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.

Falling beef prices unjustifiable as BBQ season hits full steam
Falling beef prices unjustifiable as BBQ season hits full steam

The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) says it is “unacceptable” that beef prices in Northern Ireland are falling at a time...

FUW calls on UK and Welsh Governments to act now as fodder shortages loom
FUW calls on UK and Welsh Governments to act now as fodder shortages loom

The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has called on the UK and Welsh Governments to take action now to reduce...

Drought: From zero grazing to grazing zero in Scotland
Drought: From zero grazing to grazing zero in Scotland

Farmers north of the border of are getting desperate as the summer heatwave pushes parts of Scotland into drought conditions....

Chancellor must review business rates to ensure vibrant rural economy
Chancellor must review business rates to ensure vibrant rural economy

The Countryside Alliance has criticised the Chancellor’s decision not to review business rates until after a review on other corporate...

Oilseed rape area increases for the first time in 7 years
Oilseed rape area increases for the first time in 7 years

The area of oilseed rape planted in England and Scotland has increased for the first time in seven years – up...

Driver makes lucky escape after ‘frightening’ smash with cow in Durham
Driver makes lucky escape after ‘frightening’ smash with cow in Durham

A driver in Durham was lucky to escape uninjured after colliding with a cow late last night. Police in the...

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...

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...