Potato ‘farm of the future’ to test regenerative agriculture

McCain Foods, the UK’s largest manufacturer of prepared potato products, is launching a new “farm of the future” in North Yorkshire to test regenerative farming techniques at commercial scale.

The site is being developed in partnership with Leeds University. It will serve as a research and demonstration farm for potato production – the  company’s third Farm of the Future, joining existing projects in Canada and South Africa.

Adaption

The initiative aims to help farmers adapt to pressures including volatile weather, soil degradation and policy uncertainty. The 202ha farm will trial new systems under real farm conditions while continuing to produce commercial potato crops.

Potato production at the site is expected to begin in 2026. The farm will be located close to McCain’s long-established UK headquarters in North Yorkshire, where the company has operated for more than half a century.

The project will test practices such as controlled traffic farming, year-round soil cover and measures to improve biodiversity.

The aim is to integrate these approaches in potato rotations and how they might improve soil health while maintaining crop yields.

Research partnership

The farm will also pilot a circular nutrient system developed with the University of Leeds National Pig Centre. Pig manure will be used to enrich soils, with the aim of reducing waste and improving nutrient cycling between livestock and arable systems.

McCain will work with Leeds University on a long-term research programme to measure the impact of these practices. The partnership will focus on soil health, biodiversity and greenhouse gas emissions.

Additional research will examine the role of autonomous vehicles and alternative fuels for farm machinery. The aim is to explore how new technology could help reduce emissions and improve efficiency in potato production.

Sustainable farming

Professor Nick Plant, pro-vice-chancellor for research and innovation at Leeds University, said the collaboration would help develop evidence around sustainable farming systems.

“The Leeds University is committed to helping address global challenges including food security and the climate crisis,” he said.

“Our partnership with McCain at their Farm of the Future in the UK is a clear example of our joint ambition to promote farming practices which minimise environmental impact.”

The agreement is expected to run for 20 years. McCain said the data generated at the farm will be independently validated and published in annual reports.

Supporting growers

Insights from the UK farm will feed into McCain’s global network of around 4,400 growers, including many in Britain who supply the company’s potato processing plants.

Max Koeune, president and chief executive of McCain Foods, said the programme is designed to identify practical solutions that can be adopted by farmers.

“Each site helps us test real solutions with farmers, understand what works, and share that knowledge across our network. This is how we strengthen the resilience of our farms, support our partners, and build a more sustainable food system.”

New solutions

James Young, vice-president of agriculture at McCain GB and Ireland, said the project would combine international experience with local research.

“Farming is at the heart of Britain’s food system, and farmers face growing challenges that demand new solutions,” he said, “We’re proud to launch our third and final Farm of the Future here in the UK, combining global knowledge with local action and a research partnership with the Leeds University.”

McCain said the project forms part of its wider regenerative agriculture programme. In Great Britain, 86% of its contracted potato acreage is now classified as “engaged” or higher within the company’s regenerative agriculture framework.

The company has also reported a 25% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions and a 19% reduction in water intensity since 2017. Both are part of McCain’s wider efforts to build a more resilient food system while supporting farmers, it says.