Selling half a Heifer

[BRF]

Anyone have any do or donts on selling half a heifer?

 

[ruhtram]

I've always wondered how it works too. Are there any official documents that people use or do people just use the old handshake?

 

[knabe]

Talk to the brand inspector, the sheriff and a lawyer what happens when things go wrong.

Brand inspector won't help you if it goes civil and neither will the sheriff. A judge will take years.

 

[woltemathangus]

Anyone have any do or donts on selling half a heifer?

Most of the time it is between two people that have known each other or known about each other for quite a while. If the people are close they can usually keep the agreements to a handshake. But even between the best of friends things can get sour really quick so if it is your first time I would say make a firm written agreement. That you both agree on completely. Be sure to include anything about production garentees because that can be a very controversial subject!

 

[DLD]

Just my experience, but partnership heifers usually end up doing more harm than good.  Face it, unless she turns out to be a great and at least fairly prolific donor, she's prob'ly not really making money for anyone.  I know that's always the goal when you buy or sell part of a heifer, but when you consider how few of them ever make it there, and how many ways it can go wrong, I'd rather just sell the heifer and retain rights to a couple of flushes later on - or keep her and breed her myself and sell that interest later when (if) she makes it to proven donor status. 

If you do decide to sell half (or whatever percentage) of a heifer, though it certainly couldn't hurt to get it all down on paper,  I'd still be careful to only do it with someone you trust and believe you can get along easily with. 

 

[leanbeef]

Whatever the circumstances, I have two suggestions: Keep the agreement as simple as possible, and Do put it in writing. The more complicated things get, the higher the chances there will be confusion, misunderstandings or differences to sort out at some point. And if keeping the contract simple seems like a justification for NOT putting it in writing, consider the fact that over time, people just tend to forget things. Even simple things. Having a simple agreement in writing seems like the best way to address possible issues.

Personally, I would also only consider a partnership with somebody I knew fairly well & had worked with previously. Not to mention someone I trusted completely. Which strengthens the reason for documenting the agreement... The relationship is more important than the agreement. Having things in writing might save you both the unnecessary strife caused by one or both of you not remembering the details exactly as they are agreed upon.

 

[NHR]

Have it put into a contract and notarized. Also get insurance on the animal!!!

 

[J2F]

If you get to choose get the back half!  (clapping)