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.

The results are in…but do cover crops really work against black-grass?
The results are in…but do cover crops really work against black-grass?

The results are in from a study by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) – and it appears to...

Texan climate change expert to speak at agri-economics seminar
Texan climate change expert to speak at agri-economics seminar

A distinguished Texan professor is set to speak about climate change and its impact on the future of farming at...

New study finds goats prefer smiling faces
New study finds goats prefer smiling faces

A new London-based study has found that not only can goats differentiate between human facial expressions – but that they...

Farmer who lost arm: ‘Hearing the air ambulance was the best sound I have ever heard’
Farmer who lost arm: ‘Hearing the air ambulance was the best sound I have ever heard’

A Warwickshire farmer who was flown to hospital after his arm was ripped off by machinery is urging locals to...

UN warns African Swine Fever could spread through Asia ‘at any time’
UN warns African Swine Fever could spread through Asia ‘at any time’

Deadly pig virus African Swine Fever could spread to other Asian countries anytime through traded pork products, the United Nation’s...

Cheshire vet cleared of disgraceful conduct allegation
Cheshire vet cleared of disgraceful conduct allegation

The Disciplinary Committee of the RCVS has found a Cheshire-based veterinary surgeon not guilty of disgraceful conduct in a professional...

17 out of 19 farm vehicles checked by police found with defects
17 out of 19 farm vehicles checked by police found with defects

Almost 90% of agricultural vehicles checked by police in Hertfordshire over a two-day operation were found to have road defects....

‘Stops must be pulled’ to get farm payments completed
‘Stops must be pulled’ to get farm payments completed

Scotland’s farming union has warned that the stops must be pulled out to complete direct farm payments for farmers caught...

Almost 300 camelid TB reactors in Britain in 2017
Almost 300 camelid TB reactors in Britain in 2017

Almost 300 camelids were slaughtered in Great Britain in 2017 after reacting positively to TB tests, the latest official figures...

Study rubbishes full-fat cheddar cholesterol claims
Study rubbishes full-fat cheddar cholesterol claims

A major Irish study has found that full-fat cheddar cheese does not aggravate already high blood cholesterol levels. A total of...

Early closure of New Entrant scheme causing ‘angst and anxiety’
Early closure of New Entrant scheme causing ‘angst and anxiety’

Scotland’s Next Generation Group has written to Rural Economy Cabinet Secretary Fergus Ewing expressing “extreme disappointment” at news the New...

2 of Scotland’s largest estates to merge
2 of Scotland’s largest estates to merge

Two of Scotland’s largest estates – Bowhill Estate and Eskdale and Liddesdale Estate – are to merge to form one...

Scotland’s first vertical farm ‘arguably world’s most advanced’
Scotland’s first vertical farm ‘arguably world’s most advanced’

A Scottish agri-tech business has just unveiled its first indoor vertical farm demonstration facility in Perthshire. The firm behind it,...

£1 billion Scottish food tourism plan urged to highlight links with farming
£1 billion Scottish food tourism plan urged to highlight links with farming

Scotland’s farming union has urged those behind a new plan to double the value of Scottish food tourism by 2030...

Motorsport marketing guru to encourage Scottish agri-food diversification
Motorsport marketing guru to encourage Scottish agri-food diversification

A motor racing marketing guru who went on to create an award-winning gin company is set to explain the winning...

African Swine Fever: UK risk remains low but 2 core trends ‘worrying’ officials
African Swine Fever: UK risk remains low but 2 core trends ‘worrying’ officials

There are two trends which are cause for concern in the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF), according to UK...

Orkney cheese firm fined £8,000 after employee fell through roof
Orkney cheese firm fined £8,000 after employee fell through roof

A Scottish islands cheese company has been fined £8,000 after an employee was seriously injured after falling through a fragile...

African Swine Fever: 664 cases in western Eurasia since July
African Swine Fever: 664 cases in western Eurasia since July

A startling 664 cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) has been confirmed in Russia and Europe since the start of...