Dyson Farming Research is pleased to announce its involvement in a new partnership with Wild Bioscience, KWS Group and Andrew Newby, supported by Innovate UK and DEFRA’s Farming Innovation Programme. The collaboration brings together scientific innovation, seed breeding and commercial farming expertise to accelerate the development of photosynthetically enhanced wheat; varieties designed to make better use of sunlight and deliver stronger, more reliable yields for UK growers.

The project focuses on improving photosynthetic efficiency, helping wheat convert light into energy more effectively. For growers, this could mean higher yields without increasing fertiliser or other inputs, improved resilience in difficult seasons, and a crop that makes better use of the resources already available. This approach aligns closely with Dyson Farming Research’s commitment to advancing sustainable, productive agriculture through evidence-based innovation.

We believe this partnership has the potential to deliver real value for British arable farming. By combining cutting-edge science with large-scale, practical field testing, the consortium aims to bring forward wheat varieties that support both profitability and environmental responsibility. Everything we learn through this work will be shared with our wider farming network, with in‑depth insights and data made available exclusively to Dyson Farming Research members.

Dyson Farming Research is pleased to announce that we have secured DEFRA funding through the Innovate UK–managed ADOPT programme to lead an exciting new project that will help transform potato production into a more sustainable, higher‑value crop for UK agriculture.

The project builds on pioneering work by Fibe Ltd, who have demonstrated that potato stems are a viable source of high‑quality textile fibre. This innovation has attracted strong interest from the fashion and materials sector, which is actively seeking new, sustainable sources of fibre that reduce reliance on environmentally intensive materials.

For growers, potato stems are normally a nuisance by‑product of harvest, adding cost and complication to field operations. By supplying stems to Fibe, growers such as Dyson Farming and Sentry Farms can turn this crop waste into a valuable raw material—saving operational costs, improving the sustainability profile of potato production, and enabling farmers to become essential contributors to a greener, UK‑based fibre industry.

However, adopting new technologies into commercial operations—particularly in high‑value crops like potatoes—naturally carries risk. Early tests of Fibe’s new mechanical stem harvester have been extremely promising, but before widespread adoption, growers need confidence that stem removal has no negative impact on tuber quality.

Through this ADOPT‑funded project, Dyson Farming Research, Sentry Farms, NIAB and Fibe will work together to evaluate stem harvesting in real farm conditions. The consortium will:

• Monitor crop performance and tuber quality under different stem‑harvesting timings and field conditions
• Optimise the logistics so stem collection fits smoothly alongside other farm operations
• Identify best‑practice guidance to ensure commercial viability for UK potato growers

The results will give farmers the evidence they need to confidently supply stems for fibre production, helping to establish potatoes as a dual‑purpose crop where both tubers and stems deliver value. By generating more output from the same land, inputs and emissions, this project supports a more profitable, circular and environmentally positive future for UK potato farming.

We look forward to sharing updates as the project progresses.

Dyson Farming Research is proud to announce that we have been awarded Innovate UK funding through the ADOPT programme to deliver BioStim Review,  a landmark, farmer‑led project that will provide the UK’s first independent, large‑scale comparative evaluation of biostimulants for wheat and potato crops.

Biostimulants are increasingly promoted for their potential to enhance crop resilience, nutrient uptake, and yield. Yet, despite widespread interest, UK farmers continue to face a major challenge: a lack of unbiased, side‑by‑side evidence showing which products genuinely work, under what conditions, and to what extent. The BioStim Review project directly addresses this gap.

Led by Dyson Farming Research in partnership with Velcourt, this 2 year project will test a wide range of commercially available biostimulant we can access across multiple commercial farm sites representing diverse soils, climates and cropping systems. Trials will be carried out using standardised protocols, precision agriculture tools, and robust statistical methods to ensure that the findings are scientifically rigorous and practically relevant.

With major partners Velcourt and support from ARC Agronomy Services, the project will be delivered across five trial sites and supported by extensive grower engagement, field events and knowledge‑exchange activity. All results will be published openly to benefit growers, agronomists, researchers and manufacturers across the industry.

This Innovate UK investment enables Dyson Farming Research and its partners to deliver a project with national significance,  one designed to accelerate the responsible adoption of effective biostimulants, support more productive and resilient cropping, and contribute to more sustainable farming systems across the UK.

Join us at Open Farm Sunday in Nocton to see first-hand how we farm in harmony with the environment.

Learn how we care for the environment around us to create a mutually beneficial system for pollinators and other wildlife who call our farms home. Discover more about how we generate renewable energy to aid production and how this forms part of our regenerative farming model by reducing waste and maintaining nutrients in the soils across our farms.

This year our event is bigger and better than ever. We’re expecting around 3,000 people on the day, and booking is essential. We’re charging a small fee for car parking, which will help us build and develop our new education area to allow us to continue to offer free school visits for local children.

What’s on?

Environmental tours – (£3 per ticket, booking required)
Jump on the tractor and tour trailer for a look at the environmental work we carry out across the farm. From the Dunston Beck project to nesting bird boxes, find out how we work in harmony with wildlife.

Farm tours – (Free, no booking required)
This walking tour takes you around Nocton Wood Yard. From the huge grain stores to the potato store, learn about the crops we grow and how they’re stored and processed.

Nocton Wood self-guided tour – (Free, no booking required)
Nocton Wood is an ancient woodland dating back as far as the 16th century. Spot the wide range of flora and fauna growing on the woodland floor and look out for muntjac deer, brown hares and even peacocks as you explore. Choose from a 3km or 5km route and enjoy the beautiful, peaceful surroundings.

Pick up a complimentary activity pack to keep the little ones engaged.

If you would like a longer walk, you can explore the countryside that surrounds our farms with one of our tailored routes. Click the link to access the map.

Recruitment
Our recruitment team will also be on hand to talk to anyone interested in join Dyson Farming.

Children’s activities
A pre-school discovery zone teaches young children about the farm as they play, while our educational activity area offers something for all ages.

Relaxed atmosphere
Picnic blankets and folding chairs are encouraged. Find the perfect spot to set up and bask in what we hope to be a sunny and warm June day. Enjoy the live music as you explore our event field.

Food and Drink

Enjoy a range of Dyson farmed British produce on the day with beef, lamb and potatoes being served through our food vendors. There’ll also be the opportunity to try the strawberries, innovatively grown at our glasshouse in Lincolnshire.

Enjoy a range of street food from burgers to crepes. There’ll also be an ice cream van and baristas on site to keep you going.

Charities

We’ve invited a number of key charities we support to attend on the day. Make sure you go and say hello to find out more about what they do.

Local businesses

We’ve also invited a number of local businesses to the event, giving you the opportunity to buy local and join in with fun workshops during the day.

The Farmer’s Florist will be hosting workshops for adults. Call 0780706799 for more information and to book your space.

Bird Monitoring 

We are currently monitoring our owl boxes on our farms for young. We have already seen a successful number of eggs hatched and have started ringing the birds.

Ringing is a process which allows for data monitoring of bird species and their young. It entails attaching a small metal ring to the bird’s leg with a unique identification number. This means that the birds can be tracked throughout their life, giving us a better idea of their migratory patterns and lifestyles. This is carried out under a BTO licence.

We are not only discovering barn owls in our boxes, but a variety of different species including Little Owls, Kestrels and Tawny Owls. We have recently counted 46 kestrels, 25 barn owls, 1 peregrine and 1 tawny owl.

We will continue to monitor our boxes over the next couple of months and are excited to see what species they attract.