FARM UPDATE 217 WHY I HAVE DECIDED AGAINST NFU POSITION, ON A BOAT TO HENRYS FARM

[@bobcrawford2105]

Think you and Ollie have made the right decision in staying at home and looking after your own farms You can always keep rattling the can with your beliefs and thoughts

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

Thanks Bob, that’s my thoughts.

[@robertsarsby610]

Why aren’t banks planted with willow the roots would help stabilise the banks aslong as they where pillared regularly to avoid wind rock

[@siberg6257]

We got big floods here in Northern France as well, but it was mostly villages or cattle farms that were ruined not fields. Hope there will be solidarity. By the way, the situation here is due to lack of maintenance on water evacuation systems (ditches, pumps, etc) and the constant decrease of permeable soil due to the expansion of cities, suburbs etc... Thanks for the videos

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

Same as here by the sounds of it. Roll on better weather.

[@waynesmith4612]

I hope things improve for young Henry, I knew his dad Joe, a nice guy. Hope things get better for you guys.

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

Thank you, I’ll pass that on.

[@waynesmith4612]

@@WardysWaffleAndrewWard Your welcome.

[@nigelh45]

Please let Henry know we are feeling the pain through your waffles Andrew. Hope he uses the boat pop over to the local😉👍

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

😂 Thank you, I will.

[@johnevans4015]

Congratulations Andrew on giving the office position the miss. It is quite hard to back off. I have done the same after 30 years of giving to the industry, it takes a toll on your farm but on saying that it advances my business by seeing the political problems before they arrived and making the changes easier. Regards from Tasmania The one thing we need to remember is that there is no steering wheel in a train and it goes were the tracks are laid. 👍🍎🍏

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

That’s a brilliant analogy, I’m going to pinch that!!

[@johnevans4015]

It works regardless the size of the train Just tell them you got it from a Tasmanian apple grower I have more and another is You don’t have dogs and bark yourself Just need to make a phone call now and then and lay another sleeper If you make them feel it is their idea you will get anything you want 👍

[@johnevans4015]

The local ABC radio call the Johnisumms

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

😂😂👌👍

[@adrianlayen4119]

Another great video Andrew, keep the pressure on to get something done. Good to see the water going down. Let's hope the EA get the river bank sorted as soon as they can get access to carry out a proper repair.

[@timgalley4391]

I'll tell you what else the telehandler towing attachment will come in handy for ....... launching and recovering Henry's boat trailer up and down the boat ramp, sorry I mean driveway. I was pleased to see you have a wry chuckle when you cruised the boat up the driveway, if you didn't laugh you would cry. Having watched various video's of lots of rivers over topping and putting thousands of acres underwater throughout the country again and again surely the message must get through that the various agencies need more long reach excavator drivers and less office staff.

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

You need humour to get through life at the mo. 😊

[@martyn450f3]

Another good video Andrew. If you have any spare time in the summer you'll have to visit Henry's Farm so we can compare with no water .

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

I’ll do that.

[@funsi3]

Totally understand and respect your decision in full to withdraw from NFU leadership Andrew. Home ALWAYS comes first.

[@matthewhodder3029]

You've made the right decision regarding the NFU job. Home comes first and we know that you will keep on campaigning

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

Thank you, I will.

[@irwinmorrow1267]

Hello Andrew. As much as I think we need people like yourself helping to shape the future of agriculture in this country. I fully understand your decision not to go for the top NFU position. Your farm comes 1st. That’s a no brainier! So sad to see Henry’s farm. I would be in tears if that was mine. He’s a strong lad that deserves a break! It still makes me mad that you see bloody trees growing out of the middle of the river! Hopefully this is a big enough wake up call for some action to be done! Cheers 👍

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

Thank you, I really wanted to make a difference but the timing just wasn’t right.

[@irwinmorrow1267]

@@WardysWaffleAndrewWard you are making a difference! Going into schools, educating children about where their food comes from, all the charity work helping with forage aid. Plus bringing attention like tonight’s video, I wouldn’t know anything about this from the mainstream media. Your doing great work! We will need everyone in the coming years though to fight what’s speeding down the track, just look at the German farmers at the moment. The Dutch last year. Etc.

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

If you look at it like that hat then I suppose I am. You’re right, we have a huge amount of things going on and to fight against.

[@peterre4422]

That’s crazy! EA needed a boat trip to really grasp the issues.

[@ginggur17]

Sending best wishes to Henry and his family. 🙏🙏👍

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

Thank you, he’ll see that as he is reading these comments.

[@richardmatthews3304]

I dont know how young Henry keeps his cool, if he was in the middle of lambing moving the ewes with lambs would have been a nightmare, he's a strong man

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

He’s a Ward!!!

[@ginggur17]

Astonishing to be above his fences with a boat. I recall seeing Henry’s farm last time on the TV. It feels strange now being at the farm with your channel. It’s like I know him. It’s soul destroying seeing the devastation. I saw his interview on tv last week saying it’s about finished him bless him. 🙏🙏

[@jsa2257]

Very interesting video, great to document the flooding, the steeping river through Wainfleet had the bank go a few years ago and caused a lot of flooding It did get desilted which had been neglected for years,they deepened many parts by about 4feet they used a huge pipe to suck it out and it has made a difference as no flooding last October 👍

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

I saw that at the time and hope that can happen on the Witham and other rivers.

[@georgeehlers6622]

Life jackets please we need people like you and Henry to bring the plight of the farmers and folks living next to water to the authorities. Hope you all recover

[@davidstaddon5932]

Very difficult decision for you to take, and I believe you are right in saying the home farm needs the extra managerial input at the moment. Please do reconsider in the future as you are a great asset to the farming community and I enjoy your no nonsense approach in your updates.

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

Thank you, the next elections are in two years time. If I get the Farm back on track, I will definitely go for it then.

[@EifionOwen-g2h]

Omg . The weight of water on that land is collosal. There is going to series compaction after.

[@Techielass]

Thats horrific flooding, thanks for documenting it. Hopefully the EA start to do something.

[@bodg130]

Good Video Andrew. Thanks

[@Ralph94967]

Think you and Ollie made the right decision. The farm comes first.

[@grahamsandry313]

Truly heartbreaking to see all this land inundated. I am really hoping that the water levels start to recede soon. I totally understand how you would decide to opt for looking after your own business in place of taking on other responsibilities. One day in the future you may decide to take on a role with the NFU when circumstances permit. Thank you for posting the video. None of us in London where I live are aware of this flooding. You wouldn't believe it.

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

Thanks for watching and your comment. Do you think a lot of Londoners aren’t aware of the flooding and the problems we have generally with trying to produce food?

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

Thanks for watching and your comment. Do you think a lot of Londoners aren’t aware of the flooding and the problems we have generally with trying to produce food?

[@johnhyde8892]

A great video Andrew, you would think it was a big lake. I think you do a great job for farmers.

[@leecurry14]

Totally understand your reasons Andrew for not standing, but you're the kind of person it needs to make changes. See you at Lamma on Wednesday maybe, hopefully you've got some merch to be flogging whilst there 🤔🤣🤣🤣 All the best Lee

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

😂😂 I hope to be in a position in 2 years to go for it.

[@michaellane9873]

It will be interesting to see how they repair that river bank because it's not a small breach, fingers crossed for all the land owners in that area.

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

The one in 2019 cost £2m and it was only half the size!!

[@Ralph94967]

The Uk as a hole has put so much stress on the river-ways by buildings of homes. Ind estates. And all that tarmac. Just runs right into rivers. Also no dredging work carried out. To maintain the flow of the water. Out to the seas. Off our cost. Yes we have had a lot of rain. But if the Goverment and its agencies. Actually did what they are legally bound to do. All this flooding might never. Have happened. If the folks of our nation think it’s expensive for food now. Wait for the incoming few years. Farmers run on a tight. Budget. And can’t afford to take losses.

[@johnforrestal9975]

The bend on the river at that point is really hard of the bank, gets the full force of the water. I suppose if Henry had shored it up him self on the inside he be in trouble withEA.

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

That would certainly put pressure on the bank on the corner.

[@andyhutch8262]

As farm mechanic & only fabricator on large arable unit, any thing I fabricated had to be passed by H+S & the company's insurance, the latter would take it away and have them tested, never once any failed may I add.

[@chrisnichols5208]

Good evening I have just watched Harry farm on KZbin he’s says it’s more profitable not to grow crops but use the SFI scheme would you or most definitely Henry be better not producing food and just taking the subsidies it’s seems most strange being paid again not to farm I fear the government as lost it’s way I am a retired farmer and love you weekly updates

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

Henry definitely would but I don’t want to not grow food but it comes down to economics so who knows, we might have to.

[@richardbaker22]

Great video Andrew

[@robertsmith9810]

Must be hart breaking to see you farm under that much devastation

[@ivorcallaghan4060]

Don’t know how Henry can stick this the pressure that he must be under has to be unbelievable he just can’t have this over and over again he’s going to be ruined while the government sit on their hands

[@simonpegge2843]

Maybe some direct action is needed by uk farmers similar to what's happening in Germany, France etc then perhaps the government may take some notice!

[@barrywalker3730]

The local radio saying the council is thinking of introducing beavers onto the river ouse in North Yorkshire the river ouse is a navigation river which starts in the vale of york near me on good arable land they want to get the river cleaned out not hold it up seems to me in the future farmers will be paid subsidies not to grow food but to store water have thes people any sense

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

Beavers…… 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[@GrahamWP58]

What a waste of productive land, Captain Henry of the good ship hope. Lets hope the EA listened to all concerned and act on the local knowledge rather than computer models. Lovely looking vermin controllers good to see they are surviving the floods. As always great update and I'll see you Sunday. Good call on the NFU front

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

Thank you! 👍😊

[@petermaclure6024]

Why do we farmers pay a drainage charge to Environment Agency. ? !

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

For the EA to handle our water!! Oh, hang on a minute …….!

[@aaronswanson6719]

Heartbreaking ❤️‍🩹 😢

[@robdavis5711]

Good god, 2.5metres?!? What happens to land after the flood waters subside, what condition is the soil left in? Presumably nothing survives, e.g nitrogen levels must disappear, insects die, soil nutrition is non-existent? What has to happen for the soil to be of use again, is it just a matter of giving it time to recover or can you do something to reinstate it?

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

It’ll not be great for a few years.

[@dannyleighton3178]

Morning Andrew, just a quick question. Nothing to do with this video. Do you have anymore information on gatekeeper talking to your John Deere system in your sprayer? Thanks.

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

Hello Danny, funny that, we’re going to Farols in the morning to get sorted.

[@dannyleighton3178]

@@WardysWaffleAndrewWard can you let me know how you get on please?

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

Not got it sorted yet, I’ll do a bit for Sundays update.

[@trevorsidley7697]

I cannot begin to imagine how Henry manages to keep going. Perhaps an ITV Drama is needed to let the public know how badly the EA are abusing Farmers.

[@johnwarwick4105]

Love that comment, manny a true word 😂

[@kristiandevoy]

Looking at the flooding shows the madness of not dredging the rivers. The EA need to get off their backsides and start doing something

[@johnwarwick4105]

Unfortunately anybody who has the ability to do these top jobs won’t have the time to do it 🤷‍♂️. Therefore the people we end up with don’t have the ability

[@tomgreene1843]

Will all spring crops be late due to floods ?

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

On any land with water on, yes and heavy land like dome of ours and late plant d spring crops never yield very well so it’s going to be a difficult year.

[@ianwright7056]

is the attachment used to move trailers around

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

😊👍

[@cheechU38K]

I’d say to clear out the river, a dredger is needed. Would take forever to use excavators 🤬

[@markyoull6744]

so srry for henary and his family think your right to stay and cocentrate on your farm

[@RonHelton]

👍👍👍👍🐶🐶🐶🐶🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@danjdclark]

Henry's place is shocking. Hope you all get some action out of EA. But fear bureaucracy will hinder any real progress. Especially if they can't get their shite together to move a generator and a fuel cube. Get ITV to make a drama about it.

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

I would love my video from last Sunday to appear on main stream tv.

[@johnfurnival4133]

You have made the correct decision with theNFU position

[@petergarthwaite6805]

What a absolute disaster for all concerned 😢

[@julianchambers8372]

Lifting beam ?

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

Sort of ……..!!

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

You obviously haven’t watched to the end because I give the game away!!

[@SimonPerry-cz4ke]

Andrew Henry what Can I Say I have seen it all Before a Farmer you know well in Somerset could only get back to his Farm By Boat for 16 weeks in 2014 The EA were not Fit for Purpose then and is No Better now.

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

Exactly Simon, but de silting the Parrot made a huge difference and setting up the SRA also.

[@helenporter7584]

Get an agreement in writing. Don’t trust the EA!

[@billb7876]

Over by the Witham pumphouse the EA have 3 "armadillo" machines sitting beside some generators, when you walk past them they set off a massive alarm and then a broad Irish accent shouts at you telling you that your an intruder and the police have been informed?? Bloody barmy considering its public land. Another thing is if you did decide to steal their generators (the dry non flooded ones) surely you would not steal them by boat along the bloody Witham so why are these pathetic devices where they are?

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

There has been a number of pumps vandalised in the last month across the county and fuel has been stolen, I suspect that’s why.

[@billb7876]

But as its a public right of way they should not be shouting and threatening everyone who walks past, or fit their pumps in the yard next door? @@WardysWaffleAndrewWard

[@gregj7916]

terrible scenes in the farmyard. Is the area a natural flood plain that was converted to farmland by heightening the river bank?

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

I dont really know, I s a long way inland and very near Lincoln if it was.

[@gregj7916]

fingers crossed for a good spring and hopefully primary producers get some traction to stop the tail wagging the dog....

[@glynluff2595]

What can the insurance problem be in removing that Gennie ? There is a fuel supply which could contaminate enfolding water and a generator which creates its own electricity so isolatable and requiring simple detachment for removal. It was no difficulty in the army. The people who used that as an excuse deserve a kicking. Too many people hiding behind corners and refusing to stand up and be counted. Sack the lot and get a few sergeants and corporals who take ownership of problems.

[@abbiejones1843]

It's laughable. If it wasn't so serious. The trouble is this government. Not interested. And sadly seem to thinnk they can import most of our food . Especially now we are out of the EU. And us being a small country haven't a chance on our own . Trying to compete with bigger countries.. I can see in the future the British farmers. Will just be glorified Park keepers.

[@ianLogan-q4r]

Did you forget your life jackets wouldn’t want to rip the bottom out the boat on a gate post

[@nickgratton5341]

I think you spend too much time looking after other farm things and not enough time on your own farm, one man cant change the way things are going and no matter what all you farmers say just dredging drains will not cure the problems as the water table is too high and you are proof of that as you dredged your own drains and your fields are still under water ok the waterways do need cleaning but it will not solve the problem you are a great ambassador to farming but you are trying to sort problems you don’t know enough about and that is becoming a bit boring …ps still hanging on

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

Thanks for the feed back. 😊👍

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

Thinking about your comment, some of our drains were in the dyke bottom so clearing out the dykes raised the outfalls up the bank so the drains work. We only have water stood on fields which we didn’t cultivate much before drilling, any thing we did with the solo is fine. And I can’t change everything myself but I can highlight what effects lack of ea maintenance causes. The comments on here from non farmers prove that. High lighting what Henry is going through can only help. Also, he is my god son and I don’t take that role lightly especially now his dad isn’t here.

[@richardgibbs7917]

Umm….i wonder if you work for the EA or you’re a no nort politician.. think most people effected would agree Wardys waffle are doing a fantastic job of highlighting issues of neglect from the EA. Yes the water table is high but if the river systems were maintained properly the water would flow away and there fire would be less flooding or the effects would be less severe. Keep up the good work Wardy if we all buried our heads in the sand sweet fa would get done…

[@roblonsdale8927]

Lovely words re Henry,s dad there Andrew.​@@WardysWaffleAndrewWard

[@WardysWaffleAndrewWard]

Cheers Richard! 👌😊👍