We will regularly update this page with short articles on topics that are targeted to those who are considering raising Lowlines and to those who are still new to the breed. We have found the Lowline cattle breed to be an extremely profitable and successful breed for our small farm. We'd like to share our experiences of things we have tried while raising Lowlines, both what we have found works and what doesn't work for us. This information can help you in your quest to create a profitable small farm raising these delightful Lowline cattle.  

Visit the Raising Lowlines Article Archive for past articles that might be of interest to you.

Raising Lowlines
What to look for in a sales agreement or sales contract
(frozen Lowline genetics)?

You may find yourself looking to expand your investment in Lowlines by utilizing genetics that you do no have available locally via frozen genetics.  Once again it is very beneficial to have a sales agreement that covers all the basics and sets expectations between buyer and the seller. 

• The basics of a sales agreement for Lowline frozen genetics are the same for either semen or embryos and would include the date, the name and address of the seller and the name and address of the buyer. 

• For an agreement for frozen semen you want the agreement to list the number of straws of semen being sold and the size of the straws.  The agreement should also state the name and ALR registration number of the bull.

• For embryos you will want the agreement to specify the number of embryos and both the name and ALR registration number of both the sire and the dam used to produce this embryo.  You will need a copy of the embryo recovery certificate from the facility that collected the embryos.

• Any breeder using semen from a bull for which they are not recorded by the ALR as being at least a 25% owner of the bull must submit along with the registration of the calf a semen certificate (sometimes also called a breeders certificate).  This certificate can only be obtained from an ALR acknowledged owner of the bull.  Breeders can charge you any amount that they want for this certificate.  It is only required if/when you register an animal.  So if you purchased 10 straws of semen and produced 7 calves and choose not to register any of them then you do not have to purchase any certificates.  If you choose to register 1 of these calves then you need at least 1 certificate to submit with your calf’s registration application.  Breeders typically charge from $50-$500 per semen certificate.    Get it in writing in your sales agreement the charge for the certificates when you purchase the semen.

• Also if you are purchasing an embryo and the breeder used semen from a bull that they did not own (except in the case of Australian embryos for which the flush is registered and an embryo certificate provided) a semen certificate will be required when registering this embryo calf.  Get it in writing in your sales agreement as to who is responsible for obtaining and paying for that semen certificate so there are not surprises when you try to register your calf.
  
  
• Terms of payment.  Full payment is generally required prior to shipment of genetics.
  
  
• Transportation is the last thing I include on all my sales agreements.  Where are the genetics being shipped from and where will they be shipped to?  Who pays the cost of shipping?  Frozen genetics are shipped in special liquid nitrogen “vapor” shipper tanks where there is very little liquid nitrogen present in the tank.  It is a good idea to ensure that the shipment will arrive to your destination before a weekend so you do not run the risk of having your genetics sit is a loading dock over a long weekend, particularly in summer months.   Part of the cost of shipping will include the return of the vapor shipper tank to the storage facility.