Resources for Agricultural Transportation

Serving a vital link between farmers and consumers, agricultural transportation companies bridge the gap mainly through truck or barge transport. Whether it's for grains and feed, fruit and vegetables or poultry and meat, your task is to locate the best transportation company to suit your facility's needs.

From sending one shipment every few weeks to sending 30 shipments daily, finding the best agricultural transportation company can be a timely task. Prices change often; shipping restrictions are amended. When you sit down to determine what type of company you want to do business with and what restrictions you may encounter, consider the following:

1. Locate affordable agricultural transportation companies, and hire them for your business.

2. Determine if leasing from agriculture transportation companies is better than purchasing its temporary services.

3. Stay current with late-breaking changes in transporting agriculture.

Secure well-established agricultural trucking companies to work for you

If you plan to ship one load per day or upwards of 30 to 40, you want a reliable transportation company to handle all your agricultural goods. Determine if a family-run business is better for your needs, or if you prefer a larger, corporate-run transportation company.

Think about leasing agricultural transportation equipment

There's nothing that states you need to purchase the transportation services and equipment from an agricultural company. You can just as easily lease the equipment, and use it at your convenience. This may be beneficial if you plan to ship on a moment's notice since most farm transportation companies require advanced scheduling. It may even be more cost-efficient if you plan to use the leased equipment numerous times.

Sign up with organizations, and be notified of late-breaking agricultural transport news

Join organizations or subscribe to newsletters to stay up-to-date with any changes made when transporting agriculture. If shipping overseas, certain countries require special documents or tariffs. Signing up with organizations also allows you to network with other companies within the agricultural transportation spectrum.
United States Department of Agriculture regarding transportation of grain, feed and seeds; fruit and vegetables; and meat and poultry.

• If you lease farm transportation equipment and plan to drive the goods yourself across state lines, you should check with each state's Department of Transportation. Some states have restrictions on hauling extra-wide, tall or heavy loads. Knowing these rules can avoid violations.