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.

‘Low resistance risk fungicide programmes must become the norm’
‘Low resistance risk fungicide programmes must become the norm’

Low resistance risk fungicide programmes must be adopted universally to prolong the efficacy of cereal chemistry in the UK, delegates...

Ag budget cuts make ‘bleak reading’
Ag budget cuts make ‘bleak reading’

Northern Ireland’s latest budgetary outlook is “bleak reading for a key sector of the local economy”, the Ulster Farmers’ Union has...

Jobs likely to go as ‘ag’ budget faces up to £20m plunge by 2020
Jobs likely to go as ‘ag’ budget faces up to £20m plunge by 2020

Jobs are likely to go and programmes are likely to be halted as Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture (DAERA) faces...

Jobs likely to go as ‘ag’ budget faces up to £20m plunge by 2020
Jobs likely to go as ‘ag’ budget faces up to £20m plunge by 2020

Jobs are likely to go and programmes are likely to be halted as Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture (DAERA) faces...

EU ‘obsession’ distracting from benefits of leaving – Campbell
EU ‘obsession’ distracting from benefits of leaving – Campbell

Focus on the Brexit process is “distracting” from “some of the benefits [of leaving the EU] that can already be...

Discussion group farmers more likely to make more money
Discussion group farmers more likely to make more money

Farmers in discussion groups were up to 20% more likely to adopt new technologies and have higher profit margins, research has...

New £3 million centre to make Balmoral Ireland’s largest exhibition space
New £3 million centre to make Balmoral Ireland’s largest exhibition space

Visitors to this year’s Winter Fair might notice the massive £3 million (€3.4 million) structure in construction right beside the Eikon...

Winter Fair: Crowds flock to Ireland’s largest dairy show – follow the action as it happens
Winter Fair: Crowds flock to Ireland’s largest dairy show – follow the action as it happens

Hundreds of farmers have already made their way through the doors of this year’s Royal Ulster Winter Fair and thousands...

Fears mount over ‘agri budget underspend’ in Northern counties
Fears mount over ‘agri budget underspend’ in Northern counties

It’s feared farm funding could be lost as department of agriculture officials in Northern Ireland are accused of spending just...

First badger report reveals 41 crimes in 2015
First badger report reveals 41 crimes in 2015

Northern Ireland’s first badger report shows just over 40 potential badger crimes were reported in 2015. The report was published...

Winter Fair: Just two days to go until the North’s flagship dairy show
Winter Fair: Just two days to go until the North’s flagship dairy show

With just two days to go until this year’s Royal Ulster Agricultural Society Winter Fair the countdown is on – but...

NI indepth: ‘New Zealand inspired me to swap sucklers for dairy cows’
NI indepth: ‘New Zealand inspired me to swap sucklers for dairy cows’

A working trip to New Zealand inspired a Co. Tyrone beef and sheep farmer’s son to take the brave decision...

Pics: Your day on the farm in the snow
Pics: Your day on the farm in the snow

The white stuff continues to fall across northern counties, with a yellow weather warning set to last until Saturday evening. However,...

Is your farm ready for winter?
Is your farm ready for winter?

As snow falls across the region, Department of Agriculture (DAERA) advisors have warned that spending time preparing for winter could...

Winter Fair: Live hoof trimming and calf rearing to take centre-stage
Winter Fair: Live hoof trimming and calf rearing to take centre-stage

Live hoof-trimming and calf rearing demonstrations are expected to draw spectators at this year’s Royal Ulster Winter Fair. New to...

Charity livestock auctions reach just shy of £100,000 target
Charity livestock auctions reach just shy of £100,000 target

The grand total raised by farmers for a children’s heart charity has managed to pass the £80,000 mark – hitting...

Lively questions at farm tax and succession advice nights
Lively questions at farm tax and succession advice nights

Farmers and other family members from across Northern Ireland are turning out in droves for an ongoing series of taxation...

Barn dance catfight ends in assault conviction
Barn dance catfight ends in assault conviction

Two Co. Down women ended up in court after a barn dance catfight resulted in one woman receiving facial injuries....