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.

Save straw supplies and prepare for winter now, union warns
Save straw supplies and prepare for winter now, union warns

NFU Scotland president Andrew McCornick has warned livestock farmers to prepare now for this year’s winter, suggesting this winter could see...

Brexit: AHDB warns farmers to prepare based on the little they do know
Brexit: AHDB warns farmers to prepare based on the little they do know

Brexit will provide Welsh agriculture and horticulture with both risks and opportunities, so farmers and growers, need to prepare now AHDB...

UK heatwave: June one of the driest on record for much of the UK
UK heatwave: June one of the driest on record for much of the UK

June was a warm and dry month for most of us and for some it was record-breaking, with many seeing...

BVA vice president to take up senior role at Queen’s University
BVA vice president to take up senior role at Queen’s University

Two of the UK’s most respected vets – Dr. Simon Doherty and Prof. Eric Morgan – are set to join...

New figures show continued focus on farm safety is needed
New figures show continued focus on farm safety is needed

Disappointing rises in farm fatality levels have led to renewed calls for improvements in on-farm safety measures. Worker deaths from...

Batters: ‘I want British farmers to remain the number one supplier to the UK market’
Batters: ‘I want British farmers to remain the number one supplier to the UK market’

National Farmers’ Union (NFU) president Minette Batters has written to the Prime Minister calling for clarity and consistency across Government...

Dog walking blamed for rise in abortion-causing disease in Welsh livestock
Dog walking blamed for rise in abortion-causing disease in Welsh livestock

Concerns over increasing reports of Neospora outbreaks in cattle have been highlighted at the meeting of the National Access Forum...

Entries open for 35th Diageo Baileys Champion Dairy Cow Competition
Entries open for 35th Diageo Baileys Champion Dairy Cow Competition

A prestigious dairy competition with a prize fund of more than €10,000 has opened for entries for 2018. The 35th Diageo...

Summer heatwave helps oilseed rape harvest catch up on slow start
Summer heatwave helps oilseed rape harvest catch up on slow start

Oilseed rape crops may have been delayed by the cold winter and spring, but a short flowering period and recent...

Nearly half of farmers say they struggled applying for this year’s BPS
Nearly half of farmers say they struggled applying for this year’s BPS

The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) is urging the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) to further simplify the BPS application process as...

New livestock traceability service could be in place by 2019
New livestock traceability service could be in place by 2019

A new agreement signed by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) and Defra sets out how the levy-funded body...

NFU Cymru launches new bilingual education resources
NFU Cymru launches new bilingual education resources

NFU Cymru has launched its new range of Science Farm / Fferm Wyddoniaeth education resources recently. President, John Davies was...

Director banned after failing to pay minimum wage to farm labourers
Director banned after failing to pay minimum wage to farm labourers

A director of a company that supplied farm labourers has been banned for seven years after he repeatedly failed to...

FUW unveils its vision for the future UK agricultural policy framework
FUW unveils its vision for the future UK agricultural policy framework

The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has issued a discussion document on the need for a UK policy framework which...

Countryside Alliance supports agriculture GCSE at education conference
Countryside Alliance supports agriculture GCSE at education conference

The Countryside Alliance has publicly backed calls for a new GCSE qualification in agriculture. On Monday (July 2), the Royal...

Benchmarking farm businesses ‘key’ to sector’s Brexit preparations
Benchmarking farm businesses ‘key’ to sector’s Brexit preparations

With Brexit uncertainties on the horizon, it’s never been more important for farmers to understand their business costs. Lincolnshire farmer...

Antibiotic Guardian: Farming’s big winners in the fight against AMR
Antibiotic Guardian: Farming’s big winners in the fight against AMR

British farming bodies have been hailed for their work to reduce antibiotic usage in the industry at the Antibiotic Guardian awards...

Borders Monitor Farm to host efficiency and profitability themed open day
Borders Monitor Farm to host efficiency and profitability themed open day

A borders family will discuss their progress trying to improve efficiency and profitability as part of a monitor farm programme...