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.

New practical competition gives teens chance to win calves and cash
New practical competition gives teens chance to win calves and cash

A new practical farming competition is giving Northern teenagers the chance to win and rear five Angus calves. The skills-based...

Agriculture spending slashed by £6 million as NI emergency budget made law
Agriculture spending slashed by £6 million as NI emergency budget made law

Agriculture has become the biggest loser in the emergency budget for Northern Ireland proposed by Secretary of State James Brokenshire....

Better profitability in farming could ease farm succession woes
Better profitability in farming could ease farm succession woes

Better profitability in agriculture would allow older farmers to retire, making room for younger stockmen and growers, lobby group Farmers...

Fodder crisis: Response meetings to take place in north-west
Fodder crisis: Response meetings to take place in north-west

A series of response meetings will take place in the north-west to help farmers deal with the feared fodder shortage...

New Lakeland scheme to maximise farmers’ profits and efficiency
New Lakeland scheme to maximise farmers’ profits and efficiency

A new development programme launched by one of Northern Ireland’s biggest milk processors will help the region’s farmers maximise efficiency...

Tractor MOTs in Northern Ireland: What you need to know
Tractor MOTs in Northern Ireland: What you need to know

‘Fast’ tractors which travel more than 15 miles from their base will not be required to go through the Ministry of...

Six-hour TB test to launch at the end of this month
Six-hour TB test to launch at the end of this month

A pioneering six-hour TB test is expected to launch by the end of November. The test, called Actiphage, has been...

Tributes paid to former agricultural advisory board chairman
Tributes paid to former agricultural advisory board chairman

Tributes have been paid to former agricultural research and education advisory board chairman Dr. Alan Lennon, OBE. Dr. Lennon passed away...

Cost of farm fires rises by a million in just a year
Cost of farm fires rises by a million in just a year

Farm fires are burning holes in insurers’ pockets, with claims in Northern Ireland rising by more than a million pounds...

UK sets up potato database as spud prices plunge to three-year low
UK sets up potato database as spud prices plunge to three-year low

A major British agricultural body is to set up a new potato database, as potato prices in the country hit...

Food scares among the biggest threats to farmers’ livelihoods
Food scares among the biggest threats to farmers’ livelihoods

Food scares are among the biggest threats to Irish farming, agri-food expert Prof. Patrick Wall warned farmers and industry leaders...

Northern Ireland TB compensation costs double in just four years
Northern Ireland TB compensation costs double in just four years

TB compensation is expected to cost Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture around £24 million (€27.17 million) this year – close...

TV producers looking to dig into Northern Irish farming life
TV producers looking to dig into Northern Irish farming life

TV producers are on the lookout for “strong characters” of the country for the third series of hit agricultural TV...

Farmers invited to tour research facility for Cattle Health Scheme anniversary
Farmers invited to tour research facility for Cattle Health Scheme anniversary

Northern Irish farmers have been granted a rare glimpse behind the scenes at one of the island’s top agricultural research...

Fermanagh farmer fined for incorrect records caught after avoiding TB tests
Fermanagh farmer fined for incorrect records caught after avoiding TB tests

A Co. Fermanagh farmer convicted of failing to notify the deaths of nine cattle was caught after he avoided two...

‘I don’t know how I’ll start to rebuild it all’ – ‘Rare Breed’ farmer on devastating inferno
‘I don’t know how I’ll start to rebuild it all’ – ‘Rare Breed’ farmer on devastating inferno

A Co. Antrim farmer whose shed burned down at the weekend has said he has been left with no option...

Time for farmers to stop talking about the ‘green image’ of farming
Time for farmers to stop talking about the ‘green image’ of farming

Irish farmers should stop talking about the “green image” of farming and assert it as reality, renowned agri-food researcher Prof. Patrick...

UK pork giant gives backing to Open Farm Weekend
UK pork giant gives backing to Open Farm Weekend

The UK pork giant which took over Dunbia’s Ballymena plant almost exactly a year ago, has given its backing to...