Search for new Strategic Cereal Farm extends to Scotland

We are calling for ambitious growers to host new Strategic Cereal Farms for the next six years.

Farmers in our West and Wales or South West regions are already getting in touch with us following last month’s initial announcement. Applications for this position are open until Friday 28 March 2025.

We are now also on the lookout for a successor to David Aglen, who has hosted Strategic Cereal Farm Scotland for four years but will leave the network in 2025. Applications for this new position must be submitted to us by Friday 18 April 2025.

Farmers can express an interest in hosting a Strategic Cereal Farm by completing a simple application form.

Full results from the inaugural Strategic Cereal Farm Scotland (2020–2025) will be shared later this year.

About Strategic Cereal Farms

Strategic Cereal Farms put cutting-edge research and innovation into practice on commercial farms in the UK.

For the first time, the selection process will consider whether applicants can help answer key research questions raised by levy payers.

Henny Lowth, who oversees the Strategic Cereal Farm programme at AHDB, said:

"Strategic cereal farmers are open-minded and receptive to new ideas. They host trials and demonstrations that tackle key challenges.

"As they share their experiences with other farmers, they make a positive difference to farming in the UK."

Strategic Cereal Farm hosts need to:

• Identify goals and agree research questions to tackle during their six-year tenures
• Permit trials or demonstrations to be conducted on their farms
• Be comfortable with public speaking
• Attend steering group meetings
• Contribute to public-facing events on their farms (up to two events each year)
• Share their journeys via key communication channels, including the AHDB website, social media and the farming press

Hosts receive support from AHDB staff, experts, researchers and consultants.

Strategic cereal farmers often build their confidence during their tenures, which is often cited as a major benefit of participating in the programme.

An analysis of hundreds of levy-payer responses, submitted to our research ideas letterbox, has identified key areas for levy investment, including topics suitable for exploration within the Strategic Cereal Farm network.

We would like to hear from potential hosts who have an interest in any of the following areas:

• Integrated pest management: specifically, tackling Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV), cabbage stem flea beetle management and ergot risks, as well as testing biopesticide efficacy, variety blends and cultural weed control methods
• Nutrient management: specifically, improving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), using in-season tests to adapt crop nutrition, unlocking nutrients from organic materials and testing how management impacts crop available nitrogen
• Several other topics, including testing biostimulant efficacy, cover crops (mixtures, destruction and effect on following cash crops) and companion crops