Dyson Farming, a prominent UK agricultural enterprise, has successfully completed an expansion of its Lincolnshire-based strawberry facility, marking a significant advancement in the realm of sustainable farming practices and crop production technology.
Originally commissioned in 2020 with a six-hectare facility, Dyson Farming collaborated once again with CambridgeHOK to add an additional 4.7 hectares of growing space. This expansion, completed on schedule in December 2023, now totals 10.7 hectares of cutting-edge glasshouse infrastructure.
The expanded facility features 760 meters of glasshouse length and accommodates an impressive 1,225,000 strawberry plants across 1456 rows. Annually, it is expected to yield approximately 1,250 tonnes of high-quality strawberries, meeting the demands of British consumers.
Central to the expansion’s success is a bespoke hanging, swinging gutter system designed by CambridgeHOK. This innovative system optimizes space utilization by allowing an additional row of plants every eight meters, effectively increasing grow space by 15%. Moreover, a sophisticated climate control computer system maintains optimal growing conditions within the glasshouse, ensuring the consistent production of premium strawberries.
The facility also integrates sustainable practices such as rainwater harvesting. Water collected from the glasshouse roof is stored in a lagoon and used for irrigation, reducing environmental impact and enhancing resource efficiency.
Angel Angelov, Glasshouse Manager at Dyson Farming, emphasizes the critical role of CambridgeHOK’s expertise in both phases of the project’s success. He underscores the importance of understanding growers’ operational challenges and the ongoing support provided post-construction.
According to Steve Baker, Commercial Director at Dyson Farming, the collaboration with CambridgeHOK has been instrumental in aligning project goals with operational excellence. He highlights CambridgeHOK’s ability to deliver high-quality infrastructure that meets Dyson Farming’s rigorous standards and operational demands seamlessly.
The expansion of Dyson Farming’s strawberry facility not only enhances production capabilities but also exemplifies a commitment to sustainable agriculture and technological innovation in the UK farming sector.
