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.

Calls for retailers to back vegetable growers as drought continues
Calls for retailers to back vegetable growers as drought continues

The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) is calling on supply chain partners, including big and small retailers, to support local growers...

Scottish growers say they fear a ‘second season where harvest will go unpicked’
Scottish growers say they fear a ‘second season where harvest will go unpicked’

Scottish growers say they fear a second successive season where crops will go unpicked due to extreme labour shortages. National Farmers’...

Hot weather drives 40% increase in store cattle sales
Hot weather drives 40% increase in store cattle sales

The prolonged period of dry, hot weather is beginning to impact on the livestock market as the effects of lack...

Newcastle Disease confirmed in Belgium: What you need to know
Newcastle Disease confirmed in Belgium: What you need to know

UK flock keepers have been urged to review their biosecurity measures after two cases of a highly infectious poultry disease...

Farm Safety Week: Seeing a worker thrown to the ground was the first sign I had hit a power line
Farm Safety Week: Seeing a worker thrown to the ground was the first sign I had hit a power line

Today marks the last day of Farm Safety Week, with one Fife farmer talking about the dangers of overhead power...

More than 183,000t of red meat exported in first half of 2018
More than 183,000t of red meat exported in first half of 2018

Exports of red meat products from the UK got off to a strong start this year – with the total...

Young Lancashire shepherd takes £1,000 prize money in Sheep Event national final
Young Lancashire shepherd takes £1,000 prize money in Sheep Event national final

Competitors from throughout the UK fought it out on Wednesday (July 18) in the final of the National Sheep Association...

Scotland’s Less Favourable Area Scheme: 4,675 payments on their way today
Scotland’s Less Favourable Area Scheme: 4,675 payments on their way today

The 2017 Less Favourable Area Support Scheme (LFASS) payments for farmers and crofters in Scotland have now started. 4,675 payments worth...

Scotch Beef PGI campaign delivers 7% increase in British sales
Scotch Beef PGI campaign delivers 7% increase in British sales

The recent marketing campaign behind Scotch Beef PGI has delivered strong results for the Scottish red meat industry. The focus...

Change in the top teams at RCVS Day
Change in the top teams at RCVS Day

Several changes to the top team of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) have been made at its annual...

Common hand injuries on the farm and how to avoid them
Common hand injuries on the farm and how to avoid them

The British Society for Surgery of the Hand brings together multidisciplinary specialists to ensure patients with injured and disordered hands...

NSA launches new travel bursary in memory of late chairman
NSA launches new travel bursary in memory of late chairman

Young UK flock keepers will have the opportunity to apply for a new national travel award launched by the National...

Young Limousin breeder manages major show hat-trick
Young Limousin breeder manages major show hat-trick

Competing for the first time at each ‘major’ show has been a big goal over the past year for young...

Changes to National Living Wage ‘need to be fair and balanced for farmers’
Changes to National Living Wage ‘need to be fair and balanced for farmers’

The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) is calling for a fair and balanced approach to any increases to the National Living...

Leeds vet convicted of animal welfare charges to be struck off
Leeds vet convicted of animal welfare charges to be struck off

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) Disciplinary Committee has directed the registrar to strike off a Leeds-based veterinary surgeon...

How can you prepare for this winter?
How can you prepare for this winter?

Livestock farmers are being urged to take steps now to make the most of feedstocks and limit the effects of...

Farm Safety Week: Mind your head as much as your body
Farm Safety Week: Mind your head as much as your body

Yesterday’s Farm Safety Week stories stressed the importance of protecting your head when you’re on a quad. But it’s not...

98% of Northern Ireland soils inadequately analysed
98% of Northern Ireland soils inadequately analysed

‘Soil Health’ is a relatively new term that is being discussed more and more by farmers, growers, agronomists and researchers....