Reigning champs from Easton and Otley College reach the final of Cereals Challenge

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.'

The winning team will receive a trophy and prize of £1,000 plus £500 for their college.