The 157th Balmoral Show opened on Wednesday at the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society grounds in Lisburn and runs until Saturday. Thousands of visitors attend to see thousands of animals and 500 trade stands. Total entries across all categories exceed 3,600.

Cattle and sheep sections set record entry numbers. No poultry classes appear for the fourth time in five years due to poultry flu. Exhibitors vaccinate all cattle and sheep against Bluetongue.

Hannah and Stephen Maginn display offspring of their pedigree Salers bull Sidney, last year's overall champion. Stephen Maginn reports Sidney now produces heifers and bulls with cows. Hannah Maginn describes the show as a sales platform for livestock.

Sophie McAllister of Lisnamurrican Young Farmers' Club leads teams in tug of war, football, and stock judging. Her club holds titles in male and female tug of war and women's football. McAllister exhibits Charollais and Beltex sheep.

Ulster Farmers' Union president John McLenaghan lists fertiliser and fuel prices as key farmer challenges. He connects price increases to Middle East conflict and notes UK fertiliser import reliance since 2023. McLenaghan advocates greater food security to limit consumer price rises.

County Down sheep farmer Louise Skelly grazes lambs on grass without fertiliser using rotational methods. Skelly adopted these after global events to build farm resilience and reports learning from larger farms using similar approaches.

Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir reports ongoing work on organic fertilisers from local slurry and manure. Muir forecasts up to 10% higher food prices by year-end due to input costs. He plans to urge UK officials for agricultural support on Thursday.