Over the past eight years at Dyson Farming, much work has been focused on improving the various aspects of soil health including pH, organic matter and nutrient content. Green Crop Information were asked to complete an assessment to determine the impact of our soil improvement strategy.

Our results have shown that the investment in organic materials (all except AD liquid were sourced externally) has brought about some substantial improvements in our soils at Stubton. Most notably, the soil pH and phosphorus index have improved. BDFL will continue to implement a range of soil management practices to improve soils for resilient crop production, carbon sequestration and environmental benefits.

To find out more download our latest Stubton Soils Report

Much has been written about the difficulties of the 2020 harvest and no doubt more will be penned going forward as the reality of the yields and costs hit profit and loss accounts in the next 12 months.

Cereal crop output is significantly below the company average both in terms of area planted and ultimate crop yield. Around 20% of the winter wheat area was planted in the Autumn of 2019 with the remaining area either planted in the spring or switched to alternative crops. Much has been learned about what works and what doesn’t and the farming team are embracing and implementing change to increase operational resilience.

Lincolnshire cereals were most affected by weather, particularly wet planting conditions. Gloucestershire was more impacted by summer drought as you would expect from a brash soil type. The Oxfordshire farms have performed well with 100% of the intended area planted and a reasonable crop yield.

Spring barley results across the company are good with most crops producing malting quality. Some “Cinderella crops” planted late on heavy land elevated themselves to harvestable crops whereas they were originally intended as cover crop. Applications of digestate improved performance of crops. Cereals as a whole, when taking account of improved prices and savings in direct costs are close to budget.

OSR performance is poor despite the best efforts of the management team who have looked at all areas to mitigate the impact of cabbage stem flea beetle. BDFL are not growing the crop in the current season, however Green Crop Information are looking closely at this issue to try and determine what can be done to grow the crop reliably in the future.

Vining peas have been the worst affected crop with total revenue 35% below budget. Planting conditions for the crop were good but high temperatures hampered crop growth across all soil types and yields were very disappointing.

Energy and forage crop yields are a mixed bag with maize performing close to budget, with a large range of yields, whereas rye and barley yields are poor

Potato crops have performed well with good yield and quality.

At Dyson Farming, we have developed and implemented our own approach to carbon management which is now an integral part of our every-day farming activities and fundamental to how we monitor and measure performance. Crucially, this has taught us that by challenging ourselves to become better farmers, we can continue to have a positive impact on our carbon footprint.

Our results are really positive, BDFL sequesters 13,587T CO2 equivalent each year – the ability to sequester carbon is largely the result of careful management of natural capital alongside  renewable energy production and the use of non-chemical fertilisers.

To find out more download our latest Carbon Report.

We are very proud that our roasting joints, ribeye and sirloin steaks have recently been recognised as GOLD award winners at the Taste of the West Awards. Our beef is produced at Hinton Farm in Somerset.

We believe our meat is special, not only because it tastes great, but we also have an interesting story to tell. Our overall farming ethos is to create a long term, regenerative model that will leave a positive land legacy now and in 100 years’ time. Our farming practices have been designed to protect and improve animal wellbeing and to look after the environment.

We breed primarily for the welfare of the animals, raising animals with excellent health characteristics which are then passed on to their offspring, ensuring that during their life, common ailments are minimised along with the need for prophylactic medication. We believe that this leads to a much higher quality product with meat cuts that are tender and flavoursome.

Both our sheep and cattle graze parkland and pasture for most of the year helping to manage the floral diversity of these areas and returning valuable nutrients and bacteria to the soil. Once the weather turns cold and wet the cattle are then housed in a state-of-the-art facility and fed on crops grown on our farms. The sheep are only housed during the lambing season to ensure that we can provide optimum care during this period. Data is at the heart of what we do, it allows us to track the life history of every animal to ensure each individual receives tailored health care and we can reassure our customers that the meat we supply comes only from our farm.

Through environmental stewardship or voluntary initiatives all our cropped land has a programme in place to increase biodiversity and protect natural resources. As well as directly benefiting the local wildlife, these measures also contribute to carbon sequestration and play a significant role in supporting our business as we progress beyond a carbon neutral operating status.

Our meat can be ordered online to be delivered direct to your door, packaged in sustainable sheep’s wool insulation.

Sign up here for 10% off your first order!

As we take the first tentative steps toward an easing of the COVID – 19 restrictions we hope that more of you are now able to enjoy the health and well-being benefits of spending time in the countryside.

Dyson Farming actively manages 68km of public rights of way and permissive access routes. These traverse some spectacular farmed landscapes and environmental conservation areas. Our stewardship schemes and voluntary initiatives cover 1,235ha of environmental features and sensitive habitat so we do ask that you help us protect these areas by sticking to the designated footpaths and keeping dogs under close control, which is particular important for ground nesting birds.

We must also request that dogs are kept under control near to livestock – the welfare of our animals is really important to us and we hope you feel the same.

We are excited to announce that Dyson Farming has been granted permission to construct a state of the art 6ha glasshouse with associated infrastructure at our farm in Carrington. This is a big step toward achieving our ambition for a high output, lower input farming model with technology and data at the core.

Strawberries and other soft fruit will be grown utilising heat generated by our anaerobic digester which already provides electricity for nearly 8000 homes. This green energy source will allow us to grow over 600 tonnes of great British produce throughout the year.

As well as heat and power the digester also converts crops such as maize, barley and rye into an organic fertiliser that can provide optimum nutrition for the glass house crops reducing our dependency on chemical fertiliser. The high-tech led lighting system will allow crops to be grown throughout the year reducing the UK’s reliance on imported produce.

The site will encompass a processing facility which has been flexibly designed to allow the processing and packaging of other products in the future. The facility will create around 60 full time jobs covering a range of roles including management, technicians, logistics, and processing. All this means a boost for the local economy with much of the initial project fund being spent with contractors from this region. CambridgeHOK have been appointed as Principle Designer and will oversee the installation and commissioning of the glasshouse facility.  The company, based in East Yorkshire, are specialists in the design and construction of glasshouses, vertical farming, R&D/educational facilities and portal frame buildings.

In around 12 months’ time Dyson Farming strawberries will be available at a range of outlets across the country.

Dyson Farming has been awarded a European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development Grant to support the creation of a 45 million gallon reservoir and crop irrigation system which will improve quality and productivity.  It will also expand certain areas of the farming business, enabling the more efficient management and protection of our valuable water resource.

Around the edge of the newly built reservoir, an environmental scrape has been established to provide habitat and shelter to a wide range of invertebrates, amphibians and small mammals.

Being located adjacent to a woodland, which is being managed for biodiversity and habitat, the reservoir will increase the foraging area for species such as bats.  Sand Martins and House Martins, which are local to the area, will also benefit from the increased abundance of food sources.

The large surface area of water within the shelter of the Nocton landscape should provide a perfect habitat for migratory wetland birds.

The increased unpredictability of the UK climate has led to a growing need to consider both water resources and water management for the future. Dyson Farming currently has a licence for abstraction of water from the River Witham and Carr Dyke in the summer months.  The reservoir will enable a large proportion of the 53.3 million gallons of summer extraction to be converted to winter peak flow extraction.

The benefits are twofold:

·         Reduced abstraction required during drier periods which limits the impact on aquatic environments and wildlife – particularly within the historically important Carr Dyke and the Dunston Beck.

·         Improved security of water supply during the summer months to ensure quality of food and renewable energy crops grown at Nocton.

We have been corresponding with the Environment Agency and the Internal Drainage Board in recent years about converting summer abstraction to winter peak flow as this will benefit the environment generally. Having the right flow in our rivers and protecting groundwater levels is essential to supporting ecological networks, enhancing natural resilience to drought, and ensuring that rivers continue to support well-being and recreation.  Sustainable water abstraction is therefore essential to ensure that river flows and groundwater levels support wildlife and natural resilience.

The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Developments: Europe investing in rural areas

Project: Dyson Farming Ltd – Construction of approximately 45 million gallon reservoir, pump house and ring main at Nocton, Lincolnshire. 

Around the edge of the newly built reservoir, an environmental scrape has been established to provide habitat and shelter to a wide range of invertebrates, amphibians and small mammals.

Being located adjacent to a woodland, which is being managed for biodiversity and habitat, the reservoir will increase the foraging area for species such as bats.  Sand Martins and House Martins, which are local to the area, will also benefit from the increased abundance of food sources.

The large surface area of water within the shelter of the Nocton landscape should provide a perfect habitat for migratory wetland birds.

The increased unpredictability of the UK climate has led to a growing need to consider both water resources and water management for the future.  Dyson Farming currently has a licence for abstraction of water from the River Witham and Carr Dyke in the summer months.  The reservoir will enable a large proportion of the 53.3 million gallons of summer extraction to be converted to winter peak flow extraction.

The benefits are twofold:

·         Reduced abstraction required during drier periods which limits the impact on aquatic environments and wildlife – particularly within the historically important Carr Dyke and the Dunston Beck.

·         Improved security of water supply during the summer months to ensure quality of food and renewable energy crops grown at Nocton.

We have been corresponding with the Environment Agency and the Internal Drainage Board in recent years about converting summer abstraction to winter peak flow as this will benefit the environment generally. Having the right flow in our rivers and protecting groundwater levels is essential to supporting ecological networks, enhancing natural resilience to drought, and ensuring that rivers continue to support well-being and recreation.  Sustainable water abstraction is therefore essential to ensure that river flows and groundwater levels support wildlife and natural resilience.

The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Developments: Europe investing in rural areas

Project: Dyson Farming Ltd – Construction of approximately 45 million gallon reservoir, pump house and ring main at Nocton, Lincolnshire.