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.

RHET unveils Highland cow Massey to kick off 20th anniversary tour
RHET unveils Highland cow Massey to kick off 20th anniversary tour

The Royal Highland Education Trust has unveiled its very own Highland cow Massey Ferguson to kickstart its 20th anniversary Tractor...

Monitor farmer makes ambitious effort to replace subsidy income
Monitor farmer makes ambitious effort to replace subsidy income

New Monitor Farm host Ashley Jones has the bold aim of generating enough extra profit to replace direct payments within...

US professor urges UK not to dilute welfare standards in future trade deals
US professor urges UK not to dilute welfare standards in future trade deals

An eminent American professor of large animal medicine has warned the UK not to dilute its high animal welfare standards...

Course launched to help growers harness vegan market
Course launched to help growers harness vegan market

A one-day workshop will discuss opportunities for British food producers and growers to become leaders in plant-based product development. Taking...

British egg imports fall as Lion-stamped sales increase
British egg imports fall as Lion-stamped sales increase

Demand for British Lion egg products rose in 2018, driven by ongoing issues with the safety of non-UK eggs and...

At a crossroads: Batters urges leadership candidates to back British farming
At a crossroads: Batters urges leadership candidates to back British farming

The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) is urging all Conservative Party leadership candidates to commit to delivering a positive future for...

New strawberry disease control programme could halve costs
New strawberry disease control programme could halve costs

A new strategy developed by AHDB to manage powdery mildew in strawberry crops could reduce inputs and costs by 50%...

Genetic project clinches BASIS award for young agronomist
Genetic project clinches BASIS award for young agronomist

An innovative research project, focusing on genetic disease resistance of oilseed rape, helped young agronomist, Jack Saxby win the respected...

Chemical firm to challenge metaldehyde ban in the High Court
Chemical firm to challenge metaldehyde ban in the High Court

A UK chemical supplier has said it will challenge a recent Defra decision to ban metaldehyde slug pellet products in...

NFU: Impact of flood risk on farmers must be taken seriously
NFU: Impact of flood risk on farmers must be taken seriously

Some of our most productive agricultural land lies in floodplains or coastal regions, vulnerable to flooding, and deserves to be...

Seeking a seed grower for AHDB’s next Strategic Potato farm
Seeking a seed grower for AHDB’s next Strategic Potato farm

​AHDB is on the hunt for a host for the next Strategic Potato (SPot) farm in Scotland. The current project...

Scottish beef prices fall to a three-year low in climate of uncertainty
Scottish beef prices fall to a three-year low in climate of uncertainty

Scotland’s beef producers are under the cosh as prices fall to a three-year low, NFU Scotland has warned. Brexit-fueled uncertainty,...

First Milk launches First4Milk responsible sourcing programme
First Milk launches First4Milk responsible sourcing programme

First Milk has announced the launch of its new responsible sourcing programme, First4Milk.The scheme is designed to promote the positive...

Queen’s Honours: Who in farming made this year’s list?
Queen’s Honours: Who in farming made this year’s list?

Several champions of British agriculture and rural communities have been recognised in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours. Defra’s chief scientific...

Defra announces restoration of 3 more General Licences
Defra announces restoration of 3 more General Licences

Three new general licences allowing farmers to protect their stock and crops through the killing or taking of wild birds...

Spotting critical spud issues the first priority for new SPot hosts
Spotting critical spud issues the first priority for new SPot hosts

Suffolk-based growers James Foskett Farms Ltd. will be taking up the reins as AHDB’s Strategic Potato (SPot) Farm East host...

Union calls for inquiry into Conwy Council’s Great Orme ‘Witch Hunt’
Union calls for inquiry into Conwy Council’s Great Orme ‘Witch Hunt’

The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has demanded Conwy Borough County Council conduct a full investigation into its decision to...

Cereals 2019: How farmers are working to keep nitrate out of the UK’s drinking water
Cereals 2019: How farmers are working to keep nitrate out of the UK’s drinking water

Several water companies across the UK have been working collaboratively with farmers to keep nitrate out of drinking water. Presenting...