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.

No ‘special arrangements’ for agriculture in either of NI’s Climate Change Bills
No ‘special arrangements’ for agriculture in either of NI’s Climate Change Bills

There are to be no 'special arrangements' made for agriculture in either of the two Climate Change Bills currently going...

£200,000 Water Quality Improvement initiative launched in NI
£200,000 Water Quality Improvement initiative launched in NI

Northern Ireland Environment Minister Edwin Poots has announced a £200,000 initiative to support water quality projects in the region. Minister...

NI’s net-zero plan will cost staggering £900 million a year
NI’s net-zero plan will cost staggering £900 million a year

Ambitions to upgrade Northern Ireland's recommended 82% reduction in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions to net-zero will cost an additional £900...

NI in-depth: What does NI’s Climate Change Bill actually mean for farming?
NI in-depth: What does NI’s Climate Change Bill actually mean for farming?

There has been a lot of talk about Northern Ireland's proposed new Climate Change Bill as it begins its passage...

Ancient goat DNA offers insight into genetic legacy of agriculture
Ancient goat DNA offers insight into genetic legacy of agriculture

New research on DNA from one of the earliest goat herds has shed light on how farming has shaped the...

‘Potentially serious’ viral disease ILT discovered in poultry flocks in NI
‘Potentially serious’ viral disease ILT discovered in poultry flocks in NI

A potentially serious viral infection, ILT, has started to spread through Northern Ireland (NI) poultry flocks, the Department of Agriculture,...

NI Agriculture Minister confirmed as DUP reshuffles Executive team
NI Agriculture Minister confirmed as DUP reshuffles Executive team

Newly-elected DUP leader Edwin Poots has confirmed he will stay on as Northern Ireland (NI) Agriculture Minister, officially turning down...

Rural halls funding deadline approaches in NI
Rural halls funding deadline approaches in NI

The deadline to apply for a £1 million fund to support the refurbishment of rural halls in Northern Ireland is...

Ulster Wool announces winner of new development programme
Ulster Wool announces winner of new development programme

A young sheep farmer from Pomeroy, Co. Tyrone, has been announced as the winner of the Ulster Wool new Training...

‘Eco-labelling’ and low-carbon farming tipped to boost poultry profits
‘Eco-labelling’ and low-carbon farming tipped to boost poultry profits

There is little time to waste in the race to provide the world’s growing population with healthy diets from sustainable...

‘Staggering’ cost of NI’s Brexit customs posts revealed
‘Staggering’ cost of NI’s Brexit customs posts revealed

Agri-food customs posts required in Northern Ireland (NI) have cost more than £24.4 million to staff in their first year....

RamCompare webinar to unlock the potential of sheep genetics in NI
RamCompare webinar to unlock the potential of sheep genetics in NI

The latest results of the RamCompare project in Northern Ireland (NI) are set to be discussed at an upcoming sheep...

Cranswick Foods becomes NI’s first agri-food firm to achieve carbon-neutral status
Cranswick Foods becomes NI’s first agri-food firm to achieve carbon-neutral status

Pork processor Cranswick Country Foods has become the first agri-food company in Northern Ireland (NI) to be officially recognised as...

Poots urged to expand criteria for North West floods support
Poots urged to expand criteria for North West floods support

Northern Ireland Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots has been urged to widen the criteria of a support package for farmers afflicted...

North West floods: Applications for payments to open in August
North West floods: Applications for payments to open in August

A long-awaited support package for farmers in the North West affected by floods in 2017 will open for applications in...

Rathlin Island unveils carbon-neutral plans
Rathlin Island unveils carbon-neutral plans

Islanders on Rathlin have ambitions to generate their own renewable energy in an effort to create local jobs and achieve...

DAERA Direct offices to reopen to the public
DAERA Direct offices to reopen to the public

Northern Ireland's network of DAERA Direct offices will open to the public again from Monday (June 7). The 12 local...

Agri-tech ear-marked as pillar of NI’s post-pandemic ’10X Economy’ plan
Agri-tech ear-marked as pillar of NI’s post-pandemic ’10X Economy’ plan

Agri-technology has been picked out as one of five pillars central to a new strategy to '10X' Northern Ireland's economy....