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.

Chestnutt: There’s no fear of anyone in NI going hungry
Chestnutt: There’s no fear of anyone in NI going hungry

Ulster Farmers’ Union president Victor Chestnutt has urged for calm over fears of food shortages in Northern Ireland. Images of...

Concern remains but issues with ‘mixed origin’ milk have yet to transpire
Concern remains but issues with ‘mixed origin’ milk have yet to transpire

Despite concern, two weeks since the end of the Brexit withdrawal period, trade issues have yet to materialise over the...

Moy Park to be included in Covid-19 lateral flow testing pilot
Moy Park to be included in Covid-19 lateral flow testing pilot

A lateral flow testing pilot has been rolled out at leading food company Moy Park sites across Northern Ireland and...

NI Farm Groups’ Farm Welfare Bill to come before Stormont Agriculture Committee
NI Farm Groups’ Farm Welfare Bill to come before Stormont Agriculture Committee

A bill lobbying to support high-welfare farming systems with fair prices is set to be discussed by members of Stormont’s...

UK farm unions granted permission to continue COPA-COGECA membership
UK farm unions granted permission to continue COPA-COGECA membership

European farm lobbying group COPA-COGECA has granted UK farming unions permission to continue their membership despite leaving the EU. However, as...

NI farm borrowing up 9% according to Danske
NI farm borrowing up 9% according to Danske

Northern Ireland farm borrowing has increased around 9% over the last financial year, mainly driven by investments in expansion and...

Hauliers urge government to act as customs chaos wreaks havoc on agri-food supply chains
Hauliers urge government to act as customs chaos wreaks havoc on agri-food supply chains

With additional reporting by Sylvester Phelan Hauliers claim vital parts of UK customs guidance were not made public until just...

SDLP launches consultation on legally-binding targets to tackle biodiversity loss
SDLP launches consultation on legally-binding targets to tackle biodiversity loss

SDLP Assembly member Dolores Kelly has launched a public consultation on proposals to introduce legally-binding targets to tackle biodiversity loss...

Kelly re-elected as Ulster Wool board member
Kelly re-elected as Ulster Wool board member

Following a call for nominations by Ulster Wool to represent wool producers in Northern Ireland, Brendan Kelly has been returned...

NI farming families to be offered first aid training from home
NI farming families to be offered first aid training from home

Northern Ireland farming families are to be offered life-saving first aid training online in a bid to reduce the number...

NI prime livestock prices remain ‘strong’ despite Christmas lockdown sales slump
NI prime livestock prices remain ‘strong’ despite Christmas lockdown sales slump

Northern Ireland turkey, lamb and roast beef sales were down this year as Christmas Covid-19 restrictions meant fewer gatherings over...

‘Leave no farmer behind’ – Poots tells OFC of vision for NI farm support
‘Leave no farmer behind’ – Poots tells OFC of vision for NI farm support

Northern Ireland Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots spoke of “tremendous opportunities” and “room to manoeuvre” in the wake of Brexit for the...

Poots chairs first meeting of Green Growth Inter-Ministerial Group
Poots chairs first meeting of Green Growth Inter-Ministerial Group

Northern Ireland Environment Minister Edwin Poots today chaired the first meeting of the region’s new Green Growth Inter-Ministerial Group today...

PSNI to introduce new licence for firearm magazines
PSNI to introduce new licence for firearm magazines

Gun owners in Northern Ireland will have to pay out £30 for a new licence should they wish to buy...

NI businesses say grant for food manufacturing is an ‘urgent priority’
NI businesses say grant for food manufacturing is an ‘urgent priority’

The Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association (NIFDA) has warned its call for the Department of Economy to establish a...

Other cases suspected as H5N8 is confirmed in second NI commercial flock
Other cases suspected as H5N8 is confirmed in second NI commercial flock

Northern Ireland’s chief veterinary officer, Dr. Robert Huey, has warned the department is testing “a number of” other suspected cases...

Farming series ‘Rare Breed’ set to return for ninth series
Farming series ‘Rare Breed’ set to return for ninth series

Farming TV series ‘Rare Breed’ is set to return to screens on Tuesday (January 12, January) with seven families from...

Declassified files: ‘Fish was on the plate, but beef (and BSE) were on the menu’
Declassified files: ‘Fish was on the plate, but beef (and BSE) were on the menu’

A meeting between British and Irish ministers at Maryfield, the base of the Anglo-Irish Secretariat, descended into jibes over how...