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.

Poots announces £75 million investment in CAFRE campuses
Poots announces £75 million investment in CAFRE campuses

Northern Ireland's agri-food higher education campuses (CAFRE) are set to undergo a transformation as part of a £75 million investment....

North South agriculture meeting cancelled during DUP leadership struggle
North South agriculture meeting cancelled during DUP leadership struggle

An important North South meeting on rural development and agriculture had to be cancelled while DUP members grappled over the...

NI’s £2 million Environment Fund opens for applications
NI’s £2 million Environment Fund opens for applications

Applications have opened for a new £2 million Environment Challenge Fund, launched by Environment Minister Edwin Poots last month. The...

Ulster Wool to scrap producer haulage charges
Ulster Wool to scrap producer haulage charges

Wool marketing body Ulster Wool has announced changes to its producer haulage charges ahead of this year's shearing season. A...

Tyrone river pollution incident believed to have originated on a farm
Tyrone river pollution incident believed to have originated on a farm

A water pollution incident which has resulted in a major fish kill in Co. Tyrone is thought to have originated...

Northern Ireland farm wins inaugural British Friesian Herd of the Year Award
Northern Ireland farm wins inaugural British Friesian Herd of the Year Award

A Northern Ireland dairy farm has been named the winner of a new UK-wide award for the best British Friesian...

Fluke-mapping research has the potential to revolutionise treatment
Fluke-mapping research has the potential to revolutionise treatment

Research underway at Aberystwyth University has the potential to revolutionise fluke control by reducing dependence on anthelmintic drugs. The two-year...

Poots has ‘no intention’ to overturn appeal panel decisions
Poots has ‘no intention’ to overturn appeal panel decisions

Northern Ireland Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots has said he has "no intentions" to overturn decisions on direct payment appeals made...

Poots offers first hints of NI’s new Agricultural Policy
Poots offers first hints of NI’s new Agricultural Policy

Minister Poots has offered the first hints of what Northern Ireland's new Agricultural Policy will look like. It comes as...

International dialogue to push for action on antimicrobial resistance
International dialogue to push for action on antimicrobial resistance

International leaders in human and animal health are set to convene on Thursday (April 29) to accelerate work tackling antimicrobial...

£3.5 million announced for Sperrins flood farmers
£3.5 million announced for Sperrins flood farmers

Minister Poots is understood to have announced a £3.5 million support package for farmers in the Sperrins affected by floods...

Innovation Strategy sets out plan for getting ag-tech on to NI farms
Innovation Strategy sets out plan for getting ag-tech on to NI farms

Ag-tech - big data, artificial intelligence and the transformative bio-economy - set to be prioritised for government support for Northern...

W&R Barnett profits down £3.6 million in latest accounts
W&R Barnett profits down £3.6 million in latest accounts

Profits are down 12% (£3.6 million) at Thompsons' parent company W&R Barnett Trading, according to the firm's most recent accounts....

First rural funding scheme offer made to NI social enterprise
First rural funding scheme offer made to NI social enterprise

Northern Ireland Rural Affairs Minister Edwin Poots has handed over the first grant from a new rural fund to help...

NI’s new river basin management strategy to crack down on pesticide run-off
NI’s new river basin management strategy to crack down on pesticide run-off

Key target measures have been drafted as part of NI's new river basin management strategy to crack down on water...

Northern Ireland agri-food businesses celebrate 2021 Apprenticeship Week
Northern Ireland agri-food businesses celebrate 2021 Apprenticeship Week

Northern Ireland agri-food business Lakeland Dairies is celebrating the benefits of helping students complete their training during this year's Apprenticeship...

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...

Two-thirds of NI farmers yet to submit Single Application
Two-thirds of NI farmers yet to submit Single Application

Two-thirds of Northern Ireland farmers had yet to submit their Single Application Forms for the Basic Payment Scheme, just a...