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 Government to increase farm budget to cover €60 million payout for Scottish farmers
UK Government to increase farm budget to cover €60 million payout for Scottish farmers

Scotland’s farmers should be allocated an extra €60 million over the next two years – a hike of 47% –...

UK Government lays out ‘No-Deal’ immigration plans
UK Government lays out ‘No-Deal’ immigration plans

The UK Government has set out what its immigration procedures will look like in the event of a ‘No-Deal’ Brexit....

AHDB Horticulture opens recruitment for panel representatives
AHDB Horticulture opens recruitment for panel representatives

AHDB Horticulture is looking for new voices on its expert panels to help steer work, ensuring it continues to deliver...

‘Red letter day’ for Scottish agriculture as Chancellor confirms £160 million boost
‘Red letter day’ for Scottish agriculture as Chancellor confirms £160 million boost

A long-running row over a “flawed decision” on agricultural funding has ended as £160 million has been allocated towards Scottish...

Report: Agricultural downturn contributed to severity of 2-month mountain blaze
Report: Agricultural downturn contributed to severity of 2-month mountain blaze

A report into last year’s Llantysilio Mountain fire has found that a “lack of agricultural land management” contributed to the...

UK university develops free agri-food course to inspire the next generation of scientists
UK university develops free agri-food course to inspire the next generation of scientists

British researchers have developed a new, free online agri-food course aimed to inspire 16 to 19-year-olds across Europe to study...

‘Misleading’ PETA anti-wool ad banned in the UK
‘Misleading’ PETA anti-wool ad banned in the UK

The UK’s Advertising Standards Authority has branded an advert claiming “wool is just as cruel as fur” as “misleading” and...

Funding partnership offers £250,000 to tackle top horticultural pest and diseases
Funding partnership offers £250,000 to tackle top horticultural pest and diseases

A new research alliance has made £250,000 available for five projects to tackle high-priority pests and diseases threats for horticulture...

Safety warning after medicated lambs illegally slaughtered
Safety warning after medicated lambs illegally slaughtered

Police have issued a warning over the sale of potentially dangerous illegal meat after officers discovered the illegal slaughter of...

Welsh farm finance study reveals bigger isn’t always better
Welsh farm finance study reveals bigger isn’t always better

New analysis of farm business data from over 1,500 Welsh sheep and suckler cow enterprises has found that there is...

Pirbright grants licence for new foot and mouth disease vaccine
Pirbright grants licence for new foot and mouth disease vaccine

A new foot and mouth disease vaccine developed by the Pirbright Institute and its research partners will be soon made commercially...

NI suckler beef calf registrations fall 17,000 in 2 years
NI suckler beef calf registrations fall 17,000 in 2 years

The Ulster Farmers’ Union has warned it is “deeply concerned” as the latest industry figures show a 17,000 drop in...

Plans unveiled for first UK ‘national digital innovation farm’
Plans unveiled for first UK ‘national digital innovation farm’

Plans have been unveiled to create a national centre specialising in agri-tech and agricultural data management in response to global...

NFU writes to Chancellor ahead of spending review
NFU writes to Chancellor ahead of spending review

The National Farmers’ Union has written to Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid calling for a commitment to support British...

Blockchain system for Scottish gluten-free oats wins share of £275,000 fund
Blockchain system for Scottish gluten-free oats wins share of £275,000 fund

A digital system to monitor gluten-free oats is among several innovative SRUC projects to share in nearly £275,000 of Scottish...

Meirionnydd farmers tell politicians they ‘fear for future’
Meirionnydd farmers tell politicians they ‘fear for future’

Farmers from Meirionnydd told local politicians of their fears for the future when they met at the local county show...

Muller to drop Direct price by 1p/L from October
Muller to drop Direct price by 1p/L from October

Dairy farmers supplying Muller who meet the conditions for the Muller Direct Premium 2019, will see their milk price drop...

Defra chief scientist departs after 7 years in post
Defra chief scientist departs after 7 years in post

Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers thanked Prof. Sir. Ian Boyd on his last day as the chief scientific adviser for the...