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.

Pig industry stalwart named as North-East farming hero
Pig industry stalwart named as North-East farming hero

Well-known Scottish pig producer, Kevin Gilbert, has been named this year’s ‘Unsung Hero’ at Turriff Agricultural Show. Kevin was selected...

‘Water bank’ launched to help drought-stricken farmers
‘Water bank’ launched to help drought-stricken farmers

A new service designed to help match farmers and growers who urgently need water with neighbouring farm businesses who have...

Gloucestershire alpaca could become pivotal TB test case
Gloucestershire alpaca could become pivotal TB test case

An award-winning alpaca breeder is battling the Government to keep her animal alive after it tested positive for bovine tuberculosis (TB). She argues that...

New welfare code for laying hens and pullets published
New welfare code for laying hens and pullets published

A new welfare code laying hens and pullets has been published as part of a programme of reforms to enhance the welfare...

48 sheep stolen from Welsh agricultural university
48 sheep stolen from Welsh agricultural university

Almost 50 sheep are thought to have been stolen from a mountain farm belonging to an agricultural university in Wales....

Industry disputes claim lynx reintroduction has ‘100% landowner approval’
Industry disputes claim lynx reintroduction has ‘100% landowner approval’

The National Sheep Association (NSA) has disputed claims made by the Lynx UK Trust that it has “100% landowner approval”...

Using fake grass to boost utilisation of the real stuff in Co. Tyrone
Using fake grass to boost utilisation of the real stuff in Co. Tyrone

A Co. Tyrone dairyman has made use of a novel way to boost grass utilisation. The laneways of Henry Stewart’s...

Using fake grass to boost utilisation of the real stuff in Co. Tyrone
Using fake grass to boost utilisation of the real stuff in Co. Tyrone

A Co. Tyrone dairyman has made use of a novel way to boost grass utilisation. The laneways of Henry Stewart’s...

£50m boost for British pork as export market opens in Taiwan
£50m boost for British pork as export market opens in Taiwan

British farmers are set to benefit from a new trade deal as Taiwan prepares to welcome British pork exports for the...

Emerging disease causes pig vaccine sales to soar
Emerging disease causes pig vaccine sales to soar

A vaccine launched five years ago has now protected over 47 million European pigs against a lethal and debilitating ailment....

Rural crime: Farmers, Government and police to meet at high-level roundtable
Rural crime: Farmers, Government and police to meet at high-level roundtable

Government officials, police and affected farmers are set to gather today at a high-level rural crime roundtable hosted by the...

Selling machinery? Beware tax and legal pitfalls when trading
Selling machinery? Beware tax and legal pitfalls when trading

Farmers are making the most of buoyant second-hand trade in machinery, with strong demand throughout Europe – but they need...

Multi-agency initiative doubles sire recording at birth
Multi-agency initiative doubles sire recording at birth

A multi-agency initiative to improve calf sire recording at birth has more than doubled the proportion of calves registered with...

Call for action as rural crime costs reach £44.5 million
Call for action as rural crime costs reach £44.5 million

The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has expressed concern as new figures show the cost of rural crime has risen to...

Animal cruelty maximum sentences to be increased tenfold
Animal cruelty maximum sentences to be increased tenfold

The Government has confirmed that new tougher sentences for animal cruelty will be introduced following the results of a consultation on...

Union voices concern over limited partnership proposals
Union voices concern over limited partnership proposals

New proposals to apply a ‘strike off’ procedure to agricultural limited partnerships who do not comply with annual confirmation statement...

Welsh farmers union calls for a ‘stocktake’ on existing support
Welsh farmers union calls for a ‘stocktake’ on existing support

National Farmers’ Union (NFU) Cymru’s Less Favoured Area Board has called for an “evidence-based approach” to the development of the land...

Dairy processors slammed for missing summer marketing opportunities
Dairy processors slammed for missing summer marketing opportunities

A farm lobby group has accused the dairy processors of “missing a trick” when it comes to milk marketing over...