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.
So thankful for the shade these cypress trees provide – we’ve got a heat wave headed our way and under these trees will be the coolest place for the calves to be 🌲 #easytheminijersey #elmtheminijersey #minijersey…
Tin Stone Evermore ❤️ She is A1A2, homozygous polled and will be available at weaning to a wonderful home. I will begin going through received inquiry responses this week, if you’d like to be considered for her, be sure to complete the form linked in my bio 🥰 Her dam is #lottietheminijersey and her sire is #magnitheminijersey – she has exceptional genetics as well as a wonderful temperament. I expect her to mature closer to midsized, likely around 43-44”, which would make her a fantastic size for a family milk cow 😍 #evertheminijersey #minijersey…
So much cuteness ♥️ I just know their daddy Magni would be proud of these babies of his 🥹 #magnitheminijersey #easytheminijersey #evertheminijersey #minijersey…
Little Elm is looking so grown up 🥰 The calves are eating their grain and hay so well – and we’ve recently added some alfalfa too. Such fun to watch them grow 😍 #elmtheminijersey #essietheminijersey #minijersey…
Two months fresh and this girl is looking so good 🤩 She has had zero metabolic issues, eats great and is giving 3.5 gallons once a day – we couldn’t ask for more from this homegrown girl 💛 #crickettheminijersey #elmtheminijersey…
We went out to bring Etta in for breakfast and – surprise! – her baby came out of the stall, running alongside her 🥹 I’d checked on her at 10pm the night before and there were *no* signs that she was anywhere close… I’m pretty sure she was just waiting for me to leave so she could get down to business 🤣 Thankfully the calf looks great – is super healthy and strong – and we are just incredibly grateful to close out our calving season with five healthy babies and five healthy mamas 💛 #ettatheminijersey #minijersey…
So excited about this little hunk 💙 His dam, Honey Bee, is a dream cow with a lovely udder, great feet and fantastic genetics. His sire, Magni, is one of my very favorite bulls ever. And Easy? Well, he came out pretty perfect too 🙏🏻 He’s also mini sized, painted, A2A2 and homo polled… cannot wait to watch him grow into our next herd sire 💙 #easytheminijersey #minijersey #minibull #magnitheminijersey…
Over 90° here today, so we’re making extra sure everyone has lots of shade and plenty of fresh water 💦 #easytheminijersey #elmtheminijersey #essietheminijersey #minijersey…
Did the math on Etta’s due date and realized that she’s actually due on Sunday, two days earlier than I thought 😅 I also looked back and the three calves she’s had with us and they were all born within three days of her due date: Lilibet was born three days late, Coltrane was born three days early and Daisy was born on her due date 💛 So starting tomorrow, she’s in her most likely calving window… praying hard for a safe and easy calving and healthy baby for this old girl 🥰 #ettatheminijersey #minijersey #calfwatch…
Etta thoroughly appreciating every second of Honey Bee’s affection 💛 She’s been handling late pregnancy great, and the cooler weather we’ve had the last few weeks has been wonderful ✨ Just one more week to her due date… we can’t wait to meet this calf! 🤩 #ettatheminijersey #honeybeetheminijersey #minijersey #calfwatch…
Enjoying a little nap in the shady part of the pasture 🌳 We are keeping Lottie mostly separated from the rest of the herd… since she is the lowest in the pecking order, we want to make sure she gets everything she needs – including some good rest 💤 And I think she’s pretty happy with the current arrangement ♥️ #lottietheminijersey #minijersey…
And then there were four ❤️ We’ve added Lottie’s calf to the calf group during the day, while Lottie goes out to graze. At night we reunite Lottie with her calf… it works out great for the moms to have time to eat, and the calves sleep great at night from all the fun they have during the day 🥰 #elmtheminijersey #essietheminijersey…
One week since this beauty calved ❤️ And I’m just amazed at all the prayers that have been answered: she calved on her own with zero issues, had a beautiful and healthy calf, cleaned out right away, is eating great, is a dream in the milk parlor, and giving a little over two gallons a day 🥰 Just so overwhelmed with thankfulness! #lottietheminijersey #minijersey #Godisgood…
