Brunsman v. DeKalb Swine Breeders, Inc.

952 F. Supp. 628, 31 U.C.C. Rep. Serv. 2d (West) 751, 1996 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 20044, 1996 WL 769942
CourtDistrict Court, N.D. Iowa
DecidedDecember 8, 1996
DocketC95-2054
StatusPublished
Cited by8 cases

This text of 952 F. Supp. 628 (Brunsman v. DeKalb Swine Breeders, Inc.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, N.D. Iowa primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Brunsman v. DeKalb Swine Breeders, Inc., 952 F. Supp. 628, 31 U.C.C. Rep. Serv. 2d (West) 751, 1996 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 20044, 1996 WL 769942 (N.D. Iowa 1996).

Opinion

OPINION and ORDER

MELLOY, Chief Judge.

This matter is before the Court on Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment (doe. #8), filed June 17, 1996. Plaintiffs initially filed their complaint in state court, alleging: 1) breach of express warranties; 2) breach of implied contract; 3) breach of implied warranty of fitness for a particular use or purpose; 4) breach of implied warranty of merchantability; 5) negligent misrepresentation; 6) fraudulent misrepresentation; 7) negligence; and 8) breach of contract. The case was removed to this Court on June 26, 1995. Defendant now moves for summary judgment on all counts.

BACKGROUND

Plaintiffs’ claims arise out of their purchase of seven boars from Defendant pursuant to a contract dated October 29, 1992. The boars were delivered on April 12, 1993 and were bred to Plaintiffs’ gilts. In August of 1993, some of the baby pigs born to the *631 gilts showed signs of shaking, a condition known as shaker pig syndrome or congenital tremors, a virus for which there is no manner of detection or cure. Plaintiff claims at least 100 baby pigs died as a result. When Plaintiffs questioned a representative of Defendant regarding the congenital tremors, they were informed that it would “run its course.” Plaintiffs’ veterinarian provided them with the same advice.

The contract between Plaintiffs and Defendant contained the following provision regarding the time limit for bringing suit:

TIME TO BRING SUIT. THE BUYER AGREES THAT IN NO EVENT MAY ANY LAWSUIT ARISING OUT OF THE SWINE SOLD HEREUNDER OR OF THIS CONTRACT BE FILED AGAINST DEKALB MORE THAN ONE YEAR FROM DELIVERY OF THE SWINE.

The contract also provided the following provisions:

4. FERTILITY — LIMITED WARRANTY AND LIMITED REMEDY.
A LIMITED WARRANTY
Subject to paragraph 5C, DEKALB warrants that:
Boars. A boar will serve and settle sows after he has reached eight months of age, under hand mating conditions only (some boars may need assistance). This warranty is not made when boars are used for pen or pasture breeding____
B. LIMITED REMEDY
As BUYER’S sole and limited remedy, for an animal which does not conform to this Limited Warranty of Fertility, DE-KALB shall, at its option, either (i) deliver a replacement animal or (ii) refund its purchase price, subject to the following:
Physical Condition. At time of replacement the swine to be replaced must be of the same flesh and physical condition as it was at the time of purchase.
No Maintenance Charges. When replacement is made, no charges for feed or maintenance shall be made by DEKALB or BUYER.
Procedures for Claim. All claims for lack of fertility shall be made in writing to DEKALB within five calendar months after date of delivery. The BUYER shall at BUYER’S expense, and at DEKALB’s option (i) return the animal to DEKALB’s place of business or (ii) send the animal to slaughter and provide for payment of all market proceeds directly to DEKALB.
6. PATHOGENS AND DISEASE-STATEMENT AND LIMITED REPLACEMENT POLICY.
PATHOGENS AND DISEASE STATEMENT.
Organisms which cause swine diseases (called pathogens) are present in virtually every swine herd, including DE-KALB’s swine herds. Pathogens or diseases which have occurred, or which may occur, in DEKALB’s swine herds include: ... Viral Pathogens: ... congenital tremors virus...
The outbreak of diseases, however, is caused by many factors in addition to the presence of pathogens within a swine or a swine herd. Although DEKALB attempts to minimize the presence of pathogens and disease in its herds and in the swine breeding stock it sells, DEKALB CANNOT AND DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ABSENCE OF ANY PATHOGENS OR DISEASE IN THE BREEDING STOCK SOLD BY DEKALB. PATHOGENS OR DISEASES MAY BE PRESENT AT TIME OF SALE OR MAY APPEAR LATER.
7. TESTING AND QUARANTINE-BUYER’S RESPONSIBILITY.
At BUYER’S expense, BUYER may have DEKALB test the swine for pathogens or diseases prior to delivery. BUYER may cancel this Contract prior to delivery on the basis of such test results. In such case DEKALB will refund the deposit, minus the costs of testing.
DEKALB suggests that BUYER quarantine all newly purchased stock after delivery and test for pathogens and diseases that are of concern to the BUYER. BUYER expressly accepts all responsibility for:
a. The presence of any pathogen or disease (other than the Replaceable Diseases), including, but not limited to, those *632 pathogens or diseases listed in the Pathogen and Disease Statement above.
b. The emergence or appearance of a Replaceable Disease after the 10-day period or quarantine period, if applicable, set forth above has passed.
e. The presence of any pathogen or disease in any swine other than swine purchased under this Contract.
9. BUYER’S RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT
There are numerous factors affecting the health, fitness, performance, and productivity of swine, including management, handling, nutrition, environment, sanitation, facilities, stress and disease. Furthermore, these same factors can cause and materially affect infertility and diseases of swine, and the resulting economic impact, if any.
Except for the limited warranty and limited remedy set forth in paragraph 5 and the Replacement Policy set forth in paragraph 6, the BUYER accepts full responsibility for these other factors and for the health, fitness, performance and productivity of the swine sold hereunder or the Buyer’s swine herd.
BUYER has full responsibility for swine mortality or lack of soundness unless caused by a Replaceable Disease.
11. LIMITATION ON WARRANTIES AND REMEDIES
A. WARRANTIES AND DISCLAIMERS OF WARRANTIES. DEKALB WARRANTS ONLY THAT THE SWINE ARE AS DESCRIBED IN THIS CONTRACT, AND DEKALB ALSO PROVIDES THE LIMITED WARRANTIES REGARDING FERTILITY AS SET FORTH MORE FULLY IN PARAGRAPH 5. DEKALB GIVES NO OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, REGARDING THE SWINE OR THEIR PROGENY. DEKALB GIVES NO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, HEALTH OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
B. EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES.

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952 F. Supp. 628, 31 U.C.C. Rep. Serv. 2d (West) 751, 1996 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 20044, 1996 WL 769942, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/brunsman-v-dekalb-swine-breeders-inc-iand-1996.