Initiative builds on similar farms in Canada and South Africa and is said to be most advanced site to date
McCain Foods has announced plans to launch a new Farm of the Future in North Yorkshire.
In partnership with the University of Leeds, the move represents McCain’s third commercial-scale research and innovation site to trial regenerative agriculture practices. Yorkshire has been McCain’s British headquarters for over 50 years.
The frozen potato specialist said it was making the investment as British farmers navigate increasing pressure from unpredictable weather, declining soil health and ongoing policy uncertainty.
Farm of the Future UK is designed to help accelerate the adoption of regenerative practices in real-world farming conditions.
McCain said its recent Farmdex research underscores the need for action – it found that while many British farmers are concerned about the future of UK farming, 77 per cent agree that sustainable practices are essential, and those already investing in them report greater confidence and resilience.
The 202-hectare site builds on established farms in Canada and South Africa, and the announcement has been timed to align with the release of McCain Foods’ 2025 Global Sustainability Report, which outlines progress toward the company’s sustainability commitments. That included the delivery of its goal to establish three Farms of the Future by 2025.
‘Most advanced farm to date’
The Farm of the Future UK will be McCain’s most advanced to date, according to the company, adopting practices such as 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 collaboratively with the university to develop a scientific and teaching partnership, providing opportunities for independent data validation across key metrics including soil health, biodiversity, and greenhouse gas emissions. Additional areas of focus will include autonomous vehicles and alternative fuels for farm equipment.
Like the Canadian and South African farms, the results will be published annually in dedicated reports, bringing transparency and global knowledge-sharing. Insights from the UK farm will feed directly into McCain’s global network of 4,400 farmers, supporting wider adoption of regenerative agricultural practices worldwide.
The site offers access to McCain’s manufacturing operations in the UK and Europe’s advanced agri-technology ecosystems, enabling fast innovation cycles and research collaboration. Potato production will begin in 2026.
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.”
