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.

How green is Northern Ireland’s energy?
How green is Northern Ireland’s energy?

Almost half the electric used in Northern Ireland this year has been generated from renewable sources, according to new figures...

Cross-sector support for Low Carbon Agriculture Show
Cross-sector support for Low Carbon Agriculture Show

The Low Carbon Agriculture Show (LCA) has attracted cross-sector backing since announcing its launch in June. Global sustainable farming organisation...

Judging panel announced for BVA Young Vet of the Year Award
Judging panel announced for BVA Young Vet of the Year Award

The British Veterinary Association has today announced an expert panel of judges for its BVA Young Vet of the Year...

Swiss foodservice reopening gives boost to Welsh lamb exports
Swiss foodservice reopening gives boost to Welsh lamb exports

HMRC figures show UK lamb exports to Switzerland increased by over 200% in the first six months of 2020, compared to...

Cranswick’s Co. Antrim plant to reopen following 2-week closure
Cranswick’s Co. Antrim plant to reopen following 2-week closure

Cranswick Country Foods factory in Cullybackey, Co. Antrim, has reopened two weeks after authorities ordered it to close following an...

Glamorgan farmers ‘left in the dark’ over local mart
Glamorgan farmers ‘left in the dark’ over local mart

Farmers in Glamorgan still don’t know what the future holds for their local livestock mart, with fears growing that livestock...

Speyside meat plant voluntarily suspends factory processing
Speyside meat plant voluntarily suspends factory processing

A meat plant in Scotland’s north-east has has opted to temporally close its production site for the next 14 days due...

Scottish government announces £160 million investment for forestry and agriculture
Scottish government announces £160 million investment for forestry and agriculture

The Scottish government has announced an additional £160 million for forestry and agriculture in its latest Programme for Government. The...

Just 1 of NI’s 21 lakes classified as ‘good’ in latest assessment
Just 1 of NI’s 21 lakes classified as ‘good’ in latest assessment

Just one of Northern Ireland’s 21 lakes has been classified as ‘good’, according to a report released this week by the...

Major European livestock show Sommet de l’Elevage cancelled
Major European livestock show Sommet de l’Elevage cancelled

Major international livestock show, Sommet de l’Elevage (Livestock Summit), has been cancelled as French officials say they can no longer...

Changes to be made to NI farming Covid-19 support payments
Changes to be made to NI farming Covid-19 support payments

Letters detailing offers of Covid-19 support money for Northern Ireland farmers are expected to arrive over the next few days....

How much would a TB breakdown cost your farm?
How much would a TB breakdown cost your farm?

A UK government report published this week has sought to put a value on how much a bovine TB breakdown...

‘Business case approved’ for new AFBI beef unit
‘Business case approved’ for new AFBI beef unit

A new beef unit for Northern Ireland’s Agri Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) is now a step closer. The region’s...

‘Business case approved’ for new AFBI beef unit
‘Business case approved’ for new AFBI beef unit

A new beef unit for Northern Ireland’s Agri Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) is now a step closer. The region’s...

75 workers test positive for Covid-19 at Banham Poultry
75 workers test positive for Covid-19 at Banham Poultry

A total of 75 workers at a poultry plant in Norfolk have now tested positive for Covid-19 as part of...

NI farmers urged to profit from improving animal health and welfare
NI farmers urged to profit from improving animal health and welfare

CAFRE researchers are exploring how farmers can take advantage of retailer focus on animal welfare within food production systems. Alan...

Meat plant outbreak blamed as NI infection rate surpasses UK and Ireland
Meat plant outbreak blamed as NI infection rate surpasses UK and Ireland

A cluster at a meat plant in Co. Antrim and an increase in testing have been blamed for making Northern...

Talks begin to mitigate impact of pig factory closure
Talks begin to mitigate impact of pig factory closure

The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has warned “action needs to be taken” to prevent the closure of a pig processing...