Transforming UK Wheat Production: A New Precision Breeding Initiative

Backed by £1.2 million in government funding, a new collaboration aims to revolutionize the wheat industry through the development of precision-bred varieties designed to enhance yield and resilience in sustainable ways.

A Streamlined Approach to Crop Development

The initiative is spearheaded by Wild Bio, an Oxford University spinout that merges AI-driven discovery with evolutionary biology to create innovative crop traits. Teaming up with KWS, the plan is to embed these proprietary traits into high-quality wheat germplasm, while Dyson Farming will provide invaluable real-world performance data through large-scale field trials.

This program is uniquely structured to allow parallel developments in trait research, variety integration, and commercial cultivation. By designing these processes concurrently, Wild Bio aims to accelerate the market entry and reduce developmental costs, using on-field insights to enhance their discovery platform.

Three-Year Journey to Market Readiness

According to Wild Bio CEO Dr. Ross Hendron, the consortium’s goal is to achieve over a 10% increase in productivity. Early tests have already demonstrated yield improvements surpassing 20% in initial engineered lines.

The consortium’s work is planned over a three-year period, during which Hendron expects the teams to prepare precision-bred elite varieties for further validation. He expressed hope for a transition to national listing—the final step for commercial launch—within two years of this validation.

This timeline suggests that the UK may see its first precision-bred wheat varieties available by around 2028.

This project is made possible by the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023 and the accompanying regulations that allow the marketing of precision-bred plants in England.

Allied Forces for Enhanced Productivity and Sustainability

Richard Meredith, head of research at Dyson Farming, emphasized the potential of this partnership to transform UK wheat production. “By translating advanced photosynthesis research into commercially viable wheat varieties, we can offer significant benefits not only to farmers but also to the environment and long-term food security,” he stated.

Wild Bio also expects environmental advantages alongside yield increases. Hendron noted that the firm’s traits focus on efficiently capturing and utilizing solar energy. “We’ve observed increased yields without the need for additional inputs, enabling the production of more food using the same resources—or the same amount of food with fewer resources,” he added, highlighting a critical win for sustainability.

Industry advisor Andrew Newby noted the project’s simplicity and broader implications for supply chain sustainability: “Yield gain is a universal necessity, essential for improving agricultural sustainability.”

Regulatory Landscape Beyond UK Borders

While the UK already has a framework for precision-bred crops, alignment with international markets—especially within Europe—remains uncertain. Hendron expressed optimism about the EU’s anticipated endorsement of New Genomic Techniques (NGTs) in spring 2026, which could facilitate regulatory convergence during the project. This would pave the way for greater international scale and collaboration.

Building Trust in Gene-Edited Variety Adoption

The consortium is also focused on gaining farmers’ trust in gene-edited crops. Hendron mentioned that collaboration with Dyson Farming will demonstrate the performance of these varieties across varied conditions: “We’re focused on engaging with growers to ensure our solutions meet their needs. Dyson’s expansive network will allow us to introduce these technologies to many farmers, showcasing their effectiveness across diverse environments.”

This British initiative contrasts with Wild Bio’s recent soybean partnership in the Americas. While both utilize a trait-plus-elite-variety strategy, the wheat program grants Wild Bio a more involved role in developing new varieties from scratch.

“Our research and development capabilities encompass the entire spectrum, from trait discovery to product development and field testing,” Hendron stated. “We aim to drive the introduction of novel crop varieties for the UK market.”