STAPLES FARM

Last weekend, Andrea, Travis, Henry, Jon, Jessica, and I traveled to the National Barrow Show in Austin, Minnesota, to participate in the breeding stock auction. I want to thank Geoff Elliot, Julie Staples, Steve Bryant, and Wyatt Sandman for managing the farm while we were away. Knowing that the farm was in such competent hands made our trip possible. Over the past few months, we’ve connected with several Berkshire farms across the country that share our dedication to meat quality. After much discussion and research, we chose to purchase some breeding females from AJC Berkshire (Al & Adam Conover). A farm renowned for generations of commitment to exceptional meat quality, hardy genetics, and practical, functional traits. I’ll share more details about our new additions in an upcoming post. Spending a few minutes with the Conover family (Al, Jeanee, Adam, Julie, and their daughters, Lydia and Lillie) makes you feel like old friends. While I showed cattle and pigs in high school, nothing compares to the National Barrow Show experience. The sense of community was remarkable; competitors went out of their way to help one another. We forged new friendships, enjoyed every moment, and set our sights on participating in the Truckload event at the 2028 Show. Our followers who farm and ranch know there seems to be a photo opportunity everywhere you look. Tonight was no exception as I caught our sow, Tiana, in a water trough. I’m not sure if she decided that, since it was Saturday night, she should take a bath, or if she was trying to sneak a well-deserved break from her piglets. Either way, she’s earned it. -Leo #AJC Farms

Sorry for the quiet week. Between our trip to the National Barrow Show in Austin, Minnesota, and the sweltering heat when we got back, it was tough to find time for updates. Every evening, one of our team heads out for what I like to call a “bed check”, a nightly round after dark to make sure all the animals are safe and settled. It’s remarkable what you can notice at night if you’re paying attention. Tonight, I spotted this female Wolf spider in the gilt paddock. If you look closely, you’ll notice hundreds of tiny spiderlings clinging to her back. With the exception of fiddlebacks (Brown Recluse) and Black Widows, we never kill spiders on the farm. Insects and arachnids are essential to a thriving ecosystem. Wolf spiders, for instance, are hardworking predators that patrol the ground at night, keeping populations of roaches, ants, and crickets in check. Both web-spinning and ground-dwelling spiders serve important purposes, working through the night to help reduce pests that threaten crops, livestock, and people. As Dr. Jonathan Lundgren of the Ecdysis Foundation points out, farms rich in invertebrate diversity, including spiders, experience the least crop damage. So next time you’re tempted to squash a spider, remember how valuable they are to the farm and the balance of nature. -Leo #EcdysisFoundation

Layla is playing with her herding ball.

Good Morning From Staples Farm.

Baby Jack Update