Reigning champs from Easton and Otley College reach the final of Cereals Challenge
A team from Easton and Otley College have reached the final of the Cereals Challenge 2015. Left to right - James Cunningham, Ryan Thompson, Tony Wilson (lecturer), Beth Deadman and Andrew Webber. (One member of the team (Adam Mann) is not pictured). - Credit: Submitted
The reigning champions of a national farming competition are aiming for top honours again after reaching the finals for the third year running.
A team of agricultural students from Easton and Otley College hope to reclaim the honours at this year's Cereals Challenge.
The finalists will be given a plot of land in Boothby Graffoe in Lincolnshire, where they have to grow a crop of rye for the crisp bread market.
Students then have to make real-time decisions to make the most profits on their yield. Competitors will be assessed on their ability to make input decisions and control costs, and the plots will be judged on the first day of the Cereals 2015 event at the site.
Dr Tony Wilson, an agricultural lecturer from the college, said: 'It's an important first step to make the final of this competition. Therefore, I'm proud of my students for getting this far. I know they are really looking forward to getting down to the real thing and managing the agrochemical inputs for their crop.'
'The skills that our students learn during this process can be applied to their working lives once they have left the college – that can only be a good thing.'
Student Ryan Thompson, from Wymondham, said: 'There is a bit of pressure on us as we won last year. However, we've already got through the first stage and we are looking forward to the challenge ahead.'
Most Read
- 1 A47 reopens after serious crash near Swaffham
- 2 Man dies after collapsing during dog walk in Norfolk village
- 3 7 of the prettiest villages in north Norfolk
- 4 Care home which has sat empty for four years to be revived by new owners
- 5 Family sue Wetherspoon after man falls to death in city pub
- 6 7 dogs looking for new homes in Norfolk
- 7 Recycling centre closures planned as part of £15m County Hall cuts
- 8 Peter Crouch speaks on bid to track down his 'Norfolk husband'
- 9 Customers travelling especially to visit charming new café at fishery
- 10 'Great relief' as vets rule out foot and mouth disease at Norfolk farm
The winning team will receive a trophy and prize of £1,000 plus £500 for their college.