Agriculture is vital to Alberta’s economy. While the cattle industry is specifically important to Alberta and well-known throughout the province, livestock transportation includes all animals being transported by truck, including chickens, pigs, and even insects (like bees). Livestock transportation is linked to other forms of agricultural and food products trucking. This includes the hauling of animal feed and manure and the transportation of meat products in refrigerated trailers.

Drivers in this sector operate specialized trucks and trailers meant for livestock. They also work closely with the animals themselves to ensure their welfare.

  • Seasonality

    Livestock hauling is nonseasonal, although some animals and processing facilities may be busier during specific times of the year.

  • Method of Pay

    Drivers may see various pay systems: being paid a percentage of the load’s revenue, distance-based pay (i.e., paid by the mile), salary, and by the load.

Equipment and Tasks

Livestock hauling requires the use of livestock-specific equipment. Driver duties generally include tasks related to handling the animals and maintaining their welfare.

  • Equipment

    Drivers can expect to use day cab and sleeper highway tractors, trailers designed for specific animals (like cattle liners and poultry trailers), and, less commonly, straight trucks to haul livestock.

  • Tasks

    Drivers can expect to perform common driving-specific tasks: city and highway driving, pre-and post-trip vehicle inspections, logbooks (paper or electronic), and customer service-related duties. They will also be required to perform livestock-specific tasks, including loading animals on and off trailers, working with corals and chutes, scanning livestock tags, washing out trailers, and monitoring animal wellbeing.

Lifestyle in the Industry

Professional drivers in this sector will experience the culture of the agriculture industry. This can vary depending on the size of the employer; drivers may work for small operations and deal directly with the owners, or they may work for large corporations.

Livestock hauling must consider the welfare of the animals being hauled. As a result, routes are generally scheduled with stops to allow the animals to get off the truck. Since animals are often sold in bulk, livestock hauling can be intensely busy; it requires the movement of a large number of animals with slower times between hauls.

  • Work Shifts

    Day shifts are most common, especially for the loading and unloading of animals. Shifts can start very early; they are often up to the maximum hours available to drivers (14 hours in a 16-hour window). They can also take place any day of the week.

  • Physical Demands

    While not the most physically demanding of trucking jobs, livestock haulers are required to climb in and out of trailers, assist in animal handling, and put on tire chains as needed.

  • Work/Life Balance

    Some livestock haulers work locally and can be home every night, but it’s common to be away for long trips. Drivers are often home on weekends and sometimes throughout the week, depending on the company they work for. When away, drivers sleep in the truck’s sleeper.

  • Predictability

    While livestock transportation is often well-planned and predictable, drivers may be occasionally required to change their routine to cover for someone who is sick or whose vehicle has broken down.

  • On-Call

    Being on-call is not common in livestock hauling; drivers generally know when they’re working.

Getting Started

Getting started as a professional driver in the livestock transportation sector varies between employers. Some will require a formal application and hiring process similar to any other trucking company, especially for driving-specific roles. Drivers may also get their start through another agriculture-related position, such as working in a feedlot or ranch, before transitioning into a driving role.

Livestock transportation is complicated and inexperienced drivers should be mentored by their employers and slowly eased into the position. An employer will also have to provide livestock-specific training, such as the Transport Quality Assurance (TQA) certification for new drivers.

  • Mandatory
    Requirements

    A Class 1 licence is commonly required, although there could be positions, such as driving straight trucks, where a Class 3 licence is sufficient. A TQA certification is needed. Livestock is often transported into the USA; commercial drivers entering the USA need to be at least 21 years old, comply with the USA’s drug and alcohol testing requirements, and be able to cross the border.

  • Preferred Skills &
    Previous Experience

    Previous driving, farming, trades, and mechanical experience are assets, along with customer service experience, problem-solving abilities, and a willingness to learn. Familiarity working with animals is also an asset.

Red Flags

There are many hazards and challenges present in livestock hauling. People interested in starting a career as a professional driver in livestock transportation should be on the lookout for these potential red flags (aka signs that an employer may not be operating safely):

  • Equipment and vehicles that are in poor condition.
  • Being pressured to become an owner-operator early into one’s career or any other signs of employee misclassification.
  • A lack of safety training and supervision, especially when new.
  • A lack of support when handling animals (especially when inexperienced).
  • No training in commercial driving rules, like hours of service and vehicle inspections.
  • A lack of training in handling animals and a lack of concern for animal welfare.
Quick Facts:
  • Livestock includes cattle, poultry, pigs, and even insects.
  • Livestock haulers are often very proud of the work they do; it has its own culture.
  • Drivers in this sector are often home more than other long-haul drivers while earning a high income.
  • Drivers in livestock transportation should be prepared to get their hands and clothes dirty and must be able to work with the animals they’re hauling.

More Help

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