Buying or selling a registered Dexter is more than a handshake and a trailer ride. A good sales contract protects both the buyer and the seller and makes sure everyone understands exactly what was agreed upon before the animal changes hands. A registered Dexter may come with significant value beyond the animal itself: registration status, pedigree, DNA testing, parentage, genetic testing, breeding rights, health documentation, and sometimes specific guarantees or conditions of sale.

These details should never be left to assumptions or verbal conversations. And remember: “registered” does not necessarily mean an animal can be registered with every Dexter cattle association. Different registries have different rules regarding pedigrees, genetics, DNA requirements, and parentage from other registries. If you are buying a Dexter with the intention of building a registered breeding program, do your homework before you buy. Learn which Dexter association or registry best aligns with your breeding goals and make sure the animal you are purchasing meets that organization’s requirements. Don’t assume that because an animal has registration papers from one organization, those papers automatically transfer or qualify elsewhere.

Read the Contract BEFORE You Bring the Trailer

This part is especially important for buyers. Don’t assume there is no purchase contract. Ask the breeder if they have one and request a copy immediately. Read the entire contract before you make the trip to pick up the animal, not when you arrive at the farm with a trailer. Once you’ve driven several hours, loaded your family into the truck, and arrived expecting to take your new Dexter home, it can be uncomfortable to discover a term you didn’t know about or don’t agree with. At that point, there may be pressure to simply sign and move on.

Don’t.

A contract should be reviewed, questions should be asked, and disagreements should be resolved before pickup day. If you don’t understand a clause, ask the seller to explain it. If you want something included that isn’t in the contract, get it in writing before the animal leaves the property. Don’t rely on “But we talked about that” after the sale. If it’s important enough to matter later, it’s important enough to put in writing. A good sales contract isn’t a sign that someone doesn’t trust the other party. It’s a way for both parties to know exactly what they are agreeing to and to prevent misunderstandings later.

Most Dexter breeders are honest, down-home folks who want to see their cattle go to good homes. But, unfortunately, there have been occasional instances of unscrupulous sellers presenting an unexpected or unethical contract after the buyer has arrived and the animal is already loaded. That’s a difficult position to be put in. You’ve made the trip, brought the trailer, committed to the purchase, and now you’re being asked to agree to terms you may never have seen before.

For example, a buyer may discover that they are expected to pay an overly inflated additional fee if they want to register an otherwise qualified animal with another association, or that the contract attempts to restrict the buyer from doing so themselves. A seller may even attempt to require that the same restrictions be passed along and enforced against the next buyer if you later decide to sell the animal. Buying a bull? The breeder may restrict you from having the bull collected. This happened to me only I didn’t know it until the animal had been delivered and was in my pasture. Talk about awkward! Those are terms a buyer needs to know about before purchasing the animal, not after it’s sitting in their trailer.

If a seller has restrictions, requirements, or conditions concerning registration, breeding, transfers, or future use of the animal, those terms should be clearly disclosed and agreed upon before the sale is finalized and certainly before pickup day. A respectable, trustworthy breeder won’t wait until you show up to spring a contract on you. They won’t wait for you to ask either. They will present it to you the moment you’ve made a verbal agreement to purchase the animal. The purpose of a sales contract should be to establish clear expectations and protect both parties, not to surprise a buyer at the last minute.

Know what you’re buying.
Know what you expect to do with it.
Know what registry you’re buying into.
Agree on the terms.
Put it in writing.
Read it before pickup day.

Then load the cow. 😂

Everyone is better protected when there are no surprises waiting at the end of the trailer ramp.

So, what should my contract say?

I’ve taken the liberty of sharing the sales contract that every buyer of my animals reviews, signs, and sends back to me long before the animal leaves my farm.

Feel free to use it as a foundation for your own future sales agreement.

MOOSHINE RIDGE ANIMAL SALES AGREEMENT

This Animal Sales Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into between Kimberly & Kevin Jepsen (“Seller”), ADCA Member #9705, and ­_________________ (“Buyer”) for the purchase of the animals identified below.

1. ANIMALS

TOTAL PURCHASE PRICE: $

2. DEPOSIT AND PAYMENT

Buyer paid a $(fill in amount) deposit on (fill in date), to hold the above animal(s) until the agreed pickup date. The remaining balance of $ (fill in amount) shall be paid in full before or at the time Buyer takes possession of the animals. The animals will not be released to Buyer until the full purchase price and any other applicable charges have been paid. If either animal becomes seriously ill, is injured, or dies while still in Seller’s care and before transfer of possession, Seller shall refund the full total of the deposit to Buyer. Seller reserves the right to cancel the sale prior to transfer of possession if Seller determines, in good faith, that Buyer is unable or unwilling to provide adequate care for the animals. In such event, Seller shall refund the deposit in full.

3. REGISTRATION PAPERS AND RECORDS

Upon receipt of the full purchase price, Seller will transfer the ADCA registration papers for both animal(s) to Buyer at Seller’s expense. Seller will provide Buyer with available medical records and genetic testing documentation pertaining to the animals at the time Buyer takes possession. Seller shall be responsible for reasonable veterinary expenses incurred while the animals remain in Seller’s possession and care prior to transfer.

4. HEALTH AT TIME OF TRANSFER

Seller represents that, to the best of Seller’s knowledge, the animal(s) are healthy and suitable for transport at the time of transfer. Seller will obtain and pay for required travel certificates within 30 days of final sale. Buyer may, at Buyer’s expense, have the animal(s) examined by a state-licensed veterinarian prior to taking possession.

Upon transfer, all responsibility and risk of loss passes to Buyer, subject to the limited post-transfer health provision in this Agreement. Seller makes no guarantees regarding conditions that develop after transfer, except as specifically stated herein.

5. BREEDING AND PREGNANCY GUARANTEE

Seller represents that (animal name), ADCA # (____) has been bred to (sire name), ADCA # (____) and that pregnancy has been confirmed prior to transfer. This guarantee applies only to the animal’s pregnancy status at the time of transfer. Seller does not guarantee that the pregnancy will be carried to term or result in a live, healthy calf. Seller is not responsible for pregnancy loss or reproductive complications occurring after transfer. No guarantees are made regarding the resulting calf’s sex, color, conformation, genetics, size, disposition, or future performance, or the animal’s future fertility or reproductive performance.

6. POST-TRANSFER HEALTH CLAIM

If either animal becomes seriously ill within 48 hours of transfer, Buyer must promptly notify Seller and have the animal examined by a state-licensed veterinarian. A written veterinary report documenting a pre-existing condition must be provided to Seller within 10 days of transfer. If the veterinarian confirms a serious pre-existing condition that was not reasonably apparent at the time of sale, Buyer may return the animal for a full refund of its purchase price. Seller reserves the right to obtain a second veterinary opinion at Seller’s expense. Buyer is responsible for all veterinary, transportation, and other expenses after transfer. After 10 days, all sales are final, and any refund, exchange, or replacement is at Seller’s sole discretion.

7. PICKUP AND TRANSFER OF POSSESSION

The agreed pickup date for these animals is: (Insert Date) Buyer agrees to take possession of the animals on the agreed pickup date unless another date is mutually agreed upon in writing by Seller and Buyer. Possession and responsibility for the animals shall transfer to Buyer when:

1. Seller has received the full purchase price and any applicable charges; and
2. Buyer or Buyer’s authorized representative takes physical possession of the animals.

Once possession has transferred, Buyer assumes responsibility for transportation, housing, feeding, water, veterinary care, breeding management, and all other care of the animal(s).

8. PICKUP DELAYS AND BOARDING

If Buyer is unable to pick up the animals on the agreed date, Buyer must notify Seller and obtain Seller’s approval for an alternate pickup date. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, a $25 per animal per day boarding fee will apply until pickup, and all boarding fees must be paid before release.

If Seller has already obtained travel certificates, veterinary inspections, or other required health documents based on the original pickup date, Buyer is responsible for any costs associated with obtaining replacement or updated documents due to a change in the pickup date. If Buyer fails to take possession within 7 calendar days of the agreed pickup date without making acceptable arrangements with Seller, Seller may cancel the sale, retain the deposit, require payment of applicable fees, or establish a new pickup deadline. Any refund of the deposit following Buyer’s failure to complete the purchase shall be at Seller’s discretion.

9. BUYER ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Buyer acknowledges that livestock are living animals and that their health, reproductive status, temperament, and future performance can be affected by circumstances beyond Seller’s control.Buyer acknowledges having had the opportunity to: Inspect the animals; Ask questions regarding the animals; Review available records; Review genetic testing information; Have the animals examined by a veterinarian; and Evaluate whether the animals are suitable for Buyer’s intended use. Buyer understands that no guarantee has been made regarding future milk production, fertility, conception rate, calving ease, calf characteristics, temperament, show performance, longevity, or economic return except as specifically stated in this Agreement.

10. BUYER’S RESPONSIBILITY AFTER TRANSFER

After taking possession, Buyer is solely responsible for providing appropriate care, including adequate feed, water, shelter, pasture, minerals, veterinary care, transportation, and reproductive management. Buyer agrees to seek appropriate veterinary care when reasonably necessary. Seller shall have no ongoing responsibility for the animals after transfer except for obligations specifically stated in this Agreement.

11. ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between Seller and Buyer concerning the animals identified herein and supersedes any prior verbal or written representations concerning the sale, except for representations specifically stated in this Agreement. Any modification, amendment, or additional agreement must be made in writing and acknowledged by both Seller and Buyer. If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in effect to the extent permitted by law.

12. ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND SIGNATURES

By signing below, Seller and Buyer acknowledge that they have read this Agreement, understand its terms, have had the opportunity to ask questions, and voluntarily agree to its provisions.

PAYMENT RECORD

Total Purchase Price: $

Deposit Received: $
Date Received: (insert date)

Balance Due: $

Balance Paid: $________________

Date Paid: ____________________

Payment Method: ________________________________

Seller Initials: ____________ Buyer Initials: ____________

We also add the following contract to sign:

FIRST RIGHT OF REFUSAL – FUTURE SALE OF ANIMAL

I, ______________________________ (“Buyer”), hereby acknowledge and agree that if I decide to sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of the animal identified below, the original Seller, ______________________________, and/or agents of ______________________________ (“Seller”), shall be given the first right of refusal to purchase the animal before it is offered or sold to any other party.

Animal: ______________________________
Registration Number: ______________________________
Date of Sale: ______________________________

Before selling the animal to another purchaser, Buyer shall notify Seller in writing by email of the proposed sale and provide the following information:

1. Current health and reproductive status, including whether the animal is currently pregnant, open, or otherwise known to be reproductively compromised.
2. A bona fide written offer from another purchaser, including the purchaser’s name and the agreed purchase price and any other material terms of the proposed sale.

For example, if Jane Doe has made a bona fide offer to purchase the animal for $2,000, Buyer shall first offer the animal to Seller for $2,000 under the same material terms of the proposed sale.

Seller shall have ______ days from receipt of the required written information to notify Buyer in writing whether Seller elects to exercise the right of refusal. If Seller declines the purchase, or fails to respond within the stated period, Buyer may proceed with the sale to the proposed purchaser under the terms disclosed to Seller.

Buyer agrees not to sell or transfer the animal to another party before Seller has been given the opportunity to exercise this right of refusal.

This First Right of Refusal applies specifically to the animal identified above and shall remain in effect for as long as the Buyer owns the animal, unless otherwise agreed to in writing by both parties.

Buyer: ______________________________
Date: ______________________________

Seller: ______________________________
Date: ______________________________

Bill of Sale given to the buyer the day they pick up the animal:

REGISTERED DEXTER BOVINE BILL OF SALE

Date of Sale: __________________________

This Bill of Sale documents the sale and transfer of the registered Dexter bovine identified below from Seller to Buyer.

SELLER INFORMATION

Name: ______________________________________________
Address: ____________________________________________

Phone: ______________________________________________
Email: ______________________________________________

BUYER INFORMATION

Name: ______________________________________________
Address: ____________________________________________

Phone: ______________________________________________
Email: ______________________________________________

ANIMAL INFORMATION

Animal Name: ________________________________________
ADCA Registration Number: _____________________________
Sex: ___________________ Date of Birth: _____________
Color: __________________ Horn Status: ______________

SALE INFORMATION

Purchase Price: $_____________________________________

Deposit Paid: $_________________
Balance Due: $__________________
Date Paid in Full: __________________

REGISTRATION & RECORDS

Seller represents that the animal identified above is registered with the (insert Dexter Registry) and that, to the best of Seller’s knowledge, the registration information provided is accurate.

The registration certificate and/or applicable registration transfer will be provided to the Buyer in accordance with the terms of the sale.

DNA/Genetic Testing on File: ☐ Yes ☐ No
Parentage Verified: ☐ Yes ☐ No
A2 Milk Protein Status: ☐ A2A2 ☐ A1A2 ☐ A1A1 ☐ Unknown
PHA: ☐ Tested Clear ☐ Carrier ☐ Unknown
Chondro: ☐ Tested Clear ☐ Carrier ☐ Unknown

Other genetic testing or records included with sale: (fill in blank)

The Buyer acknowledges that the Buyer has had the opportunity to review the animal’s registration information, pedigree, available genetic testing, health information, and any other records provided by the Seller prior to completing the purchase.

The Buyer and Seller agree that this Bill of Sale, together with any additional written terms signed by both parties, represents the terms agreed upon for this transaction.

By signing below, both parties acknowledge that they have read and understand this Bill of Sale and agree to its terms.

SELLER

Signature: ___________________________________________

Printed Name: ________________________________________

Date: ______________________

BUYER

Signature: ___________________________________________

Printed Name: ________________________________________

Date: ______________________