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 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.