Muck Boots 'n' Slickers - Life of a Livestock Hauler

With rates not being what they should be and fuel being sky high, we can't afford to be running for cheap and not knowing how much money is coming in and going out. So I decided to make a little Excel spreadsheet that helps you calculate how profitable a load will be before you decide whether or not to take it.

My question is: do cattle haulers typically get a fuel surcharge in addition to the prorated linehaul money and reimbursements for things like washouts and bedding? If so, is it calculated the same way freight haulers' FSC is calculated?

As soon as I have this thing done I'll post it for y'all to test it out, for free. All I ask is that you lemme know how you like it and what I can do to make it better.

Thank you.

 

I made one of those a couple years ago. Excel is perfect for that type of stuff.. Ive got to where all i have to do is enter in how many miles the load is, how many days/hours it will take if i want to quote it that way... If i need tolls or permits thats also in there... Enter in estimated fuel mileage and average fuel price along thr trip and it will spit me out my breakeven cost .. (Fixed expenses like licensing/office costs/ driver pay is all in there as well)... Then i have profit margin from 10% all the way to 100% all auto calculated out so when i see a load im interested in i open that caluclator plug in the mileages and fuel price/mpg info and have a breakeven and profit number in less than 5 seconds... Technology is great!

 

It well be interesting to see how your spread sheet compares to the 1 I worked up about 30 days ago.. That is appreciated I'am sure Thank You for taking the time to do that @RockinChair
To answer your questions & only speaking for myself.. I don't get a fuel surcharge.. I increase my rates to cover the increase in fuel costs .. I pretty much run the same lanes and know about what my fuel usage is on my loads
I will only admit my rates are based on phw#.. per xxx mile..that's all I will admit to in a public forum..
My wash outs are on my dime.. but again it's also added in to my rates..
Feeder calf loads I plan on a washout so the rate reflects a washout every time if I get by with out having to wash out well it's just a bonus that gets ate up at some point when I have to bed the wagon...
In General I've run the same basic loads long enough that I pretty much know where my extra costs are gona be..
Once in a while I still get spanked though.. I'll openly admit that
I gota stand off going right now with 1 of my buyers because I raised my rates.. IDC..

 

Protect your customers, don’t share rates, haul for those you trust, and build long term relationships. Sometimes to help out a long time customer during tuff times you may haul a little heavier for same rate or a little less. Other times the customer will help you out by giving you more loads. Don’t need a spreadsheet to know if you can do the deal.

 

Exactly how I do things

 

@Catmando, inquiring minds want to know, have the polls closed? Who get’s what name? Is a recount occurring? Did enough registered voters turn out?

 

Low voter turn out.. .. I've been busy and have had time to give my Is concession speech

 

Never seen a bed this comfortable, ran butcher cattle to Fresno over the weekend reloaded at Turloc back to Dalhart. Just set my 2nd load outta barn on the ground in Scott city Kansas to say we’re beat doesn’t quite cover it. Gotta load of fats tomorrow then we’re headed home for a bit.

 

Makin hay while the sun shines.
Mighty nervy slipping in and out of the communist state. Must of had Doc on high alert.