I want to
Involve my staff in herd ownership
In an industry where skilled, reliable staff are hard to find — and even harder to keep — offering a real stake in the business can make all the difference.
That’s why many farmers use livestock ownership as a tool for staff attraction, retention, and long-term succession planning.
Herd financing is a way to empower employees, reward commitment, and keep the best people in your business.
But structuring these agreements can be complex.
That’s where CowBank comes in.
We work with farm owners and employees to develop leasing structures that work for both parties, ensuring staff feel valued while the farm secures a strong, stable future.
“I want to secure my manager long term in the business by offering them an opporunity in herd ownership. Can CowBank help?”
How CowBank Helps
A leasing structure between a farm owner and a manager is designed to give the employee a stake in the business without requiring a large upfront investment. It creates a pathway for ownership, helping to build long-term commitment with manageable risk for both parties.
Here’s how it typically works:
1. The farm owner enters into a CowBank herd lease for a specific number of cows that is assigned to the manager.
2. Those cows are fed and cared for by the farm business.
3. The CowBank herd lease is included in the salary package for the manager, often with a margin to recognise that the farm business is getting the profit from milking the manager’s cows.
4. The manager receives a number of heifer calves equating in proportion to their contribution to the farmer's cow herd.
Frequently Asked Questions
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CowBank has extensive experience dealing with livestock finance across a range of businesses. This is our bread and butter. This experience means we can provide the right advice and guide farmers to ensure their applications are thorough and accurate.
Practically, CowBank can speak to accountants on behalf of dairy farmers - with the farmers’ permission - to source the best information quickly.
CowBank can also leverage its network of experienced livestock buyers and agents to assist with searching for the best cows to purchase for each farmer.
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Exactly that - CowBank does not tie up your land, house or any other asset when you lease cows. The cows, themselves, are the security. You don’t even need to necessarily own land to lease cows through CowBank.