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.

Man killed at Linden Foods Dungannon plant
Man killed at Linden Foods Dungannon plant

A man has died in an incident today (July 5) at Linden Foods' factory in Dungannon, Co. Tyrone in Northern...

Randox Farming reports £6.1 million losses
Randox Farming reports £6.1 million losses

Northern Ireland based pharmaceutical firm Randox's farming operations have reported post-tax losses of £6.1 million over the last year and...

2021 Balmoral Show to require test or proof of vaccine for entry
2021 Balmoral Show to require test or proof of vaccine for entry

It's not just their tickets that showgoers will need to remember to bring to this year's postponed Balmoral Show. To...

Record entries for 2021 ‘Dig In’ schools competition
Record entries for 2021 ‘Dig In’ schools competition

The winners of the 2021 Dig in schools competition, celebrating 10 years of Open Farm Weekend, have been announced. The...

Cost of rural theft fell 37% in Northern Ireland in 2020
Cost of rural theft fell 37% in Northern Ireland in 2020

The cost of rural theft in Northern Ireland is reported to have fallen substantially over the last year during the...

185 to be eligible for NI’s £1.6 million Pig Producer support
185 to be eligible for NI’s £1.6 million Pig Producer support

185 Northern Ireland farmers are expected to be eligible for a new £1.6 million Covid-19 pig producer support scheme for...

Invasive species costs UK £5 billion over last 5 decades 40-50 years
Invasive species costs UK £5 billion over last 5 decades 40-50 years

Invasive species, like the grey squirrel, European rabbit and Japanese knotweed, have cost the UK economy over £5 billion over...

NI’s £1.2 million Covid-19 wool support scheme opens
NI’s £1.2 million Covid-19 wool support scheme opens

A £1.2 million Covid-19 support scheme has opened for applications from sheep farmers affected by the global slump in wool...

2017 flood fund opens for NI’s northwest farmers
2017 flood fund opens for NI’s northwest farmers

A £2.7 million flood support fund has opened for applications from northwest farmers affected by flashfloods and landslides in 2017....

Seasonal agricultural workers to be exempt from NI travel restrictions
Seasonal agricultural workers to be exempt from NI travel restrictions

Seasonal agricultural workers in Northern Ireland will be able to avail of exemptions from Covid-19 travel restrictions. Those who arrive...

Animals not tested for BVD to be banned from NI abattoirs
Animals not tested for BVD to be banned from NI abattoirs

Northern Ireland's Department of Agriculture has announced plans to ban BVD untested animals from slaughterhouses in a bid to crack...

World Agri-Tech Summit announces start-up innovation challenge
World Agri-Tech Summit announces start-up innovation challenge

Entries are now open for the World Agri-Tech challenge for start-ups with innovative solutions to support sustainable agriculture. The World...

UK to restrict promotions of ‘unhealthy’ foods from October 2022
UK to restrict promotions of ‘unhealthy’ foods from October 2022

The UK Government has announced plans to restrict retail promotions of foods that are deemed 'unhealthy' from October next year....

Daily Covid testing to replace isolation for UK food processing workers
Daily Covid testing to replace isolation for UK food processing workers

It's hoped a new Covid-19 testing regime rolled out across UK meat plants will help ease staff shortages exacerbated by...

Footprinting tool aims to help farming become part of the climate solution
Footprinting tool aims to help farming become part of the climate solution

A pioneering sustainable farming initiative aims to help decarbonise the global ruminant agriculture sector while supporting farmers in continuing to...

Ag-tech experts and growers to create prototype robotic lettuce harvester
Ag-tech experts and growers to create prototype robotic lettuce harvester

Work is underway in the UK to develop a robotic solution to horticultural labour shortages to help secure the harvest...

NI’s proposed TB strategy could save region up to £70 million
NI’s proposed TB strategy could save region up to £70 million

Northern Ireland's proposed bovine TB strategy could save the region as much as £70 million, according to officials. Responding to...

Great Yorkshire Success gives hope for September Balmoral
Great Yorkshire Success gives hope for September Balmoral

The prospect of 26,000 people gathering for England's premier agricultural show might have seemed like wishful thinking this year, but...