angus9259":3ev2gzfs said:
AI. I hope bull renting becomes an increasingly discouraged practice. There are simply too many health risks. Keep in mind, if you can buy a reasonable yearling bull from a reputable source for $1200 - sell the mature bull (1800 lbs @ $0.50) for $900 at the sale barn - you've only invested $300 in those two calves. You'd also stand to sell that bull for more than you paid for him as a 2 year old when his demand will pick up. You should put that up against the cost of the semen, certificates, technician, chemicals for cycling, etc.
I have to respectfully disagree with you.
Even if you were to sell the bull later for the same $1200 you paid, you've still
invested $1200, plus the cost of maintaining a bull over the winter and builiding fence that's going to keep him in for those months he's bored and restless because he's (hopefully) covered everybody. Then if the sucker turns up lame or dead or sterile, that's your loss to eat, figuratively speaking. And you can likewise put that up against the cost of semen, certificates, technician, chemicals, etc.
The promise of a greater eventual return is a factor in how much one should be willing to invest, but that aniticpated return does not change the amount of initial investment needed or the risks associated with that investment.