Page 36 - MWC 2-3-2022s

The Midwest Cattleman · February 3, 2022 · P36

How to Develop a Custom Calving Agreement

Calving someone else’s ties to think through their tations in their own words, bringing a calf into shelter or
cows or heifers can be a great expectations. This way both and then combining them into a warmer, actions before
enterprise for a beginning individuals know exactly into a single document. and during inclement weath-
rancher, a method to reduce what the other expects and Considerations for what to er, etc.)
the overhead cost of facilities there are no surprises or mis- include in an agreement •Protocols and expecta-
and equipment, and a strat- understandings at the end •Who is providing feed tions at birth (tag, castrate,
egy for marketing feed. Or, of the calving season. Risks and at what cost? vaccinate, weigh, etc.) and
having someone else calve at calving can be high for •Who is the consulting who pays any associated ex-
some or all of your cowherd the cow and calf, and many veterinarian and who pays penses (tags, vaccines, etc.).
can reduce labor and stress things can go wrong result- veterinary expenses (typical- •How a difficult birth
and allow for an operation ing in significant financial ly the cattle owner)? is defined if charging a fee
to remain sustainable or ex- losses. Being on the same •How are calving diffi- (any assistance, using facili-
pand if skilled seasonal labor page is essential. culties and treatments to be ties, hand pull using chains,
is limited. How to write a simple handled? pulled using a puller, etc.)
Having a simple and and accurate agreement •Documentation and dis- •If and how often the
straightforward agreement A basic agreement in- posal of death loss. owner plans to observe the
in writing can be the differ- cludes the names of each •How excessive death loss cattle and how visits are to
ence between disagreement individual involved, the de- will be handled. be arranged.
and disappointment and a scription and location of the •Expected cow body condi- Considerations for
satisfying experience for both property involved, start and tion at the transition of care, determining a fair rate
parties involved. end dates, payment structure both at the start when the The factors and rates
The primary reason to and schedule, and signatures operator takes the cows and below are only a starting
have a written agreement is from all parties involved. at the end when they go back point for both sides to con-
to have all expectations from The body of the agreement to the owner. sider. Each scenario is dif-
both parties completely de- includes expectations writ- •Monitoring expectations ferent, and these differences
scribed and agreed upon. The ten in clear terms. This can and protocols (check inter- can dramatically impact the
process of putting thoughts be accomplished by having val during the day and night,
on paper facilitates discus- each party write their expec- conditions that warrant
sion and can force both par- continued on page 39

49th ANNUAL
PRODUCTION SALE
Tuesday, March 1, 2022
1:00 p.m. CST
At the ranch located eight
miles north and one mile west of
Guide Rock, Nebraska

• 41 Powerful Beef Business 2yr Old Bulls
• 32 Heifers , 2 years old bred for spring calves
2 Pens of 4 Commercial Yearling Heifers

• Animals instinctively open our aps
• Our aps will not freeze like ball closures do
• We have less water contamination from animal wastes
• Ten Models - For a few animals or for the largest feedyards

He Sells • S&S Warrior 12H

Ron and Nancy Schutte View Our Online Sale Catalog At:
www.schutteandsons.net
1417 Road 2100, Zeitlow Distributing - McPherson, KS • 800-364-1605 • Boonville, MO • 800-530-5158
Guide Rock, NE 68942 SoMo Agri Supply - Springfield, MO • 800-725-1880
Phone: (402) 756-3462 Central Missouri Feed & Supply - 2707 W Rt F • Clark, MO • 573-881-1798
threebarl@hotmail.com

Cell Phone: (402) 746-4378 This sale will be broadcast live on the internet OR SEE AN MFA DEALER
www.dvauction.com
E-mail: rnschutte@gtmc.net Real time bidding & proxy bidding available WWW.PRIDEOFTHEFARM.COM 800-553-1791