Experiences sharing a bull?

WJMartin · #1 03/27/13, 09:39 AM

I currently have a few Dexter cattle but am wanting to transition over to lowline so have started AI, one so far. I found a guy close to me that has Dexter and let me borrow his bull to bred my heifer and I've agreed to keep the bull until July 1st to help him out.

He keeps asking me what I think of his bull, he's OK, very easy temperment, but I keep telling him I'm heading out of Dexter and into lowline.

He finally came right out and asked me if I would be willing to split the cost of a bull and each keep him 6 months. I told him that was a very generous offer and I would think about it.

I don't know this guy, just found him in the registry and called and he let me bring his bull to my place without ever coming to see my cows, my set up, how I feed, nothing. Said he could tell by looking at me that he could trust me! I wrote up a contract and made us both sign it for the bull.

I'm tempted to consider his offer, he only has 15 acres total, not really enough room for a bull and together we could purchase a twice as nice bull but...........has anyone else done this?

gwithrow · #2 03/27/13, 09:48 AM

would it be better to just 'rent' his?...let him retain ownership and that way you are not out as much and if it doesn't work out it would be easy to find your own solution in the future?

G. Seddon · #3 03/27/13, 10:13 AM

I've never done this.

I'd be worried about disease (especially STDs these days). If he freely sent his bull to you without checking anything out at your farm, what does that say about how he cares for his cattle? I guess some of this depends on what's in the contract, but I myself would not share a bull with someone else's herd. Too risky.

Gabriel · #4 03/27/13, 10:49 AM

You said you wanted to transition to lowlines, and I think that's your answer. The bull sharing thing may or may not work out, but even if it does, will you be happy with changing your mind on the direction you take your stock? It's hard not to be "the nice guy" but... you know where I'm going with that.

Dreamfarm · #5 03/27/13, 02:05 PM

is this a lowline bull?

WJMartin · #6 03/27/13, 09:11 PM

Dreamfarm, his bull is a Dexter, which I'm Ok with for now since my little heifer is Dexter and I won't have to worry about a large calf.

G.Seddon, I don't think this guy even has a clue about cattle diseases, especially STDS.

He does seem to be a really nice guy.

I think I better stick with AI for now until I find just the right bull. I only had one cow and one heifer this year, not worth buying a bull.

My cow is AI'd with Mr. Dundee#41, straight out of Australia, can't wait until she calves.

opportunity · #7 03/27/13, 09:42 PM

I share an Angus bull with other in the community we run on the same pasture during the summer I kept him from October untill March then another guy takes him for a month, then he is on the shared pasture. It works well but we are all carefull about what we bring in noone wants anything bad.
I also have a highland bull I do let people bring girls to him and I charge to have them exposed it helps me keep a bull but I like to maintain ownership and screen the cows first.