Rachel Martin

Rachel Martin Profile Picture

Senior Northern Correspondent

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.

TB risk: Restaurant-style ratings for farms?

N.Ireland

TB risk: Restaurant-style ratings for farms?

A Northern Ireland pedigree society has written to the chief veterinary officer asking that a tiered approach is taken towards...
AFBI’s agri-science conference to share findings on TB, big data and ammonia

Agri-Business

AFBI’s agri-science conference to share findings on TB, big data and ammonia

The challenges and technologies shaping the future of farming will be the focal point of a high-profile science outlook conference,...
Gove to speak on future farming subsidies at tomorrow’s NFU conference

N.Ireland

Gove to speak on future farming subsidies at tomorrow’s NFU conference

The UK’s Agriculture Secretary Michael Gove is expected to reveal more on his plans for post-Brexit agricultural policy at tomorrow’s...
Tier 2: Young farmer says ‘farcical’ scheme’s delay is hitting his milk cheque and bottom line

N.Ireland

Tier 2: Young farmer says ‘farcical’ scheme’s delay is hitting his milk cheque and bottom line

A young dairy farmer from Co. Down who applied for the Tier 2 scheme says he has almost given up...
Active farmer definitions are on a ‘collision course’ rural law expert warns

N.Ireland

Active farmer definitions are on a ‘collision course’ rural law expert warns

The writing is on the wall for conacre tax reliefs, one of Northern Ireland’s leading agricultural law experts warned farmers...
Landmark 150th Balmoral Show to be biggest to date

N.Ireland

Landmark 150th Balmoral Show to be biggest to date

With less than three months to go, the final preparations are underway for this year’s Balmoral Show. The 2018 event...
More than 40 teenagers to showcase their ideas at Angus Youth Challenge semi-finals

Beef

More than 40 teenagers to showcase their ideas at Angus Youth Challenge semi-finals

Young people from every county in Northern Ireland will showcase their projects at the ABP Angus Youth Challenge semi-final on...
Farm tax expert: ‘Frightening’ amount of farmers spending tax money

Agri-Business

Farm tax expert: ‘Frightening’ amount of farmers spending tax money

Farmers are frequently spending money which should have been put aside for their annual tax bill, a Northern Ireland agricultural...
TB update: Latest figures show rates at worst in 15 years

N.Ireland

TB update: Latest figures show rates at worst in 15 years

Official statistics show the bovine TB situation in Northern Ireland is worsening – the herd incidence rate in the region...
Kelly wins British Wool board election

N.Ireland

Kelly wins British Wool board election

A Co. Antrim sheep farmer with almost a thousand breeding ewes has been elected as the newest addition to the British...
Schmallenberg virus: Northern farmers urged to be on the watch for symptoms

N.Ireland

Schmallenberg virus: Northern farmers urged to be on the watch for symptoms

A Co. Antrim veterinary clinic has urged stockmen to be vigilant, as it confirms seven cases of Schmallenberg virus in...
Northern livestock worrying costs hit £16,000 in 2017

N.Ireland

Northern livestock worrying costs hit £16,000 in 2017

The cost of livestock worrying has risen by almost a quarter in Northern Ireland in the space of just two...
Exercise Blackthorn: National exercise to test Foot and Mouth readiness

Beef

Exercise Blackthorn: National exercise to test Foot and Mouth readiness

A major government exercise will see the UK’s four regional agricultural departments in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England come...
‘Non-organic farmers are starting to need to think like organic farmers’

Arable

‘Non-organic farmers are starting to need to think like organic farmers’

In farming, the conventional and organic world might not seem the easiest bedfellows, but they met in peace for a...
Tractor Run in Memory of Alistair Sloss raises more than £7,000 for Charity

N.Ireland

Tractor Run in Memory of Alistair Sloss raises more than £7,000 for Charity

A tractor run held in memory of Co. Tyrone farmer Alistair Sloss, who was killed in a slurry accident, has...
British potato seed produces strong yields in Kenyan trials

Arable

British potato seed produces strong yields in Kenyan trials

Four varieties of British potato seed sent to Africa have performed strongly at three Kenyan trial sites, with yields similar...
‘Stop and Think’: Farmers urged to focus on safety in 2018

N.Ireland

‘Stop and Think’: Farmers urged to focus on safety in 2018

All too often farm accidents are avoidable, officials warn ahead of the launch of a new wave of farm safety...
China’s British beef ban could be lifted ‘within six months’

Beef

China’s British beef ban could be lifted ‘within six months’

An agreement to progress lifting the British beef ban on exports to China is a vital first step in unlocking...
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