Frequently Asked Questions

Why choose an agricultural or animal appraiser?
Agricultural & animal appraisals are a unique service created to establish past, present or future market values of agricultural equipment and animals for purposes such as charitable donations, insurance policies and claims, divorce, estate settlements and litigation. A professional report is created for each appraisal. This service is vital to all owners, as well as attorneys, accountants and insurance companies that deal with cases involving agriculture & animals. If a client is involved in a litigation case and has hired an attorney not familiar with agriculture or livestock, a knowledgeable and experienced agricultural, livestock or equine appraiser can go over key evidence and help draw up rebuttal questions or research important evidence for the case, as well as providing invaluable expert witness testimony.

What can an appraisal be used for?

• To establish past, present or future market value
• For insurance purposes
• For legal matters, estate matters, matrimonial agreements, wills and dissolving or establishing partnerships
• For bank financing and/or collateral
• Any other reason for placing a value on agricultural equipment or animals

What does your Daventry appraisal include?

• We offer a free, no obligation initial consultation by telephone
• Detailed data collection, including all pertinent information
• Analysis of the appraised item or subject animal(s)
• Comparison of the subject property to others in the current or past market
• A Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) complaint report that is also considered a qualified appraisal by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
• Completed and signed IRS Form 8283 (for U.S. donation appraisals)
• A professional report that is admissible in court
• All appraisals are strictly confidential

What are some of the types of agricultural equipment and animals Daventry Appraisal Services appraises?

• Horses
• Cattle
• Llamas & Alpacas
• Sheep
• Goats
• Pigs
• Poultry, Exotic Chickens & Waterfowl
• Deer, Elk, & Bison
• Breeding show dogs/breeding show cats
• Exotic pets
• Exotic and endangered animals (both land and marine)
• Animal actors for film & television
• Frozen semen
• Frozen embryos
• Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) breeding doses
• English & western tack
• Horse & livestock trailers
• Hydroponic fodder systems
• Equine salt water spas
• Equine therapy equipment
• Veterinary medical equipment
• Farm equipment & machinery

Does Daventry Appraisal Services appraise farm land or equine facilities?
No. Our speciality and certification involves personal property only. If you are in need of an appraisal for agricultural land or an equestrian facility, it is important to hire a certified real estate appraiser who is licensed to appraise agricultural land and/or commercial equestrian properties. Real estate appraisers must be licensed directly with the Appraisal Institute of Canada, or in the case of the United States, licensed with their State real estate organization.

Do you provide services to attorneys, accountants or insurance agents?
Yes. Daventry appraisals have been used in litigation for civil disputes, fraud, tax disputes and for some of the major insurance companies in the United States, Canada, and Europe. You can be confident that your appraisal will hold up to the highest standards, including litigation, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA). We have completed appraisals for countries as far away as Saudi Arabia and Australia. We also provide additional services such as expert witness consulting, pre-trial investigation, explanation to counsel on case merits or lack thereof, etc.

Are your appraisals qualified to be used in a court of law?
Yes. Daventry appraisals are considered qualified for legal purposes internationally. We have also qualified as an expert in court proceedings in Canada, the United States, and Europe.

Can Daventry Appraisal Services determine the value of agricultural equipment or animals they have not physically seen?
Yes. Inspections, expert witness depositions and testimony are available remotely via FaceTime, Skype, Zoom & Microsoft Teams. Due to agricultural equipment or animals that are no longer available for inspection (i.e. deceased, stolen, previously donated, no access to the subject property or the appraisal is based on some point in the past), much of our work is done by conducting appraisals under extraordinary assumptions. This type of appraisal requires that we assume some of the facts by using information obtained through documentation and validation by other sources. It should be noted that appraisals that are needed for litigation and involve a healthy, living animal and a current appraisal date may benefit from having an on-site inspection of the animal completed. It is always best to discuss options with legal counsel.

What does fair market value mean?
This is the highest price, estimated in terms of money, that an informed buyer would pay for a particular item on any given day.

I am considering donating an item or animal. What do I need to know before donating?
Daventry Appraisal Services is considered a qualified appraiser with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Donating your item or animal to a school or non-profit organization is a good, charitable contribution you can make. First, make sure that the school or organization qualifies as a charity or non-profit organization under the IRS/CRA guidelines. Then, consult with an accountant to determine if you are eligible to receive a tax deduction. The IRS/CRA will allow you to deduct the "fair market value" price your item or animal would bring on the day you make the donation. Example; if you donate an aged horse that has been retired from hunter/jumper competition, you cannot claim the same amount you paid for the horse when they were a young, sound jumper champion.

If the value is more than $5,000, you will need to support the donation with a written appraisal by a qualified, independent expert. It is important to note that appraisal reports that have been completed more than 60 days prior to the date of donation will not be accepted by the IRS/CRA. When donating a horse, is important to ask the school or non-profit organization if they plan to keep your horse for at least three years. If your horse is removed from the program before three years are up, you may get a notification from the IRS reducing your donation tax credit.

I am currently involved in an IRS dispute/appeal. Can Daventry Appraisal Services help me?
Yes. Our appraisal reports are both IRS and USPAP compliant and are considered qualified appraisals by the IRS. Although none of our current clients have had appraisal reports denied by the IRS, we have been retained by new clients involved in IRS appeals or that have had a previously submitted appraisal report, completed by another appraiser, deemed non-compliant by the IRS. We have successfully helped these clients navigate the appeals process and have also been retained to write new appraisal reports for resubmission to the IRS.

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, show records and earnings
• 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

How much does it cost to get an appraisal done?

• An average appraisal costs approximately $500 to $700. However, each appraisal is unique so please call for an individualized quote
• Discounts are available for multiple animals or items
• Feel free to contact us for fees and information

How long does it take to get a completed appraisal report?
Normal time required for a single item or animal appraisal is 10 to 14 days from receipt of pertinent information and payment. We do offer rush service for an additional fee for clients who require a report in 9 days or less.

We are one of only a handful of Senior Agricultural/Livestock Appraiser in North America. What is the difference between an Accredited Agricultural/Livestock Appraiser and a Senior Agricultural/Livestock Appraiser?
An accredited appraiser is an entry level appraiser with the American Society of Agricultural Appraisers (ASAA). Accredited appraiser applicants should complete the ASAA Principles of Valuation course (35 hours), ASAA Advanced Principles of Valuation course (70 hours) and the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) 15-hour course. It should be noted that there are no mandatory continuing education requirements and it is all done on a strictly volunteer basis. So, while an accredited appraiser may hold a valid and current appraisal membership, it does not necessarily mean they have completed all of the courses and programs set out by the appraisal organization.

A senior appraiser is an accredited member who has successfully completed ASAA's Professional Appraisal Courses (105 hours), has met the Appraiser Qualifications Board's Personal Property Appraisal Minimum Qualification Criteria (minimum 700 appraisal hours), completed the 15-hour Uniform Standards of Appraisal Practice (USPAP) course and is an ASAA member in good standing. Senior Appraisers are encouraged to meet the AQB Criteria's continuing education requirements every five years to retain their Senior status, but as already mentioned above, it is not mandatory. When hiring an Appraiser, it is important to ask what kind of continuing education and courses an appraiser has taken. As markets are constantly changing, it is important that an appraiser keeps themselves current and understands how to properly perform, develop and write a personal property appraisal.

Daventry Appraisal Services is committed to providing our clients with the most up-to-date and knowledgeable appraisers. As a result, we comply with all of the Appraiser Qualifications Board's Personal Property Appraisal Minimum Qualification Criteria. This includes attending a 7-hour USPAP updating course once every two years as well as 70 hours of continuing education every five years, which includes 20 hours of coursework related to valuation theory.

I am in need of an equine attorney. Are there any you can recommend?

While we may not always be able to recommend a specific attorney in your State or Province, we can certainly help point you to the equine attorneys available in your area. It is important to note that if you do seek the help of an equine attorney, it may be beneficial to find an attorney who practices in your home State or Province, as laws may vary from State to State, or Province to Province.