McCain Foods will launch a new Farm of the Future in North Yorkshire, in partnership with the University of Leeds.
It is the company’s third commercial-scale research and innovation site, designed to trial regenerative agriculture practices.
The Farm of the Future project is designed to help accelerate the adoption of regenerative practices in real-world conditions. The company’s recent Farmdex research shows that 77% of British farmers agree that sustainable practices are essential, and that those investing in these report greater confidence and resilience.
The 202ha site will join the company’s established farms in Canada and South Africa.
It also aligns with the release of McCain’s 2025 Global Sustainability Report, which outlines progress towards its sustainability commitments.
On-farm practices
The company aims for this Farm of the Future to be its most advanced, utilising controlled traffic farming, year-round soil cover and biodiversity building.
It will also be the first Farm of the Future location to pilot a circular nutrient system, developed in partnership with the University of Leeds National Pig Centre, using pig manure to enrich soils, reduce waste, and demonstrate how mixed farming systems aim to improve soil health and biodiversity while helping to lower greenhouse gas emissions.
McCain will work with the University to develop a scientific and teaching partnership, providing opportunities for independent data validation on metrics including soil health, biodiversity and greenhouse gas emissions.
There will also be a focus on autonomous vehicles and alternative fuels for farm equipment.
Results will be published annually in dedicated reports, for transparency and global knowledge-sharing, with insights shared with the company’s network of 4,400 farmers.
Max Koeune, president and CEO at McCain Foods, said: “McCain Farm of the Future UK marks an important step in how we are scaling regenerative agriculture across our global Farms of the Future.
“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 for the long term.”
James Young, vice president of agriculture at McCain GB&I, added: “Farming is at the heart of Britain’s food system, and farmers face growing challenges that demand new solutions. 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 University of Leeds.
“This farm will show that regenerative farming works in practice and aims to provide a blueprint for others, helping secure the future of farming for generations to come.”
Professor Nick Plant, pro-vice-chancellor: Research and Innovation at the University of Leeds said: “The University of Leeds is committed to helping address global challenges including food security and the climate crisis.
“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. Establishing this 20-year agreement will enable us to further develop research expertise in soil health and land productivity that can benefit farming approaches worldwide.”