Have you ever wondered how we run our agricultural competitions? Then you're in the right place!
Check out some fun facts below on six sections at this year's Show courtesy of event organisers, the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society.
Why do we shear sheep and how often is it done?
Sheep grow wool all year round and its main purpose is to protect them from the weather.
Farmers who own sheep typically shear them once a year in the run up to the warmer weather. After they’ve been sheared, the animals are able to keep cool in the summer months before their wool grows back to keep them warm in the winter.
Farmers also shear their sheep to help protect them from the risk of diseases and infections that can be easily hidden or carried through their thick and fluffy fleeces.
How many sheep are shorn at the Balmoral Show?
Last year the Balmoral Show broke its record with 194 competitors who managed to shear 1,850 sheep across four days.
That’s a lot of new woolly scarves and jumpers!
How do farmers get their cows ready for the Balmoral Show?
Ahead of agricultural Shows, farmers spend weeks and months preparing their cows. At the Balmoral Show you can see them getting lots of special treatment including what looks like a pedicure and even a wash and blow dry!
It’s very important that each cow looks and feels their best before they enter the Cattle Lawn and meet their judge.
That’s why farmers also do their best to ensure they eat lots of fresh grass in the summer and get essential nutrients from silage and animal feed in the winter.
How many cows are there at this year’s Show?
This year we’re expecting approximately 550 cattle to fill the Logan Hall. If you want to see some of the highest quality beef and diary cattle from across Northern Ireland the Logan Hall and cattle lawns are a must visit.
Why are there so few chickens, ducks and other birds at the Show this year?
To help protect our local wildlife important Bird Flu restrictions are now back in place across Northern Ireland. These mean that birds from different flocks are not allowed to meet in one place to help stop the disease from spreading.
Luckily we are able to host this impressive display of poultry as it comes from one farm. If you see any of our stewards in and around the marquee don’t forget to ask them about the different breeds and their eggs.
How many eggs are produced in Northern Ireland each year?
There were approximately 200 million eggs produced here in 2024. The egg industry in NI is very strong thanks to people like you who buy their eggs locally from our farmers.
What equipment do exhibitors use to display their pigs to the judges?
When in the ring, our exhibitors guide their animals using pig boards and show sticks so the judge can get a good look at how they walk and their body from different angles.
The pig board allows the exhibitor to steer their animal in the direction they want them to go and the show stick is sometimes used to lightly tap the animal to go forward.
What’s the highlight of the pig classes?
This year the Show is featuring not only one but TWO pig parades!
Hosted at the Solar Power NI Pig & Goat Ring, you’ll be able to see all our award-winning pigs on Thursday at 1.30pm and Friday at 2.pm.
What kind of competitions are there for horses at Balmoral Show?
At the Balmoral Show you can see horses and ponies in Showing and Show Jumping classes.
Our Show Jumping classes test the speed and accuracy of the horses and their riders. The aim of the game is to get around the course in the fastest time with the fewest faults (i.e. avoiding touching or knocking down obstacles).
On the other hand, the Showing classes essentially ‘show off’ the animals themselves. From their beautiful manes to their ability to parade without setting one foot out of place, attention to detail is key in the judges’ eyes.
Do the competitors win money or prizes?
Yes there is prize money for every class at the Balmoral Show. Many exhibitors in the equine showing classes can win hundreds of pounds but the top prize is in the show jumping section where athletes can win up to €30,000.
Why are there so many mentions of bees in the HH Marquee this year?
On Tuesday 20th May we will be celebrating World Bee Day! Bees are crucial to our ecosystems as they pollinate between 85% to 95% of the UK’s crops. Without them we wouldn’t have our fresh bread, favourite cereals or even apples, strawberries and raspberries.
What vegetables can I grow at home? Is it too late to start?
It's never too late to start sowing, growing and harvesting your own herbs and vegetables. For more info on the kinds of vegetables you can grow in your own garden and when visit the VEG NI website.
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