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.

Fencing’s back in vogue – and all thanks to a bit of competition
Fencing’s back in vogue – and all thanks to a bit of competition

Competition is getting young farmers back into the field and learning practical farm-based skills, YFCU members at this year’s Northern...

Horsepower: ‘It’s like an athlete – the more often you do it, the better you get’
Horsepower: ‘It’s like an athlete – the more often you do it, the better you get’

Ploughing with horses is an art which takes time and practice, champion ploughman Victor Scott from Limavady, Co. Derry explains....

Derry boy tipped to be Ireland’s next big country music star
Derry boy tipped to be Ireland’s next big country music star

He might only be 14 years old, but Coleraine boy Owen Mac is tipped to be Ireland’s next big country music star....

Exchange rate boost to add £13 million to North’s farm subsidies
Exchange rate boost to add £13 million to North’s farm subsidies

Northern Irish farmers will be better off this year, as exchange rate fluctuations add around 5% to the value of...

Wexford man Martin Kehoe ploughs to victory at NI Ploughing Championship
Wexford man Martin Kehoe ploughs to victory at NI Ploughing Championship

World champion ploughman Martin Kehoe from Co. Wexford stole the show at this weekend’s Northern Ireland International Ploughing Championship. Dozens...

‘Slow Food’ festival celebrates return with two local product launches
‘Slow Food’ festival celebrates return with two local product launches

A festival celebrating the best of the north west’s home-grown produce will return to the ‘maiden city’ next weekend. Northern...

Meet the Michelin-starred chef on a mission to bring back the ‘Mighty Spud’
Meet the Michelin-starred chef on a mission to bring back the ‘Mighty Spud’

Inspired by his love of farming, a Michelin-starred chef is urging the Irish public to get back behind its favourite...

Supermarkets cancel orders for 2 Sisters after undercover investigation
Supermarkets cancel orders for 2 Sisters after undercover investigation

Four major UK supermarkets have ditched 2 Sisters as a poultry supplier after an investigation into the UK’s biggest supermarket...

Some like them Blonde: Behind the scenes at NI’s top Blonde herds
Some like them Blonde: Behind the scenes at NI’s top Blonde herds

Two herds in Co. Down and Co. Antrim have come out top at this year’s NI Blonde Cattle Club herd...

Bracing for Brexit: Innovative veg exporter details plans
Bracing for Brexit: Innovative veg exporter details plans

Brexit is looming, but Mash Direct – one of the North’s best-known food exporters – is thinking ahead by launching...

Is Dale Farm’s new 27p/L contract for you? What you need to know
Is Dale Farm’s new 27p/L contract for you? What you need to know

Bosses at Northern Ireland’s largest milk processor, Dale Farm, say they have had a “very encouraging” response to its new 27p/L fixed-price...

Crime initiative puts farmers on the watch for rural thieves
Crime initiative puts farmers on the watch for rural thieves

Farmers have been urged to sign up to a new rural crime watch initiative to tackle the issue in Northern...

Ploughman who battled cancer nominated as farming’s ‘Unsung Hero’
Ploughman who battled cancer nominated as farming’s ‘Unsung Hero’

A young ploughman who battled Leukemia has been nominated as Northern Ireland farming’s ‘Unsung Hero’. Speaking as part of AgriLand’s...

Two-thirds of Donegal grain still to be harvested following flood-woes
Two-thirds of Donegal grain still to be harvested following flood-woes

Farmers in Co. Donegal are racing to bring in their harvest as more rain sweeps the county, threatening further floods....

Dairy industry to pool resources in event of ‘hard’ Brexit
Dairy industry to pool resources in event of ‘hard’ Brexit

Milk processors on the island are planning to pool resources in the event of a hard Brexit, AgriLand can reveal. LacPatrick’s new...

Harp hits the right notes at UK Dairy Day
Harp hits the right notes at UK Dairy Day

A Northern Ireland syndicate has struck the right notes at a national six-breed dairy show today (September 13) lifting the title...

LacPatrick’s €33 million plant to future-proof Irish milk sales
LacPatrick’s €33 million plant to future-proof Irish milk sales

Ambitious expansion plans will allow one of the north’s biggest milk processors to allay Brexit fears and drive export sales,...

Thelma Gorman named as woman killed in farm accident
Thelma Gorman named as woman killed in farm accident

‘Unsung hero’ of Northern Ireland agriculture Thelma Gorman has been named as the woman who lost her life on a...