Cereals celebrates success as over 25,000 attend Diddly Squat Farm

Cereals 2026 has been hailed a major success after more than 25,000 farmers, agronomists, exhibitors, and farm industry professionals attended the two-day event at Diddly Squat Farm.

Host farmer Jeremy Clarkson said he’d “loved every minute” of the event while exhibitors and visitors reported a hugely positive mood across the showground despite the variable weather.

Reflecting on the event, Jeremy said: “Cereals has ended and what a thing it’s been. I’ve loved every minute and it was a delight to see so many people turn up…My profound thanks to everyone involved. It was an absolute honour for us all at Diddly Squat to be chosen as the host.”

Held over two days, the event brought together farmers and agronomists from around the world and across both arable, livestock and mixed farms, alongside machinery manufacturers, seed breeders, agronomists, advisers, technology providers, rural organisations and the wider agricultural supply chain.

With highlights ranging from technical talks and practical demonstrations through to livestock, new crops, award wins and even a performance by the Hawkstone Choir, the event was packed with features and attractions for farmers and growers.

Diddly Squat adviser and Ceres Rural managing partner Charlie Ireland said: “What really stood out was the mood among farmers. Yes, there are still huge pressures across the industry, but Cereals showed just how determined, practical and forward-looking British farming is.

“Farmers came from all over the country and around the world, from arable and livestock businesses, and even the wet weather didn’t dampen the appetite to see what’s new, meet people and talk about the future. It felt like a proper gathering of the industry, and a very positive one.”

The first day saw strong attendance in more settled conditions, while the second brought wet and muddy weather across the site. However, the challenging conditions did not deter visitors entirely, with farmers continuing to arrive with determination in their wet weather gear.

The strong turnout reflected the continuing importance of Cereals as a national meeting place for the farming industry, providing a platform for practical conversations around productivity, resilience, innovation, diversification, sustainability, farm profitability and the future of British food production.

Alli McEntyre-Gaharan, Event Director for Cereals, said: “The response to this year’s Cereals has been overwhelmingly positive. To welcome over 25,000 people to Diddly Squat Farm, despite some very challenging weather, is a real testament to the strength and commitment of the farming community.  The exhibitors powered through a week of rain and even hail to bring their stands to life and we can’t thank them enough for their fortitude.  Without their patience and support, the event might not have been able to open.

“There was a genuinely positive mood across the event and we are hugely grateful to our hosts Francie Clarkson and Jeremy Clarkson, the Diddly Squat Farm team, Ceres Rural, Kaleb Cooper Contracting, Fowler & Gilbert, our exhibitors, sponsors and every visitor who helped make the show such a success.”

The event also benefited from the addition of the Diddly Squat Farm Shop and pop-up Diddly Squat Farm Shop, The Farmer’s Dog pop-up pub, The Farmer’s Puppy and plenty of Hawkstone bars and Hawkstone beverages flowing around the site.  The Hawkstone Choir was the icing on the cake with farmers thrilled to see them in person so shortly after their recent win.

Across the showground, exhibitors reported high-quality conversations, strong visitor engagement and a clear appetite among farmers to explore new ideas, equipment and services.

David Lewington, head of sales at host sponsor Fruehauf, said: “I think it's been a fantastic show. The venue was a great idea. I think it's really put Cereals back in the spotlight.”

Tom Wyles from Vaderstad added: “It was the right decision to choose the venue. I mean, there were lots of questions and worries about traffic, but come the show days, it has been phenomenal. It has been a really good show – we’re really pleased with how it’s gone.”

Bridget Lewis from Nofence, who’s collars were on display with the Diddly Squat goats, hailed the addition of livestock to the event too. She said: “The addition of livestock has been perfect and the whole Livestock Zone has proved to be really popular. It has been a great venue and a really good show.”

The event also highlighted the resilience of the agricultural industry at a time when many farm businesses continue to face pressure from weather volatility, input costs, policy change and market uncertainty. Despite those challenges, the mood at Cereals remained constructive and forward-looking, with farmers using the event to connect, compare options and discuss how best to adapt their businesses for the years ahead.

McEntyre-Gaharan added: “Cereals is ultimately about bringing farmers together. This year showed just how important that is. Whether visitors came to look at machinery, crops or simply to meet other farmers, there was a real sense of energy and shared purpose, with all the exhibitors pulling together to make something very challenging work for the larger industry. We could not be more pleased with the outcome.”

With over 25,000 people attending across the two days, Cereals at Diddly Squat Farm has underlined the enduring importance of face-to-face agricultural events and the appetite within the sector for practical knowledge, innovation and connection.