All from last 24 hours BUSINESSFarm opportunities from new trade deal with Gulf statesA major trade deal has been agreed between the UK and the Gulf Co-operation Council, estimated to be worth £3.7bn each year. The Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) is made up… NEWSRail crash tractor driver followed rules, inquiry findsA rail signaller forgot a train was approaching before giving a tractor driver permission to cross the tracks moments before a collision in rural Herefordshire, investigators have found. The Rail… NEWSNo Falls Week highlights deadly risks on farmsFarmers are being urged to take extra care when working at height as figures reveal that falls remain among the leading causes of deaths and serious injuries in agriculture. The… ENVIRONMENTWelsh farmers boost farm plastics recycling by 63%A south Wales farm plastics recycling scheme has exceeded expectations after collecting more than 300t of agricultural waste in just six months. Between July and December 2025, more than 200… NEWSGillian Martin handed key Scotland rural affairs roleFirst minister John Swinney has appointed Gillian Martin as Scotland’s new cabinet secretary for climate action and rural affairs. Ms Martin replaces Mairi Gougeon following her departure from frontline politics… ENVIRONMENTDroughts and floods: Double challenge for farmers everywhereWater management is a mounting challenge for farmers everywhere, with climate change ensuring many have experience of both “too much” and “too little”, sometimes in the same season. Nowhere are… DAIRYAdvice on getting successful inseminations with sexed semenSexed semen has reduced the heifer or bull lottery from inseminating with a conventional straw. But its higher cost means it makes economic sense to be extra diligent with cow… FINANCEBank lending to agriculture rises in mixed outlookParts of agriculture are listed among the business sectors suffering elevated financial stress in the Bank of England’s most recent monthly report. Hospitality, retail, construction and some manufacturers are in… ARABLE3 regen farmers to share expertise at Cereals eventFarmers will be sharing their knowledge and expertise on Base-UK’s regenerative agriculture stage at this year’s Cereals Event, as they discuss ways that rural businesses can grow without government support.… MACHINERYClaas invests in balers; Oxbo shifts merger production to UKProduction of big round and square balers has been given a €3.3m (£2.8m) boost at the Claas factory in Metz-Woippy, north-eastern France. Two new assembly lines are now in operation,… FARMER FOCUSFarmer Focus: Rain welcome but dry spell needed for silageThe last time I wrote, there was the possibility of another drought. Thankfully since then we’ve had nearly the perfect amount of rain for the time of year. Crops and… SPRAYERSDeere closes Mazzotti self-propelled sprayer operationJohn Deere’s self-propelled sprayer offering is set to narrow, after it announced the closure and liquidation of Mazzotti. The company, based at Ravenna in north-eastern Italy, was purchased by Deere…
