CropLife Media conducted a survey in mid-July to measure some of the effects of Covid-19 and social distancing on the ag retail business and grower relationships. From digital communications and personnel challenges, to e-commerce and crop input availability, the survey examines the impact that the pandemic has had on ag retailers thus far. The slideshow above provides a summary of the results.
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Personnel Challenges
Not surprisingly, a majority of retailers indicated that it was more difficult to fill and maintain front line staffing this season due to Covid-19, although only 1 in 5 strongly agreed.
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Going Digital
Given the requirement for social distancing in many regions of the country during the heart of the planting season, we expected that more farmers would embrace digital communication with trusted advisers, and that definitely was the case in the survey. Nearly two-thirds of respondents agreed that “significantly more farmers” were tied into digital communication and information exchange as a consequence of Covid.
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E-commerce? Not so much.
We were a little bit surprised by responses to our statement about use of e-commerce options for inputs by growers. About six in 10 retailers disagreed with the notion that farmer-customers used e-commerce websites for purchases this season.
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Split on Crop Protection Availability in 2021
Slightly more than half of respondents indicated that they expect disruptions in crop protection product availability for the 2021 season due to repercussion from the Covid pandemic.
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No Concern Over Seed
A solid two-thirds of respondents did not feel that there would be any disruption in the availability of their hybrids and varieties of choice next season.
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Long-Term Impact of Social Distancing on Farmer Relationships
Whether it’s an indication of the certainty of two perspectives, or everyone’s relative uncertainty, the respondents were split 50-50 on whether the impact of social distancing on farmer relationships will endure in 2021.
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Everyone’s Tried Virtual...
With so many events and seminars choosing to carry on in a virtual way, it’s not surprising that three-fourths of respondents have attended a virtual event.
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… But There’s Nothing Like the Real Thing
Virtual event value showed up fairly strong, with nearly 4 in 10 saying they deliver the same or more value than a live event. But more than 62% indicated that they deliver less value than the live alternative.
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Personnel Challenges
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Going Digital
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E-commerce? Not so much.
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Split on Crop Protection Availability in 2021
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No Concern Over Seed
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Long-Term Impact of Social Distancing on Farmer Relationships
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225How Ag Retailers Are Feeling the Effects of Covid-19
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Schrimpf, an award-winning journalist, has covered the agriculture market since 1998. He is Group Editor of the Agribusiness Group at Meister Media Worldwide, with full editorial responsibility for CropLife®, CropLife IRON, and PrecisionAg® Professional.See all author stories here.
July 27, 2020 
