Balmoral

The Lisburn show is a real draw for farmers and contractors

Shows mark an exciting start to the 2025 farming season

Economic benefits will flow from showing more of our best in Britain

The inter-breed sheep champion at Armagh Show 2024 with owner: Mark Priestly and judge: Alison McCrabbe

Third Armagh show win for Mark Priestly

Supreme Interbreed Dairy Champion was Mostragee Bomber Louise owned by the Henry family from Stranocum, pictured with Gordon Donaldson and Richard Moore, John Thompson and Sons. Included are Max Davies and Pamela Allen. Photograph: Columba O’Hare/ Newry.ie

In pictures: The 2024 Balmoral Show Holstein winners

Overall Clydesdale Champion at Balmoral Show was the homebred yearling filly Macfin Highland Queen from the Hanna family. (Pic: Supplied)

Homebred yearling filly Macfin Highland Queen is Clydesdale Champion

Reserve Male Champion 'Glassdrummond Maestro' exhibited by Brian O'Kane

In pictures: Irish Moiled winners at Balmoral Show 2024

The best in the ewe lambs also went to Martin and Cyril Millar Millars Flock with a Largy Grizzly Bear daughter, VMG2403051.

In pictures: The top Texel prize winners at Balmoral Show

Reserve female and reserve overall champion, the second prize gimmer from Sam McNeilly, XST2300981.

In pictures: The top Texel prize winners at Balmoral Show

Enniskillen Mart

Marts: Heavy weight bullock selling to £1950 at Enniskillen Mart

RUAS president John Henning

Video: RUAS president John Henning speaking on day one of the show

Relaxing at Balmoral Show. Pic: Steven McAuley/McAuley Multimedia

In pictures: Bumper crowds at day one of Balmoral Show

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DAERA staff will be on hand throughout the four day Balmoral Show

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland's Dromore Presbytery stand at last year's Balmoral Show.

PCI prepares to welcome show goers to their stand

Liam Faulkner and Mike Gimson from Strategic Power Connect join Vickie White, RUAS, to announce sponsorship of the Balmoral Show's Sustainability Village. (Pic: Brian Thompson)

Balmoral’s bright future with new Sustainability Village

Jonny Steele riding George. (Pic: Martin O'Neill Photography)

Spring Derby and Balmoral qualifiers held at Lusk Equestrian

Catherine Spence riding Flyhigh Mable, winners of the 1.20m SJI on 6th-7th April. (Pic supplied by Tori OC Photography)

Photographs from recent competitions at the Meadows Equestrian
IT’S been a busy time at the Meadows with SJI competitions, cash back jumping and Balmoral qualifiers being held, to name a few!
By HW CORRESPONDENT

Mezcal jumps well clear for Jonny Steele to take 2nd place and qualify for Balmoral's 5yo Star of the Future class. (Pic: Anne Hughes)

Photographs from Gransha qualifiers for Balmoral's Star of the Future classes

Ann Patterson from Omagh Equestrian with two riders (Jessica and Charlie) from Drumragh Showjumpers and Baileys Horse Feeds who are our two main sponsors.

Drumragh Integrated College to host annual interschools competition

Blelack Dakota U898

Date announced for Gill Hall Estate bull sale

Blelack Dakota U898

Date announced for Gill Hall Estate bull sale

Rodney Balfour with Donny the ram. (Pic: UTV)

Preparations for Balmoral underway in Rare Breed

Pictured L-R are Dairy Council CEO Ian Stevenson, Professor David Armstrong, and Professor Sean Strain OBE, Ulster University

34th Lecture entitled Dairy and Bone Health

Champion Holstein calf was Damm Renegade Sallie exhibited by the Simpson family, pictured with Ashley Fleming, NI Sales Manager AHV, Mark Henry, Isaac Moore, Lauren Henry, handler, Jason Helen, judge & Phil Donaldson, Thompsons. (Pic supplied by NIHYB)

Watch: Balmoral venue big success for 20th AHV Multibreed Calf Show

Fleming Family with their Jersey Calf Champion Potterswalls Moonlight Lady 2 taking the Reserve Interbreed title on the day. (Pic supplied by Ulster Jersey Cattle Club)

Good turnout of local Jersey breeders attend AHV Multibreed Calf Show

Queen Elizabeth’s death date & cause of death

Interbreed Champion went to Damm Renegade Sallie, pictured with the Champion Jersey & Ayrshire, with Ashley Fleming, NI Sales Manager AHV, Laura Cornthwaite & Jason Helen, judges and John Mclean, Blondin Sires. (Pic supplied by NIHYB)

Watch: Balmoral venue big success for 20th AHV Multibreed Calf Show

First place winners in the showmanship classes, pictured with Laura Cornthwaite, judge, and Mark Logan, Clandeboye Estate. (Pic supplied by NIHYB)

Watch: Balmoral venue big success for 20th AHV Multibreed Calf Show
Almost 200 Holstein calves and young handlers took to the showring on Friday 25th August to compete in the 20th AHV Multibreed Calf Show.
Darryl Armitage

Good new for the countryside column - Striving for excellence in all that we do

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

Prince Harry and Meghan won’t mark Queen’s death with royal family

Adam Armour and Cathy Holmes attending beef and sheep at the Co Londonderry stock judging heats. Picture: Curragh YFC

Busy start to the summer months for Curragh YFC

Pictured in March 1983 at the breed show and sale which was held at the Automart, Portadown are auctioneer Tom Clarke, NI Charolais Club secretary, with Bertie Watterson, chairman, and the judge Andrew Barr from Scotland. Picture: Farming Life/News Letter archives

Clarke to leave RUAS to join the Automart based in Portadown (1973)

14-18yrs Young Handlers 1st Prize Anna Taylor

Priestley ewe clinches the RUAS supreme champions title at Balmoral

Charlotte competes on Ronelle Ebony at Balmoral Show. Image: Prime Photography

A busy show season for Dromore's lead rein star Charlotte

King Charles III

King Charles and Queen Camilla to visit Chelsea Flower Show

Trevor Shields, winner in the Large White class

Pig success at Balmoral Show

Madison Rafferty shearing in the ladies competition.

Pictures from the sheep shearing and wool handling competitions at Balmoral

The champion Texel

Millars ewe takes Balmoral top ticket

Saturday's Cattle Parade is a firm crowd favourite.

Show organisers delighted with the success of the 154th Balmoral Show

Dr Kirkpatrick (left) at the Launch of the Northern Ireland Agri-Rural Health Forum’s ‘Know Your Numbers’ campaign with his wife Joan, Rev Kenny Hanna, PCI’s Rural Chaplain and Forum Chair, Dr Rebecca Orr.

PCI Moderator praises farmers and their families during Balmoral visit

Front row, left to right: YFCU members Bethany Park, Abbie Harkness and Lucy McCombe. (Back row left to right) Martin Malone NFU Mutual Manager for Northern Ireland, YFCU marketing and communications executive Georgia Gilmore, Federation of Small Businesses development manager Roisin McAliskey, PSNI Rural and Wildlife Crime Lead Superintendent Johnston McDowell, YFCU assistant events and activities executive Laura Murray and UFU deputy president William Irvine.

YFCU members are commended for rural crime awareness

Kingsley Jordan, Annaghanoon Farm, Donaghacloney, Co.Down. CREDIT: LiamMcArdle.com

M&S champions its farmer suppliers at Balmoral Show

At last year’s Balmoral Show, (left to right), Timothy Hamill of Granville Ecopark, Rev Kenny Hanna, PCI’s Rural Chaplain, and Wilbert Murdock of Burkes of Cornascriebe.

Balmoral: Blue-sky thinking on show

Pictured in September 1995 at the Ahoghill Pony Fair are Thomas Hamill of Ahoghill, centre, with his son Pat, left, and Laurence Murdock of Drumbo. Picture: Farming Life/News Letter archives

News of farming and wildlife group is welcomed across province (1987)

Hannah Kirkpatrick, Rural Support, George Mullan, ABP managing director and Victor Chestnutt, Life Beyond Steering Group memebr

Win a shed or £20,000 with ABP and Rural Support at Balmoral Show

Queen Elizabeth won over one thousand races but did she win the Grand National? (Pic:Getty)

New photo of late Queen released to mark 97th birthday

LMC chief executive Ian Stevenson (far right) presents the rosette for supreme interbreed champion in the beef section at Balmoral Show 2022

LMC continues sponsorship of Balmoral Show

Some of the horses which were on display at the Ulster horse breeding show which was held at Balmoral a century ago this week in 1923. Picture: News Letter/Farming Life archives

‘Highly creditable’ display of Ulster’s premium horses held at Balmoral (1923)

William Gilpin at Balmoral Show.

Who will be in the prizes at Balmoral Show?

Mr Stanley Anderson, Tullyconnell, Cookstown, Co Tyrone, takes delivery of a new breed of pigs for Northern Ireland – purebred Durocs for his herd – in April 1982. Picture: Farming Life/News Letter archives

Shedding a new light on Farming Life's historic photo archive (1982)

Laura Short, Andrew Short (Director AJS), Colin Hutchinson CFO Fibrus) and Catriona Henry, Sponsorship Specialist at the launch of the 2023 show

Fibrus 2023 Spring Farm Machinery Show to be most diverse yet

Fibrus is a key sponsor

Ireland’s largest Farm & Plant Machinery Show returns with most diverse show to ...

Bessiebell Charolais have a hand picked entry from their prize winning herd catalogued in the forthcoming NI Charolais Club Sale

Smyths to offer special anniversary draft at Charolais sale

Pictured in September 1982 is Mrs Rosemary Bell from Kells with one of the Friesian calves which was being reared for beef production on the farm of her husband, Mr Bobby Bell, who was a well-known pig producer. Picture: Farming Life/News Letter archives

Bygone Days: British Friesians to the fore cattle sale at Balmoral

Grace Elwood and her British Blue Heifer wining the Cecil and Molly Robinson Perpetual Cup for best young handler in the beef section at this year’s Castlewellan Show, presented by show vice president Molly Robinson.

Running well and winning the prize of faith

The Queen was laid to rest in Windsor Castle on September 19. (Photo by Danny Lawson - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Queen Elizabeth II cause of death confirmed