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.

Veterinary pharmaceutical firm Norbook profits plunge 60%
Veterinary pharmaceutical firm Norbook profits plunge 60%

Operating profits have plunged by around 60% in just a year at Northern Ireland headquartered veterinary pharmaceutical firm Norbrook. The...

Report links decline in linnets and reed buntings to reduction in arable land in NI
Report links decline in linnets and reed buntings to reduction in arable land in NI

A reduction in the area of arable land farmed in Northern Ireland has been blamed for a decline in seed-eating...

AgriLand’s ultimate Christmas gift guide
AgriLand’s ultimate Christmas gift guide

What do you buy for the person who seemingly doesn’t need anything? We know farmers are a tricky bunch to...

Agri-food research fund now open for applications
Agri-food research fund now open for applications

An all-island agri-food research programme has opened for applications from public research institutions in Northern Ireland. The programme will support...

DAERA to launch pilot payment scheme for protein crops
DAERA to launch pilot payment scheme for protein crops

Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture has announced plans to launch a pilot payment scheme for local growers to produce protein...

£292.7 million issued in Direct Payments in NI
£292.7 million issued in Direct Payments in NI

More than 99% of farmers in Northern Ireland have received their full Direct Payment for 2020, Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots...

Poots announces £4 Million Small Woodland Grant Scheme
Poots announces £4 Million Small Woodland Grant Scheme

A new £4 million grant scheme that aims to encourage Northern Irish landowners to plant their own native woodlands, has...

Latest round of EFS agreements issued
Latest round of EFS agreements issued

Approximately 160 Higher and 370 Wider offers will be issued as part of the fourth tranche of the Environmental Farming...

Covid-19: Calls for NI meat plant workers to be prioritised in vaccine roll-out
Covid-19: Calls for NI meat plant workers to be prioritised in vaccine roll-out

A key Stormont committee has urged Northern Ireland’s Health Minister to ensure meat-processing sector workers are prioritised in plans to...

FFA: Deal or no deal, Brexit is still a train wreck
FFA: Deal or no deal, Brexit is still a train wreck

Farmers For Action (FFA) has written to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson urging him to seek a two-year extension to the...

Eradicating BVD in Northern Ireland ‘within reach’
Eradicating BVD in Northern Ireland ‘within reach’

Eradicating BVD is within reach for Northern Ireland – but the final push will need everyone committed to the cause,...

New board member appointed to the Livestock and Meat Commission
New board member appointed to the Livestock and Meat Commission

Northern Ireland Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots MLA has announced the appointment of a new board member to the Livestock and...

Winter Fair People’s Champion of the Decade announced
Winter Fair People’s Champion of the Decade announced

A Co. Down Jersey has been crowned Winter Fair People’s Champion of the Decade, in an online competition run in...

Poots launches public consultation on NI’s first-ever Climate Change Bill
Poots launches public consultation on NI’s first-ever Climate Change Bill

The Northern Ireland Executive’s first-ever Climate Change Bill could “revolutionise” the region’s approach to climate change, according to Environment Minister Edwin...

300% increase in milk offered for Dale Farm fixed-price contract
300% increase in milk offered for Dale Farm fixed-price contract

Northern Ireland dairy co-operative Dale Farm has said it has seen “an almost 300%” increase in the volume of milk...

3,800 apply for Northern Ireland’s FBIS Tier 1
3,800 apply for Northern Ireland’s FBIS Tier 1

Three times as many farmers have applied for the latest round of the Farm Business Improvement Scheme (FBIS) than there are...

Lack of mentorship biggest hurdle for women in agriculture
Lack of mentorship biggest hurdle for women in agriculture

Lack of female role models within the agricultural industry is one of the biggest stumbling blocks for women working within...

Rebuilding agriculture’s reputation: Now’s time to get back on the front foot
Rebuilding agriculture’s reputation: Now’s time to get back on the front foot

There’s never been a better time to push for reform in agriculture’s public image – at least according to international...