SIR, – On behalf of the Edinburgh Agricultural Society I would like to publicly thank Beeswax Dyson Farming for giving up a whole day to give us the most fascinating insight into this farming phenomenon.

Sir James Dyson was not present but we were ably looked after by Ben Wills, head of property and James Thompson, head of farming. At the onset, we were told we could ask any questions before an extensive tour of their Lincolnshire operation.

It is important to separate the £500m or so capital investment from the returns expected to be made from working capital. Farm budgets look to a 10% return on working capital.

As for the £500m invested so far, one must bear in mind Sir James is working on a 100-year timescale. In other words, investments made today are for the benefit for children as yet unborn.

This is, of course, nothing new. There was a time when the jute barons of Dundee invested in large tracts of farmland and then went about improving the land with field drainage, dykes etc.

There is an old saying when it comes to judging farms: "It's not what you have, It's what you do with what you have."

Beeswax Dyson Farming has some of the best arable cropping land in the world. But it would be a big mistake to underestimate how well this land is farmed.

I was impressed with a large field of oilseed rape grown without the use of any artificial fertiliser and no insecticides. All the nutrition was provided by digestate from the farms' 3mW anaerobic digester plant.

I was also interested to hear that good wheat land has fallen in value over the past two years and that once area based subsidies go along with fiscal changes to the taxation system, the best wheat land may be valued at £5000 per acre. Which is down from a peak of £9000.

My lasting impression was that every person I spoke to, no matter what rank, was proud to be part of a Dyson company. When the boss stated he was working on a 100-year plan, that is about as good as it gets job security wise!

Every member of staff wore the company crest along with three Latin words 'Numquam tendere cessa' – 'Never cease to strive". Kind of says it all really.

Gordon Rennie

Stenton Farm,

St Monans,

Fife.