Hi °C | Lo °C The Balmoral Show starts today with an army of farmers heading into the King's Hall complex in south Belfast to jostle for parking spaces with the residents of the Lisburn Road.
Agriculture, for many years the poor relation of the Northern Ireland economy, has proven itself once again to be resilient to the vagaries of the global economy.
Now, along with the food industry at large, it is in a position to help lead the Northern Ireland economy out of recession.
So while the sight of a varied collection of dusty vehicles clogging up the highways and byways of south Belfast may cause a little disruption if you live nearby, it's only for a couple of days. Breathe deeply and think of your dinner because these people have probably had a hand in producing it.
It's a great opportunity to see not just the agricultural end of the industry but also the array of food producers who will be displaying their wares.
Vested interest aside, it's great to see the resurgence of a traditional industry that every one of us relies on.
