McCain Foods has announced the upcoming launch of its innovative Farm of the Future in North Yorkshire, marking a significant milestone as the location has served as the company’s GB headquarters for over five decades. This site is McCain’s third commercial-scale regenerative agriculture research initiative, following their efforts in Canada and South Africa.

Partnering with the University of Leeds, the initiative encompasses a 202-hectare site specifically designed to assess and scale regenerative farming practices in real-world conditions. This launch is particularly timely as British farmers grapple with challenges such as unpredictable weather patterns, declining profit margins, degraded soil health, and uncertain agricultural policies.

Recent research from McCain’s Farmdex highlights that a majority of UK farmers—77%—consider sustainable practices vital for the future, with early adopters reporting enhanced operational confidence and resilience.

Global Engagement Trends in Regenerative Agriculture

McCain Foods has committed to achieving 100% adoption of regenerative agriculture across its global potato farms by the year 2030. However, the company’s newly released 2025 Global Sustainability Report indicates a slight decline in acreage “onboarded” to its Regenerative Agriculture Framework, dropping from 71% to 69%. A spokesperson cited the increase in global acreage and certain pesticide usage in North America as contributing factors to this trend.

Notably, the number of farms classified as “engaged”—an advanced tier of adoption—has risen significantly, increasing from 24% to 44%. This positions McCain well on its path to meet a 50% engagement target by 2030.

Blueprint for Global Regenerative Practices

The new UK site stands out as McCain’s most advanced Farm of the Future, designed to provide a commercially viable and scientifically validated model aimed at accelerating regenerative practices among its 4,400 global growers.

Practices to be researched include:

• Controlled traffic farming
• Year-round soil cover
• Reduced tillage
• Diversified crop rotations
• A circular nutrient system utilizing pig manure, developed with the University of Leeds
• Incorporation of autonomous vehicles and alternative fuels

These methods respond to key barriers identified by growers, including risks associated with yield, soil compaction, fuel and fertiliser costs, as well as reliance on synthetic inputs. All findings—ranging from soil health improvements to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions—will be validated independently by the University of Leeds.

Fast-tracking Learnings into Global Practice

Potato production at the new site is expected to commence in 2026, with insights shared annually and integrated into McCain’s grower guidance and regional plans leading up to 2030. Practices that show consistent agronomic and economic benefits will be quickly adapted for various regional conditions, typically within 24-36 months.

1. Adoption tailored to regional specifics
2. Incorporation of recommendations within a 24-36 month timeframe
3. Support mechanisms from McCain, including:
   1. Multi-year regenerative contracts
   2. Preferential financing options
   3. EIQ-aligned crop protection guidelines
   4. Stress-tolerant potato varieties
   5. Over 16,000 hours of annual global regenerative training

With 86% of McCain’s UK farmland already rated as “engaged” or higher, this new hub is poised to amplify existing efforts and connect seamlessly with McCain’s network of over 30 global innovation farms.

Core Agronomic Goals for Upcoming Years

Over the next three to five years, the UK Farm of the Future will emphasize measurable improvements in:

• Soil organic matter through continuous cropping and a circular manure-based nutrient system
• Carbon sequestration via reduced tillage and controlled traffic methods
• Biodiversity expansion through diverse crop rotations
• Increased input efficiency by minimizing reliance on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides with precision nutrition

These metrics will be incorporated directly into McCain’s annual sustainability report.

Leadership Perspectives: Scaling Regenerative Agriculture

Max Koeune, President and CEO of McCain Foods, described the launch as “a crucial step in scaling regenerative agriculture across our global Farms of the Future, enhancing both farm resilience and supporting our partners in building a sustainable food system for the future.”

James Young, Vice President of Agriculture at McCain GB&I, shared that the UK Farm of the Future will demonstrate the effectiveness of regenerative farming in practice, offering a model for others to follow and helping secure the farming future for generations to come.