Third and final day of the Ulster Bank Balmoral Show at the Kings Hall in south Belfast. A dog exhibition pictured during the show
Hannah Lilburn, who was awarded Best Dressed at the Balmoral Show
FLASHBACK TO BALMORAL SHOW 2010. James Phillips aged 8 pictured on his horse Anna
FLASHBACK TO BALMORAL SHOW 2010. Corky the horse pictured in the stables
Balmoral Show 2010. A Llama yawns as it wakes up in the children's petting area
A Mangelitsa pig pictured at the final day of the Balmoral Show which took place yesterday in the Kings Hall, Belfast
Balmoral Show 2010. Billy Rolston who will receive an MBA next month from the Queen for contribution to sport working at the showjumping
The third day of the Balmoral Show which took place yesterday in the Kings Hall, Belfast. Conor Swail from Saintfield riding Peninsula Kheelan in the Grand Prix
The dancing dog display during the Balmoral Show 2010
Performing on the Tesco stand at the Balmoral Show, fiddler Adam with Emma McBride from Ballycastle age 5 and Joan Cary from Belfas
Third and final day of the Ulster Bank Balmoral Show at the Kings Hall in south Belfast. Twelve-year-olds Orlaigh Watterson (left) and Ruth Leader from Dundrod with their Jersey cow - Hockley Delila
Stephanie Farren from Ballyclare cleans her Ayrshire before the show. May 2010
David Scally with Starboard at the Balmoral Show. May 2010
Balmoral Show 2010
Balmoral Show. Roy Graham who is the Chief Sheep Supervisor
Minister Michelle Gildernew MP MLA was speaking at the Balmoral Show which was attended by President Mary McAleese
Balmoral Show. May 2010.
Mihall McCrea enjoys an ice cream at the Balmoral Show. May 2010
The first day of the Balmoral Show. Ellie McGill and Amy Morrow aged 8 petting a pony
Alan Lewis - Photopress Belfast 12/5/2010Mandatory Credit - Picture by Justin KernoghanSecurity on High Alert as The Prince of Wales enjoying the 'CRAIC' at The Balmoral Show at the King's Hall in Belfast today - The Prince arrived in Northern Ireland on a royal visit. Prince Charles travelled to the Royal Ulster Agricultural Show (RUAS) at the King's Hall complex, south Belfast.He was greeted by a number of dignitaries including the city's Lord Mayor Naomi Long and Dame Mary Peters DBE who is Lord Lieutenant of Belfast.He also met Dr Malcolm McKibbin, Permanent Secretary, DARD, Robin Morrow, John Bamber and Colin McDonald from the RUAS.At the show, he will tour and meet livestock exhibitors, judges and stewards.In the Garden Village at the complex, he will also have the opportunity to view the flower arranging, bee keeping and Young Farmers Club (YFC) exhibits.He is also due to present prizes to breed champions in the course of the afternoon.
Balmoral Show May 2010
12th May 2010 Balmoral Show - Kirree and Cesar Kermode from Isle of Man
Sharon and Ruby Burgess from Comber
Eva, Killean, Maeve, and Luke O'Hare from Belfast
Balmoral Show 2010
Newly Elected MP for North Antrim Ian Paisley Junior meeting HRH Prince Charles at Balmoral Show.
The Prince of Wales at the Balmoral Show. May 2010
Extreme Motocross riders perform tricks in the Grandstand at the Balmoral Show
Extreme Motocross riders perform tricks in the Grandstand
Showjumping at the Balmoral Show. Cruisings Micky Finn ridden by Olive Clarke
Thousands visited day one of the Balmoral Show 2010
Team Extreme: New shows aimed at the younger generation at the Balmoral Show
Lois Lyttle pictured with a baby chick
Showjumping at the Balmoral Show. Back in Business ridden by Mennell Watson
A man grooming his sheep at the Balmoral Show
Extreme motocross riders perform tricks in the Grandstand during the first day of the Balmoral Show
Janice Neil pictured with horses Bernie and Alfie
Kirree and Cesar Kermode from Isle of Man. Day One of The Ulster Bank Balmoral Show
Sharon and Ruby Burgess from Comber. Day One of The Ulster Bank Balmoral Show
tEva, Killean, Maeve, and Luke O'Hare . Day One of The Ulster Bank Balmoral Show
Prince Charles during day one of The Ulster Bank Balmoral Show
Prince Charles enjoys an ice cream
Day one of The Ulster Bank Balmoral Show. Henry Elvin, of Balmoral Show principal Sponsor Ulster Bank welcomed Ian Paisley Junior to the bank stand at the show. The Ulster Bank Charity Cash Cow is raising funds for Rural Support. All of the coins making up the 'artwork' will be donated to the charity after the show
Chloe McKibbin, 4, from Coleraine
Prince Charles at the Balmoral Show. May 2010
Prince Charles at the Balmoral Show. May 2010
Prince Charles at the Balmoral Show. May 2010
The Balmoral Show on the opening day. May 2010 .A showman with his Hereford cow.
12.05.10. The first day of the Balmoral Show which took place in the Kings Hall, Belfast. Adam McKinley aged 3 looking at the chicks
12.05.10. The first day of the Balmoral Show which took place in the Kings Hall, Belfast. Thomas Cole holding a rare Leicster Long Wool lamb
12th May 2010. Day One of The Ulster Bank Balmoral Show at The Kings Hall, Belfast. Alfie Murray with his Beltex Sheep
Graham and Howard McFarland
David Jardine
2th May 2010. Balmoral Show at The Kings Hall, Belfast. 4 Year Old Chloe McKibbin from Coleraine with the Ulser Bank cash cow
General view of the Balmoral Show on the opening day. 2010
Balmoral Show on the opening day. 2010. Nigel Dunlop from Hillsborough with his son Isaac
A very rare animal of an altogether different kind will be on display at this year's Balmoral Show, in partnership with Ulster Bank. A valuable new Brit Art style bovine sculpture made from thousands of highly polished coins of various denominations was be unveiled to visitors at the RUAS showgrounds this morning
Tommy McKean from Killaloo near L-Derry pictured with one of his North Country Cheviot.
The first day of the Balmoral Show which took place in the Kings Hall, Belfast. Noel Regan with his horse Shey
The first day of the Balmoral Show which took place in the Kings Hall, Belfast. Janice Neil pictured with horses Bernie and Alfie
The first day of the Balmoral Show which took place in the Kings Hall, Belfast. Police presence at the show as they prepare for the arrival of Prince Charles
Jane Bradbury with her horse Bloomfield Ackzo
The Balmoral Show on the opening day. May 2010
Preparations underway at the Balmoral Show as people get ready for 3 days of showjumping and cattle showing
Preparations underway at the Balmoral Show as people get ready for 3 days of showjumping and cattle showing
Preparations underway at the Balmoral Show as people get ready for 3 days of showjumping and cattle showing
Preparations underway at the Balmoral Show as people get ready for 3 days of showjumping and cattle showing
Preparations underway at the Balmoral Show as people get ready for 3 days of showjumping and cattle showing
Elaine Hunter, Ballymoney, with her Polled Dorset sheep at Balmoral Show
Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew and EU Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel take shelter during a shower of rain with UFU President Graham Furey at Balmoral Show
Sammy Wilson, proved to be dairy good when he tried his hand at milking Daisy the Dale Farm Cow at the Balmoral Show
Nadia Moore and Rebecca Wallace from Annalong with puppies in the childrens farm at the Balmoral show
Colin and Raymond Todd from Lisburn with his Blonde Junior Champion at the Balmoral show
A belgian Blue Bull gets a welcome shower after a hard day at the Balmoral show
Uncle Hugo entertains the crowds at the Balmoral show
Moycraig Young Farmers battle through the rain in the YFC Tog O War competition
Connor Colins, Ciara Cook, Martin Devine, Amy Hale and Susan McCord from St Kevins Falls Rd Belfast who won the global food network competition to grow their own food at the Balmoral show
Karren Wells from Markethill celebrates with her goat Molly after winning her class at the Balmoral show
Titan the ASDA robot entertains at the Balmoral show
Titan the ASDA robot entertains the people at the Balmoral Show
Shirley Anderson, from Ballymena, hands her entry for a prize draw to Anne Hagan on the Ulster Bank stand at Balmoral Show
Stephen MacAuley and William Edgar, from Downpatrick, give David George, Ulster Bank business development manager, a demonstration of how to get sheep ready for the show ring
Free rain macs proved popular with visitors to Balmoral Show after showers on Thursday afternoon
Cormac McKervey, Ulster Bank, discusses the agricultural economy with Farm Minister Michelle Gildernew during a visit to Balmoral Show on Thursday afternoon
Elaine Hunter, Ballymoney, with her Polled Dorset sheep
Fred Loughridge, Armoy, getting his sheep ready for showing at Balmoral Show
Kirsty Clarke and Caroline Woolsey, Ballygowan getting ready to show their Ballymartin Herefords at Ballymoral Show
Jonathan Farrell and Alan Kennedy enjoying a cup of tea before showing their cattle at Balmoral Show
Watching the Horses at the Balmoral Show
In the Cattle Market at the Balmoral Show
Clodagh McGovern has her Bull Ratorty Dollar in the perfect stance at the Balmoral Show
Freestyle Motorcycling at the Balmoral Show
Watching the Horses at the Balmoral Show
Taking a break at the Balmral Show
Bethany Boyd in with her fathers Ile De France flock at the Balmoral Show
Lara Ormedilla with her Horse Adamstown at the Balmoral Show
Kim Robinson and Nicola Greer Shelter from the rain at the Balmoral Show
Jamie McDowell and David Fitzgerald Caught on Camera at the Balmoral Show
Tony Sutcliffe on hand to provide medical assistance if needed
Vicky McClinchie (18) from Belcoo and Adam Fowler
An Owl at the Balmoral show.
Orla Coyle (17), Kathy McKinstrey (17), Elaine Crosier (17) and Kirsty Ridelle (16), all from Armagh.
Lynn Kelly with Morgan (5) and Madison (4) from Strabane
An entertainer on stilts entertains the children
Andrew King at the Balmoral show
John Stephenson (58), sheep farmer from County Durham, England and John Blaney (58) from Cushendun.
Yvonne Kilrane (15), Katie Tyrell (15), Valerie Donegan (15) and Niall Tiernan (14), all from Leitrim.
A child at the show eats ice cream in the warm sun
David Cunningham at the Balmoral show
John Charmichael with one of the eagles
Gwen Scott with her horse at the Balmoral show
Robert and Sylvia Steele, horse owners from Comber
Conor O Donaghue (28), charity worker from Limerick and Kevin O Leary (24) from Cork.
Noel Regan (65) from Roscommon with his wife Ann Regan (55) from Swansea and John Stewart (59) from Moneydig.
John Stewart (59) from Moneydig.
UUP European election candidate Jim Nicholson on his tractor
Belfast sculptor, Rachel Dickson working on the Dromona cheesy replicas of First and deputy First Ministers, Peter Robinson MP MLA and Martin McGuinness MP
Ruth Wilson, 24, who is competing in the Small Hunters Equestrian Event.
Children enjoy their day at the Balmoral Show
Geoff Holden Director of Exhibition Stand Design and Construction finishes putting together one of the stands
Laverne Bell, Renny McKeown and Johanna Hobes from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency finish putting up their display
Alison Connelly and Kenny Gracy with Forthill Ellen
Gary Hanna from Draperhill and Money Nabane Limousins brushes the cows
Eilidh Duncan with her horse "Flightpath"
The Balmoral Show first day. People view what it has to offer
Julie McConkey with Mishna
One of the judges at the Balmoral Show
People view what goes on at the balmoral show
Ayesha Akkari, Tiffinee Dickson, Alanna Dickson and Jennifer Sloan at the petting den
The horses which compete in equestrian competitions
Kathryn Moore (5) from Ballyclare 'Says Dromona Cheese' with her cheesiest smile at the Dale Farm stand at the Balmoral Show 2009
Hannah Mahood (4) from Donaghadee 'Says Dromona Cheese' with her cheesiest smile at the Dale Farm stand at the Balmoral Show 2009
Martin Rogan at The Balmoral Show
Arlene Foster (centre) with Sean Owens and Diana Porter, Ulster Pork and Bacon Forum
Arlene Foster (centre) with Clarke Miller, Miller Savory Foods and Clarke Black Chairman Food Promotion Northern Ireland.
Farmer showing off their prize sheep
The 2009 Balmoral Show at the King's Hall
A young farmer shows off his prize bull
2 year old Sam Geary finds himself a huge toilet to sit on at the NI Water stand
10 year old Fay Stockdale enjoying the Children's Farm
Young Lamas are a star attraction with the children
Art College student Jonny Shields puts the finishing touches to his First Minister, Peter Robinson, and Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, made from cheese
"One heavy weight Champion meets another" Martin Rogan with prize winning bull Son Of Rocky
Finishing touches are put to a horse, on day one of the annual Royal Ulster Agricultural Show
Tea and sandwiches are served in the horse trials area
Competitors in the horse trials area on day one of the annual Royal Ulster Agricultural Show
A competitor gets ready to compete in an equestrian event
A farmer power washes a bull prior to showing
Farmers relax on day one of the annual Royal Ulster Agricultural Show
Commonwealth Champion Martin Rogan with St.Kevins pupils at the Balmoral Show
SDLP European Election candidate Alban Maginness MLA squares up to Belfast's Commonwealth heavyweight champion Martin Rogan at the Balmoral Show
One of the horses in the stables
One of the Black Alpine goats which are very rare
The horses which are brought down to be judged
People view what goes on at the balmoral show
A llama at the Balmoral Show
By Linda Stewart
– 15 May 2010
The Balmoral Show has become one of Belfast's finest “hidden attractions”, according to Ulster Farmers Union president John Thompson.
And the mood of farmers at the show has shifted considerably from last year, suggesting changed fortunes, he said.
“I think there is a big, big turnout and good crowds. It's been very impressive, particularly the food events,” he said.
“It's a hidden attraction in many ways, but once people from the city come along they are hooked and keep coming back.
“It's a positive to the RUAS that even with such cold weather they have still got good crowds and turnout.
“On the stand this year we aren't getting many questions about producers' prices — milk and lambs have been fairly buoyant. People would be asking about the new beef grading system and O'Kane's Poultry, but not producer prices.
“With milk issues we would have seen a big difference from last year, when prices were in the doldrums and a lot of people were coming over to ask about milk price and wondering how long it would last.
“The outlook is fairly positive over the next few months and there is a much more positive feeling.”
The food and drink industry has now broken the £3bn mark for the first time, which is a positive sign, he said.
“The whole agricultural sector has been the one sector of the economy that has bucked the trend as far as the recession is concerned,” he added.
“Employment has increased in the agri-food sector. The message is very positive — while other sectors in Northern Ireland are going backwards, agriculture is no longer the sunset industry we had been told it was.”
Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew was back at the Balmoral Show yesterday for the fourth time in three days, fresh from a meeting with Northern Ireland's new Secretary of State Owen Paterson.
It's the first time the minister has visited Balmoral on all three days of the show, juggling her engagements with series of political meetings.
The minister said she had highlighted a number of key concerns during her morning meeting at Stormont Castle with the new Secretary of State.
“It was a short meeting. I did raise the issues about the agricultural budget. Ours is an outward-looking department with a lot of front-line services and we don't want to see diminution,” she told the Belfast Telegraph.
“He listened to me politely, but he didn't give any guarantees.”
Ms Gildernew said she was tied up in meetings on Wednesday morning but brought her children to the show in the afternoon.
“I was at the DARD breakfast on Thursday morning and then I had to go to the Executive meeting, then I came back for a while,” she said.
“The kids love it, though they don't love the fact that every two steps someone stops me for a chat.
“It's a brilliant day out for the family, a mixture of everything from machinery to livestock and the children's farm. They love the machinery.
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