Load boards that offer livestock haulage services provide a simple way to connect brokers, shippers, farmers, carriers and other livestock handlers to help move livestock more efficiently and cost-effectively. The load boards can assist shippers to find vetted transporters and it helps carriers to find loads easily to fill their vehicles and keep them on the road.
Disclaimer: Fleetlogging.com is a general business information website only. The material and information on this website should not be relied upon for making any business or legal decisions. We cannot recommend any company and/or product, nor assess your suitability for any product and/or company listed here.
The table below shows a quick price comparison of all the load board solutions that we’ve researched:
| Company name | Monthly cost | Free plan |
|---|---|---|
| Loadup | From free | Free for shippers and some carriers |
| Online Freight Services | Not stated | No |
| Livestock Haulers Hub | From free | Free to use |
| LivestockTalk | From free | Free to use |
| FR8Star | Not stated | No |
| Livestock Transport Nation | From free | Free plan |
*The prices in the table above (where available) come directly from each company’s website and were accurate at the time of writing. Since then, those prices may have changed.
We’ve listed the results of our load board research and the features of each company’s product in a bit more detail below. You’ll be able to see the benefits of their service and some general information about the company as well.
*companies are ranked in no particular order.
Topics
1. Loadup
Loadup offers two load boards that cater for two separate geographical markets – one for the US and Canada and the other for the rest of the world.
- Offers a load board that is free for shippers
- Some carriers can also use the load board for free depending on their truck type
- Carriers need to sign up for a membership and a fee may apply
- They cater for 35 different vehicle types including livestock
- They offer services for freight users from brokers to individuals
- Offer search capabilities to find suitable loads
- Posts include detailed information about the load
- Alerts can be set up for loads that match your needs
- Members get access to loads without bidding, auctions or commission
- Membership includes a listing in their directory
Website: http://www.usacanadaloadup.com/
2. Online Freight Services
Online Freight Services offers freight systems that help businesses manage their shipments and loads more effectively.
- They provide an easy to use load board
- Has a network of over 50,000 carriers which includes livestock carriers
- They offer a variety of load types which include livestock loads
- They claim to offer competitive load rates
- You can search for suitable loads
- It allows you to check payment details and status
- Quick payment options are available
- Provides out-of-hours support to users
- Integrations are available to streamline your processes
- Includes TMSPro that can handle collections, issue invoices and pay carriers
Website: https://onlinefreight.com/
3. Livestock Haulers Hub
Livestock Haulers Hub is a specialist load board that is a self-service platform for haulers and shippers that need to move livestock across the US.
- Offers a free to use livestock load board
- It is a self-service platform with no intermediary services
- Provides a network of 5,500 diverse users
- Users need to register for an account to access the load board
- They help connect shippers and carriers so that they can work together
- The load board is searchable to help you find loads to meet your needs
- An interactive map displays where loads are available by each state
- Receive notifications about new suitable loads
- Book your loads directly with the shipper not through the load board
- Loads are submitted through a load form
Website: https://livestockhaulershub.com/
4. LivestockTalk
LivestockTalk provides a load board that is dedicated to assisting moving livestock in the US and supporting the livestock industry.
- Their livestock load board is free to use
- Designed for livestock owners, carriers and brokers
- Helps the livestock industry share loads and find carriers
- They offer a load board that is simple to use
- Search and apply for loads quickly with a few clicks
- Provides direct contact between parties to book loads
- Customise your load alerts to receive notifications for loads that match your needs
- Shippers can post loads easily and quickly
- The load board allows you to manage your loads through it
- Offers stats on your posts
Website: https://www.livestocktalk.com/
5. FR8star
FR8star provides a trucking marketplace for qualified transportation companies and shippers so that they can offer better load opportunities and find shippers.
- Offers a load board that caters for a range of loads including livestock
- Their load board can be used by carriers and shippers
- It provides loads that cover the US
- They offer three tiers of plans
- The load board can be searched by location, shipment type, load/unload method and special load requirements
- Transparent bids with no hidden costs
- Their freight experts will help with planning, booking and fulfilling your loads
- Allows shippers to build their post for loads to be bid on
- They provide a load board that is expandable to other connected platforms
- Provides industry information and insight to assist users
Website: https://www.fr8star.com/
6. Livestock Transport Nation
Livestock Transport Nation offers a load board and load management system that is dedicated to the livestock industry and helps them manage loads and animal welfare.
- Offers a load board just for livestock
- Specialist load board catering for truckers, shippers, receivers, buyers, producers, processors, dispatchers, vendors, ranchers and feed lots
- Four plans are available including a free plan for those posting loads
- Carriers need to select one of the paid plans
- A 60-day free trial is available for carriers
- Load tracking is available to provide visibility
- It can help with billing and invoices
- It can also store your records
- You can coordinate inventory on the Enterprise plan
- The load board can streamline communication and save time
Website: https://www.livestocktransportnation.com/
Livestock load board Q&A
What are livestock loads?
Livestock loads are the transportation of animals using specialist vehicles for purposes such as slaughter, auction, breeding, grazing, livestock shows, fairs and rodeos. Livestock can include a variety of animals such as horses, sheep, chickens, cows, goats and bees.
The vehicles used to transport livestock are specialised trailers that are designed to transport animals and protect their welfare. Livestock transporters need to hold valid transporter authority which will be either for short journeys or longer journeys over 65km and up to and including eight hours long. All journeys should be minimised and the animals’ needs should be met during the journey as well as the animals should be checked to be fit to travel before being transported.
Why should you use a livestock hauler?
If you need to move livestock you will need to use an authorised livestock transporter that will meet the needs of the animals during the journey. There are legislation and regulations which apply and government organisations are involved in regulating the transportation of livestock to ensure their welfare.
Therefore it is important to ensure that you use an appropriate livestock hauler with the required authority to transport your animals.
A livestock transporter must adhere to a range of standards which includes keeping records of their loads, providing holding periods and facilities for long journeys, holding health certificates, and having contingency plans in place. The livestock may also need to have veterinary inspection and certification in order for them to travel.
Do all livestock load boards show rates?
A few load boards do display the rates but these tend to be in the minority. Many of the load boards don’t display the load rates intentionally as they have created a load board that aims to stimulate competition for the loads by getting carriers to bid for the loads. This means that shippers or brokers will get a more competitive price for their load. If rates were included on the load board it may not encourage competition.
Some load boards do provide some assistance to help their users calculate their rates by providing historical rate information and rate calculators. This can assist carriers in working out what they should be bidding or quoting, and it can help shippers assess the bids they receive as it gives them a benchmark.
Which load board pays the most?
It is difficult to compare load boards to see which load board will pay the most as what they pay per load is largely down to the carrier. Carriers decide which loads they want to bid on and some loads may be more profitable than others, and they may also decide the rate if they are bidding for the load as they will decide what price to bid for.
As such carriers can decide what profits they are willing to accept for a load when they bid for the load or choose to go for an advertised load.
Load boards can have a small impact on the profitability of a load as the load board may charge for their services. How load boards work and are monetised varies as they operate very differently.
Some load boards can be completely free, some are free to use but charge a fee for any loads won, and others charge a monthly subscription. When selecting a load board and going for loads whether that is bidding or going for advertised rates, you will need to factor in the fees or charges that will be applied to load if won.
Are there any restrictions around using a livestock hauler?
Hauling livestock in the United States is governed by a combination of federal, state, and industry regulations designed to ensure the safety, welfare, and humane treatment of animals during transport.
These regulations cover various aspects of livestock transportation, including vehicle specifications, loading and unloading procedures, rest periods, food and water provisions, and handling practices. Here’s an overview of the key rules and considerations:
Federal Regulations
- Hours of Service (HOS) Exemptions: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) provides exemptions to the HOS regulations for drivers transporting agricultural commodities, including livestock, within a 150 air-mile radius from the source of the commodities. This exemption is designed to allow more flexibility for the transport of live animals.
- Animal Welfare Act (AWA): While the AWA primarily regulates the treatment of animals in research, exhibition, transport, and by dealers, it has provisions that indirectly affect livestock during transport, mainly through the enforcement of humane handling practices.
- 21-Hour Rule: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) enforces regulations that require animals to be unloaded for feed, water, and rest for at least 5 consecutive hours after 28 hours of continuous transport. However, this rule is subject to exemptions, such as when animals are transported in vehicles with appropriate food, water, and space to allow them to lie down.
State Regulations
State regulations can vary significantly and may impose stricter requirements than federal rules. These can include:
- Specific requirements for the transport vehicle’s design and operation to ensure adequate ventilation, temperature control, and space.
- Additional requirements for rest, water, and feed intervals.
- Health and veterinary certificates proving the animals are fit for transport and free from contagious diseases.
Industry Guidelines
Various industry groups and associations provide guidelines and best practices for the humane transport of livestock. These guidelines often cover:
- Training for handlers and drivers in animal behavior and welfare.
- Recommendations for loading densities, to ensure animals have enough space.
- Best practices for loading and unloading to minimize stress and injury to the animals.
- Recommendations for cleaning and disinfecting vehicles between loads to prevent disease spread.
Important Considerations
- Planning: Ensuring routes are planned to minimize travel time and avoid extreme temperatures.
- Vehicle Requirements: Using vehicles designed or modified for livestock, with features to prevent injury and ensure comfort, such as non-slip floors, proper ventilation, and partitions to separate animals if necessary.
- Animal Fitness for Transport: Only animals that are fit and healthy should be transported. Special considerations are required for pregnant, injured, or sick animals.
It’s crucial for anyone involved in the transport of livestock to be familiar with and comply with all applicable regulations and guidelines to ensure the welfare of the animals and to avoid legal penalties.
Given the variation in state laws and the specifics of different livestock species, consulting with local agricultural extension services or professional associations for species-specific transportation guidelines is also advisable.