Clarkson previews Diddly Squat crop plots ahead of Cereals 2026 debut

Zoe Gater

Jeremy Clarkson is hosting Cereals 2026 at Diddly Squat Farm, championing the UK’s agricultural and horticultural sectors, sparking fresh thinking, and providing a platform for knowledge exchange and inspiration.

Jeremy Clarkson says he is “genuinely and properly looking forward” to hosting Cereals at Diddly Squat Farm this summer, after getting a first-hand look at preparations for one of Britain’s most prestigious farming events.

Bringing together expert advisors, leading arable farmers and over 650 of the most respected suppliers, the event showcases the latest innovations, products and expert advice.

The broadcaster-turned-farmer joined Kaleb Cooper and Charlie Ireland at a press conference during the Cereals Crop Plot Day in Oxfordshire ahead of the event on 10 and 11 June 2026.

Clarkson admitted he initially struggled to understand the appeal of the long-running arable show.

“I’ve got to be honest with you, I couldn’t see why it was prestigious,” he said. “I was thinking, so who’s going to come all the way here to look at root structure?”

But after touring the site and seeing the crop plots for himself, he said his perspective had changed.

“Today’s the first time I’ve been out and actually seen this properly and I’ve found myself going, ‘Oh look at that oilseed rape.’ I’m really starting to understand it,” he said. “I think it’s an amazing show. I can’t wait for it now.

“Charlie has made it clear this is as prestigious as it gets. I’m thrilled to bits to be hosting it, and it does look good out there.”

Clarkson also said the opportunity to learn more about farming was one of the event’s biggest attractions.

“Every day is a learning day for me,” he said. “I learn something new from these guys or from reading books, and then when Cereals comes here and there’ll be 25,000 farmers. I’m going to learn a lot.”

Charlie Ireland said hosting Cereals at Diddly Squat offered farmers the chance to see new techniques and technologies during a difficult period for the industry.

“For a lot of arable farms the first impact of the Iran war has been the cost of fuel,” he said. “Uncertainty now is centred on supply of fuel and fertiliser.”

“When you walk around a show such as Cereals, you need to have your eyes and ears open,” he added. “Look at what is going on, what new techniques are out there, what opportunities to mitigate the need for as much fertiliser use, what technology can be used and there’s lots of that about.”

Kaleb Cooper said the event could also help inspire younger people to consider careers in farming.

“We need a farmer three times a day – breakfast, lunch and dinner,” he said. “So, there is definitely a future in farming and it’s so important to open up people’s eyes and opportunities in our industry.”

The 2026 event will also introduce a new Livestock Zone sponsored by Nofence, alongside machinery demonstrations, agronomy features and regenerative agriculture talks.

By combining live demonstrations with expert advice and networking, it helps shape the future of sustainable and profitable farming.

For more information about Cereals 2026, visit thecerealsevent.co.uk.

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