Important to heed COVID-19 advice

Boy, with the COVID-19 Pandemic reaching North America it became a very different world out there in just a short few weeks.

Farmers are still farming — carrying on their essential services— but people movement and daily commerce is facing never before heard of recommendations and restrictions all in a bid to slow the spread of the disease.

I admit, even in early March, I thought warnings were largely an over reaction, but I have come to appreciate the importance limiting movement, limiting contact with others, and using my head a bit before jumping in the truck and going somewhere — do I really need to make that trip? I try to limit my travels here in Calgary, but take precautions. I have never washed my hands this much in my life. Even the three households of my immediate family all here in Calgary are conducting visits through the Zoom on-line link.

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I don’t believe there is a sector of the agriculture industry that hasn’t adopted most if not all the public health and safety measures. None of this crackdown is forever, but if we can just do our best over the next few weeks, perhaps a few months, we will get through it.

I am sure most people have heard the movement recommendations and perhaps are sick of hearing them, but just in case I will include a couple here.

Since seeding season isn’t far away and farmers are busy lining up and picking up seed supplies be prepared for a different reception around the seed supplier yard this spring. The following protocol was adopted by Stamp Seeds of Enchant, AB just in the past week or so, but I bet you will find most seed farms and suppliers will be doing something similar. Here is the statement from Greg Stamp.

“Nothing is more important than the well-being of our staff and the customers we serve. We are still open for seed pickup but our office & scale house are now closed during seed pickup due to COVID-19 effective immediately. Please pass along to your staff who will be picking up seed or custom truckers.

Office & scale house are closed during seed pickup and our office is closed to all visitors.
A portable restroom for customers & truckers will be available (arriving this week). Handles will be sanitized multiple times a day.
We will be happy to get you a paper coffee cup, pop, juice or water and bring it out to you. We are unable to refill your mugs.
When you arrive please park outside our front office and give us a moment to come out to you.
When scaling please stay in your truck and we will bring paperwork to you.
Please use your own pen if you can on paperwork or keep our pen that you sign with.
Please observe 6′ buffer room between yourself (or staff) and our staff.
For seed pickup please do not come if you exhibit the following:
- Symptoms for COVID-19 are similar to those for influenza or other respiratory illnesses. The most common symptoms include:
  - fever, cough, extreme tiredness, chest pain
  - https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/topics/Page16997.aspx
We will refrain from shaking hands.
Avoid touching your face.
Hand sanitizer is located outside our front office if you need.

Thank you for your cooperation and patience during this time.
Let me know if you have any questions [email protected] or 403-634-1586, call or text.
Thanks,
Greg Stamp

And similarly if you are buying bulls or planning to attend cattle auctions in this COVID-19 era, here are recommendations from the Livestock Markets Association of Canada, the Canadian Beef Breeds Council and the Canadian Cattleman’s Association. Minimize contact, get in and get out, these are no longer social events. The recommendations are listed several places, but you can find them on the Beef Cattle Research Council website at: https://www.beefresearch.ca, click on Blog and scroll down.