CATTLE HAULING
Updated: Feb 26
If your business needs to hire a carrier to move cattle, it’s important that you understand the basics of cattle hauling. From safety standards to shipping methods, getting familiar with the landscape can help ensure that your shipments are completed on time and without issue. Let's take a look at what you need to know about cattle hauling.
Safety Protocols for Cattle Haulers
The safety of animals is always a top priority when it comes to animal transportation and cattle hauling is no exception. All carriers must adhere to strict safety protocols in order to protect the health and well-being of the animals they transport. This includes providing adequate ventilation and temperature regulation in their trucks as well as ensuring that they have enough food, water, and rest stops along their route. Additionally, all drivers must be knowledgeable about state regulations related to animal handling and transport in order to guarantee the safe delivery of their cargo.
Types of Shipping Methods for Cattle
When it comes to shipping cattle, there are two main methods used by carriers: live haul or dead haul. Live haul involves transporting live animals from point A to point B while dead haul involves transporting deceased livestock for disposal or recycling purposes. The type of shipping method used will depend on various factors such as the distance between pick-up and drop-off points, local laws regarding animal transport, and the condition of the livestock being shipped. It's important that shippers communicate their specific requirements with carriers before they agree on a shipping method so that everyone is on the same page when it comes time for delivery.
What Farmers Need To Know About Transporting Cattle
They trust truckers to load, transport, and unload their livestock entirely without ever confirming the drivers' credentials. In the past, it was customary for truckers to herd cattle into the truck using an electric prod and a whip while yelling as loudly as they could.
Today's cow-calf enterprises hopefully don't experience many of these situations, but the producer should do everything within their power to prevent them.
Your cattle will become stressed if a truck driver mistreats them, which will lower the quality of the final output. Stress in cattle can weaken their resistance to disease, bruise their carcasses, produce black cuts, increase shrink, and harm both people and other animals.
In the same way that they should with their veterinarian and animal nutritionist, farmers need to establish a good rapport with their shipping firm.
Freight Rates for Cattle Haulers
Freight rates for animal transportation vary depending on factors such as weight, distance traveled, type of cargo (live vs dead), and more. Carriers typically base their freight rates on these factors in order to ensure fair pricing across the board while still covering their costs associated with fuel, insurance, maintenance fees, etc. Before agreeing on a rate with a particular carrier, be sure to do some research into industry averages so that you can negotiate an agreement that works for both parties involved in the transaction.
Conclusion:
Cattle hauling is an important part of many businesses' operations but it's also highly regulated due to safety concerns related to animal transport. That said, understanding key concepts such as safety protocols and types of shipping methods can make all the difference when it comes time for delivery day—so make sure you do your research before agreeing on any freight rates with carriers! By doing so, you can help ensure that your shipment arrives safely and on time every time!