SHIPPING from San Diego to Anchorage (COST) (Kenai, Homer: how much, homes)

[Teufelshund20]

From San Diego CA to Anchorage-Has anyone ever shipped horses to Alaska? If so, what is the average cost? How much is a bale of hay?

Also, has anyone shipped household items, say around 2000-3000 lbs, what is the average cost?

I am looking at homes now in the Kenai, Homer, anywhere on the Peninsula.

I know there are many companies that will do it but they always want to much information for a quote.

Thanks

[Teufelshund20]

I will sell just about everything except about 2000-3000 lbs of stuff, it may be be only 2000 lbs once I reduce some more.

I know USship will do it, I just don't know the cost.

[Haolejohn]

Originally Posted by Teufelshund20

I will sell just about everything except about 2000-3000 lbs of stuff, it may be be only 2000 lbs once I reduce some more.

I know USship will do it, I just don't know the cost.

Call the places. Barge would be cheaper IMO but don't think you can ship livestock. Livestock is not affordable in AK. Especially a horse, unless you plan on eating them once they are no longer productive for work.

Honestly we need more info (just like the shipping companies to give you a realistic idea).

And I advise people to sell and buy up here. Unless the stuff is just irreplaceable or paid for.

[Teufelshund20]

Originally Posted by Haolejohn

Call the places. Barge would be cheaper IMO but don't think you can ship livestock. Livestock is not affordable in AK. Especially a horse, unless you plan on eating them once they are no longer productive for work.

Honestly we need more info (just like the shipping companies to give you a realistic idea).

And I advise people to sell and buy up here. Unless the stuff is just irreplaceable or paid for.

I did find a few companies that will ship horses (probably by ship) from the lower 48 to Anchorage. I will pursue a larger piece of property now over 20 acres. I will produce my own hay. I cannot part with my horses. I might just drive with the little household stuff I have, tools, small furniture etc.

[Haolejohn]

Check the area. Not sure where hay will grow best. I'm not a horse guy. I prefer atvs. Lower maintenance.

Semper Fi by the way.

[Frostnip]

Originally Posted by Teufelshund20

I will produce my own hay.

This may be overly optimistic, even in the Mat-Su.

[GnomadAK]

Originally Posted by Frostnip

This may be overly optimistic, even in the Mat-Su.

Optimistic my ear-this will not be possible. In a good year Alaska runs out of hay in the winter, in a bad year you get zip. Keeping a horse in AK is madness. FWIW, we had a horse shipped up from WA 15 years ago, cost us $1500, and that was the best deal we could find.

[GnomadAK]

AS for hay, $125 for a round bale, $5 for a small square in the fall, $13-$17 in the winter when it runs out and has to be shipped to AK from the lower 48. And that was 5 years ago, it hasn't gotten any cheaper.

[Teufelshund20]

I buy hay here in CA, it's shipped from Washington State. It cost me $18 a bale. I found this, pretty interesting.

http://dnr.alaska.gov/ag/ADHOC/Hayan...inal100606.pdf

[Frostnip]

Did you notice the part where it said the grain was being primarily grown in the Tanana Valley?

There is a small amount of land in Alaska that is acceptable for nutritious hay production. You need to do a serious reality check on whether that land can be purchased, cleared, prepared and sown at a price that makes it a cost-effective method for feeding pet horses, especially when you add in the fact that during summers like the one we just had, crop failures happen.