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 indepth: ‘Most of my meetings are held around the kitchen table and I really enjoy that’
NI indepth: ‘Most of my meetings are held around the kitchen table and I really enjoy that’

For Tyrone farmer’s son, Rodney Brown, work as Danske’s new deputy head of agriculture is about much more than just farmers’ finances....

Voluntary AD certification scheme could improve farm businesses
Voluntary AD certification scheme could improve farm businesses

The “most comprehensive scheme of its type” has been launched to certify Anaerobic Digestion (AD) plants in the UK. The voluntary,...

Soil: Taking the pressure off this winter
Soil: Taking the pressure off this winter

You might feel like you need tracks – or maybe even a raft – to cope with some of the...

2018 New Year’s Honours list: NI farming champions in the mix
2018 New Year’s Honours list: NI farming champions in the mix

A Dungannon cattle dealer’s son who came up with the idea for a multi-mullion pound meat business on the back...

New corporate vet practice rules could put farm 24-hour services under threat
New corporate vet practice rules could put farm 24-hour services under threat

Changes to veterinary practice ownership rules in Ireland could see the demise of the island’s small practices and put loss-making...

Department consults on Ash Dieback measures as spread continues
Department consults on Ash Dieback measures as spread continues

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has launched a consultation on its approach to Ash Dieback as the...

Dairy UK new technical training scheme to boost farm profitability
Dairy UK new technical training scheme to boost farm profitability

Dairy UK and the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise, (CAFRE) have joined forces to develop a technical training...

NI indepth: Farming with WhatsApp and taking Brexit by the horns
NI indepth: Farming with WhatsApp and taking Brexit by the horns

It’s not easy being a Co. Down man at the top of Scottish agri-politics while also running an 800-cow dairy...

Managing slurry nutrients: Are you making the most of the brown stuff?
Managing slurry nutrients: Are you making the most of the brown stuff?

The amount of livestock manure applied in the UK each year would fill all the lanes of the M1, plus...

‘Low resistance risk fungicide programmes must become the norm’
‘Low resistance risk fungicide programmes must become the norm’

Low resistance risk fungicide programmes must be adopted universally to prolong the efficacy of cereal chemistry in the UK, delegates...

Department writes off £5 million of farm overpayments
Department writes off £5 million of farm overpayments

Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture has written off almost £5 million in overpayments made to farmers, a BBC investigation has found....

Brexit: ‘Second referendum would deliver worst deal for the UK’
Brexit: ‘Second referendum would deliver worst deal for the UK’

A second EU referendum would be the “best way” to get the “worst deal” for the UK, British Prime Minister...

Pregnancy test science could protect the Christmas sprout
Pregnancy test science could protect the Christmas sprout

The science behind the home-pregnancy test is now being trialled to detect the presence of plant diseases, which can devastate...

Ag budget cuts make ‘bleak reading’
Ag budget cuts make ‘bleak reading’

Northern Ireland’s latest budgetary outlook is “bleak reading for a key sector of the local economy”, the Ulster Farmers’ Union has...

Jobs likely to go as ‘ag’ budget faces up to £20m plunge by 2020
Jobs likely to go as ‘ag’ budget faces up to £20m plunge by 2020

Jobs are likely to go and programmes are likely to be halted as Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture (DAERA) faces...

Online manure export forms expected to reduce BPS penalties ‘vastly’
Online manure export forms expected to reduce BPS penalties ‘vastly’

Northern Ireland farmers will be asked to fill out manure exports online in the new year – but it’s expected...

Spirited debate on Brexit, farming and the environment as UFU roadshow hits a town near you
Spirited debate on Brexit, farming and the environment as UFU roadshow hits a town near you

Some of farming’s most controversial topics will be on the table as the Ulster Farmers’ Union launches its annual roadshow...

New record for Northern Ireland CAP payments
New record for Northern Ireland CAP payments

A record 97% of farmers in Northern Ireland have received their full or balance CAP payments in time for Christmas....