I tend to stay out of discussions like this, but here goes.
I have already told you how the Wells' are known for being humble. (ha ha) I do not mean any of the following statements to be more than statements to add to the information in the discussion. But, many of you will take it other ways....so have at it.
When I bought the cow in my avatar (CF DZ Fool 387 TP X ET) there were at least 6 times the terms of that purchase were misrepresented in advertising others were using in the Shorthorn Country. I called and complained twice to no avail; I just want them to get it right! DZ's picture appears many times each year in sale catalogs because someone is selling a sister or a fifth cousin twice removed. I do not let that bother me because what I am really getting is free advertising for my cow.
Let me also clarify the term 'my cow'. I own DZ and all of her natural calves and half of all embryos produced. Cates Farms bred her and they retained half embryo interest. I have actually had people look me straight in the eye and tell me no, you only own half of the cow. I tell them to get out their 2004 People's Choice sale catalog from Denver. Cates retained half embryo interest.
Now, many people have told me how nuts I was for giving xxx dollars for DZ and only owning half the embryos. This old nut just laughs about that all the time. DZ is 5 years old, is bred for her third calf for next spring and she owes me nothing....she has paid for herself. How did that happen? I just sat back and let other people advertise my cow. We have all seen people give mega bucks for heifers, or seen heifers win national championships and they are never heard from again. There could be many reasons for that, but part of it is advetrising, exposure, getting her calves in the right hands, being able to get semen on bulls that is hard to get, etc.
If DZ spent all of her life here, few people would ever see her. As it has turned out, she has been at Cates' Farms on display at their production sale a couple times; she has gotten a whole lot more exposure because I was willing to share her embryos.
Cates Farms have sold two heifers out of DZ in their production sale. One sold for $45,000 and one sold for $10,000. Am I jealous, am I mad because my name is not Cates and I can't sell heifers for as much as they can? Heck no...I still own the cow that produced the $45,000 heifer and I did absolutely nothing to get that advertising.
The very first DZ ET heifer born here has done very well in the ring for Jake Boyert. John Sullivan told me recently that he thought Jake's heifer was going to win the Junior Nationals over his heifers. I took that as a nice compliment for my cow and Jake Boyert.
About my half of the embryos....I have been able to get semen for those flushes that is hard to get, I have been able to have her flushed with sexed semen I did not pay for, etc., etc.
I guess when you buy a heifer that someone is retaining a flush on, your success will depend on the ability of that female to produce a calf as good or better than herself, the ability of the person retaining the flush to advertise and market the calves and get them in the right hands and your ability to do the same.
It might benefit you to talk to the seller about splitting 2 flushes as opposed to them getting all of one flush. That way you both get embryos AND you can use a different sire for each flush.
There are breeders that I would not want to retain a flush...I just stay home on that sale day. So, be cautious about who you are doing business with.
Oh yes, I do not like it when sellers have to retain a flush, semen, or DNA on EVERYTHING they sell. Are they afraid their genetics can never reproduce themselves? I really object to DNA rights, especially on bulls.
Again, please take this as me just adding statements to the discussion and no more.
Better go, I have to go run water for DZ...yep, she's home now.
Everyone have a good day,
Malinda