Hauling Grain: Costs, Methods, and Challenges

Grain is a cornerstone of the agriculture, fuel, and food industry. It’s used for food, animal feed, and manufacturing. It’s even used in cosmetics and the production of fuels.

Because so many industries need grain, it needs to be transported efficiently. In this article we’ll cover:

• How grain is shipped
• Storage considerations of grain
• When LTL shipping is used
• Cost of shipping grain
• The challenges of hauling grain

How is Grain Shipped

The transportation of grain is much more complex than most people would think. Grain transportation requires trucks, trains, and in some cases, barges.

Grain transportation requires a lot of coordination between the various channels the grain will pass through. Not only that but grain needs to be stored in a specific way.

‍Related Resources: Agriculture Delivery and Transportation Services

Storage and Hauling Methods for Grain

While being transported across the country, or internationally, grain needs to be stored with certain spec. The requirements to store grain is:

• Temperature: Grain needs to be stored between 40ºF and 60ºF. Higher temperatures can cause grains to lose their ability to germinate, or sprout from the seed, quickly.
• Moisture: High levels of moisture can cause grains to mold and rot. It is very important for grains to be stored with low levels of moisture.
• Air: Airtight transportation is ideal for storing grain. However, that’s not always available. Airtight containers keep the elements away from the grain and protect it, and are mostly used for transporting small batches.
• Location: Grain should not be stored on the ground or on surfaces that retain moisture. Concrete is a no go because it can leak moisture into the grain. This is why grain is stored on the top of a grain elevator. 

Another consideration is the volume that grain is shipped. A quick glance at the USDA weekly grain transportation analysis will prove that there is a lot of grain being transported weekly.

Box trucks are often used to transport small batches of grain because they’re enclosed and can be temperature controlled. Learn what else you can transport in our article, Can You Hotshot With a Box Truck

When LTL Shipping is Used to Ship Grain

LTL shipping is used to ship freight that doesn’t fill a full semitruck shipment. It’s a great option for hauling all kinds of goods—grains included.

Grain shipments usually start quite large, but as the grain haul is split up and distributed to different channels, the size of each shipment gets smaller.

When grain shipments are small enough, the distributor can use LTL shipping to haul loads quickly. However, because grain has such stringent storage needs, LTL and hotshot drivers are used when the grain is bagged and ready for sale.

Related Articles: Last Mile Logistics Explained

Cost of Grain Shipping

The cost of shipping grain boils down to mode of transportation, distance traveled, cost of fuel, available transportation, owner costs, and other costs. Because grain is perishable it’s more expensive to ship.

When hauling at scale, shippers will typically charge by the bushel. However, when shipping in smaller quantities or using LTL, price models might change.

Shipping rates are always changing. Read our related article to learn Why Less Than Truckload Rates are Changing.

Challenges of Shipping Grain

Even though massive amounts of grains are transported weekly, it’s not easy to haul. The issues that affect grain shipping include:

• Moisture and heating issues
• Contamination
• Spillage
• Changing seasons
• Supply chain issues

Grain is in peak season during the fall. So shipping efforts increase during that time of year. However, during planting season, the shipment of grain decreases substantially. It’s a delicate act to balance the fluctuating production of grains.

LTL Grain Shipping Solutions With Open Road

Hauling grain doesn’t have to be as complex as it is. Between all the change of hands, supply chain issues, and labor shortages, it’s important to have a plan that ensures simple and easy transportation solutions.

Open Road connects companies with professional hotshot drivers who can move goods at a moment's notice. You don’t have to wait to fill an entire semitruck trailer to get your goods moving. Instead, just use the Open Road app to list your job.

Sign up to start shipping today.