We know you’re probably tired of talking about COVID-19, but it feels important and necessary to address how this virus is impacting current customers and prospects. We always talk about labor issues being reduced with robots, but I don’t think many people considered the health aspect of less labor on farm before recent times. In a season where we are hearing stories of farmers not allowing workers to leave the farm, who are delivering food and supplies to their workers so they remain quarantined and out of human contact, we are more grateful than ever for robots. One less man-powered job on the farm means less risk of this virus spreading on our robot farms, and that means more safety and security for our customers and their families.
Pursuant to the Pennsylvania Governor’s order given Thursday, March 19, 2020, we (Lely Center Mid-Atlantic, a division of Fisher & Thompson, Inc.) are continuing operations as an essential business operating under the “Support Activities for Animal Production” Industry Group. As of March 24th, we are continuing operations as normal as possible. At this time, all Fisher & Thompson branches remain closed to walk-in customers. All employees who can work from home are doing so. Personnel working in the office are taking extra precautions to distance themselves from others and maintain extraordinary sanitation throughout the day. Service technicians are being dispatched from their homes and are only visiting their local shop for parts. Technicians are currently given the freedom to choose whether they feel comfortable enough to visit farms for routine maintenance. Emergency call hours are being staffed as normal. We have communicated to all of our robot customers the guidelines for when and how they may approach Lely Center Mid-Atlantic personnel on a farm. At this time, Fisher & Thompson does not expect any delays in service or parts due to COVID-19.
Lely North America does not anticipate any delays or disturbances in robot production or parts at this time. Extra parts are being delivered to Canada in preparation for a potential border closure. As of now, Lely North America is continuing with business as usual. Should borders be closed, this could be subject to change.
As much of the world is practicing self-distancing, we want to encourage the use of social media outlets for updated information from Lely. Both Lely Center Mid-Atlantic and Lely North America have many resources online to answer your robotic milking questions.
See below for robotic resources to browse through at home:
See Lely North America’s Facebook Page Here
See Lely Center Mid-Atlantic’s Facebook Page Here
Listen to Lely’s podcast here
If you have any questions about robotic milking, feel free to contact our lead salesperson, Amos Fisher, at 717-826-2679.