Simon Ward

Analyst and commentator on the UK agricultural sector

[Simon Ward @SimonWardTPG]

@vectafrank And far too many that are dwelling in the past and as a result not solving current problems because solutions are artificially closed off. Serious people do not consider problems as brexit issues.

[Simon Ward @SimonWardTPG]

@vectafrank These issues are about trade and political stability that require solutions irrespective of Brexit. It is not about blindly supporting a football team or political stance

[Simon Ward @SimonWardTPG]

@johngladigau Ah the rice grain doubling on the chess board trick. Sessa or Ibn Khallikan or Gladigau?🙂

[Simon Ward @SimonWardTPG]

@vectafrank It is like a football team but dispassionate assessment should be better. There are always successes and failures. We had a very high covid death rate based on most metrics and Kate Bingham appears to have delivered despite political interference.

[Simon Ward @SimonWardTPG]

@vectafrank More painful than who expected? It would have been a lot worse if the EU tariffs had been imposed. In European terms our GDP per capita (according to the IMF) is at best OK. I believe integrity, consensus and ability is crucial and not blind support. This is not party political.

[Simon Ward @SimonWardTPG]

@blackgull @Rothamsted @APreger What really surprised me was the "news" that legumes increased soil nitrogen, rotation helped to control weeds and manure has more readily available nitrogen than plant material.

[Simon Ward @SimonWardTPG]

Farm vehicles can cost £5000/year in fuel but few are very far from the socket. How about solar panels and the use of the new Ford truck. The truck can also be used to store electricity for later use. It is already common to use PV to remove the bulk of the daytime load.

[Simon Ward @SimonWardTPG]

Given one of the few current positives is low unemployment, isn't this a time to raise the minimum wage and raise the tax threshold if necessary topping up shortfall from increased inheritance tax or on higher earners?

[Simon Ward @SimonWardTPG]

On 10 Dec 1948, the UN adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. On 5 May 1949, the Council of Europe was created in London, to ensure the universal and effective recognition and application of the rights. Now 46 members. Just saying

[Simon Ward @SimonWardTPG]

@vectafrank The Good Friday Agreement was the negotiation of our lifetime and it worked but there is no obvious solution now in the new situation. Any negotiation requires belief in the integrity of the negotiators. This has been lost. It is not a Brexit debate.

[Simon Ward @SimonWardTPG]

@johnloveluck Thanks - impressive

[Simon Ward @SimonWardTPG]

@josh_jackman Josh I have just read your piece on the environmental sustainability of Glastonbury. Could I check that the tree planting credit is not potential carbon savings? It is difficult to capture more than 15t /ha/year. I doubt that 10,000 trees is more than say 3 ha.

[Simon Ward @SimonWardTPG]

@blackgull @petabeeuk @baheevandebor @thorntonwood Is it safer to fall 10,000 m or 12,000 m? Some chemicals are banned in the USA and accepted in the UK (permitted neonicotinoid mrls ARE lower in the US). Are there ANY non-trivial climate change solutions that do more than slow the descent to the soggy inferno?

[Simon Ward @SimonWardTPG]

GHG in agriculture it is complicated. Ask:
Are the GWPs based on AR4 or AR5?
How is GWP* dealt with?
Are the calculations UK specific Tier 3?
Are the Tier two calculations simplified with constants instead of variables?
Do the carbon calculations recognise change is finite?

[Simon Ward @SimonWardTPG]

I have never met a farmer that didn't do their best to maintain their land asset in full health. Is the term "regenerative farming" in the UK used to justify reducing input while increasing profit by maximising subsidy and lettings income?

[Simon Ward @SimonWardTPG]

Australian trade terms without the TRQs on products such as lamb - oops a double whammy. There will be a FTA...eventually.

[Simon Ward @SimonWardTPG]

US election result in - Putin won. Best hope is no fighting on the street and democracy remains intact.

[Simon Ward @SimonWardTPG]

@Tom_Clarke @transferdicky @NFUSugar That is the point. British Sugar is a one product business (in isolation) farmers are not. In contrast to cane producers farmers are in a strong position. Better still find real markets that demonstrate real personal expertise and imagination.

[Simon Ward @SimonWardTPG]

Has British Sugar taken advantage of the NFU? Views appreciated. The new contract terms base the bonus on the EU euro price for sugar while the proposed tariffs may raise UK prices at the expense of the EU price (if there is no deal) #farming

[Simon Ward @SimonWardTPG]

@Tom_Clarke @transferdicky @NFUSugar Australia often supplies most of its TRQ despite the tariff as occasionally does Brazil. It is reducing as the EBA countries receive investment. This means that BS receives a price boost and of course historically received a higher % of the support than now

[Simon Ward @SimonWardTPG]

@transferdicky @Tom_Clarke @NFUSugar We maintained prices above the world level for years and exported with subsidy until challenged under WTO. It is the final cost of purchase to meet demand that determines price.