All you need to know about the 2025 Balmoral Show

More than 3,500 animals will be on display over the course of four days at the Balmoral Show

The 156th Balmoral Show started on Wednesday at Balmoral Park outside Lisburn.

Thousands of people are expected to attend, with four days of sunshine forecast.

It is the culmination of months of planning for the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS) and for the farmers competing with their livestock.

Despite being involved in more than 30 shows, the RUAS group operations director Rhonda Geary still gets excited.

Rhonda Geary has been involved with the Balmoral Show for decades

"The weather plays a big part in it, but it's always a great event and great to see it all come together after a year of planning," she said.

"There's everything, from the livestock classes to sheep shearing, our kids' area with the children's farm, our equestrian areas, our horticulture, our food which is so important, and then we have our shopping halls filled with trade stands."

First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly joined in

For farmers like William Irvine, president of the Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU), it is a chance to catch up with friends and show off the fruits of their hard labour in preparing animals for competition.

"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 colleagues," 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."

Inheritance tax was an issue at the forefront of many of those attending the show.

From April 2026, a 20% inheritance tax rate will apply to agricultural assets over a £1m threshold.

The Treasury believes that, with careful financial planning, about 500 estates a year will be liable to pay the tax, but DAERA says its research shows almost half of all farms in Northern Ireland will pass the threshold, due to land values alone, with the dairy sector particularly badly hit.

First Minister Michelle O'Neill told the Red Lines podcast that although the issue of inheritance tax rests with the Treasury it "doesn't mean you don't do anything about it".

"You still continue to fight, it was only a few months ago that we were all here as political parties, standing with farmers side by side in saying no to the Treasury and the new government around the fact that this is the wrong policy to take.

"It will have more implications for farmers here than it will for farmers across the water."

Richard Beattie, President of the Young Farmers' Clubs Of Ulster (YFCU) says tax changes are a "huge concern" for members

Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir said that there is "is a lot of anxiety and anger" in relation to the issue of inheritance tax.

He added that this stems from "the UK government's failure to engage".

Muir added that farmers do have a case and that there would be a "disproportionate and detrimental impact towards farming in Northern Ireland, because it is made up of family farms".

He said that the UK government needs to "have a bit of reflection" and "a bit more engagement around these issues".

UFU's Mr Irvine, also speaking to the podcast, said in a meeting with Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn he continued to apply pressure.

"We have smaller farm businesses, but we've a significantly higher land value and that leaves us vulnerable.

"The £1m threshold only lets a relatively small holding avoid this tax."

The chair of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi MP, said the union had given evidence to it.

"We are aware how it is disproportionate in Northern Ireland, how the inheritance tax will affect them. We are aware and have raised our concerns with government and will continue to do so."

'Real proud'

Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir said he has been looking forward to Balmoral Show for months

Speaking earlier to BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme, Muir said he had "been looking forward to the show for months".

"This is a real proud celebration of agri-food in Northern Ireland and there is so much we can be proud of," he said.

"The real favourite part for me is being able to see all the fantastic animals that we have here.

"There's so many examples in terms of pigs, sheep and there is the cattle ring.

"We have the highest welfare standards in Northern Ireland and we should be able to showcase that to so many people."

Sarah-Jane, from Armagh, is already a seasoned competitor at the age of eight - pictured with her Dexter cow Trixie

What can I see at the Balmoral Show?

A JCB dancing diggers display was among the highlights on Wednesday's open day

More than 3,500 animals will be on display over the course of four days.

Although there will not be any poultry competitions this year because of bird flu restrictions, there will be countless cattle, sheep, pig and horse competitions, not to mention the guinea pigs, rabbits and a small display of birds from a single flock.

The show has evolved over the years to reflect the changing face of agriculture.

A sustainability village will showcase the green innovations being introduced in farming to help reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.

And the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) will be demonstrating a model farm of the future.

Prof Elizabeth Magowan from AFBI said Balmoral was the "perfect platform" to share the scientific work they do to develop farming systems that are both environmentally and economically responsible.

"The AFBI team get a lot of value from the many discussions that take place with our farming community and the wider community who attend the show.

"We often learn as much from the folk that visit the stand as they learn from us."

Where is the Balmoral Show?

Damien Tumelty owns Castlescreen Farm in Downpatrick

The Balmoral Show takes place at the Eikon Exhibition Centre at Lisburn's Balmoral Park.

When is the Balmoral show?

The show attracts tens of thousands of visitors

The show runs over 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 can I get 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 at Lisburn 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 there will be queues arriving and leaving the showgrounds at peak times.

How to get a Balmoral Show ticket

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

Bookings can also be made for groups of more than 10 people, school and hospital groups.