Local MP plants a ceremonial oak tree as part of the Royal Agricultural University’s 175th anniversary celebrations

28 Feb 2020

Local MP, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, on Friday 28 February planted a ceremonial oak tree at the Royal Agricultural University (RAU) as part of its 175th anniversary celebrations.

Sir Geoffrey, a distinguished alumnus, farmer and an ongoing supporter of the University, said “I am honoured to have planted this symbolic oak tree as part of the Royal Agricultural University’s 175th anniversary celebrations.

Exploring Entrepreneurship in Berlin

14 Feb 2020

Each year, the School of Business and Entrepreneurship takes students on an international study tour. This year first year students visited Berlin as part of their Entrepreneurship module.

RAU Plough Service

17 Feb 2020

The annual Plough Service took place on the evening of Sunday 16 February in the Parish Church of St John Baptist in Cirencester.

Thank you to everyone who braved the weather to join us for the first of our 175th Anniversary celebratory events. 

The Parish Church of St. John Baptist in Cirencester was where we commenced the celebrations, and despite the poor weather conditions over the weekend we still had a packed church.

RAU and STITA Farm Tours announce new bursary

07 Feb 2020

The Royal Agricultural University (RAU) is pleased to announce a new bursary, generously supported by STITA LLP.

STITA is the leading provider of farm tours in the UK and Europe, providing bespoke travel and logistics packages. Based in Cheltenham, they are a third-generation family business that has been operating for 70 years.

The 69th Worshipful Company of Farmers (ACABM) course

20 Dec 2019

The 69th Worshipful Company of Farmers (ACABM) course at the RAU successfully draws to a close.

Delivered at the RAU annually each November, this year eighteen delegates from the UK were joined by one delegate from Ukraine/Netherlands. Through seminars, group discussions and case studies, the delegates were given the opportunity to further their knowledge in all elements of farm business management and, through peer debate, share their varied experience and expertise.

 

New research on asthma in horses finds possible link to latex

13 Dec 2019

The biggest ever study into the causes of severe equine asthma (sEA) has revealed associations with over 113 substances, including latex found in artificial surfaces.

Lead researcher Sam White who carried out the study for the Royal Agricultural University (RAU) and the University of Nottingham – found that natural rubber latex was among ‘the most surprising and significant’ of several new allergens present in the dust horses breathe.

Rural Innovation Centre named after Gloucestershire agriculturalist

13 Dec 2019

The RAU's centre for rural innovation and skills has been named in honour of the late philanthropist, businessman and agriculturalist, John Oldacre.

The John Oldacre Rural Innovation Centre at Harnhill, Gloucestershire, part of the Royal Agricultural University (RAU), was given its new title at a dedicated ceremony this month (12 December).

University’s white wine hits the shelves of leading retailer

05 Dec 2019

An award-winning wine created by the Royal Agricultural University (RAU) has been selected for sale by the Midcounties Co-op, in time for Christmas.

Cotswold Hills dry white wine is harvested at the RAU’s vineyard in Down Ampney, Gloucestershire, with students involved throughout the process from grape to shop shelf. 

RAU's first Angolan graduates begin their farming careers

27 Nov 2019

Six Angolans are starting new careers in farming, after graduating from the Royal Agricultural University (RAU) as part of a ground-breaking partnership. They were selected from 500 applicants by UNITEL (Angola’s largest mobile phone company) to complete the RAU’s Graduate Diploma in Agriculture in Cirencester.

The group gained expert knowledge and farm management experience along with the skills to train others once back in Angola, where they are now managing a specially selected 5,000 ha farm.

'Harness farmers' ingenuity', policy expert recommends

26 Nov 2019

Research support for innovation in agriculture should focus on developing farmers’ ideas not just ‘more money and bigger institutes', a leading rural policy expert argued today (26 November 2019).

Speaking at the annual Food and Farming Futures conference, Professor Tom MacMillan said the UK had 'barely scratched the surface’ of what was possible in terms of transformative change in the sector.