Defra Secretary visits Royal Agricultural University

23 Nov 2018

Michael Gove visited the Royal Agricultural University (RAU) today to learn about its key role in the development of skills for the agri-food and land management sectors and its initiatives to help the industry navigate change.

The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) toured the University’s Rural Innovation Centre (RIC) at its Harnhill Manor farm, where he heard about the range of practical programmes on offer for both professionals and students, such as courses in calf-rearing and the safe use of medicines on farms.

Reggae Reggae Sauce boss shares business secrets with students

19 Nov 2018

Dragons’ Den star Levi Roots told an audience of student entrepreneurs that the key to business success was ‘willingness to change and adapt’ – as well as having a good lawyer.

The BBC show winner who secured life-changing investment by pitching his Reggae Reggae Sauce, was speaking at the Royal Agricultural University (RAU) as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week.

Knepp Castle owner to share insights into rewilding his family estate

15 Nov 2018

Sir Charles ‘Charlie’ Burrell will discuss the rewilding project that transformed his family’s Knepp Castle estate, when he joins experts at a conference dedicated to this new form of conservation.

The 10th Baronet, an alumnus of the Royal Agricultural University (RAU) will speak alongside Professor Alastair Driver, Specialist Advisor for Rewilding Britain and DEFRA’s Nick Barter at the event organized by the RAU and Cirencester Sixth Form College.

Farmer-led innovation and post-Brexit policy initiatives discussed at new forum

31 Oct 2018

A forum led by the Royal Agricultural University (RAU) and the Countryside and Community Research Institute (CCRI) to support farmer-led initiatives and fresh thinking on policy issues welcomed representatives from over a dozen organisations.

Attendees included representatives from Natural England, Innovative Farmers (Soil Association), the 

Agriculture and food security research at RAU boosted by £2 million donation

25 Oct 2018

PhD research into topics such as growing soybean as a profitable, low-carbon crop will continue to thrive at the Royal Agricultural University (RAU) following a donation of £2 million.

The RAU has received this research investment thanks to the John Oldacre Foundation, which supports the agricultural sciences and is a long-term funder of doctoral study at the University.

RAU graduate wins Farmers Weekly Agricultural Student of the Year

10 Oct 2018

Alex Dunn awarded 'Agricultural Student of the Year' at the 2018 Farmers Weekly Awards.

The judges cited Alex’s “entrepreneurial flair, her drive to gain experience and dedication to improving agriculture’s safety record” as reasons why she beat competition from other leading universities in the land-based sector.

Real Estate students get an inside view into meeting new housing demand

04 Oct 2018

Real Estate students from the Royal Agricultural University (RAU) have started their courses with a first-hand insight into the process that goes into meeting the country’s demand for new houses.

Some 36 students from the BSc (Hons) and MSc Real Estate courses visited Newland Homes’ 39-home New Town Park development in Toddington, in the Cotswolds.

Students’ vineyard celebrates record harvest

27 Sep 2018

The RAU’s vineyard at Down Ampney has seen a record year with the largest amount of grapes picked since it was planted in 2010. The exceptional spring and summer weather was perfect for the vines and the vineyard is set to produce 15,000 bottles.

The 2.6 hectare plot is used to teach students from food production, business and agriculture courses and they also take part in the cultivation and picking. The 40 rows of vines contain mainly Ortega grapes, with a small amount of Seyval Blanc, Bacchus and Chardonnay.

RAU equine science student to work on racehorse research in Mongolia

22 Aug 2018

Lucy Allen, who studies Applied Equine Science and Business at the Royal Agricultural University shares her journey from borrowing ponies to being selected for a novel Mongolian racing research project.

When I used to cycle up the road to borrow a pony for a hack, I never dreamed I’d be travelling to East Asia to take part in a study into the genetics of speed in Mongolian racing ponies.

Young farmer Alexandra Dunn heads to New Zealand on a life-changing scholarship

21 Aug 2018

I couldn’t believe it when I was selected for this life-changing opportunity by the charity which exists to further the knowledge and farming experience of UK agriculture students.

Where will you be this time next year? How about farming in New Zealand? By the time you read this, I’ll have started a full year of work on a New Zealand dairy farm thanks to winning the Richard Wigram NZ Farming Scholarship.

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