Even in an unprecedented global pandemic, farmers have still got each other's back.
Here's the proof: Every year Alison and John Bell from Inavale Brangus at Boonah Queensland head to Kempsey Stock and Land's annual bull sale.
But as they were about to head south, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk made the decision to shut the border.
The Bells spoke to their local member along with Queensland Health who informed them they might be able to get a freight pass and that updated passes would be available Friday morning.
With the four Brangus bulls sprayed for tick on the Wednesday, the Bells made the journey south and arrived in Kempsey to unload the bulls on Thursday to be sold on Saturday.
It was a nervous wait to ensure they could still get home.
As they went online early Friday morning they found that the new passes were not updated and would not be available until the afternoon.
The Bells were told if they did not cross the border by 1am Saturday they would have to quarantine in a hotel and the bulls were not the government's concern.
"We really needed to be allowed back in Queensland as we have nine bulls going to the Roma Brangus Sale on September 4 that had to be scanned and vet checked," she said.
Fearing they would be marooned, they contacted Ian Argue from Kempsey Stock and Land that morning saying they would have to return home with the bulls.
"He said to give him one hour," Mrs Bell said.
"So we did and he came back with two buyers who bought three of the four bulls we had on offer for the price we wanted, we have never been so pleased.
"It's certainly a nice feeling that agents put their clients to the forefront, they tried to help us which is what agriculture is about."
They headed home with the one bull and there was no hold-up at the border.
Mrs Bell said another neighbour who sold a bull into NSW could only cart it to Kyogle before it was then transported onto a commercial carrier as Kyogle fell into one of the postcodes exempt under the border restrictions.
"We were told by our local member that as a primary producer we were allowed through but only as commercial carriers," Mrs Bell said.
"The Premier has not made the wrong decision but primary producers will probably think twice before doing it themselves.
"But if it's about keeping Queensland safe then we are prepared to do it."
Journalist based on the Mid North Coast for The Land.
Journalist based on the Mid North Coast for The Land.
