1982 - Volume #6, Issue #2, Page #20
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Professional Bull Washer
Montana businessman Jim Seibert, of Billings, has developed a profitable sideline washing bulls.A sleek, clean bull brings more money than a dirty one. But it isn't always easy for a cattleman to get his bulls cleaned up before a sale. That's where Seibert comes into the picture.
His mobile bull-washing business, called Fleet Wash, consists of a boiler, generator, high pressure (1,000 lb.) pump, and a 300-gal. hot water tank mounted on a truck.
A full tank of water will last for 1 1/2 hours of washing. Seibert charges $2-$10 per head, depending on how fast he can put the cattle through a wash. He usually works above and around the sides of a pen of bulls, and occasionally he puts one in a squeeze chute.
With the help of such common detergents as Amway "LOC" or "Basic H" the hot water and pressure do an excellent cleanup job.
"Washing an animal is only part of the job," says Seibert. "Sometimes, I team up with a cattle fitter who trims the long hair and grooms the entire animal. A washed and fitted animal can bring $100 more than a dirty one."
Seibert says his business could be expanded to horses, pigs and other kinds of show and sale animals. Currently, he washes a lot of other things besides livestock. "People have hired me to wash buildings, trucks and road equipment. I'm portable, so I can go to the job if they can't bring the job to me," he points out. "I'll go most anywhere if the job is big enough to justify the mileage expense, and the time spent behind the wheel."
For the young man who might aspire to being a bull washer, Seibert thinks there is lots of opportunity. His basic equipment cost about $6,500. He advises, however, that a washer get teamed up with a cattle fitting service.
"It's a part-time business for me," he says, "but it would really be good for a man who goes into it full-time and stays on the road, working with a cattle fitting service."
For more information, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Jim Seibert, Fleet Wash, 1615 Blarney St., Billings, Mont. 59101 (ph 406 245-5565).
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