Machinery dealers across the region are holding out hope that agriculture remains an essential service amid the coronavirus pandemic, and have put the necessary procedures in place to slow the spread.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Haeusler's Group chief executive officer Justin MacFarlane said departments within branches had been isolated and his company was being as agile as possible during this unprecedented time.
“What we’ve done to date is we’ve isolated staff and have remote staff who are not in contact with the dealership,” he said.
“It allows us to have an alternative workforce if one of our branches was shutdown because of a breakout.
“Certainly we've restricted entry into the dealership and there are barriers in departments so don’t have normal contact between service, front of staff (and other departments) to reduce risk of transmission.
“We’re dealing with what's thrown at us every time.”
Goulburn Valley Ag's dealer principal Christian Barnett said his Shepparton team had been split into two groups.
“We’ve tried to be proactive and make sure all our staff are following the necessary protocols in place,” he said.
“We're fortunate we're in agriculture, because agriculture is needed in a time like this.
“Our staff are on a four-day on, four-day off rotation, split into two main teams with consistent experience.
“The isolated teams gives our service teams and techs somewhat of a high level of productivity and if we have one team in isolation, another team can come in and we don’t have to close our doors.”
If Haeusler's branches had to shut down, Mr McFarlane explained what impacts it would have.
“Obviously the critical nature of planting at appropriate times is compromised,” he said.
“If there is machinery breakdowns, it would definitely be crucial.
“It's not just parts and oils but support for technology that is applicable ... and it would mean restrictions and delays in our field service work.
“If border restrictions were to come into effect across the Murray, that would have a big impact on our business.”
Mr Barnett agreed it would have a dramatic impact, but assured farmers if Goulburn Valley Ag were told to close that staff would still be available to help remotely.
“All our team is pretty passionate and would be available by phone to be able to navigate most issues, so farmers can still be productive,” he said.
“I think if everyone had to shut down for two or four weeks, like other countries have, there would be a financial affect for the business but if the farmers had to shut down, more importantly, it would have a more detrimental effect.
“I can’t see the government closing agriculture down because we have got dairy farmers producing milk so people can have it in their hot drinks and have it on their breakfast.”