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.

The ‘£60 Club’ is back – but this time without the financial incentive
The ‘£60 Club’ is back – but this time without the financial incentive

The third tranche of the Business Development Groups (BDG) scheme is set to open for applications today. The scheme has...

‘TB proposals cause serious concern – but difficult decisions must be made’
‘TB proposals cause serious concern – but difficult decisions must be made’

TB action is long over-due; but some of the measures proposed by the department are “seriously concerning”, the UFU’s deputy...

Farmers could pay for TB tests under range of radical proposals
Farmers could pay for TB tests under range of radical proposals

Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) today launched a public consultation on a range of proposals...

Efficient lamb production: ‘Genomics isn’t just for pedigree breeders’
Efficient lamb production: ‘Genomics isn’t just for pedigree breeders’

Genetic analysis could become a major selling point for commercial breeders too, farmers at the Northern Ireland sheep conference were...

Efficient lamb production: ‘Closing the gate could make you money’
Efficient lamb production: ‘Closing the gate could make you money’

Grass management measures as simple as closing the gate behind you could make your business more efficient, grassland advisor Gareth...

Northern Ireland TB rates surpass 12-year high
Northern Ireland TB rates surpass 12-year high

TB rates are continuing to spiral in Northern Ireland as the disease surpasses its worst rate in 12 years, according...

Final £85 million of CAP payments to arrive in time for Christmas
Final £85 million of CAP payments to arrive in time for Christmas

Christmas has come early for farmers in Northern Ireland, as balance and full CAP payments will begin issuing in December....

Father and sons avoid jail after baling and storing waste on their farm
Father and sons avoid jail after baling and storing waste on their farm

A father and his two sons from Co. Derry were given suspended prison sentences after more than 5,000t of waste...

Farmers raise hands to dig deep for charity’s biggest fundraiser
Farmers raise hands to dig deep for charity’s biggest fundraiser

A livestock auction organised by a Co. Armagh farmer has turned into a children’s heart charity’s biggest ever single fundraiser...

Post-Brexit: Whither or wither? Dairy UK man to join Winter Fair discussion
Post-Brexit: Whither or wither? Dairy UK man to join Winter Fair discussion

As uncertainty within the dairy sector – locally, nationally and internationally – is at its worst in living memory, this...

NI indepth: How a Dutch retail chain inspired NI Farm Quality Assurance
NI indepth: How a Dutch retail chain inspired NI Farm Quality Assurance

Trade tariffs, red tape and traceability concerns could make quality assurance programmes all the more important post-Brexit. But trade and...

‘Bounce back’ ability of Northern Ireland pig farmers ensuring industry’s survival
‘Bounce back’ ability of Northern Ireland pig farmers ensuring industry’s survival

Bigger litter sizes, better weaning rates and weights have helped the Northern Ireland pig industry ‘bounce back’. A combination of changes...

Fodder crisis: ‘Hard decisions must be made now to protect welfare’
Fodder crisis: ‘Hard decisions must be made now to protect welfare’

Farmers are urged to think now about how they will manage their animals’ welfare this winter as fears of a...

New entrants win big at first LacPatrick Milk Quality Awards
New entrants win big at first LacPatrick Milk Quality Awards

New dairy entrants John and David Hunter became the big winners in the inaugural LacPatrick Milk Quality awards. The Hunters...

How Dutch innovation is beating heifer ‘bullying’ at a UK college
How Dutch innovation is beating heifer ‘bullying’ at a UK college

A Dutch innovation is working a treat in solving an age-old problem on the new dairy unit at Myerscough College,...

Agriculture ‘undoubtedly side-lined’ without working Executive
Agriculture ‘undoubtedly side-lined’ without working Executive

It’s feared that a disappointing budget for rural dwellers and farmers could be a sign of things to come post-Brexit...

Operation FarmWatch: The latest drive to get tough on rural crime
Operation FarmWatch: The latest drive to get tough on rural crime

Farm visits, advice stands and vehicle check points were posted across Northern Ireland earlier this week as Operation FarmWatch got...

‘Fifth-quarter’ products among pork exports off to China
‘Fifth-quarter’ products among pork exports off to China

Two pork processors in Northern Ireland are among a select few in the UK given the green light to ship...