Rachel Martin

Rachel Martin Profile Picture

Rachel Martin specialises in writing about agri-business, food production and dairying. Previously, she worked as a business reporter at one of Northern Ireland’s biggest daily newspapers. In 2017 she was named one of IFAJ's 10 Young Leaders in Agricultural Journalism. She is currently secretary of the Guild of Agricultural Journalists in Northern Ireland. When she’s not writing, Rachel can usually be found in the milking parlour at home in Co. Down with her family's 130 cows.

NI farm walk to explore potential of multi-species swards for beef and sheep
NI farm walk to explore potential of multi-species swards for beef and sheep

Through a farm walk in Northern Ireland, beef and sheep farmers will have the opportunity to see for themselves how...

£2.7 million of North West flooding support payments to begin this week
£2.7 million of North West flooding support payments to begin this week

Payments totalling £2.7 million to support farm businesses affected by the flooding and landslides in the North West in 2017...

Climate Bill: ‘We’ve been accused of scaremongering but the facts speak for themselves’
Climate Bill: ‘We’ve been accused of scaremongering but the facts speak for themselves’

Agricultural leaders have stood by their stark warnings about Northern Ireland’s Climate Change Bill after an independent report has found...

Climate Bill to cost NI farming £11 billion
Climate Bill to cost NI farming £11 billion

Aiming for net-zero by 2045 – as called for in Northern Ireland’s Climate Bill – could result in the loss...

Agriculture Committee learns about ‘scientific approach’ to greener farming in Co. Tyrone
Agriculture Committee learns about ‘scientific approach’ to greener farming in Co. Tyrone

Members of Stormont’s Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs committee visited a farm in Co. Tyrone to see for themselves the...

Rural boiler owners urged to respond to OFGEM letters
Rural boiler owners urged to respond to OFGEM letters

Farmers and rural business owners with RHI boilers that received a letter from the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets...

Minister opens fifth EFS round during Co. Down farm visit
Minister opens fifth EFS round during Co. Down farm visit

Northern Ireland Agriculture and Environment Minister Edwin Poots has opened applications for the fifth round of the EFS (Environmental Farming...

IPCC: Warming effect of methane likely to be significantly overstated
IPCC: Warming effect of methane likely to be significantly overstated

The global warming effect of methane could be overestimated by as much as three or four times, according to a...

NI to host Climate Summit ahead of COP26
NI to host Climate Summit ahead of COP26

Northern Ireland politicians have agreed to hold a Climate Summit ahead of the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference. The...

3,000 eligible for NI’s wool payment yet to apply
3,000 eligible for NI’s wool payment yet to apply

Around 3,000 Northern Ireland farmers eligible for the department’s Covid-19 support payment for wool have yet to apply despite the...

Farm walks kickstart in NI with Habitat TDF visits
Farm walks kickstart in NI with Habitat TDF visits

The department is set to recommence in-person training events with a series of farm walks across Northern Ireland later this...

Foyle Food Group profits up £4 million in 2020
Foyle Food Group profits up £4 million in 2020

Northern meat processor Foyle Food Group saw a £4 million increase in pre-tax profits over the last year despite “challenging”...

Further £4.3 million to back for NI environmental projects
Further £4.3 million to back for NI environmental projects

25 Northern non-profit organisations are to benefit from £4.3 million from the latest round of the Department of Agriculture Environment...

Rural isolation key theme for NI’s ‘Uniting Opportunities’ programme
Rural isolation key theme for NI’s ‘Uniting Opportunities’ programme

Rural isolation is to be one of seven core issues tackled as part of a new wave of Northern Ireland’s...

Man killed at Linden Foods Dungannon plant
Man killed at Linden Foods Dungannon plant

A man has died in an incident today (July 5) at Linden Foods’ factory in Dungannon, Co. Tyrone. A spokesperson...

Randox Farming reports £6.1 million losses
Randox Farming reports £6.1 million losses

The operations of Northern Ireland-based pharmaceutical firm Randox farming have reported post-tax losses of £6.1 million over the last year...

2021 Balmoral Show to require test or proof of vaccine for entry
2021 Balmoral Show to require test or proof of vaccine for entry

It’s not just their tickets that showgoers will need to remember to bring to this year’s postponed Balmoral Show. To...

Record entries for 2021 ‘Dig In’ schools competition
Record entries for 2021 ‘Dig In’ schools competition

The winners of the 2021 Dig in schools competition, celebrating 10 years of Open Farm Weekend, have been announced. The...