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.

Live export ban a ‘non-starter’ for NI industry
Live export ban a ‘non-starter’ for NI industry

Banning the live export of farm animals would be “completely unworkable” for the farming industry, Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) president Barclay...

Northern land mobility scheme secures first match
Northern land mobility scheme secures first match

It’s not quite Valentine’s yet but Northern Ireland’s land mobility scheme has already managed to make its first match in...

4 out of 5 UK growers say agri-robotics could help their businesses
4 out of 5 UK growers say agri-robotics could help their businesses

More than four out of five UK growers believe recent developments in agri-robotics and automation could help them to reduce...

Tenancy vs Conacre: ‘Don’t let the tax tail wag the dog’
Tenancy vs Conacre: ‘Don’t let the tax tail wag the dog’

Land owners have been warned not to let tax myths shape their business decisions and that longer-term leases, as opposed...

One in three Northern Ireland dairymen turn out to Dairy Open Days
One in three Northern Ireland dairymen turn out to Dairy Open Days

Around 1,000 farmers turn out to Greenmount College’s Dairy Open Days. The figure represents around a third of the region’s dairy...

Aussie exports deal to bring ‘major boost’ for Northern Ireland pork
Aussie exports deal to bring ‘major boost’ for Northern Ireland pork

Northern Ireland’s agri-food industry today received a major boost as pork exports to Australia officially got the green light with...

Stormont stalemate: 8 Department of Agriculture decisions awaiting ministerial sign-off
Stormont stalemate: 8 Department of Agriculture decisions awaiting ministerial sign-off

Eight policy decisions within Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) await ministerial sign-off because of the...

Tyrone AD plant becomes first in the UK to earn industry certification
Tyrone AD plant becomes first in the UK to earn industry certification

A Co. Tyrone anaerobic digestion (AD) plant has become the first in the UK to be certified under a scheme...

Wool Board nominations set for election as Buchanan ends 12-year tenure
Wool Board nominations set for election as Buchanan ends 12-year tenure

Two Northern Ireland sheep farmers have been nominated to replace outgoing British Wool Board chairman Ian Buchanan as the Northern...

Stormont stalemate tightens grip on Northern farms
Stormont stalemate tightens grip on Northern farms

Farmers have voiced their frustration that decisions affecting some of Northern Ireland’s biggest agricultural issues have been put on the...

Pioneering vet backed by Brian May to speak at NI TB conference
Pioneering vet backed by Brian May to speak at NI TB conference

A vet whose pioneering research into bovine TB has been backed by militant animal rights activist Queen guitarist Brian May...

Department accused of using ‘flawed science’ to measure NI ammonia emissions
Department accused of using ‘flawed science’ to measure NI ammonia emissions

Getting a true picture of ammonia emissions in Northern Ireland remains one of the “biggest challenges” for the agri-food industry...

Department accused of using ‘flawed science’ to measure NI ammonia emissions
Department accused of using ‘flawed science’ to measure NI ammonia emissions

Getting a true picture of ammonia emissions in Northern Ireland remains one of the “biggest challenges” for the agri-food industry...

Mega farming: Meet the southern Australia family managing 2,300 cattle
Mega farming: Meet the southern Australia family managing 2,300 cattle

Just two months ago Co. Down dairy farmer Heather Martin found out she would take part in the trip of...

Slurry export deadline extended in NI
Slurry export deadline extended in NI

Northern Ireland farmers now have an extra month to submit their slurry export forms as Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA)...

‘Everyone wants to be more environmentally responsible; but we have to keep our farmers farming’
‘Everyone wants to be more environmentally responsible; but we have to keep our farmers farming’

Every farmer wants to do more for the environment, but future farming policy must prioritise supporting efficient and profitable production,...

Farmers suffering ‘Brexit fatigue’ as talks process hits critical stage
Farmers suffering ‘Brexit fatigue’ as talks process hits critical stage

Ulster farmers are becoming sickened with Brexit talk, Ulster Farmers’ Union deputy president Ivor Ferguson told journalists at the UFU’s...

Countdown on to the NI Beef Expo – NI’s biggest technical beef event
Countdown on to the NI Beef Expo – NI’s biggest technical beef event

Organisers say the 2018 NI Beef Expo is set to be the biggest yet as the technical beef event –...