Assessment and analysis at AHDB Strategic Cereal Farms - Strategic Farm Midlands

Background

AHDB Farm Excellence is a channel for integrating farmers and their businesses into the wider AHDB Research and Knowledge Exchange (KE) programmes.

Across AHDB sectors, we work with an extensive scope of agricultural businesses. We have inspirational farmers opening their doors to others to learn, share and create new ideas to drive innovation and increase productivity.

Strategic Cereal Farms demonstrate new ways of working in a commercial setting.

The programme demonstrates relevant research through a series of trials and demonstrations in addition to knowledge exchange events to share the results with the wider industry.

Approaches are subject to full cost-benefit analysis and are designed to help farmers assess the possibility of changing approaches on their own farms.

You can find out more about AHDB Farm Excellence by visiting: ahdb.org.uk/farm-excellence.

Strategic Cereal Farm Midlands hosted by Will Oliver at Osbaston House Farm, Coventry. This is the most recent Strategic Cereal Farm, which will start on 15 September 2025 and will end on 01 October 2031.

Currently there are two other Strategic Cereal Farms.

Strategic Cereal Farm North hosted by David Blacker at Church Farm, Shipton. You can find out more information by visiting: Strategic Cereal Farm North | AHDB

Strategic Cereal Farm East hosted by David Jones at The Morley Agricultural Foundation, Norfolk. You can find out more information by visiting: Strategic Cereal Farm East | AHDB

Aim

AHDB wish to commission assessments at the Strategic Cereal Farm Midlands for harvest 2026, with the potential to renew the contract for subsequent harvests subject to review of milestones and deliverables.

The aim of the assessments is to provide information to cereal and oilseed farmers and agronomists on opportunities to improve the efficiency of farming.

The aim of the Strategic Cereal Farm Midlands is to optimise nutrient and agrochemical inputs whilst maintaining yield and refine rotational management.

Research partnership approach

Applicants can respond to individual work packages in this call. Joint proposals from two or more contractors are acceptable and encouraged where there is added value.

AHDB may, if it is deemed desirable, request applicants to form a consortium to work together. There should be one organisation designated as the lead organisation for the Partnership that is responsible for project management and delivery.

The group size should be manageable. Prospective partnerships can comprise both research institutes and industrial partners, be multi-disciplinary, and draw on a range of research experience for a number of crops.

Therefore, the group does not necessarily need to have a history of working together previously. Priority will be given to the applicants with joint proposals demonstrating added value and with in-kind and or cash funding from the industry.

Project duration and budget

AHDB has set aside a maximum total budget of £65,000 over 12 months. Proposals for this call should provide detailed costs for the period 15 September 2025 – 01 October 2026.

There is the potential to renew the contract for subsequent harvests subject to review of milestones and deliverables.

The earliest date of commencement for work funded in this call will be September 2025. The successful contractor will be required to provide monthly trials diaries to AHDB.

Completion and submission of the application form

All applicants should complete an application form for projects over £50,000 using the , referring to the guidance notes to aid completion.

Proposals should include details relating to harvest 2026 trials, including:

Detailed schedule and timing of assessments
Detailed schedule of payments against milestone project deliverables
Cost of measurements and analysis of the parameters listed in the work package
Written and verbal presentations of content for Open Day (June 2026) using a template provided by AHDB
The successful contractor will also be required to provide AHDB with final reports for all trials/ work packages using a template provided by AHDB, to include methodology, analysis and interpretation of the final results.
Details of laboratories to be used for sample analysis
Applicant details, including the work package leads, nominated trial manager and organisation details. Please include any details of collaborators where appropriate
Statement of availability and description of machinery where appropriate
Details of previous experience and work in this field, to include scientific and technical expertise of the staff involved in the project
Time should be costed into the proposal for work package lead attendance at the Summer Open Day, one in-person results meeting, two steering group meetings, one online results meeting and up to 2-days for KE content creation.

Applications are made on the basis of the AHDB research funding agreement and any organisation receiving funding shall comply with the terms and conditions specified in the Research Funding Agreement.

AHDB will not be held responsible for any expenses or losses incurred by applicants in the preparation of an application(s).

Completed application forms should be submitted to research@ahdb.org.uk no later than 09:00am on 26 August 2025

Proposed timings for application and overall project delivery

Call published: 28 July 2025

Full proposal deadline: Make an electronic submission to research@ahdb.org.uk no later than 9:00am on 26 August 2025 (There is no Concept or Expressions of Interest phase)

Applicants notified: 01 September 2025

Project commences: 15 September 2025

Project completion: 1 October 2026 (+1 October 2027 subject to review, +1 October 2028 subject to review)

Once the successful applicant has been notified, an inception meeting will be arranged. This meeting will take place before the project commences to finalise the protocol and site accessibility.

An interim project meeting will be held in April 2026 and data collected up to this date should be provided to AHDB with monthly project reports for each trial.

Project management

This project will be managed by a project committee comprising representatives of the successful applicant(s), AHDB staff, host farmer and other suitably qualified individuals (determined by AHDB).

The successful applicant must appoint a trial manager for the day to day management of the project and must provide evidence in their application that these individuals have suitable experience.

The successful applicant must draw up a protocol for the trials which should be shared with the project committee before work begins.

Monthly trial diaries and update meetings

The successful contractor(s) will be required to attend monthly project update meetings. These meetings will be held online using Microsoft Teams and will last for approximately 1 hour.

During these meetings, each work package lead will be required to update the project team on progress to date, including data collection, images and any results.

Monthly trial diaries should be submitted to the project team the day before the project meeting. These trials diaries should include a written update, photographs (original files), any data collected.

Records and data handling

All paper and electronic records must be kept as per contractor’s procedures. All data should be recorded appropriately and supplied to AHDB at the end of the project along with a final project report.

Procedures in the event of delays

If prolonged adverse conditions result in delays of over 7 days, notify the AHDB Knowledge Transfer Manager promptly.

Risk assessment

The contractor must supply a risk assessment for the trial to cover all elements of the work and that is compliant with industry regulations.

Assessment of proposals

All submitted proposals will be reviewed by cross-sector research and KE representatives within AHDB. The selection will be an open and fair competition according to AHDB’s procurement policy, which complies with EU state aid rules.

Knowledge Exchange (KE)

The successful contractor will be required to make a significant contribution to KE. Platform presentations at AHDB events within the Strategic Farm remit may be required and the successful contractor must be able to provide suitably qualified people to speak at these events and show evidence of their experience of speaking to grower audiences.

Attendance at events within the Strategic Farm remit will be paid at a day rate plus expenses and the costs should not be included in the contractor’s proposal.

The successful contractor will be required to provide AHDB with written content as well as present at the on-farm Open Day (June 2026), in-person results day (November 2026), online Results Day (November 2026) and at Steering group meetings (2 per year).

A template for written handouts and final reports for trials/work packages will be provided by AHDB.

The successful contractor will be expected to contribute towards the preparation of publications, updates, video and blog posts related to the project as required on an ad-hoc basis.

This will include providing commentary on project results, and sense checking. The costs of this must be included within the proposal submission and these costs should be indicated separately.

Presentations of material at events not requested by and/or directly supported by AHDB will not be funded by AHDB but must be cleared with AHDB in advance.

For attendance at events over and above the expected Strategic Farm project KE delivery, the rates are detailed below:

Current AHDB day rates and expenses for presenters at AHDB events. Receipts (originals or copies) must be provided for all expenses claimed. Expenses authorised whilst engaged on business on behalf of AHDB.

Travel

(Business mileage 45p/mile)

Subsistence
Other reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred

Questions and Answers

If you have specific questions relating to this call, please email Research@ahdb.org.uk. All questions and answers will be published.

As part of the open tender process, AHDB cannot discuss specific programme details prior to proposal submission.

Strategic Cereal Farm Midlands

Farm host: Will Oliver, Farm Owner, Osbaston House Farm

Location: Osbaston, CV13 0HR

Farm aim

The aim of the Strategic Cereal Farm Midlands is to optimise nutrient and agrochemical inputs whilst maintaining yield and refine rotational management.

This will be achieved by reducing dependency on synthetic nitrogen through improved utilisation of on-farm organic resources, alteration of maize management practices to improve yields and reduce the impact of residues on the following crop and the incorporation of precision agriculture to guide fertiliser and crop protection strategies.

The call has been divided into the following three work packages:

Work package 1: Maize management for the following wheat crop.

Work package 2: Optimising organic amendments

Work package 3: Testing technology for improved returns

More detailed information on the assessments required within each of the trials are provided on the following pages. Applicants should respond to each of the work packages detailed in this call.

Your application should address each work package separately, and you should provide detailed costs of each assessment on a work package basis.

Proposals should include a time schedule and protocol (including number of samples and analysis) for the following assessments in accordance with standard operating procedures and to address the aim of the work package.

Site description

3 fields have been selected at Strategic Cereal Farm Midlands for inclusion in the programme.

WP1

What3words location: ///rosette.gems.demanding

Field Name: Turnpike

Cropping currently: Maize

Previous Cropping: Wheat

Proposed next cropping: Wheat

WP2

What3words location: ///rally.easygoing.hits

Field Name: Opp Fenn Lane

Cropping currently: Winter Beans

Previous Cropping: Wheat

Proposed Next Cropping: Wheat

WP3

What3words location: ///pigtails.extreme.famines

Field Name: Burnt Cross

Cropping currently: Maize

Previous: Wheat

Next: Wheat

Work package descriptions

The work package descriptions below are provided as a guide. Where appropriate, please include alternatives to the proposed methodologies in your application based on your experience.

Alternative trial designs and assessments should consider the intended aim of the Strategic Cereal Farm, budget and logistics of establishing and managing trials with farm scale machinery.

WP1: Maize management for the following wheat crop

Background

Osbaston house farm currently employs a maize, wheat, bean rotation. The management of maize residue is important for the health and vigour of the following wheat crop.

Therefore, the aim of this work package is to carry out contrasting maize management programmes for residue break down in a no till system.

This work package will look at approaches such as soil amendments, tillage and mechanical approaches. The result of these practices on the following wheat crop will be assessed. The effect of each treatment on wheat fusarium risk will also be assessed.

Design

Replicated strip-trial design implementing the following treatments for maize residue management:

Biological soil amendments
Control
Medium-tillage
Mulching

Assessments

Soil health measurements (pre and post maize harvest)
Soil structure (VESS)
Soil organic matter
Growth stages
Maize yield analysis
Wheat establishment (plant counts)
Wheat disease assessments
Wheat yield analysis

WP2: Optimising organic amendments

Background

Osbaston house farm contains a large poultry unit, with manure being used on-site for adding nutrients in the cropping rotation.

With a general change in stocking densities and poultry management, it is considered that the nutrient content of poultry manure may differ from the historically associated value.

This work package will implement poultry manure testing to determine if an update to values is required. In addition, this work package will explore the benefits and trade-offs of poultry manure applications versus inorganic fertilisers.

Design

Replicated strip-trial design implementing three treatments:

Spring-applied poultry manure (with supplementary N as required)
Inorganic Nitrogen
50/50 split poultry manure & inorganic nitrogen

Assessments

Soil characterisation
Manure analysis
Crop disease
Crop yield analysis
Grain analysis
SMN

WP3: Testing technology for improved decision-making

Background

Rapid development of sensing and modelling technology coupled with data processing techniques have provided new opportunities for optimization of input management.

While this may provide farmers with decision-making support, understanding the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of the tools available is vital for farm businesses.

In this work package, the focus is on optimising nitrogen applications, targeting fungicide usage and improving crop health utilising available technology such as sensors, tools and satellites.

We will be comparing the margins from a technology guided approach to farm standard approaches.

Design

Replicated strip trial design implementing treatments:

Farm standard (FS)
FS N, guided Fungicide
Guided N, FS fungicide
Guided N, guided Fungicide

Assessments

Soil characterisation
Crop disease
Crop yield analysis
Crop tissue analysis
Grain analysis

Questions & Answers

Question 1: Please can we check if the total project budget is £65,000 inclusive of VAT

Answer: Yes, the budget is inclusive of VAT.

Question 2: Please can you specify which KE activities should be costed within the proposal and which will be paid separately and therefore should not be included in the proposal?

Answer: KE Activities to include in the proposal:

Attendance at Summer open day one per year
attendance at 2 steering group meetings per year
Attendance at 1 in person results meeting per year
Attendance at 1 online results webinar per year.
2 days for KE content creation (blogs, videos).

Paid separately, and with approval from the project lead, would be attendance at any additional KE meetings (Monitor Farm meetings, Agronomy Conference).

Question 3: Looking at the fields they are spread out over a large distance, please can we check the field locations are correct?

Answer: The locations are correct. They are spread out due to the farm layout. However, there is flexibility to utilise other fields if needed.

Question 4: Does the farm have a yield mapping combine?

Answer: Yes

Question 5: Does the farm have a yield mapping forage harvester?

Answer: Yes

Question 6: Are manufactured fertilisers applied in solid or liquid form?

Answer: Usually solid fertiliser. Sometimes 7.20.0 is applied at drilling.

Question 7: Please can you provide information on what type of residue will be in the field. Is the maize undersown? If yes, what is the species mix of the undersown groundcover?

Answer: Maize is usually undersown with clover. This season, due to drought establishment has been very poor. Just maize residue in the field this year.

Question 8: What is the normal farm practice for managing residue following a maize crop?

Answer: Direct Drilled, Horizon DSX

Question 9: The trial plan requests replicated tramlines, but the field will only fit 3 treatments not 4. Is a larger field available? Is so please can you send details?

Answer: A larger field can be made available, and details will be added soon.

Question 10: What is planned for the ‘control’ treatment?

Answer: No till

Question 11: For treatment 1, biological soil amendments, do you have a particular product in mind which you would like to test?

Answer: There is no prescription for products. The farmer has expressed an interest in QLF Boost, Sea2Soil & Biocat.

Question 12: For treatment 4, please can you explain what is exactly meant by mulching?

Answer: Disc cultivation.

Question 13: For the maize yield analysis, please can you explain why you require the maize yield to be analysed? Will this field be harvested with a yield mapping forage harvester?

Answer: The maize yield will be noted but will not need to be analysed. This will be updated in the research call. The field will be harvested with a yield mapping forage harvester.

Question 14: Is the objective of the trial to test the impact of variable rate nitrogen and/ or fungicide across the field or to test the impact of improved guidance on timing and rates for flat rate applications of nitrogen and fungicide?

Answer: The main objective is to test the impact of improved guidance, particularly from a cost-benefit analysis perspective.

Question 15: Does the farm have machinery to apply variable rate nitrogen/ fungicide?

Answer: Yes

Question 16: For all 3 fields is information available on topsoil nutrients (available P, available K, available Mg) organic matter content and soil texture? Have any of these properties been mapped?

Answer: Yes, this data is available

Question 17: Are there any particular tools, sensors or other technologies that you had in mind that you would like to test as part of this trial?

Answer: Farm already uses a handheld N sensor and does some tissue testing. Keen to look at satellite data as well as other technologies. Focus on crop health, how to alter farm standard approach to disease control.

Question 18: What is the farm standard management for nitrogen?

Answer: Usually 220kg/N ha for wheat.

Question 19: Please can we check our understanding for the type of maize residue left in the field post-harvest this year. Will all the maize biomass be harvested and removed from the field, leaving just the maize stalks? Therefore, when the trial description refers to ‘maize residue’ this means maize stubble only for this year (given that the understory hasn’t taken)?

Answer: Normally the maize is combined. When combined, only the cob is taken away thus leaving all the stalks on the field, chopped up. Then direct drill into this.

However, this year due to the fodder shortage, they took the decision the sell the standing crop this year so it will be foraged. So, there will be maize stalks left as residue, less trash than would be post-combining. In future trial years, there will likely be more maize residue.