‘Critically endangered’ flower to be saved from extinction by University

31 May 2019

A rare flower is coming back from the brink of extinction, after Kew Gardens entrusted its seeds to a university’s ecology experts.

The Red Hemp-nettle’s (Galeopsis angustifolia) distinctive twin flowers were a common sight 60 years ago. Now herbicides, fertilisers, and the spread of highly productive crop varieties have seen it almost disappear from our fields.                                  

Business idea to help farmers move to organic wins investment for student

20 May 2019

A business that provides a dedicated label of quality for farms in the process of becoming organic has won a prestigious competition for student entrepreneurs.

The Royal Agricultural University’s (RAU) 12th Grand Idea competition, sponsored by Strutt and Parker and Harrison Clark Rickerbys Law Firm asked students to pitch their plans to expert judges to secure £2,500 of investment.

RAU alumni drive small farm to lead rural development opportunities in cyclone torn Zimbabwe

16 May 2019

A small family farm in Chimanimani, Zimbabwe is offering hope to local communities torn apart by Cyclone Idai. With unemployment figures in Zimbabwe said to be more than 80% (Reuters), more and more Zimbabweans are starting up their own businesses to support their families.

Dombera Farm , a well-known export business who have been operating since 1962, are seeking to support local entrepreneurs by providing a central “hub” for local small scale and commercial farmers alike.

University students raise a glass as their beer hits supermarket shelves

09 May 2019

A group of university students are celebrating after a beer they came up with as a business project has been selected for sale by Waitrose & Partners.

Muddy Wellies ale, created by students at the Royal Agricultural University (RAU), is now on the shelves in three branches of the supermarket’s shops in Gloucestershire.

The store said it was attracted by both the taste and the fact that the drink is a Social Enterprise – meaning 10p from every bottle sold is returned to help launch RAU students’ new business ideas.

Former Gurkha wins prestigious award for sustainable grazing idea

29 Apr 2019

A former army Captain has won this year’s Pinnacle Award for entrepreneurship in farming, with his plan to offer out-sourced cattle grazing services.

Alex Crawley, who recently gained the Royal Agricultural University’s (RAU) Graduate Diploma in Agriculture, claimed the £2,000 prize at the competition run by the Farmers Club and consultancy ADAS.

The Pinnacle Awards, sponsored by the Cave Foundation, award the Nickerson Cup to the best new idea from the UK’s top farm business management students.

RAU ranked one of the UK’s Top Ten Universities

26 Apr 2019

The Royal Agricultural University (RAU) has been ranked among the top ten universities in the UK, in a prestigious set of awards based on the views of students themselves.

The RAU was placed 10th in the University of the Year category at the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2019, rising from 16th in 2018. It also ranked sixth in the Job Prospects category.

RAU students see latest AgriTech innovations at Future of British Farming event

25 Apr 2019

Robotics and data analysis were just some of the future farming technologies on show at the Royal Agricultural University’s (RAU) two-day AgriTech event.

Organised with Farm491 (the University’s incubator for AgriTech innovation) and hosted at the Rural Innovation Centre, the event explored how emerging technology can meet on-farm challenges and shape the future.

Rural Entrepreneurial Leaders Network launches webinar series for rural professionals across the globe

25 Apr 2019

Entrepreneurial leaders are important to all industry sectors but particularly within the rural community. The Rural Entrepreneurial Leaders Network (RELN), led by the School of Business and Entrepreneurship at the RAU, is designed to facilitate active exchange between functioning participants within the rural economy.

Coast’s Mark Horton recruited to new Cultural Heritage Institute

18 Apr 2019

Leading archaeologist, TV presenter and writer Professor Mark Horton has joined a project which will see a range of new heritage-based degrees taught in Swindon.

BBC2’s Coast presenter becomes a Professorial Research Fellow at the Royal Agricultural University’s (RAU) Cultural Heritage Institute (CHI), following the appointment of Dr Geraint Coles, as Director.

Consumers warned of cyber security risks in ‘faceless’ food supply chain

16 Apr 2019

Protecting the UK’s food supply chain from fraud and cyber attack should be the focus of a new ‘centre of excellence’, experts have stressed.