Comment – A connected world

This week, let’s have a news roundup.

Speaking of which, Bayer, the makers of Roundup are considering not making said plant protection product, on the back of already paying out over $1oBn in claims related to cancer. Reuters reported earlier this week. Why does this matter, well if you are going full regen growing crops, glyphosate is a crucial ingredient for weed suppression before the drill. Without it, other non chemical methods will be on the up, like the plough.

On the subject of crops, there is growing unease within farmer groups regarding the EU’s proposed tariffs on Russian and Belarussian produced fertilisers.

Elsewhere the Chinese have slapped a number of tariffs on Canadian farm products , I know, who would have thought it?  These 100% tariffs  may divert $1 Billion of Canola (oilseed rape) based exports elsewhere.

Also whilst everyone’s favourite tech wunderkind M.Musk is threatening to withdraw access to Starlink for the Ukrainians, good old Eutelsat from France have suggested that they could ship 40,ooo of their alternative units within two months.  Thats the thing about a marketplace, there are always competitors.

Closer to home the withdrawal of the SFI scheme for this year, with less that 40% of farmers signed up for payments may feel like another dig at farmers from the government, but this little piece from Riverford Organics (Wicked Leeks, geddit?) gives one UK growers take.

Have a good week.

Andy

PS if this piece is a little bleary eyed, it’s because your humble correspondents flock started lambing on Thursday and we have had a few late nights in the shed!