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.

Grass growth to drop below average as cold and bright Bank Holiday weekend ahead
Grass growth to drop below average as cold and bright Bank Holiday weekend ahead

A cold air mass covering the UK this Bank Holiday weekend will bring a dip in temperatures with some sharp...

Mushroom grower group formed to future-proof the industry
Mushroom grower group formed to future-proof the industry

A new mushroom grower group, aiming to solve future industry challenges has been formed by delegates at the 2019 AHDB...

NFYFC distances itself from weekend’s ‘DIY AGM’ in Blackpool
NFYFC distances itself from weekend’s ‘DIY AGM’ in Blackpool

The National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC) has been forced to distance itself from an unofficial ‘convention’ taking place...

62 Ballinloan cattle to be stripped of passports – progeny could lose pedigree status
62 Ballinloan cattle to be stripped of passports – progeny could lose pedigree status

Animals bred from several notable Limousin cattle could see their pedigree status scrapped as the British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) cracks...

Jaegerbomb hangover rumbles on one year after parentage doubts
Jaegerbomb hangover rumbles on one year after parentage doubts

The saga of stud bull Ballinloan Jaegerbomb, whose parentage came under doubt a year ago, has resurfaced amid warnings progeny...

Temperature fluctuations creating a different nematodirus challenge this year
Temperature fluctuations creating a different nematodirus challenge this year

With risk levels rising sharply in the last seven to 10 days, the SCOPS Nematodirus Forecast is warning that many...

NFU: Outsourcing emissions will not solve global climate change challenge
NFU: Outsourcing emissions will not solve global climate change challenge

The NFU has warned against outsourcing food production and reiterated farming’s ambition to become net zero in terms of emissions by...

Single Application: Thousands still outstanding with less than 2 weeks to go
Single Application: Thousands still outstanding with less than 2 weeks to go

It’s crunch time for tens of thousands of farmers across the UK yet to submit their Single Application for this...

‘True’ partnership approach needed to tackle bovine TB in Wales
‘True’ partnership approach needed to tackle bovine TB in Wales

A ‘true’ partnership approach to tackling bovine TB in Wales must see the Welsh Government do more to work with...

Derbyshire farmer who evaded more than £70,000 of tax sentenced
Derbyshire farmer who evaded more than £70,000 of tax sentenced

A Derbyshire farmer, who evaded more than £70,000 of Income Tax contributions, has avoided jail. 62-year-old Barbara Wayne from Grange Mill,...

NFU launches student and young farmer ambassador programme
NFU launches student and young farmer ambassador programme

The NFU has launched a new Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Programme, which offers the chance for young people to...

Scholarship open to ambitious agriculturists
Scholarship open to ambitious agriculturists

The Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) Scholarship is now open for applications from ambitious individuals who are...

Cattle culled due to TB rises 12% as Wales ramps up eradication efforts
Cattle culled due to TB rises 12% as Wales ramps up eradication efforts

Wales has made progress on its TB eradication programme, but the momentum must be kept up if the country is...

Work on UK frameworks and funding are still essential, FUW tells new Defra Minister
Work on UK frameworks and funding are still essential, FUW tells new Defra Minister

On his first visit to Wales, the UK’s new Minister for Agriculture was warned that work on a UK framework...

NFUS: Beaver protection focus must turn to management and licencing
NFUS: Beaver protection focus must turn to management and licencing

With beavers to receive protected status from tomorrow (May 1), NFU Scotland has said the focus must now turn to...

Defra to delay carcase splitting regulation change
Defra to delay carcase splitting regulation change

The change from toothing to a calendar date in the carcase splitting decision for TSE has officially been delayed and...

National Brown Swiss Show judge confirmed for 2019 UK Dairy Day
National Brown Swiss Show judge confirmed for 2019 UK Dairy Day

Renown Australian dairy farmer Robbie Radel will travel to the UK to judge Brown Swiss classes at this year’s National Brown...

AHDB director: Farmers to face ‘foot and mouth scale disruption’ if ASF arrives in UK
AHDB director: Farmers to face ‘foot and mouth scale disruption’ if ASF arrives in UK

British pig farmers could face foot and mouth style restrictions should African Swine Fever enter the UK, one of the...