Ask the Sheep Guy: Sheep Leases

QUESTION:   Do you have any advice regarding sheep leases?

ANSWER:     

Many sheep producers lease sheep out.  Most typically, a sheep producer will lease a ram to another breeder, to breed ewes, or a producer will lease sheep to a 4-H member or other junior to use in a 4-H project.

I’ve decided not to lease sheep out any longer, for any purpose whatsoever.

Why?  Even though I’m an attorney, these sheep leases are typically undocumented and issues such as who is responsible for the sheep if it is ill or dies are left unresolved.

The “lessee” of the sheep typically does not accept full responsibility for the care of the sheep and the full risk of loss of the sheep, which leaves the “lessor” very much at risk for the loss of the sheep, and the associated frustration.

Unwritten sheep leases are very typical and customary, but I’ll have nothing to do with them.

Documenting a sheep lease should involve an attorney and will very typically cost more in legal fees than the leased sheep is worth.