Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Rural businesses carrying on

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Being there for farmers is what Ruralco is about, chief executive Rob Sharkie says. “And that means through all times where at all possible, the good and the not so good.  “It’s about looking after our backyarders. That’s what we are set up to do.”
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On the first day of the level three covid-19 Ruralco had 900 people through the doors.

“Nine hundred customers in one day is very busy but it wasn’t panic buying, it was the uncertainty.

“The $100,000 crop of carrots still has to be harvested, the cows will still calve in July and crops still have to go in the ground.

“No one knew for sure who was going to be open as an essential service and so farmers had to look at what they would need to do in the lock-down period and get the necessary requirements.

“I expected we would be but I couldn’t give assurance until we knew for sure. 

“Now confirmed an essential service we want to stay open and support our members’ farming businesses.

“We are working very hard to ensure everyone can get what they need. If we all work together, the members stay kind to us and treat us with respect as we adapt to these changing times we will stay open right through the lock-down period,” Sharkie said.

As covid-19 level four kicked in Ashburton-based Rural Co’s back-end staff moved to work from home, on-farm visits by account managers and sale representatives came to a standstill but a handful of customer service staff were on hand and farmers were lining up for all manner of essential products.

It was two customers in the store at a time, a guard on the door and a patient and understanding queue of farmers.

Online and phone orders are also available with pick-up and farm delivery options.

“It seems to be working pretty well,” Sharkie said.

“It’s well signed and set up to meet the safety of our staff and our customers. They come in the door no more than two at a time, they tell our staff behind the bungy what they want, the staff member shops for them, it’s self-collection, they take it to their vehicle themselves, the trolley is disinfected on its return.

“It’s all going to plan at this stage and we are open to tweaking things as we get into it.”

Fertiliser, seed and bulk fuel sales will continue.

“Our fuel suppliers are confident of continuity of their supply. At this stage there is no shortage of supply in New Zealand.

“We’ve had assurance from our suppliers that they have resources in place to meet all on-farm deliveries,” Sharkie said. 

Rural Post is an essential service and rural delivery driver Jo Campbell said the week has been hectic.

“The workload is like the lead-up to Christmas.”

Campbell has her own plan to keep safe.

“I treat it like I’ve got the virus and everyone has to stay away from me.”

Rural communities are showing great respect and gratitude for the service.

“It’s quite amazing. There’s huge support and respect.

“We’ve no idea when it is likely to end so we take each day as it comes.”

Deemed an essential service is Cochranes on farm delivery and with Farm Source and Farmlands his two major clients, John Campbell is experiencing a heavy than usual workload.

“Farmlands and FarmSource are doing online and phone orders and still offering on-farm delivery but with their reps off the road all the deliveries are coming my way so it’s been quite busy, there’s been a bit of stocking up this past couple of days.

“It’s a whole unknown for everyone so I’m keeping an open mind with a wait and see approach.”

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