Farmers Coping With COVID-19

With all the unknowns about CIVID-19 and business closed farmers may be concerned about spring fieldwork and planting. Will the Crop Production Retailer or coop be able to apply fertilizer and herbicides? Will farmers be able to pick up the herbicides? Will the seed dealers be able to deliver the seed we may have purchased months ago? Will Bill from my John Deere dealership be able to come out to the farm on a service call if my tractor breaks down?

Reading the COVID-19 policy from all these business that provide products and services to farmers the answer to all of them is yes! They all are open but ask that you not come to the office unless absolutely necessary. Try and communicate by cell phone or email instead. Don't drop a check off when paying your bill, pay it online or mail it in. The general theme is to try and avoid as many situations of person to person contact as possible to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The elevators, feed mills and vet clinics for livestock producers have adopted the same policies and procedures. The general public has a role in helping those of us involved in producing food. Follow the recommendations of our elected officials and medial experts to control the spread of COVID-19. We do not want all those involved in caring for livestock, raising crops or working at a plant processing food to get sick!