Norman got a job, how much do I lease him for?

[aoconnor1]

If you remember, Norman is my 2 year old Brangus bull that I considered castrating and keeping. I have truly agonized over what to do with him, and he is still a bull today...which is awesome because I was reading craigslist and there was a "looking for Brangus type bull for my cows" ad, and lo and behold, the heifers are 1/4 mile from my ranch! Imagine that! I have spoken to the owner and it is a deal.

How much should I lease my bull out for? There are 5 heifers, they would like my bull to cover them all and stay for a couple months. Thanks in advance for any help...

[Tex-]

My main concern would be trich and the potential for him to become infected.


Tex

[Gabriel]

Amortize out the cost of keeping a bull over his expected productive life span. You must always know your costs before you can know what a fair price is.

[aoconnor1]

Originally Posted by Tex-

My main concern would be trich and the potential for him to become infected.


Tex

These are fresh young heifers, they have not been bred before. Do I need to have them tested before I lease my bull?

Thanks!

[aoconnor1]

Originally Posted by Gabriel

Amortize out the cost of keeping a bull over his expected productive life span. You must always know your costs before you can know what a fair price is.

Ok, thank you. I will figure out the cost asociated with him.

[jwal10]

I would say it is an answer to a prayer. Good neighbors 1/4 mile away are worth a lot more. If given, it will be a blessing. They may be alright with keeping him longer, you won't have to feed him. I have done this many times and get a lot more back than if I had asked for a set price. What do they have that you can trade, they may be someone that you can rely on to help out with chores, or?

....James

[aoconnor1]

Originally Posted by DoubleR

Congrats! This sounds like a good way to keep your boy happy and intact/alive.
Has your bull been tested very recently?
Have you done vaccinations and boosters on him?
Has the herd of heifers been vaccinated and boosters?

Norm was with cows that were clean. They are well taken care of and vetted regularly, and have been with a bull who is owned by the same lady. I know their owner and she is one of my close friends. Her vet is my vet. I spoke to her today and asked about Trich and Norm. She told me to make sure I get vet records on the heifers (who thankfully are fresh, never been with a bull or bred). Norman is getting his current vaccines this week, he is due this week anyway! I have had him since he was 2 months old and he got first show, boosters, and then his one year shots done. He is wormed.

Thanks for the good questions:-)

[oregon woodsmok]

This is what I always paid: I took over the cost of feeding the bull for a couple of months and that was it. The guys who lease bulls get $15-$25 per cow that is bred and the owner of the cows takes over the cost of feeding the bull for a few months.

I can purchase top quality purebred frozen semen for $15 and not have to deal with a bull nor his chewing down my pasture.

The last time i used a neighbor's registered Angus bull, we just opened the gate and let my cows out onto his pasture. So I didn't even feed his bull. I did, however, keep an eye on his cattle. They were next to my place and the neighbor lived about 10 miles away so he counted on my calling him if there was a problem with his herd.

[Le Petit Norman]

Originally Posted by jwal10

I would say it is an answer to a prayer. Good neighbors 1/4 mile away are worth a lot more. If given, it will be a blessing. They may be alright with keeping him longer, you won't have to feed him. I have done this many times and get a lot more back than if I had asked for a set price. What do they have that you can trade, they may be someone that you can rely on to help out with chores, or?

....James

James has a really good point looks like you just discover some like minded people that were hiding in plain sight from you . Cultivating a good relationship with them is probably more cost effective than charging them a couple extra $$ … how about the cost of a straw per heifer … no need to get a tech to the farm or to pay for any kind of shipment for them … you get some $$, you don't deal with the bull for a couple of month … sounds fair to me … one thing I would look into first is if they are set up to welcome a bull on their farm ...

[aoconnor1]

Thanks for all of the good advice! The neighbor and I are meeting Saturday and I will see what I think at that time.

[aoconnor1]

Originally Posted by DoubleR

PLEASE! PLEASE! Get everything in writing! Even though you know them. Even more if you know them!

Thanks, I sure will!!