STAPLES FARM

We often share our successes, so it seems only fair to recount when things don’t go as planned. Last fall, we purchased a Great Plains 1006NT drill and used it to plant our cover crops and pig pasture. Because we plant a mixture of seed varieties, we calibrate the drill to that mix, achieving good results. However, that wasn’t the case when we planted a blend of oats and peas on Saturday. For starters, the seeding chart suggested setting the drill at 70 to achieve 91.6 pounds per acre, based on oats testing 37 pounds per bushel. However, the forage oats we used tested at 40 pounds per bushel, and the forage peas at 60 pounds per bushel, resulting in an oat-pea blend of 42 pounds per bushel. After several calibration tests, we found that setting the drill at 60 would deliver 90 pounds per acre. Before starting, I quickly Googled the recommended ground speed for a Great Plains 1006NT drill and saw a range of 3 to 5 miles per hour. I planted the first field at 4.3 to 4.6 MPH, but the drill delivered 120 pounds per acre instead of 90 pounds per acre. That was roughly 200 additional pounds of seed on the field. After a bit of research today, I learned that because GP 1006NT has a direct-drive coupling, the seeding rate is greatly affected by ground seed. Also, the manufacturer recommends planting at 2 MPH on rough ground and 3-3.5 MPH on smooth fields. We use Google and AI tools in our work here at the farm. However, we always go over the data and results to ensure they are accurate and not fabricated by AI. Had I checked the planter manual, I would not have made this mistake. On a positive note, daughter Andrea was extremely helpful with running the planter calibration tests and filling the planter with seeds. I was impressed by her questions and am confident she could calibrate the planter herself. In other news from the farm, despite the dry conditions, the pig pasture we planted last fall continues to grow well, proving the positive impact livestock has on soil health. When we set up the next run last week, the electric fence poly wire was well above the plants. Today, it touched the wire, so I used a line trimmer to remove the vegetation beneath it. The pigs will start grazing the paddocks in this run on March 10th. I will capture a video so our followers can see how they react to the forage. -Leo

I made a quick trip to Ross Seed in El Reno this morning to pick up some forage oats and 4010 Spring forage peas. If all goes well, they will be in the ground by Saturday evening. We love supporting family-owned businesses like Ross Seed, which still believes in customer service. Please feel free to call Tom or Mason Ross if you have questions about your planting options or if you need seed. -Leo

With the warmer-than-normal weather and a small amount of moisture from the snow melt, the pig pasture has really taken off. While the cereal grains appear to be the only thing in the field, when you look closer, you see just how much vetch, clovers, brassicas, and winter peas are in there. We started grazing this field with pigs in April 2024. Since then, we have not added any commercial fertilizer. The soil tests continue to improve, and as you can see in the photos, the plants are thriving. -Leo

I share the following story as I reflect on the great life my parents gave my brothers and me here on Staples Farm. Our family’s roots in the swine industry date back to the late 60s when my parents owned a 40-sow farrow-to-finish operation. I showed pigs at local and State shows while in High School. During my senior year in the fall of 1975, I showed a Berkshire barrow at the State Fat Livestock Show in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and at the American Royal livestock show in Kansas City, Missouri. In 2026, my high school class will celebrate its 50th reunion, and classmates are sharing old newspaper articles like the one attached from 1974. My younger brother Brian and I were both members of our FFA Chapter’s Livestock Judging Team. At a local competition in 1975, Brian and I tied for the top individual score. Because our scores matched exactly across all animals, some officials suspected us of cheating. That was until our Ag Teacher pointed out that Brian and I had been sitting on opposite sides of the arena, clearing up any doubts. -Leo

Yesterday was a bittersweet day at the farm as we took our sow, Bacon Bit, to the processor. Last September, she had her first litter and proved to be a devoted mother, raising all five of her piglets. Unfortunately, she developed a hip joint issue after delivery that would not heal. Her legacy will live on through her two gilts, who are now part of our breeding stock. Elsewhere on the farm, we fertilized the hay fields yesterday, hoping for a forecasted one-inch rain. Thus far, only a quarter of an inch has fallen, but we're optimistic about more as the day goes on. The clovers are thriving, and with the warmer weather, the cereal grains and winter peas are beginning to flourish. We still have two butcher pigs available, scheduled to go to the processor in May. If you're interested, please reach out to us at [email protected] or call 405.206.4805. Leo