anyone lease a bull??

copperhead46 · #1 08/17/09, 03:45 PM

I'm working with a lady who wants to lease my bull for the rest of the year. I have never leased one out before, so can you tell me how to word a lease, mainly to cover if something happens to him, or if he were to get out and cause some kind of damage. I don't know where my liabilities would lie.
P.J.

indianheadranch · #2 08/18/09, 05:45 AM

I would think if she has farm insurance you should be covered, that is between you and her though, their is a lot of variables like who is responsible for vet bills, or other neighbors stock if your bull likes to fight thru a fence & so on. Why not just take down the fence and let him run for 3 or 4 months, then settle the differences with the feed bill, has your bull been tested, what if she dont get a calf crop like she thinks she would, then are you reliable with a faulty bull, just throwing that out their for you if she is a good friend i would just let her use the bull to get him off the pature if it was me, Good Luck

francismilker · #3 08/18/09, 06:37 AM

PJ,
I've leased one in the past and had success with it. I did lease based upon a handshake agreement though. I looked on OSU's website for a lease agreement for you and could'nt find one. You might contact your extension agent for a generic form if you want one.
One thing to consider when leasing a bull is how long you "have" to keep the bull. I was able to return mine as soon as the cows were all covered. Some folks who lease a bull are not only wanting to earn the lease fees but also not have to feed the critter for the year. I've heard in the past of a guy that tried returning the bull after a month and was charged boarding fees by the owner for returning early.
Mine went a lot easier than that. It was understood when I went in to it that I would use him until he got the job done and then take him home.
As far as your liability of the bull getting hurt. I think that usually there's a for-agreed upon value of the animal's worth before he gets out of the trailer at your place. If he ends up on the road getting hit by a car, you pay the agreed upon price and let your homeowner's insurance take care of the person's car repair. You are also responsible for any vet's expenses needed.

RosewoodfarmVA · #4 08/18/09, 10:04 AM

People around here talk about borrowing neighbors bulls in the old days. Nobody had money for a new bull every couple of years so they would swap around or not have one at all just borrow different ones each year. It also helps in timing the calves if the Bulls only in for a couple of months. Don't know of anyone that does it now, though I have an older friend who wants to use my bull next year for her heifers, though it will just be a 'friend' thing not a lease.

copperhead46 · #5 08/18/09, 06:22 PM

Thanks guys, I really didn't know where to start....this isn't a "friend" per se, it's someone who called about buying a polled bull that I had for sale and wondered if I had a bull that I might lease. I'm not charging anything for the use of the bull, but I do want some kind of insurance that if he gets out and gets injured or killed that I won't be out the price of the animal. My main thing is that she keep him till the middle of Dec, so that he will be here for breeding my cows. We will deliver the bull and check out her operation and that she takes care of her animals, and has good fences, that sort of thing. I sold a calf to a friend of hers and she seems very responsible.
thanks again, P.J.

**fordson major** · #6 08/18/09, 06:28 PM

we leased a angus bull years ago, just brought our insurance agent up too speed (owners covered animals death) and paid at the end (good friend!) wish you were closer, looking for a dexter bull next year!

copperhead46 · #7 08/18/09, 06:41 PM

No, I wish you were closer, I'm as close to Canada as I want to be, sometimes I think I live to far north now, ( I don't like cold weather

I think thats probably the easiest way, she covers the death of the bull, and is responsible for any injury related vet bills.
I'l have her check with her insurance man and see if it's covered,
P.J.

**fordson major** · #8 08/18/09, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by copperhead46

No, I wish you were closer, I'm as close to Canada as I want to be, sometimes I think I live to far north now, ( I don't like cold weather

P.J.

youre right ! there are lots of times when its way too cold here!

copperhead46 · #9 08/20/09, 11:10 AM

I talked to the lady last nite and we agreed that if he died from her negligence, that she would paid an amount that we agreed too, as replacement value. She is checking with her home owners insurance, too. We also agreed to a set time of 90 days for her to keep him. We agreed that any vet bills while he is there would be her responsibility, so I think it'll be allright.
Thanks for the input, I needed the help for sure.
P.J.

Farm 36 · #10 08/20/09, 01:04 PM

You need to weigh the bull when he leaves and when he is returned . Decide on a weight loss amount that is to be payed if he loses weight . Leaseing bull is sometimes very good for both parties . You are not garenteeing him to bred cows only that he has settled cows for you she must get a semen count from a certified reproductive specialist if she would like to see if that meets her approval.

agmantoo · #11 08/20/09, 01:23 PM

copperhead46
The person needing the bull is not a friend. You are not charging anything.
Is the value of her feeding him for 90 days worth the chance that he may bring some disease back to your place?

copperhead46 · #12 08/21/09, 12:03 AM

Good point, Agmantoo, I didn't think about disease, she has 4 heifers. Her girls are all vaccinated, and I don't know what kind of disease they could give him......What would you think he could contract???
P.J.

cowkeeper · #13 08/21/09, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ford major

we leased a angus bull years ago, just brought our insurance agent up too speed (owners covered animals death) and paid at the end (good friend!) wish you were closer, looking for a dexter bull next year!

Ford Major, I'm in your neck of the woods and have a six week PB Dexter bull calf, just dehorned and tattooed and RFID tagged. This little guy is non-chondro and both parents will be PHA tested before his sale, from a 41 inch good-uddered cow and a 44 inch very well muscled sire. Both sire and dam have excellent temperaments. PM me if interested.ck