McCain Foods, the UK’s largest manufacturer of prepared potato products, has announced plans to launch a new Farm of the Future in North Yorkshire, home of McCain’s GB headquarters for over 50 years. In partnership with the University of Leeds, this is McCain’s third commercial-scale research and innovation site to trial regenerative agriculture practices, marking a major milestone in the company’s efforts to advance future-focused farming methods.
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’s recent Farmdex research underscores the need for action: while many British farmers are concerned about the future of UK farming, 77% agree that sustainable practices are essential — and those already investing in them report greater confidence and resilience.
The 202-hectare site further strengthens McCain’s leadership in regenerative farming. This new Farm of the Future completes McCain’s global commitment, building on established farms in Canada and South Africa.
The announcement also aligns with the release of McCain Foods’ 2025 Global Sustainability Report, which outlines meaningful progress toward the company’s sustainability commitments — including the delivery of its goal to establish three Farms of the Future by 2025.
McCain’s Farm of the Future UK will be the most advanced Farm of the Future to date, 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 of Leeds 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 of the Future, these results will be published annually in dedicated reports, ensuring 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.”
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.”
In Great Britain, McCain has made strong progress against its global sustainability commitments, which includes meaningful momentum against McCain’s Regenerative Agriculture Framework—a pathway to progress supporting farmers as they transition toward more regenerative practices. To date, 86% of McCain GB’s potato acreage is at “Engaged” or higher within the framework.
McCain GB has also delivered a 25% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions and a 19% reduction in water intensity, both achieved since 2017—demonstrating tangible progress toward a more resilient and sustainable food system.
Read more about McCain’s Farms of the Future and the company’s commitment to sustainable agriculture at mccain.com.
