STUDENTS from six colleges and universities are competing in the 2014 Cereals Challenge, including a team from Newcastle University, which won last year.

Located at Chrishall Grange Farm, Cambridge, six plots of Santiago winter wheat have been handed to the teams to manage through to the final judging during the 2014 Cereals Event.

The other teams competing are from Harper Adams University, The Royal Agricultural University, Nottingham University, Riseholme College and Easton & Otley College.

The winners will receive a trophy, £1,000 to share, and £500 for their college or university.

The teams are responsible for their plots from mid- February until the day before the Cereals event in June, when they will be judged on their management of their plot, input costs, estimated crop yield and the quality and marketing of the crop.

Last year, Newcastle defeated Harper Adams by just one point. The Challenge can be followed on Twitter @Cereal Challenge.