Leasing Beef Cows

[z_sarrazin]

Does anyone have experience leasing beef cows?  Either being the lessee or the leaser?  I have read several articles on it, but the writers always leave the articles so vague.  I am interested in seeing an actual lease agreement, if possible.  I can do the math to figure out prices, but I am curious how people handle death, breed back issues, vet issues, etc.  Any help would be appreciated.  Thanks

[Jim Meade / Iowa City]

It's not common around here and I don't know anything about it.  If I were researching, I'd start with the land grant universities in cattle country, such as Nebraska, Texas A&M, the Dakotas and so forth plus maybe a dairy state or two, such as Wisconsin or California.

[Sir-Loin]

Z, I have been both a lessee and a lessor of beef cattle. Like any other commodity the lease agreement can be stated or written as agreed to by both parties, as long as it is legal. I have never had a written agreement. All my leases were simply a hand shake deal. I once leased out 6 1 year old breed heifers that I wanted back in 5 years. My only obligation was that all 6 would drop a live and healthy calf on the ground at first birth or I would replace her. And I would furnish him a bull when needed. The lessee assumed all responsibilities for the health and care of the animals. Back then, the heifers had a fair market value of $600 each for a total value of $3000, of which the lessee paid $2,000 and got to keep 3 of the calves. I got the other 3 at weaning. SL