Opinion ID: 1659935
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: summary of record

Text: On May 1, 1968, Mousel agreed in writing to sell his registered Hereford cattle to Arthur A. Daringer. The agreement described 5 groups: (1) 100 cows; (2) 32 heifers, age 4, with 15 calves at side, (3) 25 heifers, age 2; (4) 20 bulls; and (5) 79 bull and heifer yearling calves. Daringer on or before November 1, 1968, was to demand possession of groups 1, 4, and 5, and to pay the price. The price of groups 2 and 3 was paid on the date of the agreement, and those animals, except the 15 calves, were delivered to Daringer. Daringer was to be entitled to possession of the calves upon request. The unpaid balance of the purchase price was $58,000. Mousel also agreed to take reasonable care of the animals in his possession without charge until June 1, 1968. After that date Daringer was to pay the feed bill monthly to the time he claimed the animals from Mousel. On March 31, 1969, Daringer in consideration of the loan of the $58,000 executed and delivered a note, financing statement, and security agreement to State Securities. The statement and agreement were filed in Thayer County, where Daringer resided, on April 1, 1969, at 8 a.m. On April 1, 1969, Daringer notified Mousel that he desired to claim the animals and to pay the balance of the purchase price. That evening they tentatively computed the charges for the feeding of the cattle to date. They intended within a few days to evidence the obligation by a note and security agreement. Daringer then handed Mousel a check for $58,000 drawn by State Securities and payable to Mousel for Daringer. Mousel retained possession of the animals in Frontier County, where he lived. In April 1969, Mousel and Daringer (1) recomputed the feed bill to May 1, 1969; and (2) agreed that Mousel would release all the animals except 90 cows in group 1, the 90 cows representing security for payment of the feed bill. The charge, $18,523, was fair and reasonable. Daringer delivered his promissory note payable to Mousel in the sum of $18,523, with interest at the rate of 7% a year to maturity and 9% thereafter. The note was payable in installments of $5,000, $5,000, and $8,523 respectively on July 15 and October 15, 1969, and January 1, 1970. A financing statement was signed and recorded in Frontier County. The only payment made on the note was $5,000 on January 7, 1970. As to Mousel's first cause of action, that rests on the note, in the foreclosure suit Mousel alleged that (1) the credit on principal was $4,136, $864 of the payment representing interest; (2) the principal with interest at 9% a year from maturity to date totaled $15,325; and (3) the total ought to bear interest at 9% a year until paid. The court allowed Mousel's claim on the note in full. By agreement in the fall of 1969 Mousel had retained possession of the cattle, and he continued to feed them until October 30, 1970. His charges, which formed the basis of his second cause of action, $14,693.10, were fair and reasonable, and the court accordingly rendered judgment for Mousel. It found that both claims took priority over the security interest of State Securities. On the other claim the district court found no proof that a 90% breeding standard was common or ordinary even in the breeding of pure bred livestock . . . . It also found Mousel liable for damage of $8,320 to the 1969, 1970 and 1971 calf crops, but it disallowed other items of the damage claim. The evidence relating to the existence of an industry breeding standard of 90% is in conflict. In addition, according to the testimony of Mousel, he could not obtain authority from Daringer to sell cows too old to bear calves. In the summer of 1970 he delayed the servicing of the cows because of doubt respecting Daringer's intentions to breed the cows with Mousel's bulls. Other evidence tended to establish these facts: The old cows were capable of bearing calves. The delay of 1 month in the servicing of all the cows may have adversely affected the birth and condition of calves born in 1971. The calves were handled roughly in the seizure under the replevin. An appraiser testified to the good condition of the cattle at the time of the replevin. A neighbor testified that Mousel, whose herd was the Cadillac of Herefords, had taken as good, if not better, care of the herd after the sale to Daringer as he had done before the sale. A veterinarian testified to unsatisfactory care and feeding prior to the time he had seen the animals in late November 1970.