Breeding fees and discounts

[spotsinabox]

Trying to get some ideas for the next breeding season …

What kind of breeding fees do you expect to pay for different stallions, based on breed, produce or show record?

What kind of discount would you expect if you paid the fee early?

What kind of discounts do you expect for proven mares? And, in your opinion what ranks as ‘proven’?

What do you consider normal collection/shipping charges?

Do you use stallion auctions or incentive programs?

I’d appreciate any feedback as to what you consider good customer service while using shipped semen.

[gabby.gator]

[QUOTE=spotsinabox;6389317]
Trying to get some ideas for the next breeding season …

What kind of breeding fees do you expect to pay for different stallions, based on breed, produce or show record?
this of course depends on the breed and show record, when shopping around this year, I saw as high as $1800, and as low as $500

What kind of discount would you expect if you paid the fee early?
also while shopping this year, I saw up to 50% off

What kind of discounts do you expect for proven mares? And, in your opinion what ranks as ‘proven’?
some stallion owners were offering up to 50% discount

What do you consider normal collection/shipping charges?
I paid $150 collection and $150 for the shipping, this included return shipping, and I didn’t find this unreasonable

Do you use stallion auctions or incentive programs?
just started “browsing” for next year, I might try the auction avenue for next year, but it might depend on what this coming foal turns out to be, perhaps I’ll just do the same mix, LOL

I’d appreciate any feedback as to what you consider good customer service while using shipped semen.[/QUOTE]I used Avalon Equine, Kathy was as wonderful as can be!! She answered ALL my emails, questions, etc, and really held my hand thru the WHOLE process, with LOTS of patience! Even after the breeding was done, and pregnancy confirmed, she has continued to answer any and all emails I’ve sent to her. Definitely GREAT customer service!!

[jenbrin]

What kind of discount would you expect if you paid the fee early?
I have seen up to a 55% discount on some stallions.

What do you consider normal collection/shipping charges?

On average I have paid about $150.00 per shippment & around a 150.00 for collection. However, my mare I just bred this week we had to do a same day rush which cost me $200.00 for shippment.

Do you use stallion auctions or incentive programs?

I love doing the stallion auctions! You can get an awesome deals & most stallions don’t get many bids. Last year I paid $500for a stallion who’s normal stud fee is $1600.00

Another thing I did this year was look for different stallion contest where you can win a free breeding. I entered Dreamscape Christmas contest & won a free breeding.

[spotsinabox]

Thanks for the input

I’ve seen many people like the ‘all inclusive’ fee which includes the first semen shipment …but with stallion auctions and incentive programs that sometimes makes it difficult to do, so I’ve been wondering what others do …

I know the mare owners don’t like to be ‘nickle and dimed’ and it can be confusing with chute fees, booking fees, etc.

[horsetales]

Early booking fees seem to range 10-50% -often based on how early. Before Jan 1 are normally the largest discounts. Performance discounts run about the same -normally only 1 type of discount can be applied.

Collection fees for me have been running about $200-250. The highest (bill comes direct from facility, so no add on from SO) $475 :o SO has been looking for another facility

Customer service is priotity - this year an SO bent over backwards to accomodate me with a mare who was ready much earlier than expected, we just got lucky we scanned her a day earlier than orginally planned, thinking she wouldn’t be ready for another 3-5 days

[spotsinabox]

Thanks … that’s what I want to avoid …surprises!

I know I’ve seen some breeders even offer ‘free’ breedings to proven mares, especially if they have a young stallion … but looking at their registration stats, I can’t see that it has helped.

I also wonder about breeders who offer a ‘color foal’ guarantee … many times it boils down to a free re-breed, but you still have all your vet/shipping costs… and another mouth to feed.

Do you think limiting the number of mares bred increases the marketability of the foal?

[TrueColours]

We have Early Booking Discounts starting in November of each year. The earlier you book, the more you save:

http://www.truecoloursfarm.com/breedinginformation.php

Each year we find more and more Mare Owner’s take advantage of them and it really is win/win for us as well as the MO’s - improves our cash flow in traditionally quieter months and gives them terrific savings if they book early

We do offer a “Color Guarantee” to our Guaranteed Gold stallion. Since he is a double dilute (cremello) he HAS to produce single dilutes colours - there are genetically no other options so we’re pretty safe in doing so!

[spotsinabox]

I really like the idea of the earlier discounts for the very reason you mention – cash flow at a time when I need to pay into incentive programs, etc. Plus is helps a person plan ahead based on facts and figures and not on promises and good intentions.

The biggest issue I’m wrestling with right now is the ‘proven mare’ discount. Many people seem insulted if you don’t offer it … but I don’t want to offend anyone by passing judgement on whether their mare is worthy of a discount.

I think I would rather just give them the opportunity to get a great discount by planning ahead or participating in a half off breeding through the various stallion auctions like the NSBA, etc.

I’ve noticed the color guarantee mostly on overos, or where it would be ‘optional’… But I did notice it on one ad where the stallion was suppose to be homozygous tobiano …which made me go ?huh? …

[camohn]

What kind of breeding fees do you expect to pay for different stallions, based on breed, produce or show record?
*anything from 500. for a newbie or stockhorse to 1,500 for a WB: WB fees do go more but I have not found the need to spend more than that.

What kind of discount would you expect if you paid the fee early?
*range from 15 to 25%

What kind of discounts do you expect for proven mares? And, in your opinion what ranks as ‘proven’?
*have seen up to 50%…depends on the mare. Often it is at the owners discretion depending on if it is a permium mare, a mare that has had premium foals or foals that are showing well already.

What do you consider normal collection/shipping charges?
*the collection fee: I have seen anything from 75 to 300; shipping…depends in if you are using your own equitainer, a disposable one (free and not very expensive respectively) to some hefty container deposits on using a SO’s equitainer. The actual shipping fee is what FedEx charges…around 65 I think last I shipped something…not sure what that is this year.

Do you use stallion auctions or incentive programs?
the first: sometimes and the second is a must for stock horse breeds.