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.

UK-based breeding app raises £2.2 million to digitise global livestock industry
UK-based breeding app raises £2.2 million to digitise global livestock industry

A UK-based app which seeks to revolutionise livestock breeding practices has managed to raise more than £2 million through a...

AHDB to offer discounted DIY AI course for beef and sheep farmers
AHDB to offer discounted DIY AI course for beef and sheep farmers

AHDB Beef & Lamb has announced it will fund up to 50% of the costs of DIY artificial insemination (AI)...

More than 12,000 responses received for Welsh Brexit and Our Land consultation
More than 12,000 responses received for Welsh Brexit and Our Land consultation

Significant progress has been made settling the final points of contention in the UK Agriculture Bill, according to Welsh Rural...

Cumbria TB study finds link between strains found in badgers and cattle
Cumbria TB study finds link between strains found in badgers and cattle

All 40 badgers which tested positive for bovine tuberculosis (TB) as part of Government surveillance in eastern Cumbria have tested positive...

900 farming businesses signed up to LEAF Marque over scheme’s 16 years
900 farming businesses signed up to LEAF Marque over scheme’s 16 years

Almost two-fifths (39%) of fruit and vegetables grown in the UK is now produced by LEAF Marque certified businesses –...

‘Stamp Out’ BVD campaign recruits 120 veterinary practices within 6 months
‘Stamp Out’ BVD campaign recruits 120 veterinary practices within 6 months

Within six months of launching, an initiative to “stamp out” BVD has signed up more than 120 veterinary practices across...

Farm unions urge Chancellor to act now to change no-deal tariffs
Farm unions urge Chancellor to act now to change no-deal tariffs

Four of the UK’s main farming unions have written to Chancellor Philip Hammond warning that the proposed no-deal tariffs will...

LacPatrick follows Lakeland lead in split price for February
LacPatrick follows Lakeland lead in split price for February

Crossborder milk processor LacPatrick has followed the suit of its soon to be the business partner Lakeland Dairies in holding...

Morrisons joins Arla UK 360 farm standards programme
Morrisons joins Arla UK 360 farm standards programme

Supermarket giant Morrisons has become the first to sign up to Arla UK 360 farm standards programme for its entire...

Growing champions in the next generation of fruit-pickers
Growing champions in the next generation of fruit-pickers

A new induction video for fruit-pickers aims to help growers across the UK reduce labour costs and improve safety practices....

Consultation launched on Welsh environmental governance post-Brexit
Consultation launched on Welsh environmental governance post-Brexit

The Welsh Assembly has launched a consultation on its environmental principles and governance post-Brexit. Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs Minister,...

UK farm lobby bodies grill Government over Irish tariff-free proposals
UK farm lobby bodies grill Government over Irish tariff-free proposals

Farm lobby bodies have asked for clarity over Government proposals to grant the Republic of Ireland tariff-free market access to...

UK’s post-Brexit import system opens
UK’s post-Brexit import system opens

The UK Government has officially opened its import notification system so that businesses can register the good they are bringing...

Untapped potential: Why supporting women could be the key to farming’s survival
Untapped potential: Why supporting women could be the key to farming’s survival

Developing the role of women in agriculture is the “key to the survival” of Scottish farming, according to a Scottish...

Metaldehyde reward scheme successfully improves water quality
Metaldehyde reward scheme successfully improves water quality

A pioneering scheme aiming to minimise the risk of metaldehyde reaching watercourses, and therefore, reduce treatment costs, has seen over...

Still Ploughing On: Ayrshire retired farmers group off to a flying start
Still Ploughing On: Ayrshire retired farmers group off to a flying start

A newly established social group for retired and semi-retired farmers in Ayrshire is off to a flying start. Around 35...

Young farmers learn from fallen stock autopsy service
Young farmers learn from fallen stock autopsy service

A group of Level 3 agriculture students from Northumberland College have recently witnessed an animal autopsy to learn essential livestock...

UFU launches ‘Dig In!’ schools’ competition
UFU launches ‘Dig In!’ schools’ competition

Schools across Northern Ireland are being challenged to “Dig In!” to life on the farm by putting their creative skills...