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.

UFU proposes drive-in AGM and presidential election
UFU proposes drive-in AGM and presidential election

The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) is proposing to hold a drive-in annual general meeting so that it can elect its...

Webinar to share tips on making health and safety work for the farm
Webinar to share tips on making health and safety work for the farm

British dairy farmers are being encouraged to tune into a practical 30-minute health and safety webinar after data reveals their...

AgriSearch seeks farmers’ views on its work
AgriSearch seeks farmers’ views on its work

Northern Ireland agricultural research body AgriSearch is seeking farmers’ views on its work as part of a wide-ranging review of...

Date set for Farm Quality Assurance inspections to resume in NI
Date set for Farm Quality Assurance inspections to resume in NI

The Northern Ireland Beef and Lamb Farm Quality Assurance Scheme (FQAS) Industry Board has said it will soon resume inspections....

Consumers encouraged to fire up the barbie for National BBQ Week
Consumers encouraged to fire up the barbie for National BBQ Week

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) is celebrating National Barbecue Week this week (May 25-31) by encouraging Scots to fire up their...

Hands Free Farm completes first major operation despite Covid delays
Hands Free Farm completes first major operation despite Covid delays

The Hands Free Farm (HFF) team has successfully drilled a cover crop as the first major operation for the project....

RABDF submits evidence in ‘last ditch attempt’ to save foreign dairy workers
RABDF submits evidence in ‘last ditch attempt’ to save foreign dairy workers

The Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers (RABDF) has submitted evidence to the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) in the hope...

Scots farmers and crofters say ‘thanks’ for choosing local produce
Scots farmers and crofters say ‘thanks’ for choosing local produce

Farmers and crofters are saying ‘thank you’ to consumers across the nation for continuing to choose Scottish food and drink....

14% of UK public eating more meat during lockdown… but price remains king
14% of UK public eating more meat during lockdown… but price remains king

Consumers are buying and eating more meat and dairy as they cook more home meals during the Covid-19 pandemic, according...

DAERA Minister supports the ‘Milk Your Moments’ campaign
DAERA Minister supports the ‘Milk Your Moments’ campaign

Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots has given his support to a UK-wide campaign that aims to encourage people to drink milk....

Vet bodies issue warning over unpaid veterinary work
Vet bodies issue warning over unpaid veterinary work

UK veterinary practices have been warned against exploiting young workers’ fears of struggling to find work by offering unpaid or...

BASIS appoints new technical manager
BASIS appoints new technical manager

BASIS has appointed Greg Hopkinson to the post of technical manager to support the team and its members. In his...

‘Designer’ wheat variety bred to be for distilling than imported maize
‘Designer’ wheat variety bred to be for distilling than imported maize

Rothamsted scientists have bred a type of wheat specifically to improve whisky production. The group’s lead researcher says this new...

Welsh Parliamentary committee told Covid crisis highlights need for food security
Welsh Parliamentary committee told Covid crisis highlights need for food security

A UK meat marketing boss has told a Welsh Parliamentary committee how the Covid-19 crisis brings the importance of food security...

European sheep project asks farmers for their biggest bugbear
European sheep project asks farmers for their biggest bugbear

A European sheep network is calling on farmers and others in the industry to share their challenges and needs in...

Harper Adams team wins the Institute of Agricultural Management Farmplanner contest
Harper Adams team wins the Institute of Agricultural Management Farmplanner contest

A team of Harper Adams University final-year students have won the annual Institute of Agricultural Management Farmplanner contest. The competition,...

Egg industry groups celebrate as tariff lobbying pays off
Egg industry groups celebrate as tariff lobbying pays off

The UK egg industry and welfare groups have welcomed the Government’s decision to maintain the current tariff on imported eggs and...

Study finds Pirbright African swine fever vaccine has 100% success rate
Study finds Pirbright African swine fever vaccine has 100% success rate

Scientists from The Pirbright Institute are a step closer in the race to develop a vital vaccine for African swine...