Cereals 2026: Royal Agricultural University team win crop competition
© RAU A team of students from the Royal Agricultural University (RAU) have been crowned the winner of this year’s AICC Ceres Rural Crop Challenge 2026 at Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm.
The team fought off stiff competition from five other universities to claim the top spot in the hotly contested competition.
See also: Cereals 2026: Pea and bean guide helps growers monitor crops
The teams of agriculture students were challenged to grow the best plot of Skyfall wheat in the Diddly Squat Farm Trials Zone. They were judged on the appearance of their plot, as well as decision-making, communication, and team collaboration.
The RAU team – consisting of brother and sister duo Charlie and Sophie Turner, Archie Pegg, and team leader Alivia Ross – were judged to have produced the best crop by Ceres Rural managing partner and Clarkson’s Farm star “Cheerful” Charlie Ireland, and Roger Davis from Indigro representing AICC (Association of Independent Crop Consultants).
Presenting the trophies, Charlie Ireland said: “It’s been really, really interesting. It’s that balance of highlighting practical constraints, cost control, financial balance, and disease management. That’s the really important thing. So, hats off to you – the standard has been really high this year.”
The RAU team were crowned the overall winner, knocking rival Harper Adams into second place while Aberystwyth University came third.
