Comment – A farewell to missing charger cables?

Is there anything more frustrating than mislaying your phone charging cable? My friends in hospitality will tell you of the binful behind the counter at check-in, as we all do it. Well this week I found out about something which might (just might) put an end to all this charging (and hence lost cables).  A Swedish company called Exeger (quick, rush and google them), reckon that they a knocking out about 250Ha per annum of a flexible solar cell called Powerfoyle, which can be used to surface your phone, remote control, tablet etc.. Plus potentially do away with the battery. I was impressed, have a look at https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/solar-panels-battery-exeger-powerfoyle-b2554294.html and see what you think. That elusive Tesla may be closer than I think.

Sticking to matters electric, French startup, Seederal (see earlier chunterings here https://agrimachinery.trade/comment-electric/ ) have got the electric tractor out in the field with a 5 furrow reversible plough, they claim it’s good for 1.5-2 hours of ploughing (make that 40 minutes here) and that the next version (expected in 2026) will manage 6-8 hours ploughing on a single charge. And thats before the Powerfoyle is glued to every single panel. Future Farming have an interesting update https://www.futurefarming.com/tech-in-focus/exclusive-silent-plowing-with-a-160-hp-fully-electric-tractor.

Meanwhile as the BBC has been hyperventilating about the shortage of presents this coming Christmas, already multiple retailers reckon they can’t get their orders in fast enough due to delays between China and the UK. The cost of container shipping has gone north again very rapidly, with longer turnarounds due to diverting away from the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. Container rates have jumped from c $2500 to over $4000 in around a month. Have a look here https://terminal.freightos.com/freightos-baltic-index-global-container-pricing-index/ for some more stats for the pub later. I get that the high street shopper might be stressed about the Christmas presents, but there is an obvious knock on to the trade, that we will have to compete for container space, and pay through the nose for it, if we want those tyres, wheels, key fobs and bluetooth stereo’s. Interesting times.

Thank goodness there’s an election on, and I don’t have to talk about it. In other news, still waiting for that 3 day break in the weather to do the first cut and I’m at the Cereals Event this coming week, see you there, or go on Wednesday if you don’t want to see me, none taken.

Have a good week.

Andy