An Aberdeenshire beef farmer is among a list of eight producers shortlisted for this year’s Marks and Spencer Farming for the Future awards.
Alan Meston, who farms at Dunnottar near Stonehaven, is in the running for the retailer’s outstanding producer of the year award.
Together with his son and one part-time member of staff, he finishes approximately 2,800 cattle every year for M&S.
The retailer said Mr Meston was in the running for the award thanks to his commitment to “sustained improvements in cattle growth rates year after year” – for the last three years, his cattle have achieved a one tonne daily liveweight gain per hectare of grassland.
The other producer in the running for the award is Blairgowrie farmer Matthew McIntyre, who together with his father Euan grows 120 acres of fruit, including 30 acres of cherries, for M&S through Berry Gardens Ltd.
The McIntyres have been praised for extending their growing season to enable them to supply cherries to M&S into October.
The two farmers in the running for the young producer award are 24-year-old Matthew Anderson of Dawnfresh Farming Ltd and 26-year-old Andrew Houstoun of Blacklunans, Blairgowrie.
Mr Anderson works as assistant farm manager at Tervine fish farm in Uddingston to produce trout for M&S, while Mr Houstoun farms in partnership with his parents at Glenkilrie farm to produce lamb for the retailer.
The two producers in the running for the innovation producer award are Cupar-based East of Scotland Growers agronomy manager Andrew Orr, and Scottish Sea Farms for its Lochmuir Salmon.
Mr Orr has been praised for his implementation of new technology to improve soil health, while Lochmuir Salmon has been commended for innovation in sourcing alternative components for use in salmon feed.
Lastly, two farm businesses have been shortlisted for the Prince’s Countryside Fund Award, which recognise producers going the extra mile to help support local rural communities.
They are: Semple Kelly and Emily Davidson of Airdrie Farm in Kirkben, Dumfries, who supply eggs to M&S via Noble Foods; and John Bell of Fairfield Farm in the East Neuk of Fife, who supplies beef and lamb to M&S.
All winners will be unveiled on Thursday June 22 at the Highland Show.
