Drought & farm support: UK government has unveiled a £65m support package for drought-hit farmers, with Andy Burnham warning livelihoods are at breaking point and urging action on water and fire risk. Heat & crop pressure: Reports highlight record heat and drought conditions across England, with farmers warning water shortages are threatening potatoes, vegetables and wider food production. Livestock disease: Bluetongue is spreading, including confirmed cases in Scotland, driving calls for vaccination and tighter on-farm resilience planning. Workplace safety: BBC Countryfile’s Adam Henson says new figures show agriculture deaths rose to 33 in 2025/26, pushing renewed focus on risk assessments and training. Agtech & labour: University of Essex spin-out Versatile RobotX secured £1m+ to scale crop-picking robots already trialled with major growers in East Anglia. Local farm diversification: A Kent farm is turning to tourism with a new maize maze to offset soaring costs and shrinking margins. Agritourism leadership (Scotland): Scottish Agritourism chair Riddell Graham steps down after growing membership and sector value. Market signals (hay/straw): AHDB and hay/straw merchant reports suggest good early progress in parts of the UK, with Scottish barley straw prices steady and demand watched into autumn.