Dry Van Shipping for Agricultural Suppliers: Complete Guide to Hay, Feed & Equipment Transport

Dry van shipping is one of the workhorses of modern agricultural shipping. From baled hay and bagged feed to seed pallets and light equipment, agricultural suppliers rely on dry vans to move farm products safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively. This guide explains how dry van shipping supports hay transport and other agricultural freight, and what you need to know about weight limits, loading, securement, and seasonal demand.

Why Dry Van Shipping Works for Agriculture

A dry van is an enclosed trailer, typically 53 feet long, designed to carry dry, non-perishable freight. For agricultural suppliers, dry vans offer three big advantages: weather protection, security, and flexibility. If you ship hay, feed, seed, tools, or small equipment, a dry van often provides the best balance of cost and protection.

Common Agricultural Freight in Dry Vans

• Hay bales: Small square bales and some compressed large bales can be moved in dry vans, especially on long hauls where weather protection matters.
• Bagged feed: Palletized bags of livestock feed, mineral supplements, and complete rations are a perfect fit for dry van shipping.
• Seed and grain products: Seed corn, soybean seed, forage seed, and grain-based products in bags or totes ship well in an enclosed trailer.
• Farm supplies and tools: Fencing, hardware, baler twine, animal health products, and similar items can be boxed, palletized, and loaded into a van.
• Light equipment: Smaller equipment like lawn tractors, ATV sprayers, augers, and attachments can ride in a dry van if they fit the door and height clearances.

The key is that the freight is dry, non-refrigerated, and sized to fit through a standard trailer door. For most suppliers, that covers a large part of their outbound and inbound agricultural shipping needs.

Seasonal Demand in Agricultural Shipping

Agriculture runs on seasons, and dry van shipping follows the same rhythm. Understanding when demand spikes will help you plan hay transport, feed shipments, and equipment moves more effectively.

Spring: Planting and Calving Season

In spring, farms are ramping up. Seed must arrive on time, fertilizer and soil amendments move in bulk, and many livestock operations increase feed usage during calving and early grazing. During this period:

• Demand for dry vans rises as feed mills ship seed and feed to dealers and farms.
• Lead times for trucks often get longer in March, April, and May.
• Rates can trend higher because carriers are busy with both agricultural shipping and general freight.

If you know you have spring shipping spikes, book capacity early and build flexibility into delivery windows where possible.

Summer and Early Fall: Hay Transport and Harvest

Summer and early fall are prime months for hay transport and grain-related freight. Regions like Kentucky, the Midwest, and the Great Plains move big volumes of hay, straw, and feed ingredients during this time.

• Freshly baled hay moves from producing regions into dairies, horse farms, and feed stores.
• Dry vans protect hay from sudden storms and intense sun on long routes.
• Grain harvest adds more demand as mills receive raw product and send out finished feed.

This is one of the busiest times of the year. If you rely heavily on hay transport or outbound feed shipments, assume tight capacity and higher demand for trucks from June through October.

Late Fall and Winter: Stocking Up and Steady Feed Use

Heading into winter, many operations stockpile hay, bedding, and feed. Once snow and mud arrive, farms depend on stored feed rather than pasture.

• Dry vans haul hay and straw into colder states for winter feeding.
• Bagged feed shipments stay steady or increase as grazing declines.
• Truck availability can be reasonable, but winter weather may slow transit times.

Planning ahead for winter shipments, especially into northern regions, helps avoid last-minute scrambling when roads or schedules are disrupted by storms.

Freight Classification for Agricultural Products

When you quote or book shipments, especially LTL (less-than-truckload), you will need to assign freight classes and accurately describe your products. The right freight class helps avoid billing surprises and keeps your agricultural shipping simple.

Typical Classes

• Hay: Usually classified based on density. Light, bulky small square bales often fall in higher freight classes because they take more space per pound.
• Bagged feed: Commonly falls in mid-range freight classes depending on density and packaging. Dense pelleted feed often has a lower class than fluffy or loosely packed products.
• Seed: Seed in bags or totes generally classed by density as well. Heavier seeds or densely packed pallets may rate lower than light seed or fluffy mixes.
• Equipment and parts: Machinery and attachments have their own codes and are often classed based on whether they are crated, uncrated, new, or used.

Provide detailed descriptions on your bill of lading: product type, packaging, pallet count, and estimated weight and dimensions. When in doubt, ask your carrier or broker to help identify the correct freight classification before you ship.

Weight Limits and Legal Considerations

Dry van shipping for agricultural loads must follow the same legal weight limits as any other freight on U.S. highways.

Gross and Axle Weights

• The typical maximum gross weight for a tractor–trailer is 80,000 pounds.
• This total includes the tractor, trailer, fuel, driver, and cargo.
• Most dry vans can legally carry about 44,000 to 45,000 pounds of cargo, depending on the truck’s empty weight.

In addition to gross weight, you must respect per-axle limits. Even if your total is under 80,000 pounds, poor loading can put too much weight on the trailer tandems or drive axles. Work with the driver to balance the load and, if needed, adjust the trailer’s sliding tandems to spread the weight. Overweight fines and delays are expensive and avoidable with good planning.

State and Seasonal Rules

Some states offer limited seasonal exemptions for agricultural commodities, particularly during harvest or emergencies. These can allow slightly higher weights on certain roads, but they are usually restricted to intrastate routes and may not apply on interstates.

Always verify current state rules before assuming any exemption. When shipping across multiple states, the strictest rule along the route will typically control how heavy your dry van can be loaded.

Cargo Securement Laws

Federal cargo securement regulations apply to agricultural loads just as they do to any other freight. Securement is required even inside an enclosed dry van.

• Loads must be secured so they cannot shift, fall, or affect vehicle stability.
• Use straps, load bars, and blocking to restrain pallets and equipment.
• Soft products like hay or bagged feed may compress during transit; good practice is to recheck and tighten securement early in the trip if possible.

Proper securement reduces the risk of damage and improves safety for your driver and other road users.

Dry Van Loading and Securing Best Practices

How you load the trailer is just as important as what you put in it. Good loading practices keep freight safe and help you stay within legal weight limits.

Palletizing Hay, Feed, and Seed

Whenever possible, palletize your products. Palletized freight loads quickly and is easier to secure.

• Stack bags of feed or seed on standard pallets.
• Shrink-wrap the pallets tightly to prevent bags from shifting.
• Use corner protectors to stop straps and wrap from cutting into bagged product.

Some compressed hay products are also palletized for ease of handling. For hand-loaded small bales, pack them tightly from floor to ceiling, keeping rows even and filling gaps where you can.

Balancing the Load

Balance is critical for safe dry van shipping.

• Place heavier pallets toward the front and center of the trailer.
• Distribute weight evenly from left to right.
• Avoid creating heavy “pockets” at the very back of the trailer.

For example, if you have several pallets of heavy mineral or grain-based feed, intermix them with lighter items rather than putting all heavy pallets in one area. A balanced trailer handles better and is less likely to cause axle-weight problems at the scale.

Cargo Securement Inside a Dry Van

Even with walls and doors, internal securement matters.

• Use load bars across the width of the trailer to brace pallets.
• Attach straps to E-track or other anchor points to pull freight tight.
• Use dunnage and void fillers to stop pallets from sliding into open spaces.

For equipment or machinery, secure each piece individually to the trailer floor or anchor points. Treat it like a flatbed load that happens to be inside a box. The goal is to prevent movement in all directions if the driver must brake hard or turn sharply.

Routing and Regional Patterns in Agricultural Shipping

Agricultural shipping patterns often follow established regional flows. Understanding these can help you anticipate demand and choose carriers that know your lanes well.

Midwest Feed and Grain Corridors

Many dry van loads start in the Midwest, where grain, feed, and seed are produced and processed. Common patterns include:

• Feed mills shipping bagged feed to dairies, poultry farms, and dealers in surrounding states.
• Seed companies sending seed corn or soybean seed from Midwestern hubs to distributors across the country.
• Agricultural inputs moving into the region ahead of spring planting.

Kentucky and Southern Hay Transport

Kentucky and neighboring states are well known for hay production and equine industries. Dry van shipping is widely used to move hay and feed from this region to:

• Horse farms and training centers in the Southeast.
• Dairy and beef operations in neighboring states.
• Feed stores and co-ops stocking up for winter.

Because hay transport can spike during cutting and buying seasons, early booking helps secure consistent capacity out of these hubs.

Pennsylvania and Mid-Atlantic Feed Hubs

Pennsylvania and other Mid-Atlantic states host large numbers of feed mills and integrated agricultural operations. Dry vans there commonly move:

• Finished feed from mills to farms and dealers in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.
• Feed ingredients brought in from the Midwest.
• Supplies and equipment between distributors and farm customers.

Many of these lanes run along major corridors like I-81, I-76, and I-95, where agricultural freight mixes with general truckload volume.

Benefits of Dry Van Shipping for Hay, Feed, and Equipment

When you step back, it is clear why dry van shipping is such a strong match for many agricultural products.

• Weather protection: Enclosed trailers keep hay, grain, and feed dry and clean, preventing mold and spoilage.
• Security: Lockable doors help protect valuable seed, supplements, and equipment from theft or tampering.
• Efficiency: Standard dock height and palletized loads make loading and unloading faster and safer.
• Availability: Dry vans are the most common trailer type, so capacity is usually easier to find than other specialized equipment.
• Versatility: The same trailer can haul hay one week and feed or seed the next, supporting seasonal shifts in your shipping mix.

For many agricultural suppliers, dry van shipping is the backbone of their logistics strategy, especially when long distances or variable weather are involved.

Practical Next Steps for Agricultural Shippers

If you are responsible for moving farm products, a few practical steps will help you get more from your dry van shipping:

• Map your seasonal demand and identify your peak shipping months.
• Standardize packaging and pallet sizes for hay, feed, and seed wherever possible.
• Document typical shipment weights and dimensions so quotes and planning are accurate.
• Build relationships with carriers that regularly serve agricultural lanes in your region.

Most importantly, treat your carrier or logistics partner as part of your operation. Share your forecasts, explain your hay transport patterns, and discuss upcoming promotions or herd expansions that may change your feed needs. Better information leads to better service.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What agricultural products are best suited for dry van shipping?

Dry van shipping is ideal for dry, non-refrigerated products such as baled hay, bagged feed, seed, grain-based products, farm supplies, and smaller equipment. As long as the freight fits in the trailer and does not require temperature control, it can usually move in a dry van.

Is dry van shipping a good option for hay transport?

Yes. Dry vans offer strong protection for hay transport, especially over long distances or through areas with unpredictable weather. The trailer keeps bales dry and contained, reduces the risk of loss from wind, and removes the need for tarps.

How much weight can I load in a dry van for agricultural shipping?

Most 53-foot dry vans can safely carry around 44,000 to 45,000 pounds of cargo, depending on the truck’s empty weight and axle limits. Always confirm weight limits with your carrier and distribute weight evenly inside the trailer.

Do I need to secure freight inside a dry van?

Yes. Even though the trailer is enclosed, loads must be secured to prevent shifting. Use load bars, straps, and dunnage to brace pallets and equipment. Proper securement is required by law and reduces the risk of damage.

When is the busiest season for agricultural dry van shipping?

Spring planting season and late summer through fall harvest are typically the busiest times. During these periods, demand for dry van shipping increases for seed, fertilizer, hay, and feed, which can tighten capacity and affect rates.

Should I palletize hay, feed, or seed before loading?

Palletizing is strongly recommended for bagged feed and seed. It speeds loading, makes securement easier, and reduces product damage. Hay may be palletized if compressed; small bales are often stacked by hand but should still be packed tightly to minimize shifting.

How can I make my agricultural shipping more efficient?

Standardize pallet sizes, provide accurate weights and dimensions, plan around seasonal peaks, and work with carriers familiar with your lanes. Good communication and consistent loading practices help reduce delays and unexpected costs.