Nelson v. DeKalb Swine Breeders, Inc.

952 F. Supp. 622, 1996 WL 769941
CourtDistrict Court, N.D. Iowa
DecidedDecember 8, 1996
DocketC95-2041
StatusPublished
Cited by11 cases

This text of 952 F. Supp. 622 (Nelson 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
Nelson v. DeKalb Swine Breeders, Inc., 952 F. Supp. 622, 1996 WL 769941 (N.D. Iowa 1996).

Opinion

OPINION and ORDER

MELLOY, Chief Judge.

This matter is before the Court on Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment (doc. # 8), filed June 17, 1996. Plaintiffs initially filed their complaint in state court, alleging: 1) breach of express warranties; 2) breach of implied contract; 8) 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 12, 1995. Defendant now moves for summary judgment on all counts.

BACKGROUND

Plaintiffs own and operate a hog farm in Iowa. They contracted with Defendant to purchase two boars for breeding purposes on August 3, 1993. The boars were delivered and they successfully impregnated Plaintiffs gilts. The boars, however, were diseased and the baby pigs fathered by them suffered from “shaker pig” or congenital tremors 1 , causing a number of them to die.

The contract for the sale of the boars contained 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 *625 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 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. BUYER’S REMEDY OF REPLACEMENT OF SWINE (OR AT DEKALB’S OPTION, REFUND OF THE PURCHASE PRICE) FOR FAILURE TO CONFORM TO THE WARRANTY OF CONTRACT DESCRIPTION, TO THE LIMITED WARRANTY OF FERTILITY AND FOR MANIFESTATIONS OF CERTAIN PATHOGENS OR DISEASES, AS MORE FULLY SET FORTH IN PARAGRAPHS 5 AND 6 ON THE BACK OF THIS PAGE, IS THE BUYER’S SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY AS AGAINST DEKALB ARISING OUT OF THE PURCHASE OF SWINE HEREUNDER.
C. 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.
D. LIMITATION ON DAMAGES. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL DEKALB BE LIABLE TO BUYER FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR CLAIMS OF ANY KIND, WHETHER ARISING IN CONTRACT, TORT, NEGLIGENCE, STRICT PRODUCTS LIABILITY, STATUTORY OR *626

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952 F. Supp. 622, 1996 WL 769941, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/nelson-v-dekalb-swine-breeders-inc-iand-1996.