Cattle transport

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jorr.5166

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Feb 21, 2013
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Hi, my name is Jesse Orr, I was wondering if anyone had information on hauling cattle in and out of states. If anyone knows anything about this I would like to hear any opinions, or information on this. I am really concerned about what paperwork I might need. Thank you and hope to hear back from some of you.
 

obie105

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Are you doing it for hire or just yourself? Most generally if its for yourself just health papers atleast in most of my dealings. Iowa is worst than some states with wanting you to have a cdl if your over a certain weight even with a pick up and trailer.
 

obie105

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Agreed for brand states you need the brand papers. For hire you need to have higher insurance limits to cover everything. Is this a pickup and trailer or semi?
 

leanbeef

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Now I'm curious...what is "brand paperwork"?

Health papers are required for all interstate shipment of cattle and other livestock. Each state will have different requirements as to what needs to be on that paper, and that might sometimes depend on what state you're coming from...where the cattle originated. Between the vets who write the paper and the guys who are having the cattle shipped, you really shouldn't be the one who has to worry about all that, but since you're the one who will be responsible for whatever's on your truck, you'll wanna make sure everybody's ducks are in order so somebody else doesn't cause you problems.
 

jorr.5166

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Just a pickup and trailer. How does this work? Do I have to have health papers from the state the animal is from? I would mostly be transporting show cattle so what would I do with an animal that doesn't have brand paperwork?
 

Mueller Show Cattle

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leanbeef said:
Now I'm curious...what is "brand paperwork"?

Health papers are required for all interstate shipment of cattle and other livestock. Each state will have different requirements as to what needs to be on that paper, and that might sometimes depend on what state you're coming from...where the cattle originated. Between the vets who write the paper and the guys who are having the cattle shipped, you really shouldn't be the one who has to worry about all that, but since you're the one who will be responsible for whatever's on your truck, you'll wanna make sure everybody's ducks are in order so somebody else doesn't cause you problems.
I'm guessing that Tennessee is not a brand state? Anyway, Wyoming have brand inspectors to verify that the cattle or livestock being shipped in or through Wyoming have a matching brand to the paperwork. If the livestock do not have brands on them, then it will say no brand on the paperwork. If coming into or through Wyoming, you are required to have brand paperwork on hand with your health paperwork. For states that do not have brand paperwork, from what I have been told by Wyoming brand inspectors most states do have them but don't require brand inspections. Anyway if your livestock is coming from a state that is not a brand state and you are staying in Wyoming with the livestock, then Wyoming wants a bill of sale on the livestock with health papers and they will make out brand paperwork for you. So depending on where you are coming from will depend on that, if you are picking up livestock in Wyoming, you can not cross even county lines without brand paperwork.
 

obie105

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Western nebraska is a brand area also and I believe colorado is. We have bought a few and shown in nebraska and at check in at the show the brand inspector is always there checking all the paperwork and brands. The health papers are from your vet or where the cattle originate from. If its sale cattle you also need to have a bill of sale especially if your doing it for someone else.
 

jorr.5166

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When I cross through a state do I need to stop somewhere so a brand inspector can check on my paperwork?
 

GoWyo

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If you are just passing through Wyoming to another state, you do not need a brand inspection.  If you deliver to Wyoming from another state that is not a mandatory brand inspection state, you need the bill of sale and health papers.  If picking up in Wyoming and delivering to any other state, there will be a brand inspection form and health papers.  I am not sure whether you have to stop at the ports of entry -- someone with commercial hauling experience could chime in on that.
 

jorr.5166

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Would I need to find out what is required from the state I drop the cattle off in or where I pick them up at?
 

GoWyo

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jorr.5166 said:
Would I need to find out what is required from the state I drop the cattle off in or where I pick them up at?

Both - just to cover your butt.  You would not want to be the transporter of stolen property.
 

obie105

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New mexico and I think arizona have port of entry. You will need to know the rules of all the states you will be hauling to and from and through. Especially if your doing it for hire. You will also need to look into dot numbers and they have those for each state.
 

obie105

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The rate is based off of distance. Each state will have a dot website through the motor vehicle department.
 

jorr.5166

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Feb 21, 2013
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What about Brand and health papers? Could I find those through State websites or through USDA?
 

obie105

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The brand division has their own website I believe and you have to have health papers for basically anything that gets on your trailer from the home area of where the animal originates from and on those paper it will have a destination. The brand stuff should state which states are brand areas. They should be all out west tho.
 

kidsandkows

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I would have the owners of the animals do the leg work. But generally if they are being sold you just need to call the state vets office of the state that the animals are destined for and and they should be able to tell you what you need. You can probably google _____ state vets office for a number. If you are delivering to multiple states you probably have to do it for each one. You should not have to have anything for states that you just driving thru. If you are hauling to shows the shows should tell you what is required. I would imagine most states will require a health certificate and some will require specific tests depending on where the cattle are coming from. Anyway thats my $.02
 
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