC Pancake x DC Rambler) by Oak Creek’s Lazarus (Oak Creek’s Rachel x HCC Mocha) and as adorable, sweet and tiny as she can be 🥰 Thank you @wisteria.hill.farms for entrusting us with this little cutie pie! #darcytheminijersey #minijersey…
