[Ryson1]

Hi all

I am a small farmer who has a super B and is looking to get into custom grain hauling in my local area. My truck is commercially registered and insured, and everything is by the book. There are a couple others in the area already, but they are all based about a half hour away - should be enough work to go around. I was trying to get some feedback on the best ways to get the word spreading around. I had some cards made up and dropped a bunch at the local elevators and seed cleaning plants already. I was trying not to go around to neighbours to drum up business, as I don't want to be perceived as trying to steal business from someone else. The way I view it, if a farmer comes to me and asks me to haul, that is his choice - I did not ask him to use me over someone else, and therefore the other haulers shouldn't take issue with me over it. Not sure how everyone else views this type of thing? Any feedback is much appreciated.

 

[Northern Farmer]

This isn't in answer to your question really but wondered if you could give a vague idea as to the hauling area that you would be sourcing from and if your loads would be headed to the Rycroft terminals, Sexsmith Viterra or Dreyfus in Dawson for that matter ? . Another words if your an option at times because when we've sourced out custom hauling, sometimes we are looking when other farmers are too and the custom haulers are busy and we can't get anyone.

 

[alfred123]

call elevators they will give you work or brokers know your cost and don't work to cheap once word gets around you will have more work than you want. Also you will need cargo insurance most likely and if you haul fertilizer or out of province an A plate not just C plate. Also if you leave alberta you will have to join IFTA not a big deal though I run A plate on my truck and IFTA year round now I use clear fuel even for the farm little more money but less hassle I use enough CO OP fuel that I am the cheap rate same as bigger carriers so its not much more than died and less hassle from IFTA and no switching plates. Advertise at elevators also and local papers if you do a good job soon word of mouth will take off and spread like wildfire though

 

[johndeere1]

Your paying 20% more Alfred.

That adds up big time if your hauling a lot of your own grain.

 

[Ryson1]

Thanks for the pointers so far. Northern farmer - I am not plated for interprovincial at the moment, but if there is enough interest I would be willing to change that. As for the rest of the terminals you listed, those would be my primary delivery points. I am based in Spirit River.

 

[Northern Farmer]

Ryson 1, So your definitely in the area then as a haul from "here" would be 40 km one way to Rycroft Pioneer for example since I am down highway 733 a ways. For sure any product that would get hauled into BC we would have to get custom done as its not worth it for us to go through the hassles of registering for BC.

 

[05cummins]

I would not be worried about the other trucking outfits.

Its a free market here as to say anyone can start doing almost anything.
When we started a construction company I did not lose a wink of sleep over what the other outfits thought Do the work at a price point you can make money. And start trucking.

Take ads out in local papers and definitely get on the web we had a jump in work the week the website went up. every body gets on the web via smart phone these days to look for stuff including const outfits and trucking.

 

[alfred123]

Your paying 20% more Alfred.

That adds up big time if your hauling a lot of your own grain.

Actually if by using the cardlock year round it equates to around 10% more cost of fuel the advantage is a can back haul legally after hauling my own grain I can custom haul at anytime (dye can stay in tanks for a while) and I don't have to run two plates ($800yr savings) so I all reality it I don't think I burn $8000 Yr hauling my own grain. Although it would be close and like I say the longer hauls for example if I haul my oats to Emerson I grab a back haul. If I where to cancel the A plate its a huge headache to get back into the IRP program so I think this is the best option for me. That being said if you don't cross provincial or state borders and only haul grain switching from a C plate (which is all that's required) to an F plate is much easier.

 

[alfred123]

Thanks for the pointers so far. Northern farmer - I am not plated for interprovincial at the moment, but if there is enough interest I would be willing to change that. As for the rest of the terminals you listed, those would be my primary delivery points. I am based in Spirit River.

Adding interprovincial means IRP it can get pricey as under C plate you would have to buy a permit everytime you went out of province. IRP is around $5000 yr for the plate then you have to add truck and cargo insurance and liability it can easily add up to around $8000+ and if you add a state or two its $13000+ Also not a extra cost but a bit more book work more than your home province requires IFTA fuel tax sharing. Just remember this when getting setup you will need to make a fair few miles just to cover fixed costs don't be afraid to pass that cost on just like if you add US to the truck it has to pay more to cover the added cost and hassle

 

[Stoney Hill]

When I worked at a local elevator, a new custom trucker kept calling our sales reps almost to the point where it was annoying. However the sales reps pulled grain from a long distance and often times the deal with the farmers was for on farm pickup.
They had this guys number in their phones and name memorized. It helped that any job that was given to him he did ASAP. When I quit he was busy 2-3 days a week hauling fert/grain for this company's customers.

Moral of the story: don't under estimate the power of line companies giving you work but show them you want it.

 

[michelle2008]

Do u have a phone number need some grain hauled from the cleaning plant in nampa by monday my trucks are still frozen down thanks

 

[Ryson1]

Just sent you a PM

 

[Ryson1]

Since this thread has come up again, I figured I'd take the opportunity to mention that since the post about interprovincial work I have become licensed for BC as well.


If anyone happens to be looking to get ahold of me my email is [email protected], would be faster than getting ahold of me on here. Thanks!