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.

Housed free-range period extended as bird flu warnings continue
Housed free-range period extended as bird flu warnings continue

Changes to the marketing of free-range eggs in response to continued Avian Influenza (AI) warnings have been welcomed across the...

Pics: Your day on the farm in the snow
Pics: Your day on the farm in the snow

The white stuff continues to fall across northern counties, with a yellow weather warning set to last until Saturday evening. However,...

Rural isolation needs to be a ‘top priority’ for Northern Executive
Rural isolation needs to be a ‘top priority’ for Northern Executive

Social isolation is still a major problem in many of Northern Ireland’s rural communities – and the issue needs to...

Promising start but long road ahead: NI agri sector reacts to Brexit deal
Promising start but long road ahead: NI agri sector reacts to Brexit deal

With tens of thousands of jobs potentially at stake, Northern Ireland’s agri-food businesses have showed relief at news the region...

Is your farm ready for winter?
Is your farm ready for winter?

As snow falls across the region, Department of Agriculture (DAERA) advisors have warned that spending time preparing for winter could...

Winter Fair: Live hoof trimming and calf rearing to take centre-stage
Winter Fair: Live hoof trimming and calf rearing to take centre-stage

Live hoof-trimming and calf rearing demonstrations are expected to draw spectators at this year’s Royal Ulster Winter Fair. New to...

Charity livestock auctions reach just shy of £100,000 target
Charity livestock auctions reach just shy of £100,000 target

The grand total raised by farmers for a children’s heart charity has managed to pass the £80,000 mark – hitting...

Lively questions at farm tax and succession advice nights
Lively questions at farm tax and succession advice nights

Farmers and other family members from across Northern Ireland are turning out in droves for an ongoing series of taxation...

TV farmer Bobby Lennox: An exchange shaped 40 years of my breeding
TV farmer Bobby Lennox: An exchange shaped 40 years of my breeding

An exchange trip to New Zealand over 40 years ago inspired TV sheep farmer Bobby Lennox to give easy care...

Barn dance catfight ends in assault conviction
Barn dance catfight ends in assault conviction

Two Co. Down women ended up in court after a barn dance catfight resulted in one woman receiving facial injuries....

Farm census: 1,000 more farm jobs than 2016 and sheep make a comeback
Farm census: 1,000 more farm jobs than 2016 and sheep make a comeback

The number of agricultural people employed on farms in Northern Ireland increased by 2% over the last year, the latest...

Farm Modernisation Tier 1 offers £7.5 million for farm technology
Farm Modernisation Tier 1 offers £7.5 million for farm technology

The second round of Northern Ireland’s Farm Business Improvement Scheme Tier 1 grant will open for applications in the new...

Drones, clean energy and precision: Plans for UK’s farming future
Drones, clean energy and precision: Plans for UK’s farming future

Financial incentives for sustainable agriculture and efficient food production will become central to the UK’s farming future, according to the...

Border paradox: DUP claims hard border concession is ‘speculation’
Border paradox: DUP claims hard border concession is ‘speculation’

Democratic Unionist leader Arlene Foster has dismissed claims Northern Ireland will leave the EU under a different arrangement to the...

Decision on Brexit talks expected imminently – but border paradox remains
Decision on Brexit talks expected imminently – but border paradox remains

The Irish border has become a major sticking point in finishing the first round of UK-EU negotiations as British negotiators...

NIEA launches groundwater survey
NIEA launches groundwater survey

Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) has launched a survey on the use and protection of natural water resources in the...

IFEX to bring world’s best butchers to the test in Belfast
IFEX to bring world’s best butchers to the test in Belfast

IFEX – Northern Ireland’s food-service trade expo – is expected to host an extra 500 people from 12 countries next...

New dairy research aims to increase Irish industry competitiveness
New dairy research aims to increase Irish industry competitiveness

New research commissioned in Northern Ireland aims to give the Irish dairy industry a competitive edge in global markets and...