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.

Plaid launches ‘I’m buying local’ campaign to boost Welsh economy
Plaid launches ‘I’m buying local’ campaign to boost Welsh economy

Plaid Cymru has launched a major new campaign to help boost the Welsh food and drink industry. The ‘I’m buying...

‘Be kind to yourself’ farming union president urges farmers
‘Be kind to yourself’ farming union president urges farmers

Farmers’ Union of Wales president Glyn Roberts is urging farmers to be kind to themselves, as many are feeling the...

Researchers develop real-time software to tackle powdery mildew on strawberry crops
Researchers develop real-time software to tackle powdery mildew on strawberry crops

Experts at the University of Hertfordshire, in collaboration with Agri-tech Services, have created a web-based, real-time system for calculating when...

UK’s largest lowland estate announces precision farming partnership
UK’s largest lowland estate announces precision farming partnership

The UK’s largest lowland estate has struck a deal with a precision farming firm to reduce food waste in the...

Paul Hemingway named as the new president of IAgrE
Paul Hemingway named as the new president of IAgrE

A visiting engineering lecturer at Harper Adams University has been named as the new president of the Institution of Agricultural...

Tighter prime cattle numbers and more balanced consumer demand supporting farmgate price
Tighter prime cattle numbers and more balanced consumer demand supporting farmgate price

April slaughter statistics show that Scottish abattoirs, on average, processed 15% fewer cattle per week than during March, according to...

Nearly half of UK veterinary practices report Covid-19 linked fall in turnover
Nearly half of UK veterinary practices report Covid-19 linked fall in turnover

Almost half of UK vets have seen between a quarter and half of their turnover slashed due to Covid-19 restrictions,...

Covid-19 makes case to end rural school closures says FFA
Covid-19 makes case to end rural school closures says FFA

The Covid-19 pandemic has proved the social value of smaller, rural schools, according to a Northern Ireland farm lobby group....

NI public urged to buy takeaways to support struggling hospitality sector
NI public urged to buy takeaways to support struggling hospitality sector

Northern Ireland’s Minister of Agriculture has urged the public to indulge in takeaways as the hospitality sector adapts to try...

Aberdeenshire tup top of the flock in leading UK project
Aberdeenshire tup top of the flock in leading UK project

An Aberdeenshire Charollais tup has been named the most valuable breeding sire in the UK as the RamCompare project releases...

BASIS launches new online learning platform
BASIS launches new online learning platform

Independent pesticide and fertiliser standards-setting body BASIS has launched a new digital learning platform to help members continue their professional...

MPs urged to speak up for food and farming during crucial Agriculture Bill debate
MPs urged to speak up for food and farming during crucial Agriculture Bill debate

A coalition of 26 British farming, environmental and animal welfare organisations have written to all 650 MPs urging them to...

Scottish dairy farmer wins ‘Lifetime of Achievement’ award
Scottish dairy farmer wins ‘Lifetime of Achievement’ award

An 93-year-old veteran of the Scottish dairy farming industry has been recognised with one of the UK’s most prestigious lifetime...

‘Ulster Fry Index’ falls for second year running
‘Ulster Fry Index’ falls for second year running

The cost of a cooked traditional Ulster Fry has fallen for the second year in a row, according to a...

Unannounced inspection found Moy Park site had ‘high standard’ of Covid measures
Unannounced inspection found Moy Park site had ‘high standard’ of Covid measures

A recent unannounced inspection at the Moy Park site where an employee who died of Covid-19 worked found no major...

Morrisons launches seasonal food box to support British farmers
Morrisons launches seasonal food box to support British farmers

Supermarket giant Morrisons has unveiled a new 10kg box of British seasonal produce to encourage shoppers to buy local. Retailing...

‘Lifeline’ for plant and flower growers as garden centres set to reopen
‘Lifeline’ for plant and flower growers as garden centres set to reopen

The reopening of garden centres across England has been praised as a “lifeline” for British ornamental horticultural growers. The rules...

Challenges for red meat supply chain include reduced demand from public sector
Challenges for red meat supply chain include reduced demand from public sector

Disruptions to the public sector, including the closure of schools and colleges, continue to be a challenge for Scotland’s red...