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The impact on the economy as a result of the cancellations of agricultural shows this summer will be “colossal”, according to the Irish Shows Association (ISA) national secretary Jim Harrison.
He told the Irish Farmers Journal that as a result of agricultural shows being cancelled, some €85m in revenue is being lost. And that’s excluding the Ploughing and Balmoral Show.
The Ploughing alone generates around €35m to the economy, according to Anna May McHugh of the NPA.
Exhibitors are affected too in terms of autumn sales, be it a pony, a bull or a heifer
“There are about 640,000 visitors to the 133 affiliated shows,” Harrison said, adding that this year’s cancellations will have a major impact on next year.
“Exhibitors are affected too in terms of autumn sales, be it a pony, a bull or a heifer, a lot of people showing cattle, horses and sheep pick up buyers at shows. They nearly follow them around. That’s knocked on its head.
Even for tractor sales, there’s a lot of business done at shows
“I’m worried about trade stands – will trade stands keep going? Chip vans and anything to do with food, outdoor catering … this is a big blow to them because an awful lot of trade stands make a living out of shows and festivals.
“Even for tractor sales, there’s a lot of business done at shows. ”
Recovery
Harrison believes shows will recover from this year’s cancellations, “that’s if we’re allowed to go next year, if social distancing allows. I would be worried about that.
“For shows, for football matches, for hotels, for weddings … it will be interesting to see what way it works out. I would be slightly worried about that.
I’m of the belief that shows will hold on to their sponsorship for next year
“No way could we run a show with social distancing in place,” he said. “I’m of the belief that shows will hold on to their sponsorship for next year, I wouldn’t be worried too much about that, especially the agriculture related ones.”
Showing commercial cattle is big business with thousands invested every year in potential show cattle, especially in the commercial classes.
A price of €10,000 was paid for an eight-month-old Belgian Blue-cross heifer at the commercial Winter Fair in Carrick-on-Shannon in November 2019. She was purchased with a future showing career in mind.
In the pedigree world, breeders see it as a major shop window for their breed and their herd. Showing cattle also bucks the trend when it comes to age demographic, with the majority of handlers being under the age of 20.
It has a massive following across the country and will be missed by many showing families this summer.
- Adam Woods
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