BREEDERS in Northern Ireland and from further afield are making final preparations for Balmoral Show next week, which welcomes a new four-day programme for the first time and will see a number of Scottish breeders head across the water for judging duties. 

Kicking off this Wednesday, May 10, the show will now run to Saturday, May 13, and this additional day is proving very popular and livestock entries are up on the year in many of the sections. 

Rhonda Geary, operations director with the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society, which runs the event, commented: “We are very excited to bring our show offering to a fourth day, on a Saturday, which has been called for, for many years. The four days of the show will include all that is brilliant about Balmoral, grassroots agriculture alongside a mix of shopping, entertainment and attractions. 

“We are delighted to see a marked increase in many livestock sectors including equine and beef, and are looking forward to a full house in May competing for prestigious Balmoral titles.”

While the Year of Food and Drink has passed, its legacy remains and food is top of the agenda at the show. The NI Food Pavilion will showcase more than 100 local producers with 50 chefs putting on cooking demonstrations during the four days. 

A day out for all the family is on offer as food and fitness are served alongside farming, a jam-packed entertainment programme and attractions. There will be live robotic milking demonstration served up alongside the SPAR arena which offers a dedicated area for family entertainment. 

The Agri Pavilion provides a platform for businesses, where networking and business will be rife, complemented by outdoor machinery trade stands.Audiences around the main arena will be entertained by the Kangaroo Kid and his motorcycle display, but if you prefer to indulge in retail therapy the Eikon Shopping Village will have plenty on offer.
There are a number of further attractions, including a stage which will give a platform for local acts to provide musical entertainment. 

There will also be a revised garden area dubbed the healthy horticulture area which will include the grow marquee housing growers of local produce, such as apples, strawberries, mushrooms and cut flowers. 
The show ground is open from 9.30am to 6pm on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, with the closing time extending to 8pm on the Thursday. There are discounted rates available on the website, as admission charges range from £2 to £18 and children under five go free.

A list of judges and a timetable can be seen in the May 6 issue of The Scottish Farmer, page 35.