Transporting Cattle

– Steve Boyles, OSU Beef Extension Specialist

Hauling cattle is an integral part of most operations. Whether cattle are hauled to the local livestock market or to a different pasture, ensuring that proper transportation practices are used can prevent injury to the cattle. Reducing cattle stress and injury can lead to more profitable operations.

Embedded below is a five minute presentation on YouTube that highlights many of the considerations for livestock trailer maintenance and use.

Equipment Selection Considerations

* Do not overload the truck and trailer. Check the truck’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) to ensure it can handle the load to be pulled safely.

Fit to Load?

* Are cattle physically able to be loaded and unloaded?

NOTE: USDA rule prohibits the processing of cattle that become non-ambulatory after they pass federal veterinary inspection. Additionally, the final rule requires that establishments notify inspection program personnel when cattle become non-ambulatory disabled after passing the ante-mortem, pre-slaughter inspection.

* Can cattle walk normally bearing weight on all four legs.

Maximum* number of head for trailers of different lengths for polled & dehorned cattle

Width Length

Number of cattle on trailer under. Lbs
“ft” “ft” 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1200 1400 1600 Max**
6 14 16 13 11 9 8 7 6 5 5 4 <6500
6 16 18 15 12 11 9 8 7 6 5 5 <7400
6 18 21 17 14 12 10 9 8 7 6 6 <8400
6 20 23 18 15 13 12 10 9 8 7 6 <9300
6 22 25 20 17 15 13 11 10 8 7 7 <10200
6 24 28 22 18 16 14 12 11 9 8 7 <11100
6 26 30 24 20 17 15 13 12 10 9 8 <12000
6 28 32 26 22 18 16 14 13 11 9 9 <13000
6 30 35 28 23 20 17 15 14 12 10 9 <13900
6 32 37 30 25 21 18 16 15 12 11 10 <14800
6 34 39 31 26 22 20 17 16 13 11 10 <15700
7 20 27 22 18 15 13 12 10 9 8 7 <10800
7 22 30 24 20 17 15 13 12 10 8 8 <11900
7 24 32 26 22 18 16 14 13 11 9 9 <13000
7 26 35 28 23 20 18 16 14 12 10 9 <14000
7 28 38 30 25 22 19 17 15 13 11 10 <15100
7 30 40 32 27 23 20 18 16 13 12 11 <16200
7 32 43 34 29 25 22 19 17 14 12 11 <17300
7 34 46 37 31 26 23 20 18 15 13 12 <18400

* The number of head loaded during hot conditions should be reduced.
** The maximum weight of cattle for each trailer size. Do not exceed Gross Vehicle Weight Rating for your truck and stock trailer.