20 Aug 2018

Horses habitually gnawing on objects around their stables may be relieving anxiety linked to housing conditions, according to new research.

Experts from the Royal Agricultural University (RAU) and Aberystwyth University found differences in brain function pointed to a stress-relieving effect for this biting behaviour known as ‘cribbing’.

The grasping motion appears to mimic grazing or trying to find food suggesting a connection with housing conditions that restrict natural feeding patterns, according to the study.

02 Aug 2018

Dr Nicola Cannon, Principal Lecturer in Agronomy at the Royal Agricultural University (RAU) explains why the 2018 heatwave will have long-term consequences for crops and livestock nutrition with farmers having to reach into winter reserves of food and forage.

“The extreme heat and very dry conditions are affecting agriculture in many ways and the impact of this extreme weather is going to be felt for months to come.  The most important months for crop growth in the United Kingdom are May to August as temperatures, day length and weather are normally opti

27 Jul 2018

NFU President Minette Batters has formally opened the Royal Agricultural University’s (RAU) new home for regional business development and UK-wide agritech innovation, the Alliston Centre.

Named after the late Professor John Alliston, who was Emeritus Professor of Agriculture at the RAU, the centre will be a base for Gloucestershire businesses of all kinds and a headquarters for innovators working across the UK’s agriculture and land-based industries.

25 Jul 2018

RAU student Tayla Harding reveals that working as a shepherd gave her the confidence and skills to qualify for this year’s Farmers Apprentice competition.

Tayla, who studies Applied Farm Management, is one of ten people to make it through to the finals of the Farmers Weekly’s annual challenge.

The contestants are put through their paces with various agriculture and land-based tasks with a winner announced in the autumn.

23 Jul 2018

Former National Farmers Union (NFU) president Meurig Raymond, Chief Executive of Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF) Caroline Drummond and business consultant Christine Cross have been awarded Honorary Fellowships by the Royal Agricultural University (RAU).

The RAU paid tribute to the careers and impact of these leaders at its graduation ceremonies in Cirencester Parish Church on Thursday 19 July 2018.

10 Jul 2018

Schools across the UK who put agriculture at the heart of their work to raise students’ aspirations have been recognised at a national awards ceremony.

The second School Farms Network Education Alliance (SFNEA) Awards at the Royal Agricultural University (RAU) celebrated the role of school farms in growing understanding of land-based industries in schools and communities and beyond to higher education and eventual careers in the sector.

19 Jun 2018

Research into the value of using hedgerows to reduce carbon emissions won the Royal Agricultural University (RAU) an award at the 4th European Agroforestry Conference, in the Netherlands.

Academics, practitioners and policy leads from across the world met to discuss all aspects of Agroforestry - a way of integrating the growing of trees or shrubs amongst agricultural crops or pasture. It can provide multiple benefits, not least that of increasing productivity from the same area of land.

18 Jun 2018

Four RAU students have won this year’s coveted Cereals Challenge prize, after growing the best ‘virtual’ wheat crop under a series of tough conditions.

The team beat competition from Nottingham University, Newcastle University, Harper Adams University and Writtle University College to take the title at the Cereals 2018 arable event.

14 Jun 2018

An idea to improve safety on farms has won a prestigious Dragon’s Den-style competition for student entrepreneurs.

The Royal Agricultural University’s (RAU) 11^th Grand Idea competition asked students to pitch their plans to expert judges to secure £2,500 of investment.

11 Jun 2018

The Royal Agricultural University (RAU) has been selected to lead research which addresses the significant challenges facing the calf rearing sector, including antibiotic use and the welfare of calves.

Funded by AHDB Beef & Lamb, the project will produce guidance on best practice for rearing dairy-bred beef calves, helping producers to run a more efficient and profitable calf rearing business.