Have you ever refused to sell your cattle to someone?

[littlecowfl]

I have never been in this position myself, but has anyone refused to sell your cattle to someone? Why? Was it because their facilities were inadequate? I have delivered many of the cattle I have sold and I was never disappointed when I saw where they were going.

[zephyrhillsusan]

So far I've only sold mine to other breeders and knew they were going to great homes. I do have friends who have sold to people they thought would be good owners and later found out they weren't; they wished they had known so they could have refused to sell them. I would definitely refuse to sell an animal if I had bad feelings about it, but of course the problem is that you can't always tell.

I think the way you prepare information to send with your new buyers, littlecowfl, is a great way to help ensure your animals will have a good home!

[littlecowfl]

Aw, thanks! It works most of the time. Except for the occasional buy back.

There is one lady who I have not encouraged. I haven't seen her place, but the way she talks about the animals she has had and based on some odd things she has told me, well, I suspect she's a hoarder. If she calls again, I will be happy to help her get ready by checking out her facility.

[zephyrhillsusan]

That's a WONderful idea and so nicely put, littlecowfl!

[wagradexters]

Yes, we have refused to sell cattle on several occasions. We don't sell, and have refused to sell, to buyers with no yards and crush. We have also refused to sell to a person who planned to keep the heifer on a tether with no boundary fencing, no permanent water and no constant human on hand.

We also refuse offers less than meat money because if the buyer can't afford to pay, they can't afford to feed or call a vet. Some can afford but try to drive a bargain. One such person left our place empty handed, bought a bunch of el cheapo unregistered Dexter heifers but soon realised he had got what he paid for. He came back to us and bought three decent heifers for decent money.

[littlecowfl]

Tethered cattle with no pen? They used to do that with water buffalo when I was stationed in Guam. No protection from stray dogs or other animals that want to harass the poor animals. I can understand why you would refuse.

I lowered my prices once and it led to a buy back. Not making that mistake again.

[rawlingsdexter]

I am very glad that we like to deliver animals, we took a heifer 4 hours from home, arrived to find a tiny paddock that did not have adequate feed, no boundary fences and people who thought the cow did not need that much feed. We asked where they were going to put her tomorrow and they did not have a good answer so she got to travel the 4 hours home.

I would much rather do that than sell an animal into a life which is not suitable and in the animals best interest.

If you are unsure about a home for your animals, then do not sell them to questionable people. Always check out prospective owners facilities and understanding of what it takes to look after an animal. An animals welfare is much more important than any amount of money.

[Pinevalleydexters]

I just turned down a sale on our one of our heifers, after asking him a series of questions I had a bad feeling and told him we changed our mind about selling her. Actually after talking to him we decided to keep her.

[littlecowfl]

You have to follow your instincts.

[otf]

Yes, over the years a few people have inquired about getting a bottle baby. I have always believed that our cows did a better job feeding and caring for a calf than a person ever could. Perhaps we were fortunate in not ever having a situation where the cow was unable to raise her calf.

Gale

[kansasdexters]

Yes, we have refused to sell our stock a number of times. We've also bought back animals that were in less than desirable situations due to a death in the family, a divorce, or loss of a job (financial hardship). We have a waiting period (usually 30 days) from the time a Buyer picks out the animal they want from our herd, and the date of pick-up or delivery. This time allows us to prepare the animal for transport and its new home: vaccinations are updated, veterinary inspection is done, tests are done, and the animal is transitioned from grass pasture to hay, and different types of feed (to make sure it knows how to eat many different things that might be offered to it).

People that want to load and go, are sometimes disappointed when we insist on a waiting period. But having a waiting period, really helps to eliminate the whim Buyers, that don't have any consideration for the animal's needs.

[littlecowfl]

Interesting about the waiting period. With Craigslist, it seems there are a lot of spontaneous buyers. On the other hand, we usually have well-prepared buyers, which are very much appreciated. I have no problem with our calves going to Dexter homes or people that are well-prepared. I also have a little guide I wrote up for new buyers. They need the most guidance. I like it when they ask for advice or want me to look at their set up. I have also given advice to non-buyers, but people who were interested in cattle.

[justme]

Could you post or share directly that little guide of yours Littlecowfl? - A total know nothing.

[Dahdo]

I have one buyer I wish I had refused. Ended up seling him a nice bred cow. He got another bred cow from another breeder--along with a bull. It's a long story, but bottom line he really just should have just kept a couple of steers. He didn't hear me when I told him what was involved in breeding registered cattle, and he really didn't hear me when I told him NOT to get a bull to service two cows on three acres. How'd it go? He let his bull breed a 7-month old heifer, sold the heifer (and her dam) without knowing or telling the buyer she was bred--and didn't bother to register the heifer or transfer her and her dam. Oh and when I asked for contact info for the buyer so I could help them register and transfer? He didn't have a name or phone number. I've since found the buyer and we are working on getting their animals registered. My buyer gave me authority to register under his name (required now), and that's when I found out his other cow died and he butchered the bull. He's done. I feel badly that I didn't see this train wreck coming, to spare him, his cows, and his buyers, some headaches and heartaches.

[Pinevalleydexters]

Sept 16, 2019 11:13:45 GMT -5 Dahdo said:

I have one buyer I wish I had refused. Ended up seling him a nice bred cow. He got another bred cow from another breeder--along with a bull. It's a long story, but bottom line he really just should have just kept a couple of steers. He didn't hear me when I told him what was involved in breeding registered cattle, and he really didn't hear me when I told him NOT to get a bull to service two cows on three acres. How'd it go? He let his bull breed a 7-month old heifer, sold the heifer (and her dam) without knowing or telling the buyer she was bred--and didn't bother to register the heifer or transfer her and her dam. Oh and when I asked for contact info for the buyer so I could help them register and transfer? He didn't have a name or phone number. I've since found the buyer and we are working on getting their animals registered. My buyer gave me authority to register under his name (required now), and that's when I found out his other cow died and he butchered the bull. He's done. I feel badly that I didn't see this train wreck coming, to spare him, his cows, and his buyers, some headaches and heartaches.

Selling our animals is the hardest part for me. It’s not always easy to know if it’s going to be the right choice. I am glad that you were able to find the buyers and help them with registration. After a bad experience I think it makes us twice as wary.