According to Oklahoma State University’s Mark Johnson, in the current market, a good bull is worth somewhere between $12,000 to $17,175 to a commercial cow-calf operation in 2026.
In a recent article, Johnson, OSU extension beef cattle breeding specialist, explains where exactly in that range depends on a producer’s marketing plan and the market conditions at that time.
“There’s not an exact number because there are many variables in play,” he says.
He explains one potential way for a commercial cow-calf operation to reduce expenses is to lease, rather than own, a bull.
“Producers should compare the costs and benefits of leasing versus owning,” Johnson says in his recent Cow-Calf Corner article.
Leasing eliminates the capital expenditure of purchasing a bull.
Johnson explains, given the current circumstances, the realistic cost of leasing a 15-month-old bull that is valued at $10,000 and assumed to lose 100 lb. during the lease at $25/day for a 60-day breeding season:
Breeding Fee: $25 x 60 days = $1,500
Weight Loss: 100 lb. x $1 per lb. cost of gain = $100
Insurance: $10,000 x 3.5% = $350
Trichomoniasis Test = $75
Total = $2,025*
*In the current market, based on the quality and genetic value of the bull, prices will vary.
So, assuming the 15-month-old bull will cover 15 cows/heifers during the breeding season, the cost per female bred is $135.
How does this compare to owning bulls?
The following chart assumes a bull provides service until the age of 6. It serves as another way to evaluate the cost per female bred, based on various purchase prices of ownership.
Bull Purchase Price:
| $5,600 | $8,400 | $11,200 | $14,000 |
| $40 | $60 | $80 | $100 |
Cost per female bred - assuming 140 calves sired over duration of time as a herd bull.
For more information on bull value, see Johnson’s recent article:
What is a Good Bull Worth in 2026?
“Whether leasing or purchasing bulls, the expense will be highly dependent on the cattle market and quality of the bull,” Johnson says. “A leased bull is usually kept only during the breeding season so maintenance costs associated with bull ownership are reduced.”
For example, the cost of feeding a bull is realistically at least $1 per day. Additional costs are associated with veterinary care and medicine, labor, potential death loss and the facilities needed to keep bulls safe and secure during the off-season, as well as depreciation and interest.
“All these things considered, bull ownership has a price tag of several hundred dollars annually when bulls aren’t breeding cows,” Johnson summarizes.
Is Leasing an Option For You?
Johnson says leasing bulls may not be an option for all producers.
He encourages commercial cow-calf producer to make a plan in advance of breeding season by checking with seedstock vendors to see if they offer bull leasing options and confirm they will have bulls available for lease when needed. If seedstock producers are receptive to bull leasing, both the lessor and lessee need to consider how leasing a bull could affect the health of the herd.
“Leasing virgin bulls is ideal to ensure that a venereal disease such as vibriosis or trichomoniasis is not introduced into the lessee’s herd,” Johnson says. “A negative test for trichomoniasis (at very least) is a standard part of the lease agreement before the leased bull can be returned to the lessor’s herd. In addition, leasing bulls does not come with the benefit of the salvage value when older bulls are sold.”
Johnson explains four considerations of a typical bull lease agreement for the benefit of both parties:
- A daily, monthly or breeding season fee. These fees typically start at $25/day depending on the quality and genetic value of the bull(s). The lessor would guarantee a bull has passed a breeding soundness exam.
- A value per pound of bull weight loss during the lease. This typically is based on the cost of regaining the weight after bull is returned. In the current market, $1/pound is reasonable. Both parties should agree on a reasonable weight loss and cost of regaining the weight and include this in the lease agreement.
- Cattle mortality insurance to protect the lessor from death loss. Both parties should agree on the value of the bull. Typically the lessee would purchase a policy covering the value of the bull, pay the premium and the policy would be paid to the lessor in the event of the bull’s death. Currently, a 60-day policy could be purchased for 3.5%, and a 90-day policy could be purchased for 4% of the established value of the bull.
- Health. Typically, a negative test for trichomoniasis at completion of the lease and prior to the bull’s return, is a standard part of the lease agreement. This cost (usually $50 to $100), is covered by the lessor.
