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.

Industry confusion after ban on British soil into NI is lifted
Industry confusion after ban on British soil into NI is lifted

The decision to end the ban on British soil entering Northern Ireland has been met with confusion from within the...

Armagh County Agricultural Show cancelled
Armagh County Agricultural Show cancelled

After months of deliberation, Armagh County Agricultural Show organisers have announced the cancellation of the 2021 show. The much-loved county...

ASA reviewing more than 100 Oatly complaints
ASA reviewing more than 100 Oatly complaints

UK adverts watchdog, the Advertising Standards Authority, has said it is still reviewing more than 100 complaints challenging environmental claims...

DVA rejects calls for priority driving tests for farmworkers
DVA rejects calls for priority driving tests for farmworkers

The Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) has rejected bids for farmworkers to be given priority booking when driving tests reopen...

Agricultural consultants call for new evidence to be allowed in Decision of Review process
Agricultural consultants call for new evidence to be allowed in Decision of Review process

Northern Ireland Agricultural Consultants Association has called for farmers to be allowed to provide additional evidence at Stage 2 of...

Union reps say port staff were told there was ‘no threat’ at 3pm
Union reps say port staff were told there was ‘no threat’ at 3pm

Trade union leaders have said checkpoint staff based at Larne Port were told there was “no threat to their safety”...

£4 million Covid support fund opens for NI pig and poultry farmers
£4 million Covid support fund opens for NI pig and poultry farmers

Northern Ireland Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots has announced the opening of a £4 million Covid-19 Support Scheme for eligible pig...

Devenish hatches international growth plans
Devenish hatches international growth plans

Northern Ireland headquartered nutritional technology company Devenish has announced plans to raise capital in order to grow internationally. The firm...

UFU to host Women in Agriculture webinar series
UFU to host Women in Agriculture webinar series

The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has announced plans to host a Women in Agriculture webinar series. The UFU launched its...

Silage trials show quicker is better when it comes to wilting
Silage trials show quicker is better when it comes to wilting

Cutting grass earlier in the day could help speed up wilting – even in overcast conditions – according to in-house...

Minister Poots to appear in front of Agriculture Committee
Minister Poots to appear in front of Agriculture Committee

It appears Minister Poots has made meeting the Stormont Agriculture Committee one of his first ports of call since returning to...

Dutch dairy auction boost drives hope for milk price increases
Dutch dairy auction boost drives hope for milk price increases

This week’s Dutch dairy auction has seen the full haul with significant increases posted across all four of the main...

NSA warns Sustainable Farming Incentive is ‘not a finished scheme’
NSA warns Sustainable Farming Incentive is ‘not a finished scheme’

The National Sheep Association (NSA) has welcomed the first indication of how England’s new Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS) will...

‘Unprecedented change’ proposed for NI’s electricity grid
‘Unprecedented change’ proposed for NI’s electricity grid

SONI, the electricity transmission system operator for Northern Ireland, has announced plans to reform the grid to achieve Northern Ireland’s...

Dale Farm unveils new look after 50 years of old branding
Dale Farm unveils new look after 50 years of old branding

Northern Ireland dairy cooperative Dale Farm has unveiled new branding as part of a major growth strategy for the next...

NI customs infrastructure won’t be ready until March 2022
NI customs infrastructure won’t be ready until March 2022

Northern Ireland’s £45 million permanent customs infrastructure is unlikely to be completed before March 2022, according to the latest update...

Concern remains over GB to NI movement of potato seed
Concern remains over GB to NI movement of potato seed

Concern remains for Northern Ireland potato producers who warn they will still be unable to import seed from mainland UK....

Edwin Poots makes return as NI Agriculture Minister
Edwin Poots makes return as NI Agriculture Minister

Lagan Valley MLA Edwin Poots has returned as Northern Ireland’s Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister. Poots stood down as...