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Balmoral Show opened its gates to big crowds
PREPARATIONS: Rachel Garrett and her daughter Summer from Islandmagee, Co Antrim, preparing for the show ring. \ Houston Green
Busy first day back after two years off at Northern Ireland's largest agricultural show. \ Houston Green
The show is set to welcome tens of thousands of visitors to the four-day event at Balmoral Park, Lisburn, Co Antrim. \ Houston Green
Liam Donnelly from Derrylin, Co Fermanagh, at the start of the Texel classes. \ Houston Green
Ryan Erskine from Gleno Valley Young Farmers Club taking part in the Novice Young Farmers' Shearing Class. \ Houston Green
Champion Irish Moiled judged by Derek Steen from Dumfriesshire, is shown by Barney O'Kane, Garvagh, and owned by Nigel Edwards, Tempo. \ Houston Green
Breeding under way in Cork
Anne, Willie and Jerry Foley milking on the home farm at Ballinaraha, Glanworth, Co Cork. \ Donal O' Leary
Willie and Anne Foley. \ Donal O' Leary
The Foley family in partnership runs a herd of 64 crossbred cows and 92% have been served to AI so far. \ Donal O' Leary
Setting grass seeds in Co Waterford
Shane Byrne of S&J Byrne Agri setting grass seeds for the Lobby brothers at Killbree, Cappoquin, Co Waterford. The sowing rate is 14kg per acre and the seed is a mix of Astonenergy, Astonconqueror, Abergain, Aberchoice and white clover. \ Donal O' Leary
This week's My Farming Week in Co Dublin
Paula Melvin farms pedigree Salers in Hollystown, Dublin 15. \ Philip Doyle
Paula Melvin with her brother and vet Connor and mother Regina. \ Philip Doyle
Turf production on a bog in Co Galway
The CEO of Irish Rural Link has said that turf is in decline as a fuel and that it will continue to decline. \ Philip Doyle
A round up of some of the rest of the pictures from around the country
Alan Dwan sowing maize for Ciaran Slattery at Coolbawn, Nenagh, Co Tipperary, with brothers John and Liam O'Dwyer picking stones. \ Odhran Ducie
Ai technician Joe Hannon pictured on Sean Murphy's farm in Daingean, Co Offaly. During a busy week Joe is covering Westmeath and Offaly area and served 95 cows yesterday. Joe works for dove genetics. \ Claire Nash
Damien O’Dowd, Rinn, Co Roscommon, moving dairy calves to fresh pasture helped by his sons, Fiachra and Rossa. \ Gerry Faughnan
Jack Rahilly with his eight awards in the sheep section at the Kingdom County Fair which took place in Tralee, Co Kerry. \ Domnick Walsh
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