Farmers are worried about what would happen if Delta made it onto a farm. If staff had to isolate, what would happen to the animals?
Smaller produce growers are also concerned while restaurants remain closed their fresh produce has nowhere to go but the bin.
The longer lockdown continues, the more Rodger Whitson has to biff. Level 3 is a glimmer of hope, but it's got nothing on level 2.
"I might sell 10 bags, whereas I could sell 50 bags or 100 bags on a Saturday," says Whitson, from Janefield Paeonies and Hydroponics.
The Otago grower normally sells to the farmers market and restaurants, neither of which can fully reopen under level 3.
"[We] really need to be at level 2 for our business to function profitably. Any level higher than that we're losing money by the day."
Like many small business owners, Whitson's rethinking his future.
"Maybe a month, six weeks, then might get a job in the public service."
Despite not being able to sell, he's still got to sow seeds.
Further south in Lawrence, sheep and beef farmer Mark Patterson is also busy.
"Farming is the epitome of managed isolation at the best of times so we're kind of used to it," the Otago Federated Farmers president says.
Still, farmers are worried about what would happen if the highly infectious variant ended up on their farm.
"That's our biggest fear. Obviously, there would be real pressure particularly, an owner-operator or sole charge, what would happen to the thousands of animals? It's a potentially huge animal welfare issue."
The Ministry for Primary Industries said farmers need to have contingency plans and say it's important for them to talk to neighbours, friends, and colleagues about how they might support each other.
The Ministry of Health said under exceptional circumstances, a medical officer of health may consider an alternative isolation location, i.e a farm.
"The Government needs clarify how we would manage that situation. It really is something that's keeping us up at night," says Patterson.
