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.

‘Seismic’ shift in farm support will mean rewriting budgets
‘Seismic’ shift in farm support will mean rewriting budgets

The “seismic shift” in farm support announced earlier this week will mean rewriting budgets and forecasts for thousands of family...

£2.5 million ‘Pick Pork’ TV promotion to launch today
£2.5 million ‘Pick Pork’ TV promotion to launch today

The latest £2.5 million phase of the AHDB ‘Pick Pork’ advertising campaign will hit TV screens today (September 17). The...

ASF: British pig industry braces for the worst
ASF: British pig industry braces for the worst

The UK’s pig industry is making preparations for “the worst” in light of news that African Swine Fever (ASF) has...

Annual livestock survey: What’s up and what’s down in 2018?
Annual livestock survey: What’s up and what’s down in 2018?

Defra has released the final results of its estimates of livestock numbers on commercial agricultural holdings in England on June...

Prime pig prices down 9% as supplies increase
Prime pig prices down 9% as supplies increase

Farmgate pig prices have cooled over the past few weeks, leaving them 9% lower than this time last year, according...

Argyll man sentenced to 80 hours community service for dog attack
Argyll man sentenced to 80 hours community service for dog attack

An Argyll man has been sentenced to 80 hours community service for a sheep attack which cost the farmer involved...

Agriculture Bill: Government ‘myth-busts’ on Scottish farm future
Agriculture Bill: Government ‘myth-busts’ on Scottish farm future

Agriculture is devolved to the Scottish Government and will remain devolved, the Government has clarified, refuting SNP claims of a...

Opportunity to hear from 3 of Ulster’s top grassland farmers
Opportunity to hear from 3 of Ulster’s top grassland farmers

The Ulster Grassland Society will kick off its winter programme with a dairy seminar on Wednesday (September 19). The seminar,...

Batman soars to 100,000gns at Solway and Tyne Club Sale
Batman soars to 100,000gns at Solway and Tyne Club Sale

This year’s Solway and Tyne Texel Club Sale at Carlisle saw a six-figure top call, with averages up in both...

Environmental Stewardship payments on their way
Environmental Stewardship payments on their way

The Government has announced it will make bridging payments to ensure all those who claimed Environmental Stewardship for 2016 or...

Government urged to pursue new recognition for protected food names
Government urged to pursue new recognition for protected food names

In a letter to three Secretaries of State, National Farmers’ Union (NFU) Scotland has called for changes to be made...

African Swine Fever: 2 cases confirmed in Belgium
African Swine Fever: 2 cases confirmed in Belgium

Belgian authorities confirmed two cases of African Swine Fever last night marking the closest the current epidemic of the disease...

African Swine Fever outbreak suspected in Belgium
African Swine Fever outbreak suspected in Belgium

European authorities are understood to be investigating a suspected African Swine Fever outbreak in Belgium. If tests prove positive for...

Batters calls for ability to ‘pause’ transition from direct payments
Batters calls for ability to ‘pause’ transition from direct payments

New farming legislation favouring support for environmental efforts as opposed to production will leave British farmers forced to compete internationally,...

Farm management training scheme opens for 2019 applications
Farm management training scheme opens for 2019 applications

Applications have opened for the 2019 intake of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) professional farm management course. The recognised...

Measures to fight TB unveiled as new data shows badger cull halves disease
Measures to fight TB unveiled as new data shows badger cull halves disease

Reductions in new outbreaks of bovine TB have been recorded in Gloucestershire and Somerset following the completion of licensed four-year...

North England police join forces for ‘largest rural crime operation of its kind’
North England police join forces for ‘largest rural crime operation of its kind’

Five police forces covering 6,500 square miles of northern England came together earlier this month for what has been described...

British Sugar and NFU Sugar announce 2019 sugar beet price
British Sugar and NFU Sugar announce 2019 sugar beet price

British sugar beet growers will benefit from a new contract free of deductions for crown tare. In a statement, British Sugar...