Karen Walsh: Contract rearing gone wrong - what can I do?

Contract rearing agreements have become popular in recent years - but what are your rights when things go wrong?

Contract rearing agreements have become popular in recent years.

Dear Karen,

I entered into a contract-rearing agreement with a local farmer. I paid him to provide housing and feed for some heifers, but when I went to check on the animals after they had been with the rearer for a couple of months, they were not in good condition. They were not well fed and were on dirty straw when I visited.