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Balmoral Show is a 'day out' amid tense time for farmers

Louise Cullen
BBC News NI agriculture and environment correspondent
BBC William Irvine, a man with short, grey hair, is leaning on a metal farm gate on a sunny day. There are large, green trees and open fields behind him. He is wearing a red, white and blue checked shirt under a navy bodywarmer.BBC
William Irvine, president of the Ulster Farmers' Union, said farmers at the show will enjoy their day out despite all the challenges they face

The 156th Balmoral Show starts on Wednesday, with all shades of agriculture coming together to put on a spectacle.

But behind the shop window, farmers say they are under more pressure than ever.

Bovine TB levels remain at near-record levels, while a housing order imposed to protect the commercial poultry industry from bird flu has just been lifted after almost 12 weeks.

And the biggest shake-up in inheritance tax in a generation continues to cause stress for farming families.

A close up of black cows eating out of a trough on a farm. They have yellow ID tags on their ears.
The risk of Bovine TB is just one of the issues which have been stressing out cattle farmers

Despite prices for commodities like beef and milk remaining high, it all makes for a less-than-positive backdrop to a highlight in the farming calendar.

For Cormac McKervey, head of agriculture at Ulster Bank, the show has a role to play in connecting farmers with the public they serve.

"It lets them understand and know that what we're doing is good, it's wholesome, it's natural food."

But agriculture is still Northern Ireland's largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.

And reducing that is a challenge that Mr McKervey says is on the minds of farmers.

"Farming does produce a lot of carbon emissions, but equally, farming has some fantastic solutions in terms of absorbing that carbon into the soil," he said.

"And I think the conversation has widened, that it's not just purely carbon anymore, it's that wider piece about sustainability on the farm, both economically and environmentally.

"Farmers are getting into that and the supply chain is driving it."

Bovine TB

William Irvine, president of the Ulster Farmers' Union, knows his members will have a lot to discuss when the Union's tent opens for tea and scones on Wednesday.

"I could almost guarantee that the majority of questions that we will get will be the inheritance tax piece, the TB piece, closely followed I would say by the Nutrients Action Programme consultation that's just been announced in recent days," Mr Irvine said.

"It feels like there is a tsunami coming at us around all of these issues."

Sean McAuley has felt the impact of part of that tsunami.

After 40 years in farming, he had his first experience of bovine TB in 2023-24.

A man with short, greying hair looking to the camera. He is leaning against a metal farm gate on a sunny day. There are a number of black cows in the field behind him. He is wearing a pink jumper over a checked shirt.
Cattle farmer Sean McAuley is a spokesperson for Farmers for Action

"It was a shock to the system. I wasn't that well at the time; I was waiting to go into hospital," Mr McAuley said.

"I can fully relate now to the pressures it puts farmers and their families under because you see your business disappearing."

The Farmers for Action spokesperson is adamant that no strategy will tackle the problem until there is a wildlife intervention - a badger cull, by another name.

But the courts have quashed the previous minister's order for a cull.

With the bill for the TB programme expected to reach £60m this year, the TB Partnership Steering Group has published a blueprint for eradication.

It said it will "bring forward proposals for effective, evidence-based wildlife interventions and TBPSG views for consideration by [the] minister".

A small herd of black Aberdeen Angus cattle in a green field on a sunny day. The cattle are standing close together, some are looking at the camera.
Sean McAuley farms Aberdeen Angus cattle and this is some of his new herd in field

Frustrations with the planning system felt in other sectors are also affecting farming.

"I have one son who would be interested in farming," said Mr McAuley.

"We have been looking recently at perhaps other ventures on the farm, but the big stumbling block is going to be planning, and that is a big issue for anyone who wants to invest into the industry at the minute."

Amid all the troubles, the Balmoral Show remains "a real celebration" to look forward to for Mr Irvine.

"Balmoral is a day out, a day to meet folk that we maybe didn't meet since this time last year, it's a day to enjoy, a day to catch up with our friends and colleague," he said.

"It's a shop window for our pedigree breeders, our livestock breeders, and all the various sectors within agriculture will be represented at the show.

"I'm quite sure people will be there to enjoy their day, even with all the challenges that are coming at them."

Two woman are standing next to cream and brown cows. They are holding onto red rope which is connected to the cows' harnesses. One woman has long brown hair and the other has short lighter brown hair. Both are wearing a white shirt, white jacket and dark coloured tie. In the picture you can see that one woman is wearing blue denim jeans. They are standing outside a shed at the show.
Mum and daughter, Lizzie and Lucy Rodgers, took part in the competition last year

When is the Balmoral Show?

The Balmoral Show takes place at the Eikon Centre, not far from Lisburn.

The show runs on four days from Wednesday to Saturday and opens at 09:30 BST each day.

It closes at 18:00 on Wednesday and Saturday, 20:00 on Thursday and 19:00 on Friday.

How to get a Balmoral Show ticket

Tickets must be bought online in advance and cannot be purchased at the gate.

Early bird tickets are available to purchase on the Balmoral Show website before 22:00 on Tuesday. Normal rates will apply after this time.

Early bird prices are as follows:

  • Adults: £26.00
  • Youth (12-18): £19.00
  • Concession (Over 65): £21.00
  • Child (5-11): £3.00
  • Child (Under 5) : Free

Bookings can also be made for groups of more than ten people, school and hospital groups.

Getting to the Balmoral Show

Those travelling to the event are encouraged to make use of public transport.

If you are travelling by train, the nearest station is Lisburn Train Station which is less than 15 minutes away from the event.

A free shuttle service will run from the station to the showgrounds, operating regularly throughout the day.

The last shuttle bus will leave 30 minutes after the show closes each day.

By car:

  • From the west and north west: Take the M1 to junction eight and follow the signs
  • From Lisburn: Take the Moira Road out of Lisburn and follow the signs
  • From Belfast and the north east: Travel south on the M1, coming off at Sprucefield and follow signs to Balmoral Park
  • From the south: Take the A1 dual carriageway and follow the signs

Car parking is available on site for £10 per car each day, which must be paid by cash on arrival.

Organisers have warned that there will be queues arriving and leaving the showgrounds at peak times.