The 157th Balmoral Show began on May 13 at the Eikon Exhibition Centre in Lisburn and continues until May 16. The Royal Ulster Agricultural Society organises the event with thousands of animals, 500 trade stands, and over 3,600 total entries.

Cattle and sheep categories reached record entry levels. Exhibitors vaccinated all cattle and sheep against Bluetongue. Poultry classes remain absent for the fourth time in five years due to poultry flu.

Ulster Bank sponsors the event in its 17th year as principal partner. Police expect traffic delays on approach routes to Halftown Road. Translink provides shuttle buses from Lisburn Train Station alongside rail services.

Hannah and Stephen Maginn entered offspring of their pedigree Salers bull Sidney, last year's overall champion. Stephen Maginn stated Sidney now produces heifers and bulls with cows. Hannah Maginn called the show 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 entered Charollais and Beltex sheep.

Ulster Farmers' Union president John McLenaghan identified fertiliser and fuel prices as main farmer challenges. He linked recent price rises to Middle East conflict and noted UK fertiliser import dependence since 2023. McLenaghan called for greater food security to curb consumer price increases.

County Down sheep farmer Louise Skelly grazes lambs on grass-fed rotational systems without fertiliser. Skelly shifted to these methods after global events to boost farm resilience and draws lessons from larger farms using them.

Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir stated work proceeds on organic fertilisers from local slurry and manure. Muir projected up to 10% higher food prices by year-end from input costs. He plans to press UK officials for agricultural support on May 14.