Farming has been in the Hoyles family for over 250 years, with the current holding in South Lincolnshire stretching across 700 hectares of reclaimed silt soil. Day-to-day operations are managed by Director, David Hoyles and his team of six staff. While wheat, potatoes, sugar beet, peas, and mustard make up the core crop rotation, it’s the farm’s forward-thinking approach that sets it apart.
From storing 180,000m³ of rainwater in their own reservoirs to producing 440,000 kWh annually from wind and solar, sustainability is deeply embedded. Wildlife-friendly practices are everywhere: 58 hectares of nectar-rich flowers, wild bird seed areas, bee hives, insect houses and owl boxes—illustrating how modern farming and biodiversity can go hand-in-hand.
Breaking New Ground
In what may be a UK-first, the business has taken a bold step by planting possibly the most northerly olive grove in the world. The journey began back in 2019, with extensive research into plant varieties and licensing. By Spring 2024, ten varieties were planted across 10 hectares of Grade 1 arable land. A wildflower mix sown between the rows encourages insects that protect the trees without chemicals – a conscious decision in line with changing consumer attitudes toward food grown with minimal artificial inputs.
If all goes well, the first commercial harvest is expected in 2027. The olives will be processed into premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil on-site and sold both online and on the farm, alongside a unique range of handcrafted olivewood homewares.
In 2023, the business diversified further with the opening of a 4-acre dog park. A dedicated website, an online booking system and promotion on social media made it a hit from the start.
Enter the Kubota F251 Out Front Mower
Maintaining the park’s grass proved a challenge – especially during a wet spring when heavy farm tractors risked damaging the ground. Previously, the team used a 180HP tractor from the farm’s fleet and a flail mower to cut the grass. A second-hand 2010 Kubota mower was bought as a stop-gap, and although reliable, it was slow, noisy, and lacked comfort.
Looking for a better long-term solution, David approached Irelands Farm Machinery and arranged demonstrations of the Kubota F391 37HP ‘out front’ and ZD1211 ‘zero turn’ mowers.
“The team at Irelands were a great help,” says David. “They didn’t just drop off machines and leave us to it—they took the time to understand what we needed.”
After testing both, they opted for the Kubota F251, 25HP ‘Out Front Mower’ fitted with a 1.5m cutting deck, a more compact model perfectly suited to their needs. Its wider cutting deck, higher forward speed, and comfortable cushioned seat have made mowing both faster and more enjoyable – allowing more bookable slots in the dog park as demand continues to rise.
The mower is also used to maintain the olive grove rows, ensuring both aesthetics and accessibility are maintained.
From initial advice to final handover, Irelands Farm Machinery ensured the process was smooth from start to finish. “It was all very straightforward, and we couldn’t be happier with the result.” says David.
Whether it’s maintaining a pioneering olive grove or keeping a dog park in top shape, the Kubota F251 has proved to be the perfect fit for a farm that’s always thinking one step ahead.
