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Transportation laws for livestock, farm goods vary

 

An instructor says many producers do not understand agricultural transportation requirements.

Truck driving instructor Steve Denzer has more than 20 years of experience driving trucks and raising shorthorn cattle, which he shows around the country.  Denzer says once money changes hands, the transportation rules are different.  “Once you’re involved in commerce, you’re required to have DOT numbers.  It doesn’t matter if you’re in-state or out-of-state.”

 

And he says that includes fair and show animals that are sold or earn a prize because that’s also considered commerce.

Denzer says in some states, farmers can haul animals and ag products between their own farms but encourages keeping trip logs as a precaution.  “The issue becomes if they’re involved in some form of accident or something like this where insurance companies and lawyers get involved, now you have to have the ability to prove that you started at point A, you finished at point B, and both of those were in your family or in your name.”

For long trips, Denzer says it’s the driver’s responsibility to follow each state’s different regulations, which vary.