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.

NFYFC motion of no confidence voted down at council
NFYFC motion of no confidence voted down at council

Council members have overwhelmingly voted down a motion of no confidence in the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs’ Board...

Could underground farms be the polytunnels of the future
Could underground farms be the polytunnels of the future

University of Nottingham academics are exploring a new concept for underground farms as an alternative approach to large-scale crop production,...

Arla joins UK and European farmers’ call to avoid ‘no-deal’ Brexit
Arla joins UK and European farmers’ call to avoid ‘no-deal’ Brexit

Arla Foods has joined farmer organisations from across the UK and several other EU countries to call for politicians to...

Arla to hold milk price but warns of reducing commodity prices
Arla to hold milk price but warns of reducing commodity prices

Arla Foods’ conventional milk price will be unchanged for November 2018, with the UK manufacturing price remaining at 32.47p/L. However,...

Batters: Workforce uncertainty is crippling horticultural businesses
Batters: Workforce uncertainty is crippling horticultural businesses

NFU president Minette Batters has reiterated the importance of access to a competent and flexible workforce for the horticultural sector,...

First Milk Responsible Farming Awards winners announced
First Milk Responsible Farming Awards winners announced

First Milk members who have demonstrated excellence have been recognised through the British farmer-owned dairy co-operative’s inaugural Responsible Farming Awards. The...

Limousin bulls hits 11,000gns at Stirling society sale
Limousin bulls hits 11,000gns at Stirling society sale

The hammer went down at 11,000gns for the top priced animals at this year’s British Limousin Cattle Society sales at...

Roadshows to share new solutions for pig farmers to balance antibiotic use
Roadshows to share new solutions for pig farmers to balance antibiotic use

Pig producers are invited to attend one of four roadshows looking at practical solutions to manage antibiotic use and maintain...

NI vet crisis looms as Brexit deadline advances
NI vet crisis looms as Brexit deadline advances

British Veterinary Association (BVA) president Simon Doherty has championed the vital work of vets in Northern Ireland and called for...

Lords raise ‘serious concerns’ over Defra’s no-deal preparations
Lords raise ‘serious concerns’ over Defra’s no-deal preparations

The EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee has written to Secretary of State Rt Hon Michael Gove with serious concerns about...

Dale Farm announces new 3-year fixed price contract
Dale Farm announces new 3-year fixed price contract

Northern Ireland dairy cooperative Dale Farm is offering its 1,300 farmers the opportunity to enter a three-year fixed milk price...

‘Evolution, not revolution’ – Wales’ farming unions call for ‘Welsh way forward’
‘Evolution, not revolution’ – Wales’ farming unions call for ‘Welsh way forward’

Wales’ two farming unions have launched a joint principles paper aimed at placing Welsh food, farming, livelihoods, communities and the...

UK veterinary antibiotics sales fall to lowest in 25 years
UK veterinary antibiotics sales fall to lowest in 25 years

Total sales of antibiotics for use in animals in the UK have fallen to their lowest level since 1993, according...

Wales’ 2 farming unions unite to outline Brexit vision for agriculture
Wales’ 2 farming unions unite to outline Brexit vision for agriculture

The presidents of Wales’ two farming unions are to outline a joint vision for a ‘Welsh Way Forward’ for farming after...

Live exports ‘integral’ to Northern Ireland farming, UFU warns
Live exports ‘integral’ to Northern Ireland farming, UFU warns

The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has warned the live export of cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry is an “integral” part of...

NFU calls for Chancellor to implement 8 measures to Brexit-proof farms
NFU calls for Chancellor to implement 8 measures to Brexit-proof farms

With less than a week until the Budget, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has written to the Chancellor to call...

NI farmer banned from keeping animals for life after mistreating pigs
NI farmer banned from keeping animals for life after mistreating pigs

A Co. Antrim farmer was today banned from keeping animals and sentenced to 18 months in prison suspended for four years...

Importers rewarded for championing the Scottish Red meat industry
Importers rewarded for championing the Scottish Red meat industry

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) has recognised two importers for their longstanding loyalty and commitment to the Scottish red meat industry....