The Crop and Environment Research Centre is the beating heart of research at Harper Adams.

We’re a self-sufficient, independent trials company, providing field trials for the government, farmer-funded bodies and private clients. We’re also home to Harper’s crop and environment research.

Find out more about about CERC’s work as an independent trials company.

An industry-class environment for academic research

As a research centre, we provide the facilities and expertise that fuels the research carried out by academic staff in the crop and environment disciplines. Research carried out by staff here includes:

• Sustainable production of food and non-food crops
• Crop protection (including forecasting, diagnostics, biocontrol, novel forms of control and the implications for food and environmental safety)
• Post-harvest quality
• Efficient use of water by plants
• The impact of production systems on biodiversity

We also provide many of the crop demonstrations that underpin our degree programmes and continuing professional development training.

Our facilities and equipment

Along with access to the university’s farm, biotechnology laboratories, engineering workshops and national network of trial sites, our facilities and equipment include:

• A purpose-built research building
• Walk-in cold storage
• Glasshouses
• Drying ovens
• Polytunnels
• And a range of trials-specific equipment and machinery

Staff involved in CERC