Leasing a bull

[farmerdan]

Has anyone ever leased a bull? A guy called me yesterday and wants to lease my Lowline bull for two months to breed some of his cows. Does anyone know what the going rate is? I know it's usually per cow.

Thanks,
Dan

[glenn amolenaar]

We have leased several bulls over the years. The leased bulls were by the month and it included the delivery/pickup of the bull. If my memory is right it was $50.00 flat per mo./ 3 mo. minimum. We had one local bull that we paid $7.00 per head for calf born. We also were responsible for any vet fees on bull. We since purchased our own bulls do to health/disease concerns, also our conception rate is much higher. Glenn

[agmantoo]

I would not do it. I would not want the bull returning to my farm after the exposure to the parasites and disease that could be present at another farm. The income from the lease is insufficient for the risk and effort.

[unioncreek]

If you do decide to lease him. I would want to see a health certificate on all the cows that he has, that way you'll hopefully be covered your bases on what diseases his cattle may have.

Bobg

[genebo]

Cattle have sexually trasmitted diseases. One of the most common is genital warts. A bad case of them could render your bull sterile.

Follow the advice of the previous respondents about health concerns. Either make doggone sure that it's safe or don't do it.

My vet recommends bringing the cow to the bull. Quarantine the cow for 14 days before introduction. Keep her with the bull through two heat cycles, at least six weeks, then send her home.

The going rate around here is $150 for two months and the cow owner pays vet bills.

So far, I haven't collected any fees, because each time we did it, it was with a very good friend and we helped each other out.

Genebo
Paradise Farm

[Dexter_Cattle]

I am with Genebo and everyone else. The one thing that I would add is that Health Papers can be sort of useless. In our area Vets barely look at the animal. They look at them long enough to look at tattoo's and bangs tags. That is it. And when we have work done, usually if we know the tattoo and the bangs tag number they just look at them on the trailer and say looks good.

I wouldn't put a whole lot of stock in health papers, but that is my own opinion.

Thanks
Dan

[john in la]

I agree with the others. Not worth it. To many problems involved with leasing a bull.

Now if you really want to do it a trust the health of the guys cows; I would consider bringing the cows to your farm. It gets expensive this way because of feeding the cow while in quarantine; and the use of your pasture for 2 months.

If he has to many cows for this or you do not have the room for his cows the bull will have to go to his farm. I would want at least as much as AI would charge. Thats like $35 a cow.

[scorpian5]

we rent bulls from a local family every year and so does just about every farmer around. If you purchase your own bull and keep your own heifers you will need to buy a new bull every couple of years. And you have to keep the stupid thing penned up when you dont want him with the cows.