Complete vaccinations and veterinary inspections no more than 30 days before transporting livestock

If you're shipping within the 48 contiguous states, regulations for livestock transport may differ. While your state may not require that 2-year-old heifers have Brucellosis vaccinations as long as there's a record that they had the vaccination when they were calves, another state may require the vaccine or a Bangs test. Although you can get vaccinations and appropriate paperwork handled quickly, testing sometimes has a longer turnaround time. Also, if you need a veterinarian to make a ranch call, you may be looking at considerable lead time.

I recommend: No matter where you're shipping, the agency that regulates livestock movement in the United States is the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the USDA. You'll need an APHIS transport form with your load. You may also need a state or federal health certificate from your veterinarian.

Ask potential livestock shippers about their commitment to safety

Anyone who ships livestock should be licensed with the USDA under the Animal Protection Act. Reputable livestock haulers make humane shipping methods and animal safety their top priorities and they know their death rates. Ask about those rates. As you make industry contacts, interview the shippers as you would any potential employee to whom you would entrust your livelihood. Get references (preferably satisfied clients), and actually verify them.

I recommend: Thigpen Trucking offers a large fleet of cattle trucks in Texas, and also offers pre-transport feedlot services. Tejas Registered Longhorn Ranch has an online form for requesting information.

Hire independent livestock trucks to save money

Some websites offer listing services to bring shippers and haulers together, like Livestock Haulers classifieds.

I recommend: Bull Wagons is a members-only website that offers a demonstration of its site's features. Navigate the demo to see if a site like this is one you could use.