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.

Lynbreck Croft wins inaugural NEWBIE Award for innovative new entrants
Lynbreck Croft wins inaugural NEWBIE Award for innovative new entrants

A 150ac mixed habitat in the Cairngorms National Park, has been declared one of this year’s NEWBIE UK award winners....

Survey reveals Scots are being misled about red meat
Survey reveals Scots are being misled about red meat

Almost two-thirds (64%) of Scots are concerned about the impact of veganism on Scotland’s farming industry, according to the results...

Agri-food sector now worth £122 billion to UK economy
Agri-food sector now worth £122 billion to UK economy

The UK’s agri-food sector is now worth almost £122 billion to the country’s economy, according to new figures. The National...

How a pig farmer made a splash into milk with Brazil’s first VMS robots
How a pig farmer made a splash into milk with Brazil’s first VMS robots

It feels like Northern Ireland has got a case of dairy fever – and it’s no different here in Brazil,...

Dale Farm softens March drop with new ‘member payment’
Dale Farm softens March drop with new ‘member payment’

Dale Farm has continued the downward movement on its milk price – cutting 0.2p/L off the amount paid for March’s...

211 sheep stolen from Dorchester farm
211 sheep stolen from Dorchester farm

Officers investigating the theft of more than 200 sheep from farmland near Dorchester are appealing for witnesses and those with...

Researchers analyse viability of Hands Free Hectare…but does it stack up?
Researchers analyse viability of Hands Free Hectare…but does it stack up?

An economic analysis of Hands Free Hectare is set to provide the first concrete evidence that crop robots will help...

AHDB announces names of 3 new dairy board members
AHDB announces names of 3 new dairy board members

AHDB Dairy has appointed three new members to sit on its sector board for a three-year period starting on April...

HSE warns farmers of livestock risks as inspection regime starts
HSE warns farmers of livestock risks as inspection regime starts

Farmers are being told they must pay closer attention to health and safety ahead of upcoming inspections. The Health and...

Do you hold the Golden Fleece?
Do you hold the Golden Fleece?

Ulster Wool has launched the 2019 Golden Fleece Competition, designed to showcase the exceptional quality of wool. Managed by Ulster...

Mother and son sentenced following nightmare scenes at Ceredigion farm
Mother and son sentenced following nightmare scenes at Ceredigion farm

A mother and son convicted with serious neglect of 84 cattle in Ceredigion, Wales have been fined and banned from keeping...

12p/L separates UK’s top and lowest profit herds…how does yours compare?
12p/L separates UK’s top and lowest profit herds…how does yours compare?

Profit margins on the top quarter of dairy farms are as much as 12p/L higher than the bottom quartile according...

Extension on metaldehyde withdrawal period refused
Extension on metaldehyde withdrawal period refused

The Metaldehyde Stewardship Group has been unsuccessful in their bid to extend the withdrawal period of metaldehyde slug pellet products....

TFA argues recent rent reforms should not forget about farming families
TFA argues recent rent reforms should not forget about farming families

The Government’s proposed changes to domestic tenancy laws, should not forget about working farming families who rent their land, the...

Vets set out action plan to help British farms achieve sustainability goals
Vets set out action plan to help British farms achieve sustainability goals

The new British Veterinary Association (BVA) position on UK sustainable animal agriculture highlights the central role of vets in animal...

GrassCheck farm walk: Maximising milk from grazed grass with high-yielding cows
GrassCheck farm walk: Maximising milk from grazed grass with high-yielding cows

Making the most of grazed grass with high-yielding cows will be a key topic of discussion at the upcoming GrassCheck...

GrassCheck farm walk: Maximising milk from grazed grass with high-yielding cows
GrassCheck farm walk: Maximising milk from grazed grass with high-yielding cows

Making the most of grazed grass with high-yielding cows will be a key topic of discussion at the upcoming GrassCheck...

3,000 Northern Ireland Moy Park staff to vote over strike
3,000 Northern Ireland Moy Park staff to vote over strike

A strike ballot of more than 3,000 Unite members in the largest Northern Ireland employer will proceed in the coming...