Aspiring agronomists' crop-growing skills put to the test at flagship arable event

Posted Today

The team inspecting their plot at Diddly Squat farm earlier this year.

Aspiring agronomists whose crop-growing skills have been tested against teams from across the UK will discover if they have won a major competition next week.

Teams from six institutions across the UK took part in the Ceres Rural Crop Challenge this Spring – with the winners set to be announced on the first day of the UK’s flagship arable event, Cereals 2026.

Each team has been tasked with growing a crop of winter wheat on-site at the Cereals venue - Jeremy Clarkson's Diddly Squat Farm -and advising on its management throughout, from the use of pesticides to the input of fertilisers.

Teams were expected to set out a crop management plan and react to changes in growing conditions across what has proved to be a variable season.

The winners set to be named on June 10, with a group of four students from Harper Adams University hoping to emerge as champions.

Final year students Kirsty Naismith, from Marykirk in South Aberdeenshire, and Daisy Hills, from Ashford in Kent, make up half of the Harper Adams team - alongside fellow fourth years Meriel Gerry and Harry Watson.

BSc (Hons) Agriculture with Crop Management student Kirsty said: “After spending the past year with Syngenta working in their Crop Protection research and development team, I was keen to put the theory I have been learning at uni and the skills I gained on my placement year into practice. 

“Throughout the growing season we have been making all the agronomy decisions for our assigned plot of winter wheat, aiming to grow the best quality and profitable wheat we can.

“It will judged at Cereals on how it looks - and the profit margins of the crop!”

Placement

Coursemate Daisy added: “The competition will be won by the cleanest, best-looking crop that has been the most economically managed.

“I signed up to take part after I saw an email about it as it sounded really interesting and beneficial - and after doing my placement with an agronomy firm I thought I might be able to offer something!

“We decided on which fertilisers and pesticides to apply to a plot of winter wheat over the season – starting off the challenge by going to Diddly Squat to look at our plot and make our fertiliser decisions.”

With no requirement to visit their plot in-person regularly, teams have also been judged on the clarity of their communication over the spring.

A panel of industry experts, including Jeremy Clarkson’s Agronomist and Land Agent, ‘Cheerful’ Charlie Ireland, will be assessing their work.

Kirsty added: “It’s been great experience for us, having responsibility and being in charge of all management decisions as aspiring agronomists. 

“We have gained an insight into the day-to-day decisions of being an agronomist, whilst also keeping a close eye on the grain markets, paying particular attention on return on investment - and the most effective fungicide and nutrient programmes.”

Meriel, from Munlochy in the Scottish Highlands, added: “I'm feeling very excited to head down to Cereals.

“Aside from being a great day out, I've not been able to see the plots in person since the start of the challenge - so it will be nice to see them and compare them to the other teams’ plots, now they've had all the applications we've recommended.”

The challenge will mark the end of four busy years at Harper Adams for Daisy, Kirsty and Meriel - who all credit their time at University for shaping their future careers.

Daisy said: “I've grown up on an arable farm at home, so wanted to study agriculture - and specialise in crop production.My Dad came to Harper and after looking round I knew I wanted to come here - it's great having the farm on site too.

“I've had an amazing time at Harper and it has absolutely flown by, I can't believe we only have a few months left!”

Industry experience

Kirsty added: “I was drawn to studying at Harper Adams after reading about it in Farmers Weekly - and by its highly-regarded reputation within the agricultural industry. I knew it would open up so many opportunities for me - particularly getting that valuable year of industry experience between my second and fourth year of studying. 

“I was drawn to studying Agriculture with Crop Management as I am passionate about regenerative farming systems and driving positive change in UK agriculture.

“Harper Adams has provided the perfect foundation of knowledge, practical skills and industry exposure to support my career goals.”

And Meriel said: “It's been great fun studying at Harper. I've both learnt lots and made life-long friends.

“I have found the course itself to be really interesting, especially our final year modules. It's provided a good balance between learning the theory and exposing us to industry and providing the space to gain and improve practical skills.

“I really wouldn't change it for the world!”

_{The Cereals site from the air - picture of site and picture of Charlie Ireland and Jeremy Clarkson used with kind permission of Cereals}