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.

Who is Gordon Lyons – NI’s new Agriculture Minister?
Who is Gordon Lyons – NI’s new Agriculture Minister?

East Antrim MLA Gordon Lyons has taken charge of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs portfolio as Edwin...

Successful embryo transfer gives hope for one of the UK’s rarest semi-wild cattle breeds
Successful embryo transfer gives hope for one of the UK’s rarest semi-wild cattle breeds

The birth of a female Vaynol calf through the first-ever successful embryo transfer for a semi-feral breed of cattle has...

Department to seek legal changes for NI’s review of decisions process
Department to seek legal changes for NI’s review of decisions process

The department cannot delegate decision-making responsibilities over schemes without legal changes, a senior civil servant has told Stormont’s Agriculture Committee....

Prime Minister ‘prepared to use Article 16 if necessary’ to allow agri-food movement
Prime Minister ‘prepared to use Article 16 if necessary’ to allow agri-food movement

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnston has reportedly told the DUP this morning that he “is prepared to use Article 16”...

Royal Highland Centre to become vaccine centre
Royal Highland Centre to become vaccine centre

The Royal Highland Centre, home to the Royal Highland Show, is set to be transformed into one of Scotland’s main...

Dog attacks estimated to cost more than £115,000 in Northern Ireland
Dog attacks estimated to cost more than £115,000 in Northern Ireland

Dog attacks on farm animals across Northern Ireland cost over £115,000 in 2020, according to new statistics released by rural...

The cost of feeding the nation: 258 agri-food Covid deaths recorded in England and Wales
The cost of feeding the nation: 258 agri-food Covid deaths recorded in England and Wales

The number of agri-food workers who have died in England and Wales within 28 days of a positive Covid-19 test...

New Office for Environmental Protection appointments announced
New Office for Environmental Protection appointments announced

Two important roles have been recently filled for Northern Ireland’s new Office for Environmental Protection (OEP). The Office for Environmental...

9 Northern Ireland heifers make top 20 of UK database
9 Northern Ireland heifers make top 20 of UK database

A Northern Ireland pedigree dairy herd has managed to clinch almost half of the top 20 places on a UK-wide...

Border staff pulled from Larne and Belfast ports over safety threats
Border staff pulled from Larne and Belfast ports over safety threats

Border staff have been pulled from checkpoints in Larne and Belfast following “serious concerns” for safety. Mid and East Antrim...

Poots to stand down as Northern Ireland Agriculture Minister
Poots to stand down as Northern Ireland Agriculture Minister

Northern Ireland Minister for the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Edwin Poots is to stand down from his...

Are you costing your farm money by wasting organic nutrients?
Are you costing your farm money by wasting organic nutrients?

Northern farmers could be missing out on opportunities to harness their cheapest source of organic nutrients, according to advisors. Four...

Changes to NI’s Basic Payments to be implemented for 2021 scheme year
Changes to NI’s Basic Payments to be implemented for 2021 scheme year

Changes to Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) entitlements will come into force from the 2021 scheme year, Northern Ireland Agriculture Minister...

UK applies to join trans-Pacific free trade partnership
UK applies to join trans-Pacific free trade partnership

The UK has announced intentions to formally apply to join one of the world’s largest free trade areas, deepening trade...

Lough Neagh farmers benefit from £4 million support for agri-environmental projects
Lough Neagh farmers benefit from £4 million support for agri-environmental projects

More than 140 farmers on the shore of Lough Neagh have benefited from over £4 million in the first three years...

Bill to allow 100 times more water to be abstracted without licence in ROI than in NI
Bill to allow 100 times more water to be abstracted without licence in ROI than in NI

A bill currently going through the Oireachtas could allow 100 times more water to be abstracted without a licence in...

How just 30 minutes on your farm could bolster conservation efforts
How just 30 minutes on your farm could bolster conservation efforts

Farmers in Northern Ireland are encouraged to set aside just half an hour to get counting and join the Big...

NI officials warn Westminster allocation could stall future rural development schemes
NI officials warn Westminster allocation could stall future rural development schemes

The loss of rural development programme funding from Northern Ireland’s agriculture budget could impact DAERA’s ability to launch new rural...