NEWS

Tesco’s low-carbon concept farms are multi-year demonstration sites set up to trial innovations that can decarbonise food production while remaining commercially viable. The Branston-managed site in Lincolnshire will test new agronomic approaches, track results across rotations and share learnings across Tesco’s wider farming network.

Branston, one of the UK’s leading potato suppliers, has a long history of environmental innovation, using waste potatoes to generate on-site renewable energy and returning digestate to local farms as fertiliser. Its partnership with Re-Genus marks the next phase: exploring how living, biology-driven fertilisers can improve soils while lowering the carbon footprint of crop production.

 Trial design: improving poor soil biology and lowering carbon risk

In October 2025, Re-Genus agronomists assessed seven fields on the Branston-managed trial area and identified low soil-biology levels. In December, trial fields were inoculated with Re-Genus’s fungi-dominant fertiliser system:

• Two comparison blocks for winter wheat.
• Rotation field, currently a volunteer cover crop, to be used for potatoes.

The farm operates as a seven-year Tesco–Branston partnership site – a “farm within a farm” – testing approaches across the full rotation before scaling to the supply base. Trials will monitor crop performance, soil-biology recovery, emissions impact and economic viability.

Re-Genus’s approach introduces woodland-derived soil microbiome and UK sourced, circular-economy plant nutrients to rebuild soil structure and natural nutrient cycling. Healthier, more fungal-dominant soils are associated with improved resilience, reduced reliance on synthetic fertilisers and longer-term fertility gains.

Why this matters for decarbonising potato and arable systems

Tesco launched the concept farms to reduce the risk farmers face when testing new technologies, helping the sector move towards net zero while protecting productivity and farm incomes.

In potato systems, fertiliser use remains one of the major sources of emissions. Low-carbon fertilisers that strengthen soil biology have potential to meaningfully reduce footprint while maintaining yield and quality – one of the key focus areas of the programme.

Carbon footprint and regenerative value

Re-Genus’s model draws on regenerative principles centred on soil biology. Trials with other Re-Genus partners have shown that their biological fertiliser system can support organic and low-input practices while materially reducing fertiliser-related emissions. A recent Life Cycle Assessment estimated that Re-Genus’ system could result in carbon savings of 5–8 tonnes less CO₂ per tonne of synthetic Nitrogen displaced from use.

By replacing or reducing synthetic inputs, farmers can build healthier soils and make measurable progress against Scope 3 emissions without sacrificing agronomic control.

Katie Critchlow, Re-Genus CEO said that “these trials are about proving that regenerative, biology-first farming can deliver at scale. When we rebuild soil biology, we’re not just improving structure and resilience – we’re also unlocking a practical pathway to reduce the carbon footprint associated with conventional fertilisers.

 Working alongside Branston and Tesco means we can test real-world performance across rotations, share learnings rapidly and help farmers move towards healthier soils, lower emissions and stronger long-term productivity.”

A scalable solution for supply chains

For retailers and processors, the concept farms demonstrate de-risked innovation – testing emissions-reducing technologies in real commercial settings before wider rollout. The trials will illustrate a scalable approach that connects soil health, carbon performance and supply-chain resilience, with a clear path to adoption through existing agronomy and farm workflows.

If successful, the Re-Genus system could support Tesco’s broader ambition to scale low-carbon farming practices and provide Branston growers with a practical, biology-led alternative to traditional fertiliser regimes.