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.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

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.

I recommend: As one of the largest agricultural processors in the world, Archer Daniels Midland offers premier agriculture transport at an affordable price. Garber Farms, established in 1995, can provide any type of trailer you may need to ship your agricultural goods.

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.

I recommend: AgriFleet Leasing offers the option of leasing its agricultural transportation equipment. Featuring liquid transports, high-end dump trailers and sugar cane trailers, you're sure to find help with your farm transportation needs. Equipment Leasing Depot is another option; it represents numerous companies to help with rural and commercial businesses.

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.

I recommend: Look to join the Agriculture Transportation Coalition (AgTC) if you export agricultural goods. This organization assists sellers in becoming more competitive within the international market and keeps on top of transportation issues. The Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute sponsors a yearly international food transportation summit. Check out its site for further information regarding agenda as well as sponsors. Search out national information from the United States Department of Agriculture regarding transportation of grain, feed and seeds; fruit and vegetables; and meat and poultry.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  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.