TWO well-known Hamilton district livestock identities have confirmed concerns regarding a looming shortage of livestock transport drivers.

A prominent Western District haulier, who asked not to be named, told The Spectator this week that he was in constant need of livestock drivers.

“There are less and less people,” he said.

“I don’t know the answer.  There is always work (for livestock drivers).  Most transport companies have positions.”

Noting the current shortage of farm labour generally, he went on to say, “It’s like shed staff or shearers, nobody wants to do the work.  Also, it (truck-driving) means often being away from home overnight.”

Similarly, he confirmed a shortage of diesel mechanics as highlighted in last week’s Farming Focus.

Following on from this conversation, The Spectator spoke to three prominent stock agents. 

Other than the busy November to January peak, when transport capacity was tight, they said that demand for stock transport could be met reasonably well.

While two of the agents were not unduly concerned, the third saw things differently.

“It’s a problem with truck drivers generally, but with livestock drivers it’s going to become critical,” he said.

“It’s not work that younger people want to take on.  Unlike most heavy truck-driving jobs you have to load, unload and then wash-down your crates.  On top of that, the loading of stock, particularly sheep, can be draining work, especially in the heat.”

Elaborating on this, the agent added, “From the truck owner’s perspective, things are very difficult.”

“A B-double rig will cost north of three quarters of a million dollars.  Then, you have to factor in that the law is that you cannot drive for three days in a row, so you are under the pump to keep all that equipment working.

“Where the pressure is really going to come from is when these (current) drivers retire.  I reckon they are all pretty much in their late fifties.  Where are the recruits?”

Completing the picture, the agent pointed out that drivers would find themselves operating as far north from Hamilton as Wagga Wagga and sometimes Dubbo.

This is all consistent with an ever-growing labour crisis in the farming industry.

Postscript: The Spectator fact-checked the benchmark price of a new B-double cattle rig as $460,000 (for a 600 horsepower prime-mover with sleeper box) plus $410,000 stock trailers = $870,000, with likely another $30,000 for sheep fit-out, totally about $900,000 (all figures before GST).