Updated June 23, 2022
A livestock bill of sale is for the transfer of possession of any farm animal. The buyer and seller shall come to an agreement using this document and schedule a date of sale where the animals will be presented along with the monetary funds for the transfer of possession. The buyer is allowed, and recommended, to inspect or have a third party examine the health of the animal(s) between the agreement date and date of sale. If there are no health issues, the sale shall be finalized after the exchange has been made, with the bill of sale being authorized (recommended with two (2) witnesses, and/or notary public).
Horse Bill of Sale – To establish an agreement for the purchase and sale of a horse.
When to Use a Livestock Bill of Sale
The Livestock Bill of Sale should be used any time livestock is being sold from a seller to a buyer. This includes private sales and auctions, and livestock includes many farm animals such as cattle, swine, sheep, goats, chickens and other farm animals. This form serves as a proof of purchase and indicates the who, what and when of the sale.
Important details included in the document are:
- Date of the Sale
- Seller’s Name & Address
- Buyer’s Name & Address
- Description of Livestock
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- Number
- Color
- Kind
- Brand
- Weight
- Health
- Vaccinations
- Condition
- Any other relevant information
- Final Purchase Price
- Deposit (if necessary)
- Inspection Period
- Signatures & Dates of Buyer, Seller and any Witnesses
You may also want to have a Certificate of Acknowledgement from a public notary as additional insurance of the final sale terms. Copies of the bill of sale should be given to all parties to keep on record in case of disputes.
The Dos and Don’ts of Selling Livestock
Now that you know about the Livestock Bill of Sale and what it involves, it’s also important to know how to sell your livestock. Below, we have a simple list of common dos and don’ts when selling livestock.
Dos
- Always be honest
- Offer competitive prices
- Give precise details about the animal
- Know your lowest bargain price
- Take good pictures
- Re-list sale from time to time if the livestock hasn’t sold yet
Don’ts
- Exaggerate the details in advertisements
- Sell sick or old animals
- Set your price too low or too high
- Forget to include the bill of sale
- Forget to have livestock inspected by a vet
- Sell to buyers who don’t have the proper equipment, knowledge or space to raise the livestock
Prevent Liability to Your Business with the Livestock Bill of Sale
Download our Livestock Bill of Sale form here if you want to securely, safely sell your livestock. It will save you a lot of hassle in the long run. We make it simple for you to fill out. Just fill in the required areas with all the necessary information mentioned above.