Dakota Farmer

An SDSU Extension specialist details plans you should make in case you are sidelined with COVID-19.

April 27, 2020

3 Min Read
A night photo of a farm shop with a pickup truck, illuminated by the shop lights
LONELY VIEW: Lights illuminate a farm shop at night. Farmers and ranchers should start planning for what will happen with their operation if they are forced to stop working due to COVID-19. Lon Tonneson

Are you prepared to be gone from your operation for a month?

Given the current situation and forecast for the number of people who will contract COVID-19 to some degree, you need to be prepared and make contingency plans, says Heather Gessner, South Dakota State University Extension livestock business management field specialist.

Related: Complete coronavirus coverage
 

“Farmers and ranchers are the toughest guys and gals I know,” she says. “However, no matter what we think, we are not bulletproof, and COVID-19 may strike our homes and families. We need to have a plan.”

Gessner suggests considering others who would be able to take your place, in the case of illness, for a day, a week or up to a month of time.

On the list

Make a list daily tasks, activities and detailed suggestions on how things need to be done, Gessner suggests. Such a list might include:

  • feed rations and location of needed supplements

  • cows or ewes due within the week or month

  • medications that need to be repeated

  • a record of cows in calving pens to be paired up

  • water sources — if a well or pipeline, indicate where the shutoffs are

  • where and how to make the “trick” engine, starter, PTO, or other mechanical devices work

  • which bins need to be checked for grain quality and how the fans work

Be prepared to answer the following questions about upcoming events:

  • Where and how much prepay seed or fertilizer have you bought?

  • Has fertilizer been spread on any acres and which ones?

  • Where should herbicide and insecticides be purchased?

  • What is the crop rotation plan for the year and is it indicated on a map?

  • How much corn has been contracted for summer delivery, which bin is it in and where is it going?

  • What vaccinations do the calves or lambs need?

  • When should cows go to pasture?

  • When should bulls be turned out?

  • Which cows are supposed to go to which pasture with which bulls?

  • Will any cows be artificially inseminated?

  • What mineral should be fed?

Bills and wills

Other items and information to prepare might include:

  • name and contact information of professionals who you work with on a regular basis, including your crop insurance agent, veterinarian, livestock nutritionist, local feed store, agronomist, banker, etc.

  • health care directives

  • will

  • bills to be paid and approved checking account signers

Prepare for worst

“The big thing amid this health pandemic is to prepare for the worst, and pray you never need it,” Gessner says.

Communicate this information with those you work with. Start with spouses and children, and then add fellow farmers and ranchers, neighbors and friends that may step in to help get your crop planted if you are unable to.

“I was locked in a tractor this past week because I didn’t know the trick in the handle,” Gessner says. “I could have climbed out the back window but knowing the tricks and how to’s ahead of time will help your family and friends during a stressful situation. Please be safe and practice as many stay-at-home and social distancing protocols as possible.”

For more information and suggestions on how to best prepare, contact Gessner at [email protected] or 605-782-3290.

Source: SDSU, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.

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