Dyson Farming

What Dyson Farming does

Dyson Farming is a privately held, vertically integrated UK agricultural enterprise founded by Sir James Dyson in 2013, operating across Lincolnshire, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, and North Somerset. The company runs a 26-acre glasshouse in Carrington producing year-round strawberries using a proprietary Hybrid Vertical Growing System (HVGS), engineered with Dyson Technology, that delivers up to three times the growing density of traditional systems while using 70% less heat energy and 50% less CO2 per kilogram of fruit. Strawberry harvesting is partially automated via the Dogtooth Gen 5 robot, with pick rates exceeding seven berries per minute.

The business spans five operational pillars: arable crops (wheat, barley, potatoes, peas, maize, rye), high-welfare livestock (beef and lamb), glasshouse strawberry production, renewable energy generation through anaerobic digestion at Nocton Fen and Carrington (powering over 10,000 homes), and Dyson Farming Research — a 1,000-acre innovation farm providing paid membership subscriptions (£1,200/year for combinable crops; £2,000/year for potatoes) and a Tech Innovator Programme validating third-party agricultural technologies. The anaerobic digesters and glasshouse are integrated in a closed-loop circular system where digestate fertilises fields and AD heat warms the glasshouse.

Dyson Farming's commercial channels include direct supply to five major UK retailers (Sainsbury's, Marks & Spencer, Ocado, Harrods, Co-op), energy sales to the National Grid, research subscriptions to growers and agronomists, and ancillary property/leisure rentals (holiday cottages, fishing, simulated game shooting). The company is currently executing a substantial R&D partnership pipeline spanning precision-bred wheat (with Wild Bioscience and KWS Group under a £1.2 million government-funded programme), biostimulant evaluation, and potato dual-output fibre projects, supported by Innovate UK and DEFRA funding. Executive leadership was professionalised in 2022 with the appointment of Daniel Cross as Managing Director and Sheener Ooi as CFO.

Name

Dyson Farming

Legal name

Dyson Farming Ltd

Website

https://dysonfarming.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Agriculture

NAICS

Strawberry Farming (111333), Fruit and Tree Nut Farming (1113)

SIC

Agricultural Production-Crops (100), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Berry Farming (Strawberries, Blueberries, Raspberries, Blackberries, Cranberries) (AFAGACAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Agricultural & Field Robotics (HDAAAIAD), Robotic Harvesting & Picking Systems (Fruit/Vegetable harvest robots) (AFAAAGAD), Agricultural Robotics Integration, Retrofit & Automation Services (Kit installs, integration, maintenance) (AFAAAGAJ), Sustainable/Regenerative Agriculture & Conservation Practices (EDAOAOAO)

Keywords

• Precision agriculture
• Anaerobic digestion
• Glasshouse farming
• Arable crop production
• Agricultural research services

Headquarters

HQ city

Nocton

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Produce sales: Dyson Farming grows and sells a diverse range of produce including wheat, barley, potatoes, peas, maize, rye, strawberries, beef, and lamb to major UK retailers and direct to consumers.
2. Renewable energy generation: Anaerobic digesters generate electricity from energy crops, producing enough power for over 10,000 homes. Energy is sold to the national grid.
3. Research membership programme: Dyson Farming Research offers membership subscriptions providing access to research findings, technical events, farm trials, mentorship, and a member library. Subscription fees: £1,200 per year for combinable crops, £2,000 per year for potatoes.
4. Property and leisure: Residential and commercial property rentals throughout Lincolnshire, Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire, plus holiday cottages and leisure activities including fishing and simulated game shooting.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Dyson Farming is an integrated UK agricultural enterprise that produces and sells glasshouse-grown strawberries, arable crops (wheat, barley, potatoes, peas, maize, rye), high-welfare beef and lamb, and renewable electricity from anaerobic digestion. Operations are anchored by a 26-acre glasshouse in Carrington using the proprietary Hybrid Vertical Growing System and a 1,000-acre research centre delivering paid membership-based agronomic research to UK growers.

Product overview

Dyson Farming operates as an integrated agricultural business comprising multiple interconnected operations. The core offerings include year-round glasshouse strawberry production using proprietary Hybrid Vertical Growing System (HVGS) technology and robotic harvesting; diverse arable crop production (wheat, barley, potatoes, peas, maize, rye); high-welfare livestock (beef and lamb); and renewable energy through anaerobic digestion that powers the glasshouse in a circular farming model. Dyson Farming Research provides independent agronomic research services across a 1,000 acre innovation farm with membership programmes. Additional operations include environmental stewardship (natural capital management), education services (school programmes, teacher training, Summer Series work experience), and leisure/property offerings (holiday cottages, fishing, game shooting). The business is founded by Sir James Dyson and emphasizes technology-driven sustainable agriculture.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Dyson Farming Research: A knowledge exchange platform providing research findings, best practices, and case studies for farmers. Includes member portal, innovation farm access, and mentorship networks.
• Hybrid Vertical Growing System (HVGS)

Products and services

• Glasshouse Strawberry Production Year-round strawberry production from a 26-acre glasshouse in Carrington, Lincolnshire, using the proprietary Hybrid Vertical Growing System (HVGS), robotic harvesting and AI-powered growing optimisation. Strawberries are supplied to UK retailers including Ocado, Sainsbury's, Marks & Spencer, Harrods and Co-op under branded premium ranges.
• Arable Crop Production Diverse arable crop enterprise producing wheat (for milling, biscuit making and animal feed), barley (malt production and animal feed), potatoes (pre-pack and processing markets), vining peas, maize (feedstock for anaerobic digesters) and rye (anaerobic digester feedstock).
• Livestock Production High-welfare beef and lamb production including a breeding sheep flock with high genetic potential, a Stabiliser breeding cattle herd, and an integrated livestock enterprise that returns nutrients to the land. Beef cuts have received gold awards.
• Renewable Energy (Anaerobic Digestion) Anaerobic digestion plants at Nocton Fen and Carrington that transform energy crops and glasshouse waste into electricity and heat, with generated power sold to the national grid. The two AD plants generate enough renewable electricity to power over 10,000 homes, and the heat output warms the Carrington glasshouse for strawberry production.
• Dyson Farming Research Membership The UK's largest collective commercial research farm with a 1,000-acre research centre providing independent research in crop and soil management. Annual memberships (£1,200/year for combinable crops; £2,000/year for potatoes) give growers and agronomists access to farm trials, technical events, workshops, webinars, innovation farm visits, mentorship and a member library.
• Tech Innovator Programme Programme for validating innovative agricultural technologies through professionally managed field-scale trials at the Dyson Farming Research centre. Offers independent data analysis and evaluation for innovators addressing farm productivity, resilience, and sustainability challenges.
• Education Services Educational programmes including the Summer Series week-long work experience for school leavers and students aged 18+, CPD training for teachers led with LEAF Education, downloadable curriculum-linked school resources and worksheets, virtual farm tours, and LEAF Open Farm Sunday events.
• Property and Leisure Portfolio of residential rental properties across Lincolnshire, Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire, plus award-winning eco-friendly holiday cottages, fishing at Stubton Farm across five ponds, and simulated game shooting experiences. Bookings managed through [email protected].

Quantifiable outcome

• 70% less heat energy and 50% less CO2 per kilo of fruit produced using HVGS technology
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

36 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Wild BiosciencecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 April 2026Wild Bioscience, an Oxford University spinout, partnered with Dyson Farming as one of four global partnerships to scale climate-resilient crop development. The collaboration involves precision-bred wheat development leveraging computational design and plant biology under the UK's Genetic Technology Act 2023.
• Atlantic MarinaculturecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 April 2026Dyson Farming Research partnered with Atlantic Marinaculture on an innovative seaweed biostimulant trial exploring how natural, seaweed-derived inputs can support potato crop performance under variable growing conditions, particularly drought stress.
• Colwith Farm Potatoes LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 March 2026Dyson Farming Research partnered with Colwith Farm Potatoes Ltd and SDF Agriculture Ltd in an ADOPT programme project to develop next-generation low-input potato production systems using precision foliar nutrition and advanced microbial biostimulants.
• KWS GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 February 2026Dyson Farming and KWS joined Wild Bioscience in a £1.2 million government-funded collaboration to develop and commercialise precision-bred wheat varieties designed to sustainably increase yield and resilience, targeting more than 10% productivity gains with a five-year commercial launch timeline.
• Fibe LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 February 2026Dyson Farming Research partnered with Fibe Ltd on an ADOPT-funded project to evaluate potato stem harvesting for textile fibre production, turning crop waste into valuable raw material while improving sustainability of potato production.
• VelcourtcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 February 2026Dyson Farming Research partnered with Velcourt on the BioStim Review project, a 2-year initiative providing the UK's first independent, large-scale comparative evaluation of biostimulants for wheat and potato crops across multiple commercial farm sites.
• Crop Intellect LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 February 2024Dyson Farming Research joined a consortium led by Crop Intellect Ltd to test R-Leaf products and endophyte prototypes aimed at reducing synthetic nitrogen fertiliser by an estimated 50% in wheat production.
• The James Hutton InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 August 2023TRIP project partner providing research expertise for transformative reduced input potato production development.
• The Traits CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of four global partnerships formed by Wild Bioscience to scale climate-resilient crop development operations.
• Pairwise PlantsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of four global partnerships formed by Wild Bioscience to scale climate-resilient crop development operations.
• AlgapelagominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDyson Farming Research collaborated with Algapelago as part of an Innovate UK-backed project exploring natural, seaweed-derived inputs for crop performance under variable growing conditions.
• Sentry FarmsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the ADOPT-funded project with Fibe Ltd to evaluate commercial viability of potato stem harvesting for fibre production.
• NIABminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in the potato dual-output project evaluating stem harvesting impact on tuber quality under real farm conditions.
• ARC Agronomy ServicesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSupporting partner in the BioStim Review project delivering biostimulant evaluation across five trial sites.
• SDF Agriculture LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the low-input potato project conducting commercial-scale split-field testing alongside replicated field trials.
• Andrew NewbyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner with Wild Bioscience, KWS Group and Dyson Farming Research on photosynthetically enhanced wheat development project.
• Barworth ResearchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner in the low carbon fertiliser trial testing R-Leaf product and endophyte prototypes.
• University of LincolnminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in consortium projects including low carbon fertiliser trials and sustainable pulse production research.
• CHAP (Crop Health and Protection)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner in Innovate UK-funded low carbon fertiliser project.
• The Allerton ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsortium partner in low carbon fertiliser trial project.
• Bangor UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTRIP project partner in regenerative farming methods for potatoes research programme.
• Emerald ResearchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTRIP project partner in potato sector regenerative farming methods development.
• FG Pryor & SonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFarmer partner in TRIP project testing regenerative potato production methods.
• CP Richards & SonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFarmer partner in TRIP project for potato sector innovation.
• AgAnalystcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead partner in NUE-Profits project developing nitrogen use efficiency management systems for wheat farmers using data from in-field sensors and weather stations.
• Dales Land NetminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFarmer network partner in NUE-Profits project for nitrogen efficiency.
• European Food and Farming Partnerships (EFFP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in NUE-Profits project supporting nitrogen use efficiency improvements.
• Hill Court Farm ResearchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch farm partner in NUE-Profits nitrogen efficiency project.
• N Blacker & SonsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFarmer partner in NUE-Profits nitrogen efficiency project.
• VelcourtminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in NUE-Profits project delivering nitrogen use efficiency solutions.
• University of LincolnminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in NUE-Profits project for nitrogen use efficiency research.
• Anglian WaterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in cover crop trials exploring benefits of cover crops for soil protection, water quality, and nutrient management.
• Boston SeedsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeed partner in cover crop trials including cereals, clovers, vetches, mustards, and radishes.
• LEAF EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDyson Farming partners with LEAF Education for school visits, CPD training for teachers, and Open Farm Sunday events, providing curriculum-linked resources and farm education programmes.
• Environment AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDyson Farming collaborated with the Environment Agency and Wild Trout Trust on the Dunston Beck restoration project, transforming the stream to a more natural, meandering path to enhance biodiversity and water quality.
• Wild Trout TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Dunston Beck restoration project designing and implementing stream improvements for habitat enhancement.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Dogtooth Technologies: UK-based developer of strawberry-picking robots (Dogtooth Gen 5 series). Dyson Farming is a customer/trial partner; relevant as a direct technology peer in agricultural robotics.
• AeroFarms: US-based indoor vertical farming company using controlled environment agriculture and proprietary growing systems. Comparable in controlled-environment / vertical growing technology category, though focused on leafy greens.

Broad incumbents

• Driscoll's: Global market leader in fresh berries, supplying strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries worldwide. Relevant incumbent for benchmarking category leadership and berry genetics IP.
• Total Produce / Dole plc: Global fresh produce giant with extensive UK and European operations across multiple fruit and vegetable categories. Relevant as a broad incumbent competing for the same UK retail shelf space.

Regional players

• Camgrain: UK farmer-owned central storage and marketing cooperative for combinable crops. Comparable arable production scale and UK retail/end-user supply model.

Direct peers

• Berry Gardens: UK's largest berry cooperative, supplying major UK supermarkets with strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries. Direct competitor to Dyson Farming in the British premium berry category.
• Frontier Agriculture: Major UK arable crop services and marketing business supporting wheat, barley, oilseed and pulse growers. Comparable in the UK combinable crops production, marketing and agronomy services segment.
• Hall Hunter Partnership: Major UK soft-fruit grower producing strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries for UK retailers including Tesco, M&S and Sainsbury's. Direct peer in premium British berry production.
• Wilkin & Sons (Tiptree): Essex-based farm and preserves manufacturer growing strawberries, fruits and managing its own estates. Comparable vertically integrated UK farm-to-consumer model with strong retail brand recognition.
• G's Group: One of the UK's largest fresh produce growers, with significant UK and overseas salad, vegetable and strawberry operations supplying major retailers. Highly comparable business model and customer base; Dyson Farming MD Daniel Cross joined from G's.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/DysonFarming
• Facebookfacebook.com/DysonFarming
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dyson-farming
• Instagraminstagram.com/dysonfarming

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Dyson Farming