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The 34th Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS) Winter Fair in association with sole sponsor, Danske Bank, takes place at the Eikon Exhibition Centre, Maze, Lisburn, on Thursday 12 December.
Attracting over 4,000 visitors, and around 220 trade exhibitors spread across two main halls, the event is the largest one-day dairy show in Northern Ireland.
The event is open from 9am to 6pm, with prices at the door of £10 for adults, and £8 for young people aged 12 to 18 and seniors over 65.
Children under 12 are allowed in for free when accompanied by an adult.
Discounted early bird tickets are available to buy online here.
Champion
In the main cattle show, featuring Holstein, Ayrshire, Dairy Shorthorn and Jersey breeds, livestock exhibitors will compete for the title of supreme champion.
The top prize last year went to Co Dublin breeders Cyril and John Dowling with their Holstein cow Baldonnel FM Sunshine.
Judge this year is Robert Anderson, a Jersey breeder from Australia
In four of the last five years, the title of supreme champion has gone to a cow from south of the Irish border, and in each of the last six years, the Holstein breed has taken the title.
Judge this year is Robert Anderson, a Jersey breeder from Australia. Milking 220 cows in his King Ville Jerseys herd at Gippsland in the southeast of the country, Anderson also has 25 years of judging experience across both Australian and New Zealand dairy events.
Joining him on this year’s judging panel is Kate Stephen from Scotland, who will judge trade stands.
Careers corner
A new feature this year is a Careers Corner which will showcase a selection of jobs, apprenticeships and training opportunities within agri-food and related industries.
Visit the IFJ stand
The Irish Farmers Journal stand is situated in the Eikon Exhibition Centre at stand number 62.
Please call in at our stand for a cup of tea or coffee and a chat over the latest farming issues.
We will also have copies of the latest Irish Dairy Farmer magazine on sale, along with other merchandise.
NIIAS to analyse rising costs
The breakfast event on the morning of the Winter Fair organised by the NI Institute of Agricultural Science (NIIAS), will this year consider the rising costs on NI dairy farms.
The main speaker is Jason McMinn from FarmGate Consultancy. The event takes place at AFBI Hillsborough, starting at 7.30am on Thursday 12 December. To book your place, visit the NIIAS website or email secretary@niias.co.uk.
PSNI advice to farmers
Crime Prevention Officers from the PSNI will be on stand 4 in the Eikon pavilion to offer farmers and visitors free advice on farm security and crime prevention.
Officers will also have some Farm Watch packs to give out, along with copies of the UFU/PSNI Agriculture and the Public Roads booklet.
Moore Concrete new product launch
Ballymena-based Moore Concrete is to launch two new products at this year’s Winter Fair.
The first is a 15ft long, 7in deep slat, available with a Surefoot finish, to help meet the demand for longer slat sizes in new buildings.
In addition, new XL safety slats have been developed with an enlarged mixing point, 1,000mm x 940mm to facilitate all modern slurry pumps.
Moore Concrete will be located on stand 77 in the Eikon pavilion.
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