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.

Roaring success: Dragon cheeses scoop 30 awards at 2 major shows
Roaring success: Dragon cheeses scoop 30 awards at 2 major shows

Wales’ oldest dairy farmers’ co-operative is celebrating its most successful awards season ever after their cheeses scooped 30 gongs. South...

UK rural crime costs reach highest level in 4 years
UK rural crime costs reach highest level in 4 years

The cost of rural crime in the UK has soared to its highest level in four years, with a report...

Scotch Lamb PGI backs environment category at Young Scot Awards
Scotch Lamb PGI backs environment category at Young Scot Awards

Quality lamb from Scotland will have a high profile at the Sunday Mail Young Scot Awards 2018, when Scotch Lamb...

Thinking of oilseed rape herbicides? Then it’s time to ‘think water’ too
Thinking of oilseed rape herbicides? Then it’s time to ‘think water’ too

Better management of herbicides could protect their use in the future, a voluntary best practice campaign has said. It comes as...

Average British ram lasting a year short of expectations
Average British ram lasting a year short of expectations

The revelation that the average British ram is lasting a year less than farmer expectations – and in some cases...

UK meat plants buyer urged to invest in British industry sustainability
UK meat plants buyer urged to invest in British industry sustainability

Irish firm Kepak Group has been urged to invest in the sustainability of Britain’s red meat sector following its acquisition...

Supermarket giant to introduce pick-your-own egg stands
Supermarket giant to introduce pick-your-own egg stands

Supermarket giant Morrisons is to bring back a ‘farm shop style’ pick-your-own eggs stand in 200 of its stores across...

Countryside Alliance seeks views on rural economy
Countryside Alliance seeks views on rural economy

The Countryside Alliance has launched an online survey to help shape the evidence it presents to the House of Lords...

Two-thirds of guns say they want assured shoots
Two-thirds of guns say they want assured shoots

The British Game Alliance (BGA) said it has received “huge support” at this year’s Game Fair, as figures reveal over...

Top TV chefs to showcase Scotch brands this weekend
Top TV chefs to showcase Scotch brands this weekend

Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb and Specially Selected Pork will enjoy a high profile this weekend as Perthshire Chamber of Commerce...

Warning as fatal cases of ‘hoose’ discovered in cattle
Warning as fatal cases of ‘hoose’ discovered in cattle

Farmers are urged to be on high alert as fatal cases of ‘hoose’ have already been diagnosed in cattle in...

Welsh Brexit consultation: ‘Glaring lack of volatility tools’
Welsh Brexit consultation: ‘Glaring lack of volatility tools’

Members of the  National Farmers’ Union (NFU) Cymru Milk Board met this week to give their initial reaction to the...

Farmer and former MEP reappointed to AHDB board
Farmer and former MEP reappointed to AHDB board

Environment Secretary Michael Gove, with the approval of the devolved administrations, has reappointed George Lyon and Paul Temple to the...

Prime pig prices under seasonal pressure
Prime pig prices under seasonal pressure

Prime pig prices have started to come under some seasonal pressure, with the GB Standard Pig Price (SPP) gradually falling....

AD and biomass slammed for eating up crop stocks as shortage looms
AD and biomass slammed for eating up crop stocks as shortage looms

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is calling on policymakers to review the impact of renewable energy grants, saying the scheme...

2018 potato harvest could be down as much as 16% on last year
2018 potato harvest could be down as much as 16% on last year

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) estimates that the total area in Great Britain planted with potatoes is 119,000ha;...

Concern at growing gap in farm-gate milk prices
Concern at growing gap in farm-gate milk prices

Ulster Farmers’ Union dairy committee chairman, William Irvine, has said farmers are “rightly concerned” about the growing gap in base...

BASF closes €7.6 billion acquisition of businesses and assets from Bayer
BASF closes €7.6 billion acquisition of businesses and assets from Bayer

Global chemistry firm BASF has closed the acquisition of a range of businesses and assets from rival Bayer. The transaction...