As Cereals heads the furthest west in almost 50 years, the event will be digging deep into the unique challenges of farming in the Cotswolds and offering a journey underground for curious farmers.
The UK’s premier arable event is being staged Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm on June 10 and 11 and Niab will be decoding the Cotswold Brash with the legendary 20-metre-long ‘Soil Hole’ that allows farmers to see how crops take root.
For many visiting farmers accustomed to the deeper soils of the East, the "Cotswold Brash" at Diddly Squat represents a different world. The Niab Soil Hole will allow visitors to step 1.8 metres below the surface to examine the 40% limestone stone content and shallow topsoil profile characteristic of the region.
“It’s quite a small soil profile to work with in terms of agronomic value,” explains Niab soil specialist David Clarke. “Our test digs show a shallow topsoil down to about 30cm before hitting limestone. By June, visitors will see exactly how different crop rooting structures interact with this stony profile to access water and nutrients. It’s a masterclass in resilience.”
Jeremy Clarkson explained he’s looking forward to the event and said: “What I’m most looking forward to is learning something new. Every day is a learning day for me. I learn something new from Charlie and Kaleb or from reading books, and then when Cereals comes here and there’ll be 25,000 farmers. I’m going to learn a lot.”
Despite the challenges of growing in Cotswold Brash, Diddly Squat agronomist Charlie Ireland argues stones are important for soil structure and says the crops growing in the 600 plots across the Cereals site are performing well.
He said: “The Cereals team think this land has got a bit more body in it than most of the soils in the East. The crops are proof of this and they’re looking good.
“We're 650ft up here and the altitude is a benefit too as everything's a bit slower than it might be in the East. I think crops can be burnt up a bit when Cereals opens in the East in June, but here I think most crops will be looking at their finest.”
In addition to the Soil Hole, Niab will be showing 25 crop species across 130 plots to demonstrate how its applied research translates into profitable on-farm decisions. The exhibit comes at a time when host Jeremy Clarkson and farm manager Charlie Ireland have highlighted the "dire consequences" of rising input costs and the lack of an economic "cushion" for modern arable businesses.
Niab CEO Professor Mario Caccamo says: “: “The Cereals Event gives us an unrivalled platform to show how Niab’s science translates directly into practical, profitable decisions on farm. From genetic innovation and crop protection strategies to regenerative agriculture and emerging crops, our demonstrations this year reflect the scale of change facing UK agriculture - and the opportunities created by research-led solutions.
“Niab’s translational research activity is designed to ensure farmers have the best available science and innovation behind them - from improving crop performance and reducing inputs to preparing for climate change and opening up new crop opportunities. UK agriculture needs science that is responsive, reliable, and relevant. Niab is committed to giving farmers exactly that - not in five years’ time, but right now.”
The move to Diddly Squat Farm is expected to draw over 25,000 visitors and more than 650 exhibitors. With the site sitting at an altitude of 650ft, the Niab plots will provide a vital benchmark for how modern varieties perform in a "real-world" environment that is significantly different from traditional eastern trial sites.
Niab crop specialists will be available with advice and recommendations on cereal, oilseed and pulse varieties, including an untreated demonstration of 32 winter wheat varieties, either candidates or from the AHDB 2026/27 Recommended List, plus a diverse selection of barley varieties, supporting farmers in making evidence-based decisions for next season.
This year’s stand also features the latest on crop protection and nutrition, including new fungicide chemistry and strategies, comparisons across wheat, barley and oat fungicide programmes, and a demonstration of wheat variety blends.
Pathologists from Niab’s UK Cereal Pathogen Virulence Survey team will be on hand with the latest developments on yellow rust, alongside advice and support in disease diagnostics and imaging.
Visitors can also explore plots demonstrating approaches to weed management options in SFI herbal grazing leys, addressing an increasingly important area of regenerative and mixed farming practice.
Through the Centre for High Carbon Capture Cropping (CHCx3) platform, Niab will also introduce visitors to a range of under-utilised and novel crops that could help build
more resilient farm systems, accompanied by work on optimising nitrogen inputs in combination with cover crop use.
In addition to the Agronomy Zone and the Soil Hole, visitors to Cereals at Diddly Squat will have full access to all of Cereals’ informational and technical features like the Seed to Shelf Stage sponsored by KWS, BASE-UK Regenerative Ag Stage sponsored by Tees Law, Young Farmers Programme sponsored by Michelmores, the Syngenta & Croplife Sprays & Sprayers Arena and other working demonstrations.
This year will also see a new Livestock Zone sponsored by Nofence introduced, alongside an Organic Agronomy area.
You can now register for tickets, enquire about exhibiting or learn more about the event at www.cerealsevent.co.uk
