Now in its 35th year, the Tullamore Show, known as the Olympics of farming, continues to garner huge attention.
Up to 70,000 people attended the event today in Co Offaly.
There was the usual fare of big farm machinery and big animals. It also included the ‘Most appropriately dressed man’ competition.
However, the sustainable livestock village took centre stage throughout the day of festivities.
Both the Taoiseach and Minister for Agriculture were in attendance
The dominant issue of the Common Agricultural Policy, was also highlighted.
It comes as the Irish Farmers Association launched a new online hub setting out the implications of a proposed €2.5 billion cut in ringfenced EU funding for farmers.
One of Ireland’s “central priorities” during the country’s European Union (EU) presidency will be to progress discussions on the future of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) funding for farmers, the Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon previously said.
Both the Taoiseach Micheál Martin and the Minister for Agriculture were in attendance.
Speaking today, Mr Heydon said the show “personifies the very highest standards” in Irish agricultural industry and food production and in rural life.
“And there’s tremendous variety and diversity of stalls here, which illustrates, I think, the very significant role that Irish agriculture and food production has in the Irish economy and indeed more generally in terms of core global issues of food security, food production is essential,” he said.
The site will return to a farm after today until the event is run again next year
The minister said food production being at a very high standard is essential.
“Ireland has that. Ireland makes that contribution to the world and particularly to Europe.
“And in that context, in terms of our presidency of the EU, we are very carefully navigating through discussions on the next European budget,” he said.
“And a critical part of that will be the Common Agricultural Policy.
He said there are many challenges and very tough negotiations ahead.
“But I think across Europe, there’s a general consensus of the centrality and the essential nature of CAP payments for farmers, and to sustain agriculture and food production over the next decade,” he said.
The highlight of Europe’s largest one-day event is the competition.
Thousands of cattle and sheep took part in various breeding competitions.
After today the 250-acre site returns to being a working farm before becoming the centre stage of the competition once again next year.