5 days ago
Young farmer from West Lothian scoops top environmental award at M&S Select Farm Awards
Ben Miller, who works full-time on his family's mixed beef, lamb and arable farm, was presented with the Environmental Champion Award, recognising his forward-thinking approach to efficiency, soil health, and sustainable farming practices.
A young farmer from West Lothian has scooped a top environmental award at the 2025 M&S Select Farm Awards, held at the Royal Highland Show.
Ben Miller, who works full-time on his family's mixed beef, lamb and arable farm, was presented with the Environmental Champion Award, recognising his forward-thinking approach to efficiency, soil health, and sustainable farming practices.
Ben farms at Muckraw Farm in Westfield, a 600-acre family-run holding that supplies beef and lamb to M&S through processor ABP.
Alongside his parents and brother, Ben has been instrumental in driving environmental improvements across every part of the business – from nutrient mapping and reduced fertiliser use to cutting carbon emissions through precision feeding and home-grown feed systems.
Steve McLean, Head of Agriculture and Fisheries at M&S, said: 'Ben Miller is part of a new generation of farmers who understand that sustainability and efficiency go hand-in-hand.
'His approach to soil health, low-carbon feeding, and precision farming makes him a brilliant ambassador for farming.'
Ben has overhauled feeding systems to reduce waste, improve animal performance, and cut reliance on purchased concentrates – mixing home-grown barley with Harbro's Maxammon treatment to improve cattle growth and lower feed costs.
Meanwhile, a shift to diet feeders and ad-lib hoppers has streamlined labour and improved cow condition.
He's also invested in soil mapping, autosteer tractors for accurate fertiliser use, weigh-scales to monitor cattle in real time, and improved field drainage to maximise grass/crop yields and reduce compaction.
These changes have delivered clear environmental benefits: less waste, fewer emissions, and healthier soil – helping to reduce the farm's overall carbon footprint while boosting productivity.
It's a model of modern farming where smart choices lead to better outcomes for animals, the land, and the planet.
Ben said: 'We're always trying new things to make the farm work better – for us and for the environment. If there's a way to waste less, grow better feed or get animals finished quicker, we'll give it a go.
'It's about working smarter – and knowing the food we produce is going into M&S stores makes it all worthwhile.'
With plans underway to build new bull housing and improve breeding management, Ben is continuing to futureproof the family farm.
His award reflects a wave of energised, tech-savvy young farmers using fresh thinking to produce great food, more sustainably, for M&S customers across the UK.
