What is an Animal or Livestock Appraisal?

By Tracy L. Dopko, Senior Animal/Livestock Appraiser


At some point in an animal owner's life, situations may occur that are unforeseen and require you to prove the value of your animal. An animal or livestock appraisal is a specialized service used to establish the current market value of animals for purposes such as donations, insurance policies and claims, divorce, estate settlements, and litigation. A professional report is created for each appraisal.


The Appraisal Process
In making an animal appraisal, a comparable market analysis is used. Comparison of the subject animal is done with other similar animals that have sold in the recent past. Using recent animal sales data, a composite figure is calculated to represent the subject animal's Fair Market Value. This value is time-sensitive due to economic factors and trends in the animal industry.


What can affect your animal's value?

  • Physical traits such as age, health, and conformation
  • Breed type and breed characteristics
  • Bloodlines
  • Disposition
  • Accomplishments, including training and show records
  • Value and success of offspring
  • Current economic and marketing trends


Factors that do not affect your animal's value?

  • Emotional attachment
  • Perceived value
  • Direct or indirect costs of ownership maintenance, veterinary bills, and financial needs


The End Result
The client is provided with a complete, professional report which normally contains a full written description of the animal, photographs, conformational analysis, significant notes about lineage, show records, and other supporting market data to back up the conclusions and valuation.

Customer Reviews

What Our Clients Are Saying


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We are very happy with Daventry Appraisal Services in helping us navigate the very difficult task of appealing the valuation of our poultry with USDA during an Avian Influenza outbreak. At a difficult time, Tracy was very knowledgeable and helpful in conducting our valuation and walking us through the Appeal Process. All work was completed timely and in a professional manner. We would recommend Daventry to any producers who have need for a professional appraisal and dealing with the USDA process.

Kiley Buettner

Buettner Farms, South Dakota

Tracy was excellent! Really knowledgeable and professional. The reports she produced were extremely comprehensive and genuinely couldn't have been better. I have already recommended her to a friend also going through a legal battle! Thank you Tracy.

Jane Sewell

United Kingdom

I will be honest this is my first review I've written but when you find a company of such high caliber as Daventry you become compelled to spread the word. We at Vos Vegas have had the pleasure of doing business twice with Daventry for appraisals done on our registered Angus cattle. Throughout both instances Tracy has exemplified the meaning of courtesy and professionalism. Tracy's attention to the smallest of details combined with her methodical investigative techniques has far exceeded our expectation. Truly reassuring in today's agricultural marketplace and its uncertainty that a company such as Daventry are there to be relied on. Vos Vegas considers ourselves fortunate to receive their report compiled with the accuracy and integrity needed to get the job done. KODOS to Tracy for a job well done and definitely we highly recommend this company.

Andrew Vos

Vos Vegas Farms, Ontario

We contacted Tracy for assistance with filing an appeal on a livestock valuation relating to a USDA indemnity valuation. With Tracy's expertise we were able to make a full recovery. Thanks Tracy!

Anthony Montanaro

Hillandale Farms, Pennsylvania

Working with Tracy has been super refreshing. To call up and have a super hard deadline to meet and have her and her team take on the challenge of a quick turn around, meet it and be so helpful and friendly thru the process, to say the least was amazing. I wish we had more business like this. I would totally use her again and will tell others about this great appraisal company. Thanks for working with us!!

Kacy Bradshaw

Idaho

My stallion was killed by a distracted driver. Tracy was compassionate, professional and exceptionally helpful. We sued and when the opposing attorney read her appraisal he settled in less than 15 minutes for the full amount. I don't think you could find a better appraiser. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about how exceptional I think she is.

Pat Kultgen

Texas