SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — BulkLoads has announced the acquisition of Livestock Network, bringing together two of the agriculture transportation industry’s most recognized online communities and expanding the resources available to livestock haulers across North America.
The acquisition combines Livestock Network, a platform serving livestock transportation professionals since 2000, with BulkLoads, the nation’s largest bulk freight marketplace. Company leaders say the move is designed to strengthen services for livestock haulers while maintaining the tools and community members already rely on.
Livestock Network will continue operating with its existing load board, truck board, company rating system, industry forums, classifieds, trucking tools and directories, while gaining access to the broader BulkLoads ecosystem.
As the two platforms are integrated, livestock haulers will have access to additional business services, including Smart Freight Funding for agricultural freight factoring, Bulk Insurance Group for livestock and agricultural trucking insurance, BulkTMS transportation management software, and Bulk Freight Insights market analysis.
BulkLoads also announced plans to invest in future technology improvements for Livestock Network. Planned enhancements include a faster, redesigned website, a future mobile app allowing drivers to manage loads from the road, and additional tools developed specifically for the livestock hauling industry.
“Livestock hauling is one of the most specialized, relationship-driven parts of the trucking industry, and Livestock Network has been at the center of it for more than 25 years,” said Larry Hurt, CEO of BulkLoads. “We didn’t acquire it to change what works. We acquired it to give livestock haulers more.”
Matt Fredin, co-founder of Livestock Network and now a partner at BulkLoads, said the platform was originally created to give livestock haulers a place built specifically for their industry.
“Our members keep everything they’ve come to rely on, and now they get the strength of the entire BulkLoads network and technology behind them,” Fredin said.
According to the company, current Livestock Network members do not need to take any action. The platform will remain fully operational while new features and integrations are introduced over the coming months.
BulkLoads, headquartered in Springfield, Missouri, connects more than 10,000 carriers, shippers and brokers across the bulk freight industry. Livestock Network has served livestock haulers and shippers for more than 25 years and has grown into one of the industry’s largest online communities dedicated to livestock transportation.