Daniel Simpson, the proprietor of C&D Livestock Transport, made his break onto the livestock haulage scene at 22, after obtaining his full truck licence.
The 25-year-old is a full-time livestock haulier by profession and purchases some cattle privately for two wholesalers and a butcher. The Raphoe, Co. Donegal native has worked for other hauliers and ventured to Spain on one occasion with calves.
He has secured animal transport approval from the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine and completed a livestock handling course at Kildalton Agricultural College to obtain certification.
C&D Livestock Transport
Although he does not hail from an agricultural background, he has been interested in farming from a tender age.
“I have worked on local farms from a young age. Also, I always had a keen interest in livestock and lorries, so the two go together! I’ve always wanted to have a lorry from a young age.” he told That’s Farming.
“I started out in the livestock haulage game when I was 22. I enjoy getting to see the countryside, meeting new people, and seeing the way they do things. Livestock haulage is a challenging business. There’s lots of competition, but if you provide a top-quality service, your customers will return.”
Haulage services
His fleet consists of one Volvo FM 340 rigid truck with a 27ft body with decks. In recent years, he purchased the truck second-hand in the UK and GH Engineering in Tyrone custom-made the body to meet his requirements and specifications.
Simpson’s business is aimed at agents and farmers, covering Ulster and Connacht mainly, but he provides haulage services nationwide if required.
“I do a lot of factory work with cattle, local and long-distance. Also, I do a lot of mart collections in the west for exporters. I mainly transport cattle, but do occasionally haul lambs in the summer and have hauled pigs in the past as well.”
Simpson attends all marts in Donegal, one in Sligo, one in Roscommon and a number in Mayo, where he purchases and transports cattle for his clientele.
He specialises in commercial and pedigree livestock transportation, including pedigree sales and exports and is always keen to foster links with new prospective clients.
Business moto
“My motto is to provide a good service in a timely but efficient manner. I always have my lorry clean when arriving at a pick-up point as animal welfare & health is paramount to me.”
“Setting up my own business was ok; it had its teething problems in the beginning, but thankfully I have a wide base of clients and returning customers, so that makes it easier and worthwhile.”
“The biggest challenge I had to overcome was earning the trust of farmers. At the end of the day, they are not just cattle, they are a farmer’s livelihood, and that man had spent a long time rearing those animals.”
“Business in 2021 has been good so far. There was some scepticism due to Brexit, but thankfully, that’s been overcome, and business is good. The Covid-19 pandemic has not impacted me too much thankfully as I haul beef cattle and they’re needed for the food chain.”
Future
Looking ahead to the future, Simpson hopes to expand further with the possible investment in new wheels, but no plans have been finalised.
“I intend to keep going the way I am for now. I’m not a greedy man, and I get enough to make do. We’ll see how the pandemic fairs out before I make any more business decisions.”
“Life on the road most days can be a lonely one. It’s not for everyone, that’s for sure. You need to be cut out for it and need to be familiar with animals as cattle can be very dangerous.”
“My journey so far has been eventful but rewarding. I could never work a 9-5 office job. Nothing beats the open road on a nice day!”
To obtain a free quote, or to find out more about C&D Livestock Transport Ltd, see Facebook Facebook or phone Daniel Simpson on: 086-7200753
