Coronavirus advice

Farmers are no different to the general public and we must all do our bit in the fight against coronavirus. This means things will change on farms in the coming weeks. Here are five simple steps to help curtail the spread of the disease.

1. Washing your hands regularly and thoroughly is a key point in preventing the disease spreading to you and your family.

2. Practice social distancing if in a public space. This includes the mart, local shops and any other public space.

3. Lock down the farm, close the front gate and make sure there are no visitors either walking or driving in.

4. Make contact with suppliers and merchants and order any requirements over the phone. Avoid any contact with sales reps etc. Use contactless payment method if you can.

5. If you develop symptoms you will need to self-isolate and phone your GP. Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. The GP will assess you over the phone. If they think you need to be tested for coronavirus, they will arrange a test. The main symptoms to look out for are:

  • A cough – this can be any kind of cough, not just dry.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Breathing difficulties.
  • Fever (high temperature, 38°C or above) or chills.

    • Grazing and weather conditions

    Heavy rain at the beginning of the week has scuppered any plans for grazing and pushed things out another few days on many farms. Dry weather is promised on Thursday and Friday and use that opportunity to get cows and calves out. If calves get 24 hours of good weather, they should be fine. Spread out a few cows and calves in each field until ground conditions improve. Watch for tetany. Boluses are the best method of protection. Grazing plans are out the window now and the likelihood of getting silage fields grazed on some farms is getting less and less. This could affect silage quality but grazing silage fields into mid-April will affect yield. If you do get to graze it, aim to be off it by the first week of April.

    Cashflow

    With some marts closing down sales for the next few weeks, make sure there is a cashflow plan in place for the farm. Talking to your bank before any cashflow difficulties occur is important and it shows you are on top of things in terms of planning and organisation. Don’t feel it’s your fault – there are thousands of others in similar situations. While it’s unknown at this stage how long marts will be closed for, it is likely that they will open at the earliest possible opportunity whenever it is safe to do so. Panic selling and slaughtering cattle that are not finished is not the answer.

    Elderly neighbours

    Rural communities are renowned for rallying around those in need and this crisis is no different. We all know people living on their own without any help. It doesn’t take a lot to make a phone call to see if they are OK or if they need anything from shops etc. Don’t think that someone else will have done it.