AgroChallenge 2026 co-hosted at Easton College
2nd July 2026 – Tags: Agricultural Engineering, Agriculture
College students from 17 different countries came together for two intensive days of agricultural skills competition last week, as AgroChallenge 2026 was hosted at Easton College and the Royal Norfolk Show.
Team Denmark in action in the Calibrate a seed drill challenge.
The teams of 4 agricultural students were put through their paces, as they completed 18 challenges that were designed to test a wide spectrum of agricultural skills and the participants’ teamworking abilities.
The agricultural yards, workshops, and outdoor areas at Easton College were the base for challenges that included reversing a tractor and trailer, balancing bales with a telehandler, precision tractor driving, target shooting and seed recognition, and assembling a water system for pigs.
Calculating the weight of various livestock, assembling milking equipment, calibrating a seed drill, constructing a wall, and making beehive frames were among the challenges held at the Royal Norfolk Show.
The competition culminated in a beer barrel relay race in the Grand ring, enjoyed by hundreds of spectators.
Team Luxembourg were the winners of AgroChallenge 2026.
Luxembourg win 9th AgroChallenge
With 268 points, Luxembourg took the title of AgroChallenge 2026 winners, while the teams from Portugal and Estonia shared second place (232 points), with The Netherlands placing third (231 points).
Charlie Askew, National Coordinator, EUROPEA UK, said:
All the students who took part deserve huge praise, giving their all in the most testing conditions. The inaugural AgroChallenge took place in Luxemburg 10 years ago, so it was perhaps fitting that this year's event was won by their team.”
Team UK students during the flag parade at the Royal Norfolk Show.
Team UK represented by Easton College
Team UK, represented by Easton College students and apprentices George Alston, Harry Hammond, Emily Hawthorne and Charlotte Shakespeare, performed strongly, finishing in joint ninth place, alongside Hungary, with 171 points.
The UK team were the top performers on two of the challenges, Reassembling a hydraulic system, and Target shooting and seed recognition.
Binny Lenihan, Team Coach for the UK team, said:
The event was fantastic from start to finish, and it was great to see our students and apprentices getting stuck in, growing in confidence, and showing a competitive spirit while still supporting one another throughout the week. They worked together as a team, embraced the experience, and made the most of every opportunity, representing the UK brilliantly.”
Team Ireland taking on the Construct a wall challenge.
Team awards
The Spirit of EUROPEA Award was presented to the Spanish team, whose application across the two days was felt to best demonstrates the values that underpin the competition, including teamwork, enthusiasm, motivation, friendship, camaraderie and sportsmanship.
A special Spirit of Easton Award was presented to the Norwegian team. The team’s journey to the UK was severely disrupted by a series of travel delays and challenges, meaning they arrived 24 hours later than planned, missing half of the challenges.
Nevertheless, they chose to compete on Thursday, embracing every remaining challenge with enthusiasm, commitment and positivity, before departing Easton early on Friday morning for their long journey home.
The Czech Republic team during the seed recognition part of the Target shooting and seed recognition challenge.
Partnerships behind AgroChallenge success
The success of AgroChallenge 2026 was built on strong partnership working between education providers, industry partners, sponsors, volunteers, and public sector organisations.
Norfolk County Council played a key role in supporting the event, with a member of its Employment and Skills team working alongside Easton College to provide dedicated project management support.
Claire Skipper, Employment and Skills Project Manager, Norfolk County Council, comments:
With challenges taking place at both Easton College and the Royal Norfolk Show, AgroChallenge 2026 provided a high-profile platform to celebrate the future of agriculture and showcase the skills of the next generation to thousands of visitors.
More importantly, it strengthened European relationships, encouraged the sharing of knowledge and best practice, and created lasting friendships between participants from across Europe.”
Charlie Askew adds:
“A huge amount of planning and preparation goes into hosting an event of this scale and we are grateful to the Royal Norfolk Show, as co-hosts, and to Norfolk County Council for their support.
Several local farming companies and machinery businesses gave invaluable support and staff time, with particular thanks due to Euston Farms for providing training opportunities for Team UK as well as equipment and staff for the event.
A large number of Easton College staff and students gave their time and skills to assist with the judging and organisation of the event, playing a key part in making it such a successful event.”
The Hungarian team taking on the Changing points on a cultivator challenge.
AgroChallenge 2026: Final placings
- 1st Luxembourg – 268 pts
- 2nd Estonia and Portugal – 232 pts
- 3rd Netherlands – 231 pts
- 4th Austria – 203 pts
- 5th Germany – 201 pts
- 6th Denmark – 184 pts
- 7th Spain – 183 pts
- 8th Ireland – 177 pts
- 9th UK and Hungary – 171 pts
- 10th Czech Republic – 162 pts
- 11th Sweden – 161 pts
- 12th Romania – 125 pts
- 13th Serbia and Finland – 119 pts
- 14th Norway – 106 pts
Team UK's Harry Hammond on the shooting range during the Target shooting and seed recognition challenge.