Shipping & Delivery Policy — Mini Highland Cattle Nationwide TransportArranging safe transport for a live animal is one of the most important parts of the buying process — and we take it seriously. This page explains exactly how our shipping works, what to expect from reservation to delivery day, and what we ask of you to ensure your calf arrives healthy and ready to settle in.
We deliver to all 48 contiguous states and offer local farm pickup by appointment. If you have questions about delivery to your specific location before placing a deposit, reach out and we’ll walk you through it.
1. Delivery Coverage Area
We ship to all 48 contiguous states in the United States. We do not currently offer shipping to Hawaii, Alaska, or international destinations.
If you are located in a remote or rural area that presents logistical challenges for livestock transport, contact us before reserving an animal and we will confirm whether delivery to your location is feasible and provide an accurate transport quote.
2. Local Farm Pickup
You are welcome to collect your animal directly from our farm by appointment. Pickup is available during scheduled hours and must be confirmed in writing at least 7 days in advance.
When collecting your animal, please arrive with:
- A livestock trailer or enclosed transport vehicle appropriate for the size of the animal
- Adequate bedding for the animal during transport
- A copy of your purchase agreement and payment confirmation
If you are a first-time livestock owner and are unsure what vehicle or equipment is needed for safe transport, reach out to us before your scheduled pickup and we will advise you. We will not release an animal into a transport situation we believe is unsafe or unsuitable for the animal’s welfare.
All balances must be paid in full and cleared before the animal is released at pickup.
3. Nationwide Shipping — How It Works
We work exclusively with experienced, insured professional livestock haulers who specialize in the transport of cattle. We do not use general freight or courier services for live animal transport.
Here is what the shipping process looks like step by step:
Step 1 — Reserve and Pay Once your deposit is received and your reservation is confirmed, we begin coordinating the transport timeline based on your location, the animal’s readiness, and hauler availability.
Step 2 — Transport Quote We will provide you with a separate transport quote based on your delivery location, the number of animals being shipped, and the current route and schedule of our hauling partners. Transport fees are negotiated and agreed upon before any shipping is scheduled. You are under no obligation to proceed if the transport cost does not work for you.
Step 3 — Pre-Shipment Health Check Before your animal is loaded for transport, it undergoes a full veterinary examination. A USDA-compliant interstate health certificate is issued by our licensed veterinarian and included with your shipment at no additional cost. This certificate is legally required for all interstate livestock transport.
Step 4 — Scheduling Once your final balance is received and the transport quote is accepted, we coordinate a shipping date with the hauler. Shipping is typically scheduled within 2 to 4 weeks of final payment, depending on your location, the hauler’s route, and weather conditions. We will keep you informed throughout the scheduling process.
Step 5 — Loading and Departure On the day of loading, we will notify you that your animal has been loaded and is on its way. You will receive the hauler’s contact information so you can communicate directly with the driver regarding estimated arrival time.
Step 6 — Delivery Your calf will be delivered to your farm or an agreed-upon nearby location. Please ensure that you or a responsible adult is present to receive the animal. Have your receiving area — pen, pasture, or holding area — ready before the hauler arrives.
4. Transport Costs — How Shipping Is Priced
Transport fees are calculated separately from the purchase price of the animal and are determined by the following factors:
- Distance from our farm to your delivery location
- Number of animals being transported (multiple animals on the same route reduce per-animal cost)
- Hauler availability and current route schedules
- Fuel surcharges or seasonal adjustments applied by the hauler
We will provide a full transport quote before any shipping is booked. Transport fees are paid to us or directly to the hauler as agreed upon, and are due before the animal is loaded for departure.
Transport fees are non-refundable once a hauler has been booked and a departure date confirmed, as these costs are committed to the hauler at the time of scheduling.
5. Delivery Timeframes
Delivery timeframes vary depending on your location and the hauler’s route. As a general guide:
- Nearby states (within 500 miles): typically 1 to 3 days in transit
- Mid-range states (500 to 1,500 miles): typically 2 to 5 days in transit
- Long-distance states (1,500+ miles): typically 4 to 8 days in transit
These are estimates only. Transit times can be affected by weather, road conditions, rest stops required by law, and hauler route logistics. We will always communicate realistic timeframes upfront and keep you updated if delays occur.
6. Animal Welfare During Transport – Our Standards
The health and wellbeing of your animal during transport is our primary concern. Every hauler we work with is experienced in livestock handling and committed to low-stress transport practices. During transit, your calf will have:
- Adequate space appropriate to its size
- Access to water and feed at scheduled rest stops
- Ventilation and weather-appropriate conditions in the trailer
- Calm, experienced handling at every stage of loading and unloading
We do not ship animals during extreme weather conditions — including severe heat, ice storms, or dangerous road conditions — if we believe it poses a risk to the animal’s safety. In such cases, we will reschedule the earliest possible departure and keep you informed.
7. Interstate Health Certificates
A USDA-compliant Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI), commonly called a health certificate, is required by law for all livestock transported across state lines. This certificate is issued by our licensed accredited veterinarian and is included at no charge with every interstate shipment.
The health certificate confirms that your animal has been examined and found free from signs of infectious or contagious disease at the time of inspection. It is valid for the duration of the transport journey.
Some states have additional entry requirements for incoming livestock, such as brand inspection, a negative test for specific diseases, or prior notification to the state veterinarian’s office. It is your responsibility as the buyer to be aware of and comply with your state’s livestock entry requirements. We are happy to assist you identify these requirements if you are unsure — simply ask before your shipment is scheduled.
8. Ownership & Liability at the Time of Transport
Ownership and risk of the animal transfers to the buyer at the moment the animal is loaded onto the transport vehicle at our farm. From that point, Highland Mini Cows LLC is not liable for injury, illness, death, or loss of the animal during transit, except where caused by demonstrable negligence on our part in selecting or instructing the hauler.
All haulers we work with carry livestock insurance. We strongly recommend that buyers also consider obtaining their own livestock insurance prior to delivery, particularly for higher-value animals.
9. Receiving Your Animal
When your calf arrives, please do the following:
- Inspect the animal carefully before signing any delivery paperwork or releasing the hauler
- Note any visible concerns and photograph them immediately
- Contact us within 24 hours if you observe anything unexpected about the animal’s condition upon arrival
- Schedule a veterinary examination within 30 days of arrival as required by our Health Guarantee
If there are visible signs of injury or distress at the time of delivery that you believe occurred during transport, document everything with photos or video and contact us immediately. Do not delay — claims related to transit condition must be raised within 24 hours of delivery.
10. Missed or Rescheduled Deliveries
If a delivery attempt fails because no responsible adult was present to receive the animal, or because the receiving facility was not appropriately prepared, any additional costs incurred for holding, re-routing, or re-delivery are the responsibility of the buyer.
Please ensure you are available and prepared on the agreed delivery date. If your circumstances change and you need to reschedule, contact us at least 72 hours in advance.
11. Contact Us
For shipping quotes, delivery questions, or to discuss transport logistics before placing a deposit:
Highland Mini Cows Breeder LLC Email: sales@highlandminicowsbreeder.com