Students compete in Cereals Challenge

Posted 18 June 2013

Four final year Harper Adams University students competed against teams from across the country to secure second place in the 2013 Cereals Challenge.

Now in its fourth year, the Cereals Challenge is organised by crop production specialists Hutchinsons and farm business management company Velcourt, and aims to encourage a new generation of agronomists and farmers.

The challenge is to grow the best plot of winter barley on the Cereals event site at Boothby Graffoe in Lincolnshire, and is judged on technical merit, gross margin and quality and timeliness of recommendations.

Team Harper Adams was awarded second place, competing against students from Newcastle University, The Royal Agricultural University, Hartpury College, Easton College and Riseholme College. The students involved were Ben Burrows, David Bird, Rob Squires and Philip Norden.

Commenting on the achievement, Louisa Dines, Senior Lecturer in Agronomy, said: “The team used the knowledge gained at Harper Adams and from their various placement experiences to carefully consider their options, producing technically and commercially sound recommendations in what has been a challenging season for any agronomist.

“I know that taking part in the challenge will benefit them in their chosen careers.”