Ceres Rural is bringing a dynamic mix of technical expertise, plot demonstrations, and a brand-new student competition to this year’s Cereals Event, showcasing both their agronomic insight and investment in the future of farming.

Ceres has supported the establishment and management of the main crop plots at the event, working closely with host farmer, Andrew Ward and NIAB to deliver a strong and informative display, despite challenging seasonal conditions.

“It’s been a tricky season, with a very wet autumn delaying drilling in many areas,” said Will Davis, partner and agronomist at Ceres Rural. “Thankfully, the site here is quite forgiving, so we were able to get everything established well. But now we’re dealing with a lack of April rainfall, and on free-draining soil, timely rain in May and June is crucial to keep everything looking tip-top.”

The plots will highlight varietal performance under real-world conditions, allowing growers to see how crops respond to moisture stress and input strategies.

“Even if we don’t get much rain, it will be valuable for growers to see the differences in how varieties respond to drier conditions,” Mr Davis explains. “That’s all part of what we deal with as agronomists -advising growers under uncertainty and tailoring decisions to what nature gives us.”